Kid-friendly Weekend Activities in DC, Maryland & Virginia (9/6 - 9/8)
Happy September! This Grandparents Day weekend is filled with fun things to do from block parties to STEM classes and cultural festivals. I want to highlight one event in particular happening on Sunday (9/8), primarily targeted to teens in Washington, DC. The Edlavitch Jewish Community Center is hosting a block party in honor of the launch of their Youth Action Institute. This Institute is open to all middle and high school students (ages 11-17) looking to become community advocates for causes like climate change, food insecurity, and homelessness. If you know a teen or youth looking to make a difference in their community, please pass this info along! Link down below under Sunday's events. You know we'll be covering this event and sharing a recap on IG next week. Stay tuned...
Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events
Friday, September 6, 2024
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Family Program: Exploring Leaf Shapes at the U.S. Botanic Garden
- 10:00 am | Storytime: Opposites by Sandra Boynton at the National Gallery of Art
- 3:00 pm | Chevy Chase First Fridays
- 5:00 pm | Redefining Afrofuturism at Sycamore & Oak
- 5:00 pm | Movie Night featuring Queen of Katwe at the National Museum of African Art
- Includes pizza & a scavenger hunt!
- [Just Added] 5:00 pm | First Fridays – Kids Night Out at All Fired Up in NW ($) (Best for ages 6-12)
- 5:30 pm | Back to the Yards at The Yards in SW DC
- Enjoy thrilling breakdance performances, get creative with groovy crafts, and have fun with face painters and glitter tattoos.
- [Just Added] 7:00 pm | Music in the Meadow featuring Rochelle Rice at the National Arboretum
- 7:30 pm | MJ the Musical at the National Theatre ($)
Maryland
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Kids Club with My Gym Potomac at Cabin John Village
- 10:30 am | The Puppet Co. presents DinoRock: Dinosaur Babies at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 3+)
- 11:00 am | Mini Masterpieces at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 18 months – 5)
- [Just Added] 5:30 pm | Nerf Night at The Little Towns ($) (Best for ages 6-13)
- 7:00 pm | Free Movie Night featuring Kung Fu Panda 4 at Long Branch Community Rec Center
- 6:30 pm | Movies on the Green: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at Cabin John Village
More Maryland Events
- [Just Added] 9:00 am | Maryland State Fair at Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium ($)
- 6:30 pm | Family Friday Planetarium Program & Movie ~ Beyond the Sun, Film: ‘Invaders of Mars’ at Robinson Nature
- 7:00 pm | Charcuterie Boards & Milkshakes at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Ellicott City ($) (Best for older kids – adults)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | Tiny Tot: Baby Animals at Long Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 18 months – 35 months)
- 11:00 am | Intergenerational Storytime at Aurora Hills Library
- 6:00 pm | Fruits, Leaves & Roots, Oh My! at Fort CF Smith Park ($) (Best for ages 6-10)
- talk about the different parts of plants that humans and other animals eat, using examples we have currently growing in the garden from potatoes to okra.
- 7:00 pm | Met Park Movie Night featuring Wish
More Virginia Events
- 5:00 pm | 31st Annual ZNA Potomac Koi Festival at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
- 5:00 pm | Children’s Entrepreneur Market in Fredericksburg
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | Forest Bathing with Sage Raindancer at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (Best for teens & adults)
- Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, means “bathing in the essence of the forest” and is a scientifically proven therapeutic modality to aid in one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Participate in a 120-minute Forest Bathing saunter guided by certified Nature and Forest Therapy instructor J. Sage Raindancer.
- 10:00 am | WELLderness Canoe Tour with Anacostia Watershed Society at Kenilworth Park
- 10:00 am | DC State Fair at Franklin Park
- 10:00 am | Sayonara Summer Market at Art Enables in NE DC
- 10:00 am | Storytime: Opposites by Sandra Boynton at the National Gallery of Art
- 10:00 am | The World & Me: Caring for the Future of our Planet with Company E and Sound Impact at the Natural History Museum
- Watch a performance titled Letters to Earth, explore different hands-on activities with museum specimens, and discover ways to make an impact in taking care of Earth for future generations.
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Frida Kahlo at Merry Pins in NW DC
- 11:00 am | The Harambee Experience with Baba Ras D. at BloomBars ($)
- 11:00 am | Sketching Lab at the National Gallery of Art
- 11:00 am | Teaching Africa Day: Storytelling through the Ages at the National Museum of African Art
- [Just Added] 12:00 pm | Women in Sports 24′ at The Wharf
- Family-friendly day of recognizing today’s female athletes and learning how the next generation can get in the game!
- 12:30 pm | Women’s Soccer ~ Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns at Audi Field ($)
- 1:00 pm | Art Studio with Author Sarah Albee of The Painter and the President at the National Portrait Gallery
- 2:00 pm | SpyKids Mission Training at Volta Park Pool in NW DC ($)
- 2:00 pm | CatVideoFest at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 2:00 pm | Playtime Project Ping Pong Tournament at Union Market
- 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | MJ the Musical at The National Theatre ($)
- 2:30 pm | Gearin’ Ups Pop-up Repair Workshops at Anacostia Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 11-24)
- Designed to empower youth aged 11-24 with essential bicycle repair skills while fostering a passion for cycling and community service.
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 9:00 am | African Heritage Sports & Cultural Festival at Colmar Manor Community Park
- 10:00 am | 14th Annual Hyattsville Community Health and Wellness Fair at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville
- 10:00 am | Adventure Seekers at Watkins Park ($)
- Enjoy canoeing, hiking, museums, and trips to natural and historical sites.
- 10:00 am | Family Zumba at College Park Community Center – Youth Sports Complex
- 11:00 am | Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation Instructor’s Concert at Hyattsville
- 11:00 am | Mount Rainier Day
- 12:00 pm | Dinosaur Park Open House in Laurel
- 12:00 pm | Family Art Time at Laurel Library
- For children who have autism or other exceptional needs and their families!
- 1:00 pm | Teen Leadership Program at Glenarden Library
- 2:00 pm | Film Screening ~ Under the Same Moon (2007) at Harmony Hall Arts Center (Best for teens & adults)
- 2:00 pm | Guatemalan Cultural Heritage Festival at Hyattsville Library
- 2:00 pm | Puzzle Swap at Accokeek Library
- 2:00 pm | Celebrate National Read a Book Day at Pizzeria Paradiso in Hyattsville
- 2:30 pm | Ready 2 Read Storytime ~ The World Around Us: A Welcoming Week Celebration at Spauldings Library (Best for ages 2-3)
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Mr. Gabe Music at People’s Book Takoma
- 10:30 am | Little Explorers at Brookside Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 1-2)
- 10:30 am | Sensory Storytelling with ReadAbility at Rockville Memorial Library
- 10:30 am | Learn to In-line Skate Clinic with the Washington Capitals in Germantown
- 10:30 am | A is for Apple! A Family Storytime at Aspen Hill Library
- 11:00 am | Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) Community Open House at Rockville City Police Station
- The event features vehicle and equipment displays, K-9 demonstrations, a moon bounce, food, information booths, a visit by McGruff the Crime Dog and the opportunity to meet city police officers. Rain date: 9/14
- 11:00 am | Eco Adventure presents Jungle Safari! at White Oak Library
- Our Eco safari guide will lead participants through a series of high-energy, excitement-packed, hair-raising, tests of wills, and a series of challenges and dares, to face their fears, practice their teamwork, and put their determination to the test!
- 11:00 am | Drag Story Hour at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
- 11:30 am & 1:00 pm | The Puppet Co. presents DinoRock: Dinosaur Babies at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 3+)
- 1:00 pm | Curiosity Cube: Mobile Science Lab at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 7-14)
- 3:00 pm | Teen Flix: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire at Gaithersburg Library (rated pg-13)
- 3:00 pm | Teen Movie Time: Back to the Future at Wheaton Library
More Maryland Events
- [Just Added] 9:00 am | Maryland State Fair at Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium ($)
- [Last Chance] 9:00 am | Clarksville Sunflower Market at Mary’s Land Farm in Ellicott City ($)
- 10:00 am | FIRE STEM 24-25 Open House in Laurel (Best for 5th -12th graders)
- 10:00 am | First Responders Showcase at the B&O Railroad Museum ($)
- 10:00 am & 10:30 am | Annie’s Outdoor Puppet Show at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia
- 11:30 am | Chemistry in the Library: Picture Perfect at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 7+)
- 1:00 pm | Grandparents Day at the Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum
- 2:00 pm | Magformers Mania at Central Library in Columbia (Best for ages 5-7)
- 4:30 pm | “Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder” Read Aloud at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 7-11)
- 4:30 pm | Fighting Food Waste at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City (Best for ages 6-12)
- With games, fascinating facts, and easy solutions to food waste, this presentation is open to young environmentalists and anyone interested in helping their community!
Virginia
Arlington County
- 10:00 am | Gardening at the Fort for Families at Fort CF Smith Park
- 1:00 pm | Creekside Storytime at Long Branch Nature Center (Best for ages 3-8)
- 1:00 pm | Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2024 at Gateway Park
- Make sure to stop by Let it FLOW! by Scott Pennington, a colorful carnival-like bean bag toss game where you will match bean bags of questionable waste with the proper vessel with which to dispose.
- 2:00 pm | 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Community Festival at Tyrol Hill Park
- 7:00 pm | Endangered Animal Artifacts at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
More Virginia Events
- 8:00 am | 31st Annual ZNA Potomac Koi Festival at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
- 9:00 am | Manassas Great Strides Walk (cystic fibrosis (CF)) at Harris Pavilion
- 2:00 pm | Mixed Media Butterflies at Winkler Botanical Preserve ($) (Best for ages 12+)
- 2:30 pm | Fishing for Parent and Child at Lake Fairfax Park ($)
- 5:30 pm | Sunset Polo at Great Meadow in The Plains ($)
- Mardi Gras Night!
- 6:00 pm | Leave it to Beavers at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
- Look for signs of beavers at the park with a guided tour around their aquatic habitat.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | DC Family Bike Fest at Alethia Tanner Park
- Featuring Kids’ Bike Parade, a Learn to Ride workshop, storytime, gear swap, food trucks, prize giveaway and lots more – plus free tuneups and free sno cones!
- 11:00 am | Second Sundays at Merry Pins in NW DC
- 1:00 pm | Youth Action Institute Block Party at the Edlavitch DC JCC (Best for ages 11-17)
- 2:00 pm | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 2:00 pm | MJ the Musical at The National Theatre ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 9:00 am | African Heritage Sports & Cultural Festival at Colmar Manor Community Park
- 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm | Artful Afternoon ~ Clay Roses in Greenbelt
- 6:00 pm | Movies on the Potomac: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at National Harbor
Montgomery County
- 9:30 am | Storytime with Hana Khan for “Behind My Doors” at People’s Book Takoma
- 10:30 am | Takoma Park Folk Festival at Takoma Park Middle School
- 11:00 am | Wheaton Passport to Sports Day at Wheaton Ice Arena ($)
- A ticket will get you wristband and passport to attend events at the Wheaton Ice Arena, Wheaton Indoor Tennis, and Wheaton Sports Pavilion. Participants who fill their passports will be entered in a raffle to win fun prizes. Each facility will have a schedule of events plus program information available. Fees include skate rental and tennis racquet use at the facility.
- [Last Chance] 11:30 am & 1:00 pm | The Puppet Co. presents DinoRock: Dinosaur Babies at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 3+)
- 2:00 pm | Mediterranean Blues! for the End of Summer at Wheaton Library (Best for tweens, teens & adults)
- 2:00 pm | Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club featuring “Dawn” by Octavia Butler at Germantown Library (Best for teens & adults)
- 2:00 pm | Party Game Potpourri for teens at Potomac Library
More Maryland Events
- [Just Added] 9:00 am | Maryland State Fair at Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium ($)
- 10:30 am | Sensory-Friendly Sunday ~ Backyard Birds at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($)
- 11:00 am | Tea at the B&O Railroad Museum ($)
- In celebration of Grandparents Day
- 1:00 pm | Grandparents Day at the Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum
- 1:00 pm | Kids Swap and Share at the Village Center in Columbia
- 4:30 pm | Maryland Themed Cookie Decorating Class & Milkshakes at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Ellicott City ($) (Best for older kids – adults)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 11:00 am | Mommy/Daddy & Me Baking Fun at Cookology ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
- 1:00 pm | Wolverine hosts Kids and Family Day at Hops N Shine
More Virginia Events
- 9:00 am | 31st Annual ZNA Potomac Koi Festival at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
- 12:00 pm | Batman, Cinderella and Snow White host National Grandparents Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
- 3:00 pm | Music in the Gardens Viva Viola d’Amore! at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens ($)
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