Kid-friendly Activities in DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia this Weekend (5/2 - 5/4)

Events
Rain this Weekend
According to The Weather Channel, Saturday (5/3) and Sunday (5/4) will be rainy! "Scattered thunderstorms. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%" on Saturday. "Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50% on Sunday" I'll update this list as cancellations occur.
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.
Thursday, May 1, 2025

Teen Craft Night at Merry Pin in NW DC
A night just for teen makers! Bring your current project or grab a craft kit or materials from our shop and settle in for a fun, creative evening with friends. Whether you're knitting, painting, beading, or trying something new, this is your space to craft, chill, and connect. Hosted from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Merry Pin located at 7350 Georgia Ave. NW. Free admission! Tap the title above for more details!
Friday, May 2, 2025
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Storytime: Mommy/Mami at the National Gallery of Art
- 10:30 am | First Friday Fun at Chevy Chase Library
- 3:00 pm | First Fridays in Chevy Chase
- Celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Chevy Chase Arcade!
- 7:30 pm | Naruto The Symphonic Experience at the Warner Theatre ($)
- 7:30 pm | Paint Ball at the National Portrait Gallery (Best for ages 13-19) ♥
- Do you like making art? Taking pictures with your friends? Winning prizes? Our Teen Museum Council planned Paint Ball so visitors aged 13 to 19 can have one last party before the school year ends. Bring identification to verify you are eligible to participate.
- 8:00 pm | Washington Spirit vs. Angel City FC at Audi Field ($)
- Pitchside Pup Night ~ Bring your dog!
- 8:00 pm | Galactic Empire Band at Miracle Theatre ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 12:00 pm | DC Boat Show at National Harbor ($)
- 1:00 pm | Nature Knowledge at Clearwater Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 9-14)
Montgomery County
- 1:00 pm | Storytime Art – The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle at Quince Orchard Valley Neighborhood Park in Gaithersburg ($) (Best for ages 2-5)
- 2:30 pm | Climate Conversations about Emergency Preparedness at Wheaton Library (Best for teens & adults)
- 4:30 pm | Read to a Dog at White Oak Library (Best for ages 5-12)
- 6:00 pm | Smooth Jazz at The Collection Chevy Chase
More Maryland Events
- 3:00 pm | Star Wars Tween Trivia Challenge at Waldorf West Branch Library ♥
- 6:30 pm | Family Friday Planetarium Program & Movie at Robinson Nature Center ($)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 11:00 am | Intergenerational Storytime at Aurora Hills Senior Center/Aurora Hills Library
- 6:00 pm | Family Night at Carver Community Center
- 7:00 pm & 8:00 pm | Celebrate National Space Day at the Planetarium at Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium ♥
City of Alexandria
- 7:00 pm | Introduction to Bhangra at Local Motion Project
- 7:00 pm | Alexandria City High School Titan Student Art Exhibition Opening Reception at Del Ray Artisans
Virtual
- 10:00 am | Flights of Fancy Story Time: The Noisy Airplane Ride by Mike Downs hosted by the National Air and Space Museum on Zoom
- There’s also a 1:00 pm session as well.
Saturday (5/3) in Washington, DC
- 8:00 am | DC’s Annual Truck Touch at RFK Stadium, Lot 8 (2400 East Capitol Street, SE — entrance off Independence Ave SE) ♥
- Plenty of trucks and vehicles to explore!
- 9:00 am | Create a Birdy Buffet at Home Depot stores throughout the DMV
- 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House for World Migratory Bird Day at the National Zoo
- 9:30 am | Around the World Embassy Tour ♥
- Tour Embassies, see performances, sample foods & more!
- 10:00 am | All Hallows Guild Annual Flower Mart at the National Cathedral ♥
- Includes entertainment and children’s activities like games and carnival rides.
- 10:00 am | First Saturday: May at the National Gallery of Art
- Includes storytime, face paint, art making stations, a pop-up library, sketch lab and dedicated play space!
- 10:00 am | Open Studio: Found Around Town at the Hirshhorn Museum
- Explore artist Louise Nevelson and her work, Black Wall, 1964: an assemblage made from 24 stacked wooden crates, all painted black. Taking inspiration from Nevelson’s artistic use of everyday objects collected from her neighborhood, use wooden scraps, boxes, and other repurposed materials to build your own 3D sculpture.
- 10:00 am | The World and Me: Amphibian Week Kickoff Celebration with the USDA Forest Service and Friends! at the National Museum of Natural History
- [For Teachers] 10:00 am | Engaging Students with Plant Science: Pollination Exploration! at the U.S. Botanic Garden
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Georges Seurat at Merry Pin in NW
- Free art activity based on an artist/book
- 10:30 am | The Sky Tonight: Live Planetarium Show at the National Air and Space Museum
- 11:00 am | Wild Nature Play Club: Migratory Birds! at the Anacostia Community Museum
- 11:00 am | Picnic Day at the Kreeger Museum
- 11:00 am | Cinco de Mayo Block Party at Bryant Street Market
- 11:30 am | May the Forth Be With You Stars Wars Weekend at Eastern Market Metro Park ♥
- Includes meet & greet characters, Jedi training, parade & more!
- 12:00 pm | Smithsonian Children’s Book Fair at the National Museum of Asian Art (East & West Buildings) ♥
- 12:00 pm | Free Comic Book Day at Bellevue Library in SW ♥
- 2:00 pm | Asian Journeys – A Dance Performance at MLK Memorial Library ♥
- 2:00 pm | Family Improv at Tenley-Friendship Library
- 2:00 pm | Silly Smarts with The National Theatre Live! at Woodridge ♥
- Ali Oliver-Krueger weaves stories from her Japanese-American childhood with traditional Japanese mukashibanashi (Long-Ago Stories) in this funny and heart-warming east-meets-west storytelling series.
- 2:00 pm | The Running of the Chihuahuas at The Wharf
- 2:30 pm | Story Time for the Spectrum with SBOE Rep LaJoy Johnson-Law at MLK Memorial Library (Best for ages 2-8)
- Sensory friendly for all abilities!
- 4:00 pm | Fork Painting Tulip Craft at Southwest Library (Best for ages 3+)
- 6:00 pm | Duke Ellington School of the Arts Instrumental Music Dept. Honors Recital at the Kennedy Center ($)

Saturday (5/3) in Maryland & Northern Virginia
Create a Birdy Buffet at Home Depot stores throughout the DMV beginning at 9:00 am!
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 9:30 am | May the Miles Be with You at 38th Ave. Park in Hyattsville
- Nature walk
- [Cancelled] 10:00 am | Parkour with a Ranger at Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex in Oxon Hill ($) (Best for ages 10+)
- Let a park ranger show you how to move from point A to point B using spins, tumbling, and tricks!
- [Cancelled] 10:00 am | P.L.A.Y. – Jedi Training at Lake Arbor Community Center ($) (Best for ages 6-12)
- This program is inclusive and designed for residents with and without disabilities and their family and friends.
- 10:00 am | Fun Family Walk & Zumba Demo at Langley Park Community Center
- 10:00 am | Co-Ed Basketball Clinic at Oakcrest Community Center in Capitol Heights (Best for ages 8-14)
- 10:00 am | DC Boat Show at National Harbor ($)
- 11:30 am | Story Explorers: Beginning Readers at Largo-Kettering Library (Best for ages 5-8)
- 12:00 pm | The Power of YOU: Youth Mental Health Conference at Kentland Community Center (Best for ages 10-17)
- 12:00 pm | Dinosaur Park Open House in Laurel
- 12:00 pm | Honoring Asian Pacific Heritage in the City of Hyattsville ♥
- Includes performances, martial arts demos, arts & crafts tent & bubbles & boba activity tent!
- 1:00 pm | Crafternoon: Koinobori- Japanese Flying Carp at Mount Rainier Library ♥
- Have fun crafting and creating colorful streamers, traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Children’s Day.
- 1:00 pm | Animal Encounters at Clearwater Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 2+)
- 1:00 pm | Spring in Bloom at Tanger National Harbor
- Celebrate Mother’s Day with a make your own lip gloss station, floral bouquets, mini glam station & more!
- 1:00 pm | Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington ♥
- Enjoy an afternoon of lively music, captivating dance performances, creative crafts, and delicious bites. Discover the beauty of AAPI traditions through hands-on activities, performances, and the chance to connect with local artists and performers.
- 2:00 pm | Nick Brooks Discusses Up in Smoke hosted by Mahogany Books at Oxon Hill Branch Library (Best for older kids & teens)
- 2:30 pm | The 10th Annual Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate Finals at Bowie Library
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Rockville Arts Festival at The Square
- 10:00 am | Takoma Park Children’s Business Fair
- 11:00 am | Carousel Day at Glen Echo Park ♥
- Includes performances featuring Step Afrika!, hands-on arts and crafts, carousel rides & more!
- 11:00 am | Sligo Creek Fest ♥
- One-mile street festival featuring multiple stages of music and entertainment, kids’ activities including touch a truck and tree climbing, roving entertainment, food and drink vendors, and hands-on activities and demonstrations from over 15 different Montgomery Parks groups.
- 11:00 am | Community Resource Day at Long Branch Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring
- Includes kids arts & crafts corner, teen lounge, Photo Booth & more!
- 11:00 am | Celebrate May with (Paper) Flowers at White Oak Library
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Charlotte’s Web at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 11:30 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Jeghetto’s Entertainment presents: Jeghetto’s Workshop at Glen Echo Park ($) ♥
- Learn how Jeghetto builds and manipulates his original puppets over hip-hop instrumentals. This is a very interactive production, you never know, you can be pulled up on stage and be part of the show.
- 12:00 pm | Rec Regatta at Olney Swim Center ($)
- 2:00 pm | NIH Chamber Singers present “Singers’ Choices – Musical Gems” at Quince Orchard Library in Gaithersburg
- 2:00 pm | Create a Mini-Comic Workshop by Leila Cabib at Long Branch Library (Best for ages 12-18) ♥
- 3:00 pm | Get Ready for College featuring Montgomery College at Aspen Hill Library (Best for teens)
- 4:00 pm | Crafts at the Little Falls Library in Bethesda
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Galaxy Rebels Weekend at Port Discovery ($) ♥
- Activities ranging from building a laser sword to hero training!
- 11:00 am | Lakefest 2025 at Granville Gude Park in Laurel ♥
- Includes games, food, hayrides, moon bounces, face painting, music, and much more!
- 11:00 am | Blossom & Bond! at Celestial Hope Rising Services in Baltimore ($)
- Free mommy and me event is designed to bring everyone together for a vibrant day of activities, reflection, and community spirit.
- 11:30 am | Gyotaku Fish Printing at Savage Branch ♥Library in Laurel
- Let’s learn about Gyotaku 魚拓, Japanese fish printing. We’ll explore the history and science of this traditional art and make our own fish prints using rubber fish replicas. Dress for mess!
- 12:00 pm | Biz Kids Academy: Computer Games & Mentoring Workshop at Elkridge Branch Library (Best for ages 8-10)
- 12:30 pm | Day Out with Thomas & Friends at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($)
- 2:00 pm | The Humane Society presents: Wild About Worms at P.D. Brown Memorial Branch Library in Waldorf (Best for ages 4+)
- 4:00 pm | Misako Ballet presents: Japanese Children’s Day Dance Party at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City ♥
Virginia
Arlington County
- 9:00 am | Volunteer Service Day at Potomac Overlook Regional Park
- 10:00 am | Rosslyn Reads Book Sale & Spring Market at Central Place Plaza
- 10:00 am | Remembering Little Saigon Area of Clarendon at Clarendon Metro Station
- Includes walking tour, Arlington Public Library, Arlington Art Truck & more!
- 10:00 am & 11:00 am | Celebrate National Space Day at the Planetarium at Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium ♥
- 12:00 pm | Flourish: A Spring Market Event at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
- Includes live music and art making fun!
- 1:00 pm | I Love ASL: Glencarlyn at Glencarlyn Library ♥
- In honor of National Hearing Month, come and learn some American Sign Language.
- 2:00 pm | Dance Across Oceans: Pacific and South Asian Heritage at Columbia Pike Library ♥
- 2:00 pm | Dungeons & Dragons Club at Aurora Hills Library (Best for Middle Schoolers)
- 5:00 pm | Kids Night Out at READ Book Nook ($) (Best for ages 3-10)
- 5:00 pm | Slimy Slugs Campfire at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
- 6:30 pm | History Hikes: The Clay-Randolph Duel at Ft. Ethan Allen Park
City of Alexandria
- 10:00 am | Alexandria Spring Fling ~ An Old Town Block Party ♥
- Includes crafts for kids at Made in ALX, story hour & more!
- 10:00 am | Spring Story Time – Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Green Spring Gardens ($)
- Bring your teddy bear, picnic blanket and lunch for a Teddy Bear Picnic. Listen to a story read-aloud and sing songs. Make a bear craft and a treat for your picnic.
- 10:00 am | STEAM-tastic: Analogous Watercolor Leaves at Del Ray Artisans ($) (Best for ages 6-12)
- Practice drawing organic shapes to create curvy oak leaves while learning about modern art pioneer Georgia O’Keeffe!
- [For adults] 10:30 am | Parenting Professional Development Series ~ Personal Finance 101 for Parents at Burke Branch Library
- 12:00 pm | Carlyle House Family Fun Day – Garden Gathering at Carlyle House Historic Park
- 1:00 pm | Cake Decorating 101 at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 4-8)
- 2:00 pm | Brixalot Star Wars Lego at Barrett Branch Library (Best for ages 6-12) ♥
- May the Force be with you on Star Wars’ Day Eve. Create your own Star Wars adventures with Brixalot’s giant Lego collection.
More Virginia Events
- 9:00 am | Revolutionary War Weekend at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- 10:00 am | Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Park in Herndon ($)
- 10:00 am | Fountain Fest at Reston Town Center
- FREE family-fun entertainment, including face painting, balloon twisting, caricatures, mini train rides, live performances, and more!

Sunday, May 4, 2025
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Free Community Day & Makers’ Market at the National Museum of Women in the Fine Arts
- 10:00 am | Teen Volunteer Project: Mother’s Day Party at Community of Hope
- 10:30 am | Language Science Station at Planet Word
- Contribute to language research and have conversations about language with language scientists.
- 12:00 pm | Protest & Pride Art Build for Kids at Rhizome in NW DC ♥
- Joyful, creative afternoon of art, community, and expression with art supplies, pizza and drinks!
- 1:00 pm | Jedi Academy at Cleveland Park Library ♥
- Once you have mastered the Force, you can earn a Jedi Training Certificate that certifies that you are a true Jedi Master.
- 3:00 pm | Jessica Fichot Band with Annie Zhou: New Spring 新春 at the National Gallery of Art
- 6:00 pm | Movies on the Potomac: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) at National Harbor ♣
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:00 am | DC Boat Show at National Harbor ($)
- 12:00 pm | Darnall’s Chance Community Day at Darnall’s Chance House Museum in Upper Marlboro ♥
- Enjoy a self-guided tour of the historic house, family-friendly activities, and more.
- 1:00 pm | Cardio Party at Glenn Dale Community Center ($) (Best for ages 5+)
- 2:00 pm | Art Workshop: Spray Paint at Greenbelt Community Center
- 3:00 pm | Chinese Dance Concert at Greenbelt Community Center Gym
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Rockville Arts Festival at The Square
- 10:00 am | Spring 2025 People’s Market at People’s Book Takoma
- 10:30 am | Plein Air in the Library Garden at Kensington Park Library (Best for teens & adults)
- Soak in the natural light, air, and colors and textures around you as you paint in the open air (plein air) of the library garden. The landscaped garden features a variety of Maryland’s native flowers, plants, and their pollinators.
- 11:00 am | Spring Fling at Cabin John Village in Potomac ♥
- Families and kids can enjoy a lively bubble party, live music, balloon art, face painting, flower seedling planting, and more!
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Charlotte’s Web at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 11:00 am & 2:30 pm | Sunday Workshops at KID Museum in Bethesda ($) (Best for grades 2nd – 8th)
- Theme: Intro to Electronics
- 11:30 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Jeghetto’s Entertainment presents: Jeghetto’s Workshop at Glen Echo Park ($) ♥
- Learn how Jeghetto builds and manipulates his original puppets over hip-hop instrumentals. This is a very interactive production, you never know, you can be pulled up on stage and be part of the show.
- 12:00 pm | Therapeutic Recreation Sunday Funday Family Swim at Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center ($)
- This event is for individuals with disabilities and their families.
- 2:30 pm | The Beauty of the Beijing Opera at Wheaton Library
- 3:00 pm | NIH Chamber Singers present “Singers’ Choices – Musical Gems” at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
More Maryland Events
- 11:00 am | Galaxy Rebels Weekend at Port Discovery ($) ♥
- Activities ranging from building a laser sword to hero training!
- 12:00 pm | Children’s Entrepreneur Market at Anne Arundel Fairgrounds
- 12:30 pm | Day Out with Thomas & Friends at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($)
- 1:00 pm | May the 4th Family Fun Parade in Downtown Ellicott City ♥
- 2:00 pm | Global Neighbors: Dance Edition at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City
- 2:00 pm | More Reads Together: An Intergenerational Book Club at Enoch Pratt Free Library – Hampden Branch in Baltimore (Best for teens & adults)
- 4:00 pm | Lisa Frank Themed Cookie Decorating Class & Milkshakes at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Ellicott City ($)
- 4:00 pm | Mother’s Day Cookie Decorating Class & Milkshakes at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Ellicott City ($)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | MoCA on the Move: Celebrating Spring Family Fun Series at Metropolitan Park
- 3D Flower Painting + live music
- 3:00 pm | Spellbinders Story Fest at Long Branch Nature Center (Best for ages 4+)
- The Arlington Spellbinders will unleash the power of oral storytelling with favorite tales from around the world.
- 8:00 pm | Aquariids Meteor Campfire at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
City of Alexandria
- [Limited Seats Left] 10:00 am | Crafting with Mom at Winkler Botanical Preserve
- 11:00 am | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
- 11:00 am | Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology of Harry Potter’s wizarding world on a tour of this 19th century apothecary, and make your own magical potion!
- 12:00 pm | Wetlands Awareness Day at Huntley Meadows Park
- Get up close with raptors, reptiles, and amphibians, and collect stamps for a prize as you explore interactive exhibits.
- 1:00 pm | Cake Decorating 101 at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 9-14)
More Virginia Events
- 9:00 am | Revolutionary War Weekend at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- 10:00 am | Feeding Day at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
- Join a naturalist as they demonstrate how we feed our site display animals. Make a birdfeeder to take home and use.
- 10:00 am | Adapted Park Explorers at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($) (Best for ages 6-11)
- Explore different features of the park with hands-on science and nature activities tailored to young people with disabilities.
- 12:00 pm | Encanto and Darth Vader host Cinco de Mayo Kids Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
This Week's Book Recommendation
