Kid-friendly Activities in DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia this Weekend (5/16 - 5/18)
Plenty of festivals going down this weekend in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia! The Anacostia River Festival is Saturday (5/17) at Anacostia Park in SE DC! This festival brings food, culture and music together for a unique experience for all ages. Bonus: the Anacostia Springtime Festival is also on Saturday along Marion Barry Ave, if you have capacity to visit both. There's flower giveaways, crafts and culinary tastings included with that one. In PG County, PG Parks and Recs has hosted several community days each Saturday. This Saturday (5/17) you can check out the College Park Aviation Museum for free! It includes a musical petting zoo, scavenger hunt and special cub corner activities for kids ages 3-6! And in Arlington, VA, there's Arlington Palooza which honors the start of Pride Month and includes indoor and outdoor activities like animal encounters, moon bounces & more. Details for these activities & more, down below!
Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events
Top picks in this list have the heart symbol ♥ at the end of the listing.
Free movies in this list have the club symbol ♣ at the end of the listing.
Last Chance to See The Art of the Brick in NE DC
Two exhibits are closing soon! The Art of the Brick and Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience, located at the Exhibition Hub in NE DC close May 22nd. Tickets are up to 40% off with some as low as $14/person! Use code 4DMVKIDS10 for an extra10% off. Tap the title above to visit my affiliate link for details and to purchase tickets!
Friday, May 16, 2025
Washington, DC
- 4:00 pm | Feel the Beat! Beginner Drum Class at Georgetown Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 5+)
- 4:00 pm | Make Your Own Manga! A Special Anime Manga Club Event at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library
- 4:00 pm | Friday Films for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) at Capitol View Neighborhood Library in SE (Best for ages 5+) ♣
- 4:00 pm | Crafternoon at Woodridge Neighborhood Library in NE (Best for ages 8-14)
- 4:00 pm | Rosedale Anime Club featuring Blue Lock at Rosedale Neighborhood Library in NE ♣
- Afternoon of anime screening of Blue Lock, the well known soccer anime that kids and teens love. Meet fellow fans, share recommendations, and dive into everything from classics to the latest hits. Snacks will be provided!
- 4:30 pm | A Minecraft Movie at The Miracle Theatre in SE ($)
- 5:00 pm | Asian Pacific American Heritage Month – Celebration Performances featuring Hum Tunes at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park
- 6:00 pm | Late Night Hype May at Barry Farm Recreation Center in SE
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 3:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Beltsville Library
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs.
- 7:00 pm | Flex and Flow at Glenn Dale Community Center (Best for ages 12-18)
- A night of fun exercise while learning different conditioning techniques to take your artistry to the next level.
Montgomery County
- 11:00 am | Dance Party at Long Branch Library in Silver Spring
- 4:00 pm | Pizza Party Palooza! at Olney Library (Best for ages 8-17)
- [Limited Seats Left] 4:00 pm | Make Candy Sushi at Marilyn J. PraisnerLibrary in Burtonsville (Best for ages 11-18)
- 6:00 pm | Teens Night Out – 3D Art Class at Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center (Best for ages 14-21)
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Community Day at Port Discovery in Baltimore ($)
- Admission is $10!
- 2:30 pm | “Old School” Friendship Bracelets at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 7-11)
- 5:00 pm | Mommy & Me | Daddy & Me Paint Night at Joyful Studio in La Plata ($)
- 6:00 pm | Teen Game Night at Waldorf West Branch Library
Virginia
Arlington County
- 6:00 pm | Migration Campfire at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
More Virginia Events
- 2:00 pm | Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie Meet & Greet at CAMP Stores in Tysons Corner ($)
- 5:00 pm & 5:30 pm | Campfire Wagon Ride at Frying Pan Park in Herndon ($)
- 7:00 pm | Campfire Fridays at Hidden Pond Nature Center in Springfield ($)
Saturday (5/17) in Washington, DC
- 8:30 am | Morning at the National Museum of American History ♥
- Morning at the Museum (MATM) is a free, sensory-friendly program for children, teenagers, and young adults who are neurodivergent and their families.
- 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (Day and Night) at the National Zoo (Best for ages 0-5)
- 10:00 am | Open Studio: Amuse-ing Creativity at the Hirshhorn Museum
- Explore collaborations between artist duo (and twin brothers) OSGEMEOS and their mother. Then, taking inspiration from colorfully patterned latch-hook rug artworks, experiment with creating your own textiles and wearables.
- 10:00 am | First Studio: Art, Story and Workshop at The Kreeger Museum ($) (Best for ages 3-5)
- 10:00 am | Make a Spinning Trinket Box at Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores
- 10:00 am & 2:00 pm | Acaden Lewis Basketball Clinic (Best for grades 4-8)
- 10:00 am at Barry Farm Recreation Center in SE & 2:00 pm at Trinidad Recreation Center in NE
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Jean-Michel Basquiat at Merry Pin in NW
- Free art craft based on book/artist
- 10:30 am | May Family Day: Musical Families at the Library of Congress (Best for ages 5-8) ♥
- Celebrate music, instruments and more with activities, collections, and specialists from the Music Division and the American Folklife Center. Includes musical story time & tours!
- 11:00 am | The Washington Ballet ~ Storytime and Movement Class at Northeast Neighborhood Library
- 11:00 am | Friendship Park Spring May Fair at Friendship Recreation Center in NW
- Includes moon bounces, train rides & more!
- 11:00 am | Print and Play: Make One-of-a-Kind Monoprints with Gelli Plates at art Enables in NE
- 11:00 am | 2025 Fiesta Asia Street Fair at 400 Pennsylvania Ave. NW ♥
- 11:00 am | POWYC DC Blessing of the Fleet at The Wharf
- An annual DC boater tradition, this family-friendly event invites you to join the Port of Washington Yacht Club on Recreation Pier and see the boats in the DC Channel.
- 11:00 am | Zumba with Melissa at Petworth Neighborhood Library in NW (Best for ages 10+)
- 11:30 am | Malcolm Little: The Boy who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X – A Storytime with Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz at the National Museum of African American History & Culture ♥
- Celebrate Malcolm X’s centennial with a special Storytime led by Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz—author, activist, and daughter of Malcolm X. Dr. Shabazz will read from her celebrated children’s book Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X, offering an inspiring look at her father’s early life and the roots of his powerful legacy.
- 12:00 pm | Tara Hoot’s Free Family Fun Story Time at Shakers
- 12:00 pm | Many Shades of Wow: Glasses to Creative Fashion at the Anacostia Community Museum ♥
- Transform ordinary sunglasses or personality glasses into bold fashion statements. Learn to paint, decorate, and design unique shades that reflect your style.
- 12:00 pm | Anacostia Springtime Festival along Marion Barry Ave and Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE ♥
- Includes live music, flower giveaways, crafts, culinary tastings & more!
- 12:00 pm | From Us to You by the Teen Leadership Collective at the West Building of the National Gallery of Art
- This event provides teens the opportunity to meet new friends, discover shared interests, and build meaningful connections over food, artmaking, music, and shopping at our mini art market.
- 1:00 pm | Anacostia River Festival 2025 at Anacostia Park ♥
- 1:00 pm | WOW Wheelz Kids Day at Bridge District in SE DC (Best for ages 10 & under) ♥
- Free rides, games & popcorn for kids in attendance
- 1:00 pm | Painting with Paper in Nature with Ariana at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
- Tickets are donation based!
- 2:00 pm | Watercolor Workshop with Master Artist Roderick Turner at 1241 Marion Barry Ave. SE
- A part of the Anacostia Springtime Festival!
- 3:00 pm | Mahjong at the Museum: Book Talk and Gameplay with Nicole Wong at the National Museum of Asian Art
- 3:00 pm | Ti Jak and the Amazing Seeds ~ Children’s Book Discussion with Author Marie Josée Arthus at Sankofa Cafe in NW
- 3:00 pm | Duck Pond Party 2025 in SW
- Includes ducky-themed games, activity zone & more!
Saturday (5/17) in Maryland & Northern Virginia
Make a Spinning Trinket Box at Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores throughout the DMV beginning at 10:00 am!
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:00 am | Family Sports Day at Marlow Heights Community Center in Temple Hills (Best for ages 5+)
- 10:00 am | Spring Celebration Hike at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($)
- 10:00 am | College Park Aviation Community Day at College Park Aviation Museum ♥
- Includes a Musical Petting Zoo with University of Maryland School of Music, Hands-on Discovery Cart Activities, scavenger hunt, photo studio & more! + cub corner for ages 3-6!
- 10:30 am | Bibliobop Dance Party: Baby Prom at South Bowie Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- Calling all preschoolers, toddlers, and babies to come dressed in your best threads or everyday attire, to bust a move and shake your sillies out.
- 11:00 am | Riversdale House Museum Community Day
- Includes an Archaeology Scavenger Hunt, Community Oral Histories, photo studio & more!
- 12:00 pm | Dinosaur Park Open House in Laurel
- 12:00 pm | Derby Day at Old Maryland Farm ($) (Best for ages 2-12) ♥
- Become a Junior Jockey at Old Maryland Farm. Participants will learn all about horses through crafts, games, and activities. At the end, children will race to the finish line as they are crowned Old Maryland Farms Junior Jockeys.
- 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm | Kids Paint + Glow Party at Oblivion Art House in College Park ($)
- 1:00 pm | Filipino Culture Through Arts & Crafts, Dances and Stories at Spauldings Library in District Heights ♥
- Celebrate the colorful traditions of the Flores de Mayo festival by getting hands-on with flower crown-making and crafting woven paper flags. Experience the lively rhythms of Filipino folk dances, from the elegant Cariñosa to the energetic Tinikling.
- 1:00 pm | STEM for Families: Snap Circuits at Mount Rainier Library (Best for ages 5-12)
- [For Adults] 1:00 pm | Supporting Literacy & Brain Development at Home at Largo-Kettering Library
- This workshop will provide parents and caregivers with practical strategies to foster literacy skills and brain development in young children at home.
- [For Adults] 1:00 pm | Child Protective Services Training: Recognizing & Reporting Maltreatment at Fairmount Heights Library
- 2:00 pm | Flag Football Clinic at Woodmore Towne Centre Park in Lanham ($) (Best for ages 8-14)
- 2:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Bladensburg Library
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs.
- 2:00 pm | Craft and Create: Ukiyo-e Neko at Accokeek Library
- Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month by learning about the delightful popularity of ukiyo-e cat prints! After a brief overview, try creating your own wood block art print!
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Spring Festival and Kids to Parks Day Celebration at Croydon Creek Nature Center in Rockville
- 10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring The Puppet Company’s Favorite Faces at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 10:30 am | Movie: Mulan at Aspen Hill Library in Rockville ♣
- 10:30 am | STEM at Little Falls Library in Bethesda
- 11:00 am | WaterFest at Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville ♥
- Come make a splash while learning about your local watershed through crafts, games, exhibitors, and activities. Crafts include: rain stick making and shaking, fish print creations, bubble fun, water cycle adventures and spring crafts!
- 11:00 am | KidStory Theatre Festival ~ A Theatrical Celebration of Stories Written by Kids for Kids at Highland Elementary School in Wheaton (Best for ages 4+)
- 11:00 am | Potomac Lifestyle Spring Festival by Dov & Company in Potomac
- Includes face painting, kids activities & more!
- 11:00 am | Water N’ Kids: Learn Water Safety with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary at Germantown Library
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Charlotte’s Web at Glen Echo Park ($)
- The 2:00 pm show will be ASL interpreted and is sensory-friendly!
- 11:30 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Piccadilly Puppets presents: Cat & Mouse Tales at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 12:00 pm | Kids’ Train Day at the National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville ($)
- Enjoy an afternoon of trolleys and model trains!
- 1:00 pm | Teen Career Cafe: Photography at Gaithersburg Library (Best for grades 6th – 12th)
- Learn about photography as a career choice!
- 2:00 pm | Forest Park Music Festival – A Celebration of Federal Workers in Takoma Park ♥
- Includes resources for federal workers and games for kids!
- 2:00 pm | Bridge Engineering: STEAM at Germantown Library (Best for ages 3+)
- Work together to build bridges!
- 2:00 pm | Circus Science with Gregory May on the South Lawn of Connie Morella Library in Bethesda ♥
- As a former Ringling Brothers performer, science teacher, and Port Discovery educator, Gregory uses juggling, rolling globe walking, plate spinning, and more to explore the circus world and the scientific principles that make it work: Newton’s Laws, Gyroscopic Motion, and Center of Gravity.
- 2:00 pm | NIH Chamber Singers present “Musical Gems” at Twinbrook Library in Rockville
- 2:00 pm | Rock and Rhyme with Mr. Jon & Friends at Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville (Best for ages 6 & under)
- 6:30 pm | Cinema Saturdays featuring Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at the Collection Chevy Chase ♣
More Maryland Events
- 11:00 am | Free Kids Event: The Magic of Science at Lakeshore Learning Towson (Best for ages 3+) ♥
- Includes an experiment in the Lava Lab, paint with magnets & much more!
- 11:00 am | SERC River Days Festival in Edgewater
- Enjoy live music, food trucks and plenty of hands-on science activities on the shore with Smithsonian researchers and educators.
- 11:00 am | Picture Bingo at sweetFrog Laurel ($)
- [For Adults] 11:00 am | Anxious Generation: A Panel Discussion at Howard County Conservancy ($)
- A panel of experts will discuss The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, exploring declines in play and rising phone use, and their effects on children’s mental health. Professionals will share insights and recommendations. An outdoor children’s play activity will run concurrently.
- 3:00 pm | What’s For an Owl’s Lunch? at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for grades 3rd – 5th)
- 3:00 pm | Kids to Park Day at Granville Gude Park & Lakehouse (Best for ages 12 & under)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 9:00 am | Red Cross Babysitting Class at Long Bridge Aquatics Center ($) (Best for ages 11-17)
- 10:00 am | Take and Make Paracord Bracelets at Columbia Pike Library
- 11:00 am | Pet-Palooza & URBNmarket Pop-up at The Crossing Clarendon
- 11:00 am | Arlington Palooza 2025 at Lubber Run Community Center ♥
- Live music street fair that includes food trucks, artisans, moon bounces, games and community vendors + indoor activities like animal encounters, children’s story time, crafts, an immersive light show and dance lessons for all ages.
- 5:00 pm | Mesmerizing Moths Campfire at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
- 6:30 pm | Living Worlds Planetarium Show at David M. Brown Planetarium ($)
- 8:00 pm | Habitat Earth Planetarium Show at David M. Brown Planetarium ($)
City of Alexandria
- 10:00 am | Well Ray in Del Ray ♥
- free festival in celebration of health and wellness that includes family karate and family yoga!
- 11:00 am | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
- 11:00 am | Free Kids Event: The Magic of Science at Lakeshore Learning (Best for ages 3+) ♥
- Includes an experiment in the Lava Lab, paint with magnets & much more!
- 1:00 pm | Spring Flower Cookie Decorating at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 4-8)
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Tephra ICA Arts Festival at Reston Town Center
- Includes a Family Art Walk Tour and a Festival Art Park with activities and workshops!
- 10:00 am | Storytime by 1st Stage in Tysons
- “Astronaut Handbook” in honor of National Space Day
- 10:00 am | Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie Meet & Greet at CAMP Stores in Tysons Corner ($)
- 11:00 am | McLean Day 2025 at Lewinsville Park ♥
- Must purchase wristbands for carnival rides!
- 12:00 pm | Equality Prince William Pride Festival at Harris Pavilion
- 6:00 pm | Family Skate and Dance Night: Second Anniversary Celebration at Franconia Recreation Center ($)
Virtual
- 1:00 pm | Vitural Planetarium Show hosted by the Air & Space Museum
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Washington, DC
- [For Moms & Babies] 9:30 am | Baby Burner Workout with Marita at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in NE
- 11:00 am | The Rumpus Room Family Dance Party Spring Jam 2025 at Union Market ($) (Best for ages 10 & under) ♥
- 11:00 am | District Irish Dance Showcase 2025 at The Miracle Theatre in SE ($)
- 11:00 am | Teen Volunteer Project Donation Sorting at LSS
- 2:15 pm | A Minecraft Movie at The Miracle Theatre in SE ($)
- 2:30 pm | Family Concert: Carnival of Animals at St. Mark’s Capitol Hill ($) (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- 3:00 pm | Art à la “Cart” ~ Make art with us! at MLK Memorial Library
- 4:30 pm | The Wiz (Re-release) at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- There’s also a 7:30 pm show ($)!
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:00 am | Kaiser Permanente Whole Health & Wellness Series Presents Healthy at the Harbor at National Harbor ♥♣
- Includes a kids zone with spin-art bikes, balloon art, face painting & more! + Moana 2 screening at 6:00 pm!
- 10:00 am | International Museum Day at the College Park Aviation Museum
- Free admission to the museum!
- 10:30 am | Storytime on Screen at Greenbelt Cinema
- 12:00 pm | Children’s Entrepreneur Market at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie
- 12:00 pm | Heritage Day at Belair Stable in Bowie ♥
- Activities include music from Cypress Creek Bluegrass Band, a blacksmithing demo, a farm animal petting zoo, plus crafts and activities for the kids.
- 12:00 pm | Langley Park Day at Langley Park Community Center
- Includes music & entertainment, traditional dancers, community resources, children’s activities, games, and food vendors.
- 1:00 pm | Spring Street Fair 2025 in College Park ♥
- Includes arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations, kids activities, food trucks, live music and performers, and spring-time fun!
- 4:00 pm | International Dance Experience at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse ($)
- Talented dancers from across the world light up the stage with lively performances from artists representing Hawaii, Brazil, West Africa, Ireland, and Cuba.
Montgomery County
- 9:30 am | Storytime: Hena Khan for Bhangra Boogie at People’s Book Takoma
- 10:00 am | Storytime in the Garden at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
- 10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring The Puppet Company’s Favorite Faces at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 10:00 am | 4th Annual Crossroads Community Food Fair in Takoma Park
- 10:30 am | Asian American & Pacific Islander Month Celebration at Rockville Memorial Library
- 11:00 am | Charlotte’s Web at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 11:15 am | Cultural Film Festival at Kensington Park Library ♣
- Double feature: Young Frankenstein (PG) at 11:15 am & Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13) at 1:45 pm
- 11:30 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Piccadilly Puppets presents: Cat & Mouse Tales at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 12:00 pm | Spring Festival at Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center in Chevy Chase
- Activities include arts and crafts, inflatables, face art, food trucks, music and more!
- 4:00 pm | Friendship Storytime & Craft with Girl Scout Troop 33105 at Potomac Library (Best for ages 4-9)
- 4:00 pm | 300 Years of Dance Music: From Minuet to Tango to Samba at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda
- 3rd annual piano recital featuring students of acclaimed local music teacher Elena Migunov, performing solos, duets, two piano/four hand, and two piano/eight hand pieces from composers across the world over the last three centuries.
More Maryland Events
- 9:00 am | Sensory Friendly Sunday at Port Discovery in Baltimore ($)
- 10:30 am | Sensory-Friendly Sunday – Bursting into Bloom at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($)
- Designed for families with kids, teens, and adults with sensory-processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities.
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | MoCA on the Move: Celebrating Spring Family Fun Series at Metropolitan Park
- Artist Spotlight: Danni O’Brien Found Material Cyanotypes! + live music!
- 11:00 am | Pet-Palooza & URBNmarket Pop-up at The Crossing Clarendon
- 1:00 pm | The YoYo Club at Central Library (Best for ages 8+)
- Learn new tricks; meet new people! Do you have an appreciation for yo-yos, kendama, diablo, juggling and any other trick based skill activity? Learn from experienced throwers and build your skills together.
- 1:30 pm | Flight of the Butterflies – Planetarium Show at David M. Brown Planetarium ($)
- 2:00 pm | All About Mammals! at Long Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 6-10)
- 3:00 pm | Expedition Reef – Planetarium Show at David M. Brown Planetarium ($)
City of Alexandria
- 8:00 am | Birding for Beginners at Huntley Meadows ($) (Best for ages 12+)
- 10:00 am | The Old Town Festival of Speed and Style
- This high-energy festival is a celebration of speed, style, music, food, and fun—offering a thrilling, immersive experience that is free to the public.
- 11:00 am | Crafternoons with SMIVA! Old Town
- 1:00 pm | Spring Flower Cookie Decorating at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 9-14)
- 5:00 pm | Harry Potter Trivia Night at Hops N Shine
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie Meet & Greet at CAMP Stores in Tysons Corner ($)
- 11:00 am | Tephra ICA Arts Festival at Reston Town Center
- Includes a Family Art Walk Tour and a Festival Art Park with activities and workshops!
- 12:00 pm | Petting Zoo hosts Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
This Week's Book Recommendation
