KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN DC, MARYLAND & VIRGINIA (7/26 - 7/28)

SO much going on this weekend including Downtown DC's annual Kid's World Festival at Franklin Park. Liv and I visited last year for a quick minute and had a blast. It gets HOT out there! Luckily, it's located across the street from Planet Word Museum, if you need to escape the heat. This festival is jam packed with two days of performances, photo opps, character meet & greets, free ice cones and a lot of goodies. From their website: "Visitors can explore multiple activations that promote literacy, performing arts, health & fitness, creativity, science, nature, entrepreneurship, and more." AND word on the street is, this year's celebration will be even bigger than last year's! Stay tuned to Instagram for a flashback of last year's event. Now on to the 100+ other events going on this weekend...

Sarah Acors

Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+

Friday, July 26, 2024

Washington, DC

7:00 am | Good Company Doughnuts Waterfront Grand Opening
10:30 am | Vision to Learn at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library
- No cost eye exams for ages 3-18
11:00 am | Family Program: Sorting and Shaping Seeds at the US Botanic Garden
11:00 am | Strong Start Playgroup at Woodridge (Best for ages 12-24 months) Neighborhood Library
1:00 pm | Friday Movie ~ Black Adam at Southwest Neighborhood Library
1:00 pm | DPR Olympics Watch Party at Reservoir Park Recreation Center
5:00 pm | Soufside Sayonara at The Kennedy Center
6:00 pm | Skating Lessons with Rolloway Productions at Anacostia Park
7:00 pm | Late Night Hype at Woody Ward Pool & Community Center
7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)
8:30 pm | Extraordinary Cinema: School of Rock at The Kennedy Center

Maryland

Prince George’s County

10:15 am | Ready 2 Read: Storytime at Bowie Library (Best for ages 3-5)
10:30 am | Social Justice Camp at Bladensburg Library (Best for teens/grades 9+)
11:15 am | Ready 2 Read Storytime at Greenbelt Library (Best for ages 2-3)
2:00 pm | Olympics Opening Ceremony Party National Harbor
- Enjoy games, win prizes & more!
5:00 pm | Family Game Night at Mount Rainier Library
7:30 pm | Movies in the Park ~ The Little Mermaid at Watkins Park

Montgomery County

9:00 am | Babies & Books at People’s Book Takoma (Best for ages 0-3)
10:00 am | Parks Playhouse Junior: The Puppet Co. at Falls Road Local Park in Potomac
10:00 am | Babes in a Backpack at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds ($)
- Family hike
11:00 am | Rock & Read with Tony M. Music at Kensington Park Library (Best for ages 8 & under)
11:00 am | Greece Lightning: Ancient Olympic Adventures with Bright Star Touring Theatre at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
- Also at 3:00 pm at Davis Library in Bethesda
11:00 am | Read across Generations at Rockville Memorial Library
- Children can practice their reading skills!
11:00 am | Dance Party at Long Branch Library
1:00 pm | Teen Recycled Fashion Show at Gaithersburg Library
2:30 pm | Fun Fridays at Wheaton Library
3:00 pm | Rhythmaya Dance at Rockville Memorial Library
- Learn about classical, folk and modern dances from all over India.
3:30 pm | Preschool Play and Learn at Twinbrook Library in Rockville (Best for ages 3-5)
7:00 pm | Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Glen Echo Park ($)
7:00 pm | Screening of Jurassic Park at Flower Ave. Urban Park
9:00 pm | In the Field: Community Science at Locust Grove Nature Center
- Celebrate National Moth Week with a mothing station. Bring lawn chair, flashlight & snacks.

More Maryland Events

Ongoing | Happy Birthday Harry Potter at Central Branch Library in Columbia
- Through 8/5, enjoy self-directed crafts, a scavenger hunt and solve the mystery of the Marauders Map
11:00 am | Little Learners Storybook Friends at East Columbia Branch Library (Best for age 2-5)
2:30 pm | Summer Olympics 2024 Kick-off at Savage Branch Library (Best for ages 6-11)
4:00 pm | Friday Fun Nights at Port Discovery ($)
- $15 admission after 4pm
8:30 pm | Free Movie Friday ~ Barbie at Granville Gude Park & Lakehouse in Laurel

Virginia

Arlington County

10:00 am | Bounce in the Park at Alcova Heights Park (Best for ages 3-9)
10:00 am | Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse Library
7:00 pm | Met Park Movie Night featuring Trolls Band Together
7:30 pm | Encore Stage presents The Sound of Music at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
8:00 pm | 2024 Columbia Pike Movie Night ~ Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie at Arlington Mill

City of Alexandria

9:30 am | 1 Day Summer Camp – Photo Frame or Medal Hanger at AR Workshop ($) (Best for ages 7-14)
10:30 am | Mr. Lilo at Charles Beatley Central Library (Best for ages 0-8)
- Sing, jump, and dance with Mr. Lilo and his guitar in English and Spanish.
1:30 pm | 1 Day Teen Summer Camp – Candle Pouring at AR Workshop ($) (Best for ages 12+)
3:30 pm | Fun Friday! at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (Best for grades K-5)
4:30 pm | Buried Ships of Robinson Landing Pop-Up Exhibit at Robinson Terminal South

More Virginia Events

10:30 am | Maryland Youth Ballet Rumpelstiltskin at Wolf Trap ($) (Best for ages 4-12)
11:00 am | Free Family Graffiti Event in Fairfax
7:00 pm | Legally Blonde: The Musical at Katherine Johnson Middle School in Fairfax ($)
7:30 pm | Black Masala (Brass Band) at Royal Lake Park in Fairfax
7:30 pm | Irish Breakfast Band at Lake Accotink in Springfield
8:00 pm | NSO at Wolf Trap: Ghostbusters in Concert ($)

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Washington, DC

10:00 am & 1:30 pm | Language Science Station at Planet Word Museum
10:00 am | Art Cart: Futuristic Forms at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
10:00 am | Family Activity: Fabric Flowers at DAR Museum
10:00 am | Community Fishing at Anacostia Park
10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Wassily Kandinsky at Merry Pins (Best for ages 3-8)
11:00 am | Library Beat at Shaw Neighborhood Library
- Unstructured play and dance for ages 0-5
11:00 am | Peruvian Independence Day at La Cosecha
11:00 am | “Touch a Fire Truck” Story Time at Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library
11:00 am | Playing Across America: Story Tapestries at Takoma Park Neighborhood Library
- A bi-lingual adventure through music and story, with Melissa Foss
[Just added] 11:00 am | Iya & the Kuumba Kids at Bloombars
- Concert for kids & families
11:00 am | Baba Got Bars Assembly at MLK Memorial Library
- Featuring music videos, multimedia presentations, call and response, as well as rhythmic movement with the audience.
11:30 am | SAAM Arcade at Kogod Courtyard
12:00 pm | La Placita DMV – DC’s Puerto Rican Festival at Catholic University ($)
- Food trucks, arts & crafts, a domino tournament, the Placita’s People Choice Awards, beer garden, sneaker pavilion and kid’s zone.
12:00 pm | Kids World at Franklin Park
- Visitors can explore multiple activations that promote literacy, performing arts, health & fitness, creativity, science, nature, entrepreneurship, and more!
12:00 pm | July Late Skate at Anacostia Park
12:00 pm | Live on the Hill – Mad Science in the Park (Spin, Pop, Boom) at Eastern Market Playground at 9th & Penn
12:00 pm | Health and Wellness Resource Day at Langdon Park Recreation Center
1:30 pm & 7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)
2:00 pm | Between the Lines with Jason Reynolds and Marcus J. Moore at Planet Word Museum
4:00 pm | Environmental Justice and Dance along the Anacostia at Anacostia Park
- Free dance lessons incorporating contemporary and ballet
5:00 pm | Parents Night Out with iGen Educational Academy ($)
5:00 pm | Sewing Class: Make a Bucket Hat! at Made with Love DC ($)

Maryland

Prince George’s County

9:00 am | 18th Century Entertainment: Music at George Washington’s Mount Vernon ($)
11:00 am | Ready 2 Read Storytime: Stuffed Friend Sleepover Adventure at Bowie Library (Best for ages 3-5)
11:00 am | Senator Washington’s 9th Annual Block Party & School Resource Fair in Landover
11:00 am | Waves: Exploring Light and Sound presented by the Science Guys of Baltimore at Surratts-Clinton Library
- Also, at 1:30 pm at Spauldings Library
12:00 pm | Creative Saturday: Arts on a Roll at Creative Suitland
1:00 pm | Afternoon Aviators: Maryland Aviation at College Park Aviation Museum ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
- Also catch Runway Rhythms: Salon Ragtime Ensemble (free with museum admission) at 1:00 pm too.
2:00 pm | Dungeons and Dragons: Build Your Own Character presented by Game Kastle College Park at Beltsville Library
3:00 pm | July Riverdale Artisan Market at The Station
3:30 pm | All Ages Show at Bobby McKeys Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor ($)
9:00 pm | Visible Voice at Seat Pleasant Community Center
- Teens will express themselves through spoken words, poetry, singing to a live band expressing themselves to elected officials.

Montgomery County

9:00 am | Kensington Parkrun (Community 5K) at Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail
10:00 am | Storytime in the Garden at Brookside Gardens ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
10:00 am | Parks Playhouse Junior: The Puppet Co. at Cabin John Regional Park
10:00 am | Guided Hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park ($) (Best for ages 7+)
10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring Beech Tree Puppets: Anansi and the Talking Melon at Glen Echo Park ($)
10:30 am | Summertime Storytime at Aspen Hill Library
11:00 am | My First Art Class at Potomac Library (Best for ages 1-3)
11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Glen Echo Park ($)
11:00 am | Silly Summer Saturday Songs & Stories at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda
11:00 am | A Visit from the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
- Stories, songs and more with Agricultural Fair Royalty
11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Aspen Hill Library
12:30 pm | Punch Needle Wall Art with Tyler Makes Things at indigro plant design ($)
1:00 pm & 4:00 pm | Miss Nelson is Missing! at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Meet the actors at the 4:00 pm show!
1:00 pm | The Puppet Co. presents The Wizard of Oz at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
1:00 pm | Teen Recycled Fashion Show at Gaithersburg Library
3:00 pm | Concert in the Circle at Warner Circle Park in Kensington
3:30 pm | Our Earth Book Discussion Club at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda (Best for teens & adults)
3:30 pm | Book-themed Trivia Night at Kensington Park Library
6:00 pm | Zinemaking Workshop: On Parenting at People’s Book Takoma
7:30 pm | Campfires at Black Hill in Boyds ($)

More Maryland Events

9:00 am | Family Fun Saturday at Mary’s Land Farm ($)
11:00 am | Learn and Earn Bazaar at Elite Gymnastics in Waldorf
1:00 pm | Pets on Wheels at East Columbia Branch Library
- Therapy dog(s) from Pets on Wheels will be on hand for friendly visits with customers
1:30 pm | Hatchlings: Baby on the Way (for expectant parents) at Central Branch Library in Columbia
2:00 pm | Drop-in & Draw! at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City (Best for ages 7-10)
6:00 pm | Nature Walk at Mallows Bay Park in Nanjemoy
7:00 pm | Dive-In Movie: Finding Nemo at Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City ($)

Virginia

Arlington County

9:00 am | HUG Urban Garden Family Fun Day at Highlands Urban Garden
10:00 am | Tiny Tot: Butterfly Kites at Long Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 18-35 months)
10:15 am | Saturday Play Day at Central Library (Best for ages 12-36 months)
10:30 am | Choose Your Own Adventure Program at Shirlington Library
- How will Red Riding Hood’s story turn out? You decide. Afterward, you’ll make a choose your own adventure fortune teller, so you can continue to tell your own adventure stories at home. Snacks will be provided.
11:00 am | Kid’s Healthy Brunch Cooking Class at Cookology ($)
1:30 pm | Nature Scavenger Hunt at Glencarlyn Park ($)
2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | Encore Stage presents The Sound of Music at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
- 1:00 pm | Do-Re-Mi Trivia & Tea Pre-Show Experience ($) ~ an enchanting time of Do-Re-Mi Trivia & Tea, where every question is a melody and every answer is a harmony!
7:00 pm | Teen Takeover: Langston Brown at Langston-Brown Community Center (Best for teens)
8:00 pm | Lubber Run Summer Concert Series – A Tribute to Chuck Berry
8:00 pm | 2024 Columbia Pike Movie Night ~ Elemental at Penrose Square

City of Alexandria

10:30 am | Rainbow Puppets Presents: Beautiful Tales at Charles Beatley Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- Also, at 2:00 pm at James Duncan Branch Library
2:00 pm | Board Game Cafe at Charles Beatley Central Library (Best for ages 5-18)

More Virginia Events

10:00 am | the grandsons, jr. at Burke Lake Park Amphitheater in Fairfax Station
10:00 am | The Great Zucchini at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly
10:00 am | Family Fun Entertainment Series featuring Lohr Family Antics at Reston Town Square Park
10:00 am | Groovy Nate at Wakefield Park in Annandale
10:00 am | Mad Science of Washington at Mason District Park Amphitheater in Annandale
10:30 am | Kidz Korner – Drew Blue Shoes Magic! (Sports/Olympics theme) in Fairfax
10:30 am | Maryland Youth Ballet Rumpelstiltskin at Wolf Trap ($) (Best for ages 4-12)
[Just added] 11:00 am | Founders Row Young Explorers Kids Club in Falls Church
- Enjoy a morning of literature & nature-inspired activities with local authors!
[Just added] 12:00 pm | Back-to-School Celebration at Leesburg Premium Outlets
1:00 pm | Summer Renaissance Fair at Shipgarten in McLean
2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | Legally Blonde: The Musical at Katherine Johnson Middle School in Fairfax ($)
5:30 pm | Sunset Polo at Great Meadow in The Plains ($)
- Go for the Gold – Olympics Night
5:30 pm | Family Fishing at Burke Lake Park ($) (Best for ages 5+)
6:00 pm | Summer Concert Series featuring Rocknoceros & Tango Reo at Mosaic Live! in Fairfax
7:00 pm | Evening Farm Tour – Beatrix Potter Night at Frying Pan Park
7:30 pm | Peruvian Cultural Heritage Night ‘Centro Cultural Peru’ at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale
7:30 pm | Rhythmaya Bollywood at Arrowbrook Centre Park in Herndon
8:30 pm | Night Hike and Smores Campfire at Lake Fairfax Park ($)

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Harry Potter cast — Featured Event | Happy Birthday Harry Potter! In honor of Harry’s birthday, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Alexandria is offering a special guided tour for families (and adults who missed their Hogwarts’ letter) that will explore the old Apothecary and the historic muggle medicines that inspired the Herbology and Potions of Harry’s wizarding world. Tickets are $15/person. Click the image above for more information.

Washington, DC

12:00 pm | Little Treasures Puppet Show & Sing Along w/Tamika Love Jones at BloomBars (Best for ages 0-5)
1:00 pm | Take & Create: Summer Crochet Kit at MLK Memorial Library
1:30 pm & 7:30 pm | Back to the Future: The Musical at The Kennedy Center ($)

Maryland

Prince George’s County

9:00 am | 18th Century Entertainment: Music at George Washington’s Mount Vernon ($)
12:00 pm | Kitchen Guild Cooking Demonstration: Ice Cream at Riversdale House Museum
2:30 pm | Message in a Vessel Floral Candle Making Workshop at FSC Workshop ($)
6:00 pm | Movies on the Potomac: The Rookie at National Harbor

Montgomery County

9:30 am | Minh Lê for “Built to Last” Storytime at People’s Book Takoma
10:00 am | Teen Graphic Novel Contest at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for grades 6-12)
10:00 am | Kids Writing Contest at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for grades K-5)
10:00 am | Sunday Open Explore at KID Museum in Bethesda, MD ($) (Best for ages 4 – 14)
- Use code SUNFUN24 for 20% tickets!
11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Glen Echo Park ($)
11:30 am & 1:00 pm | The Puppet Co. presents The Wizard of Oz at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
2:00 pm | Rhythmaya Dance at Twinbrook Library in Rockville
- Learn about classical, folk and modern dances from all over India.
2:30 pm | Lego Free Play at Twinbrook Library in Rockville (Best for grades K-5)
2:30 pm | Lego Sunday Challenge at Little Falls Library in Bethesda (Best for ages 5+)

More Maryland Events

10:00 am | Play for All Fest at Blandair Regional Park North Area in Columbia

Virginia

Arlington County

11:00 am | Groovy Nate at Lubber Run Amphitheater
2:00 pm | Encore Stage presents The Sound of Music at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)

City of Alexandria

2:00 pm | Family Day with Young Historians at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum ($)
2:30 pm | The Science behind Harry Potter at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum ($)
- Various times available from 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm!

More Virginia Events

8:00 am | Beginning Birdwatching at Burke Lake Park ($)
10:00 am | NVA Thai Street Food & Culture Festival in Manassas
10:30 am | Maryland Youth Ballet Rumpelstiltskin at Wolf Trap ($) (Best for ages 4-12)
12:00 pm | The Flash and Ariel Host Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
12:30 pm | Royal Princess Concert at Manassas Mall

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