Kid-friendly Activities in DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia this Weekend (1/3 - 1/5)
Happy New Year! We're back with a brand new line-up of weekend happenings for kids and families in DC, Maryland and Virginia. This updated look includes weekly local book recommendations and mention of new and/or recently updated blog posts to keep you even more informed of what's happening around the DMV. We've been skating through winter break from visiting Canal Park Ice Rink in SW DC, Wheaton Ice Rink in Montgomery County, MD & a bit of roller skating at Kraken in NE DC. Y'all, we tried to do free ice skating at the National Building Museum in DC but when I heard it's a two hour wait with no guaranteed entry (if you don't have a reservation), we turned right around LOL. Unfortunately, it's sold out for the remaining days. Canal Park has been by far the most enjoyable experience; although, it's a bit pricey. At Wheaton Ice Rink, we were able to catch their annual Winter Ice Show, which was amazing! Kids and teens showed off their skills through a variety of short performances. We really enjoyed the show! Now let's get into this weekend's adventures...
Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events
Friday, January 3, 2025
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Storytime: The Snowy Day at National Gallery of Art
- English & Spanish
- 4:30 pm | The Wild Robot at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 5:00 pm | Zoo Lights at the National Zoo ($)
Maryland
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens’ Conservatory in Wheaton
- 11:00 am | Musical Story Hour with Bach to Rock at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 18 mon. – 5)
- 11:00 am | ‘Twas the Night before Christmas at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 2:30 pm | Fun Fridays at Wheaton Library
- 5:00 pm | Read to a Dog at White Oak Library (Best for ages 5-12)
More Maryland Events
- 4:00 pm | Friday in 3D ~ Teen 3D Printing Club at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 11-18)
- 6:30 pm | Family Friday Planetarium Program & Movie at Robinson Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 5+)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 4:30 pm | Blacksmith Campfire at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
City of Alexandria
- 9:00 am | First Friday Bird Count at Buddie Ford Nature Center
- Participants will observe a variety of species in Dora Kelley Nature Park as the seasons change and contribute data to conservation efforts. Binoculars will be available to loan.
- 12:00 pm | Ice & Lights The Winter Village at Cameron Run ($)
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Make a piggy bank at Home Depot stores beginning at 9:00 am.
Build a construction hat and matching badge at Lowes Home Improvement stores beginning at 10:00 am.
Washington, DC
- 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play (Trees) at Smithsonian Zoo (Best for ages 0-5)
- 10:00 am | First Saturday: January at National Gallery of Art
- Includes Storytime: The Snowy Day, Face painting, and a sketching lab!
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Zaha Hadid at Merry Pin in NW (Best for ages 3-8)
- 10:30 am | Open Studio: Put it into Perspective at Hirshhorn Museum
- Art workshop inspired by Pablo Picasso
- 10:30 am | Story Time for the Spectrum at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library
- All children and their families are invited to this fun story time, packed with sensory-friendly activities designed to be enjoyed by children of all abilities, including those on the autism spectrum.
- 1:00 pm | Winter Wonderland Festival at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library in SE
- 2:00 pm | The Wild Robot at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- [Last Chance] 5:00 pm | Zoo Lights at the National Zoo ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 9:00 am | Majorette Boot Camp at Harmony Hall Regional Center ($) (Best for ages 8-15)
- 10:00 am | Sneaker Design Workshop at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Ft. Washington ($) (Best for ages 10-15)
- 10:00 am | Adventure Seekers: Patuxent Research Refuge at Mount Rainier Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
- 2:00 pm | Kids Paint + Glow Party at Oblivion Art House in College Park ($)
Montgomery County
- [Last Chance] 10:00 am | Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens’ Conservatory in Wheaton
- 10:30 am | STEM at Little Falls Library in Bethesda
- 10:30 am | Movie: Encanto at Kensington Park Library
- 11:00 am | Superb Saturday STEAM featuring Endothermic Snowpeople at Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington
- 11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Aspen Hill Library
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | ‘Twas the Night before Christmas at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Ugly Holiday Sweater Day!
- 1:00 pm | Science Splash: Environmental Innovation Project with Team Capybaras at Gaithersburg Library
- 1:00 pm | Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($)
- 3:00 pm | Painting with ScribbleArtz at Gaithersburg Library (Best for grades K-5)
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Paws to Read at Odenton Library (Best for ages 6-10)
- Children in elementary school improve their reading skills while enjoying the rapt attention of canine tutors.
- 10:15 am | Puzzle Palooza Jr. at East Columbia Branch Library (Best for ages 7 & under)
- 10:30 am | Cool Chemistry – The Science of Fluffy Slime at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City (Best for ages 11-18)
- 1:00 pm | Planetarium Movie Showing ~ Expedition Reef at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($) (Best for ages 5+)
- 2:00 pm | Fairytale Engineering: The Three Billy Goats Gruff at Elkridge Branch Library (Best for ages 6-9)
- 2:00 pm | Saturday Family Crafternoon ~ Snowy Days at Potomac Branch in Indian Head
- 2:00 pm | Savage Ukes at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 8+)
- Bring your ukulele, tuner, and desire to play! Registration required to reserve a ukulele for class use. Learn the basics and practice your favorite songs from our extensive play along list.
Virginia
Arlington County
- 9:00 am | Volunteer Service Day at Potomac Overlook Regional Park (Best for ages 9+)
- 10:00 am | Make Ceramic Coasters at Arlington Mill Community Center ($)
- 11:00 am | Pre-K: Marsupials at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 3-5)
- 4:00 pm | Winter Survival Campfire at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
City of Alexandria
- 9:30 am | Author Story Time: Snow is… with Laura Gehl at Old Town Books
- 10:00 am | Free Kids Craft at Made in ALX
- 12:00 pm | Ice & Lights The Winter Village at Cameron Run ($)
- 2:00 pm | Board Game Cafe at Beatley Central Library
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Winter Wonder Lab at Children’s Science Center LAB in Fairfax ($)
- 12:00 pm | To Build a Fire at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($)
- Learn the science and art of building a fire and then test your skill with primitive fire bows and modern fire-making techniques. Use your new skills to roast some s’mores at the end.
- 2:00 pm | Craft & Create: Engineering Challenge at Park Central Library in Manassas Park
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Washington, DC
- 1:30 pm | Dia De Los Reyes Magos ~ Three Kings Day Celebration at Gala Hispanic Theatre
- Includes parade and free theatre show! No tickets needed.
- 2:00 pm | Cine-Concert: The Adventures of Prince Achmed at National Gallery of Art
- 2:00 pm | The Wild Robot at The Miracle Theatre ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 1:00 pm | Animal Encounters at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($)
Montgomery County
- 9:00 am | Game Time at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds
- 10:30 am | Little Dragon Story Hour at Germantown Library (Best for ages 4 & under)
- Immersive Mandarin language story hour
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | ‘Twas the Night before Christmas at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Free Hot Cocoa Bar at both performances!
- 1:00 pm | Free Summer Camps Fair at Germantown Community Recreation Center
- 1:00 pm | Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($)
- Meet the actors after this performance!
- 3:00 pm | Mr. Jon & Friends at Long Branch Library in Silver Spring
- Mr. Jon uses rhymes, songs, books, and puppets for a musical comedy show not to miss.
More Maryland Events
- 12:00 pm | Bird Feeder Craft at sweetFrog Laurel
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | Chocolate with Chickadees at Potomac Overlook Park ($) (Best for ages 7+)
- Bring your own mug for hot cocoa!
- 1:00 pm | Pre-K: Winter Evergreens at Long Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 3-5)
City of Alexandria
- 12:00 pm | Ice & Lights The Winter Village at Cameron Run ($)
- 12:00 pm | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
- 1:00 pm | Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library
- Second-hand plush toy donations accepted through 1/31!
More Virginia Events
- 9:30 am | Winter Bird Walk at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
- 10:00 am | Winter Waterfowl Hike at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($)
- 10:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Winter Wonder Lab at Children’s Science Center LAB in Fairfax ($)
- 12:00 pm | Bring Your Dog Day – Kids & Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
- 1:00 pm | Penguins and Polar Bears at Riverbend Park ($)
- Through trail activities, learn more about penguins, polar bears and other animals who enjoy the chilly temperatures.
This Week's Book Recommendation
New on the Blog
Cultural Festivals by Month
New Blog Alert! Check out this listing of cultural festivals and things-to-do by month in celebration of heritage and identity. This post will be updated weekly to feature new/just announced events for the current and upcoming month. Make sure to bookmark it for future reference!