Kid-friendly Activities in DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia this Weekend (11/22 - 11/24)

Washington, DC

• 10:00 am | Family Activity: Friendship Bracelets at DAR Museum
• 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Judith Scott at Merry Pin in NW (Best for ages 3-8)
  • Free art craft based on an artist/book
• 10:30 am | Open Studio: Torn & Reborn at Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
  • Delve into the creative world of artist Mark Bradford and his masterpiece Pickett’s Charge, as we explore his use of color, texture, and materials.
• 10:30 am, 11:45 am & 1:00 pm | Dance Sanctuaries curated by The Lion’s Den DMV at The Kennedy Center
  • Multifaceted lineup of dance classes including jazz funk, whacking, and choreography, followed by the most vibrant dance party with curated Afrobeat sounds and dance music by the illustrious DJ Bo!
• 12:00 pm | Friendsgiving Friendship Bracelet Drop-in at Merry Pin in NW ($) (Best for ages 14+)
• [Opening Weekend] 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Finn at The Kennedy Center ($) (Best for ages 5+)
  • From the creator of Doc McStuffins and Vampirina, Finn explores the depths of the brilliant and beautiful ocean, with vibrant sea creatures and catchy tunes.
• 2:00 pm | SpyKids Mission Training at Volta Park Pool ($)
• 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | SIX the Musical at The National Theatre ($)
• [Opening Weekend] 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre ($) (Best for ages 5+)
• 5:00 pm | Parents Night Out at iGEN Educational Academy ($) (Best for grades pre-k – 5th)
• 5:00 pm | ZooLights at The National Zoo ($)

Maryland

Prince George’s County

• 10:00 am | Turkey Crafts at Patuxent River Park ($) (Best for ages 4-12)
• 10:30 am | Beginning Blues Harmonica at Hyattsville Library (Best for teens & adults)
  • Bring your own harmonica.
• 11:30 am | Beginning Ukulele at Hyattsville Library (Best for teens & adults)
• 1:00 pm | Afternoon Aviators: Military History at College Park Aviation Museum ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
  • Learn about the brave paratroopers in our military history and then get hands-on by crafting their own parachutes.
• 1:00 pm | Magic – The Gathering – Play and Learn at Laurel Library
  • Learn and play the strategic card game Magic: The Gathering!
• 1:00 pm | Gemstone & Crystal Workshop at Bladensburg Waterfront Park ($)
  • Use microscopes and other amazing tools to explore and investigate gemstone samples and their properties. Take home your own stunning wearable gemstone necklace or bracelet!
• 3:00 pm | Family Games: Puzzle Palooza at Glenarden Library
• 5:00 pm | Taylor Made All-Stars presents: Lucky Season 7 Cheer & Dance Showcase at The Show Place Arena ($) 
• 5:30 pm | Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks at National Harbor 

Montgomery County

• 10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring Beale Street Puppets: Teddy Bear Circus at Glen Echo Park ($) 
• 10:00 am | Treasure Hunting at Wheaton Regional Park ($) (Best for ages 8+)
  • Geocaching is a fun way to get outside and explore. With the help of a Park Naturalist, participants will hike Wheaton Regional Park looking for and finding caches.
• 11:00 am | Bilingual Storytime ~ English and Amharic at Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library
• 11:00 am | Mr. Jon & Friends at Germantown Library (Best for ages 1-6) 
• 11:00 am | Superb Saturday STEAM at Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington
  • Paper planes 
• 11:00 am | Turkey Time! ~ Wild Turkey Biology at Potomac Library (Best for grades 1-6) 
• 2:00 pm | Story Swap: Tales for the Long Nights of Winter at Quince Orchard Library in Gaithersburg (Best for tweens & teens) 
• 2:00 pm | Science Saturday – The Science of Seeds at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for ages 6+) 
• 4:00 pm | STEM at the Library: Homemade Playdough at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville 
• [Opening Weekend] 5:00 pm | Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($) 
• 5:00 pm | Kids Movie Night featuring The Emperor’s New Groove at the NatureLab in Takoma Park
• 8:00 pm | Washington Balalaika Society presents “Mystery of Romance” at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre ($)
  • The Washington Balalaika Society is a community orchestra of musicians who perform the music of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia, and many other countries, on traditional folk instruments.

More Maryland Events

• 9:00 am | Breakfast with Santa at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($) 
• [Opening Weekend] 11:00 am | Holiday Festival of Trains at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($) 
• 1:00 pm | Waste Warriors: Eco Education at Elkridge Branch Library (Best for teens)
  • Learn the effects of plastics and the history of upcycling as you create a mosaic and bracelets and a community bench from “upcycled’ materials.
• 6:00 pm | Towne Centre at Laurel Tree Lighting with Santa Claus

Virginia

Arlington County 

• 11:00 am | Kids Pizza Party at Cookology ($) (Best for ages 8-17)
• 11:00 am & 3:00 pm | The Lion King Jr. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
  • Check out the pre-show experience: Timon & Pumbaa’s Pudding Party at 2:00 pm for $8!
• 1:00 pm | Tote Bag Design with Hoesy Corona at the MoCA Arlington Innovation Studio
• 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm | BalletNova’s Nutcracker at Kenmore Middle School ($)
• 6:00 pm | Family Skate Night at Thomas Jefferson Community Center ($)

City of Alexandria

• 10:00 am | Drop-in Cookie Decorating at Made in ALX ($)
• 10:00 am | Decorate a Tree for Birds at Buddie Ford Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 5-11)
  • Make biodegradable bird feeders and garlands to decorate a backyard tree!
• 3:00 pm | Boardgames and Bird Walk at Huntley Meadows Park ($) (Best for ages 12+)
• 5:00 pm | Ice & Lights The Winter Village at Cameron Run ($)
• 6:00 pm | 2024 Holiday Tree Lighting + ALX275 Closing Event at Market Square
• 7:00 pm | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Performance at Bryant High School ($)

More Virginia Events

• 9:00 am | Holiday Traditions at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
  • Celebrate the  season by exploring 18th-century holiday traditions at Mount Vernon. Make a pomander ball to fill your home with holiday scents, listen the music of the season, and try your hand at popular card games of the period. 
• 12:00 pm | Turkey Galore, Turkey Decor at Manassas Mall
  • Thanksgiving crafts
• 1:00 pm | Renaissance Festival at Shipgarten in McLean ($)
  • Includes Kids Corner with Face Painting, Moon Bounce, Crafts, and more!
• 2:00 pm | Make Room for Turkeys at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
  • Find out more about the role of turkeys in different cultures and how important habitat restoration will make room for turkeys!
•  2:00 pm | Financial Literacy Workshop at Park Central Library in Manassas Park ($) (Best for teens & adults)
• 4:00 pm | Turkey Trot 5K Race in Herndon ($)
• 4:00 pm | Twinkle & Cheer Tree Lighting at Leesburg Premium Outlets
  • Includes live entertainment, free balloons, character appearances & Loudoun Ballet performing from the Nutcracker!