- Updated: 10/23/2026
This list of events happening throughout the weekend is primarily for kids (ages 3+) & teens. I place a special emphasis on literacy, STEM & other educational based events as well as family fun festivities.
♥ = my recommendations & ♣ = free movie screening
Don’t forget to click the links to review the most up-to-date information prior to heading out!
Coming Up this Weekend
Friday, October 23, 2026
Washington, DC
- Friday (10/23) at 10:00 am | Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library in SE
- Friday (10/23) at 5:00 pm | Halloween Spooktacular at National Children’s Museum ($) ♥
- Includes shadow stories, pumpkin catapults, creepy crawly investigations & noise parade!
- Friday (10/23) at 6:00 pm | Trick or Fruit at US Botanic Garden
- Hear stories about what makes each plant interesting, learn about the environments they grow in, and experience the fruits with all of your senses – including taste. Costumes highly encouraged!
Maryland
Prince George’s County & Montgomery County
- Friday (10/23) at 10:30 am | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Friday (10/23) at 11:00 am | Adventure Theatre’s Beatrice Likes the Dark at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Friday (10/23) at 1:00 pm | October Family Farm Tour at Old Maryland Farm in Kettering ($)
- Get up close with farm animals, learn about daily life on the farm, and discover how the farm operates through engaging stories and hands-on learning.
- Friday (10/23) at 4:30 pm | Not so Spooky Skate at Cabin John Ice Rink in Rockville ($) (Best for ages 3-13) ♥
- Skaters should come in costume so they can trick or treat at the rink, participate in the costume contest, and do some Halloween crafts.
- Friday (10/23) at 4:30 pm | STEM Club and Skating Fun at Bowie Ice Arena ($) (Best for ages 6-12)
- Supervised skating and hands on STEM activity.
- Friday (10/23) at 6:30 pm | Fall Festival Laser Tag Party at Gwendolyn Coffield Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring
- Includes music, snacks, arts and crafts and more, all with an epic laser tag party!
- Friday (10/23) at 6:30 pm | Trunk or Treat: Halloween Fun for All at Bowie City Hall ♥
- Join the City of Bowie Police Department for their annual Trunk-or-Treat! All residents are welcome. Dress to impress—prizes will go to the best costumes and most creative car designs!
- Friday (10/23) at 7:00 pm | Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- Wear your favorite costume and celebrate the spooky season with a tour of the Haunted 1926 B&O Caboose, followed by nature stories and roasted marshmallows around a waterfront campfire.
More Maryland Events
- Friday (10/23) at 5:00 pm | October’s Paint Party at sweetFrog Laurel ($)
- Each $20 ticket covers all art supplies, step-by-step instruction, and a kid’s cup of sweetFrog to celebrate your masterpiece!
- Friday (10/23) at 6:30 pm | Spooktacular at Robert J. DiPietro Community Center in Laurel ♥
- Enter the decked-out Halloween Hall and take treats to go!
- Friday (10/23) at 7:00 pm | The Haunted Experience at Rockburn Branch Park in Elkridge ($) (Best for ages 7+) ♥
- An ink-black night sets the stage for a spooky hayride through the eerie trails to the ghostly dwelling deep in the woods. Enjoy haunting tales of ghosts and goblins that tingle the spine!
Northern Virginia
- Friday (10/23) at 10:00 am | BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna ($)
- Friday (10/23) at 10:00 am | Halloween Selfie Station at Kingstowne Regional Library
- Stop by the library’s Halloween-themed photo backdrop for festive family pictures.
- Friday (10/23) at 10:00 am | Friends of Fairfax City Library Fall Book Sale at City of Fairfax Regional Library
- Friday (10/23) at 11:30 am | Fairlington Community Center Indoor Playground in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 2-5)
- Friday (10/23) at 5:00 pm | Spooky Storytime at R.E.A.D. Book Nook in Arlington ♥
- Friday (10/23) at 6:00 pm | 4th Annual Haunted Mini Golf and Haunted Trail at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton ($)
- Experience the excitement of Halloween with family-friendly haunted attractions, a terrifying haunted trail, and plenty of festive surprises around every turn.
- Friday (10/23) at 6:45 pm | Sunset Cinema – Jumanji at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church ♣
- Friday (10/23) at 7:00 pm | Halloween on the Farm at Frying Pan Park in Herndon ($) ♥
- Visit with farm animals, create crafts, play games, tour the decorated farmhouse and enjoy the fall on the farm.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Washington, DC
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Saturday Morning Live at The National presents: Rompe Cajón at The National Theatre ♥
- Audience members will have the opportunity to play Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments, sing songs, and learn dance steps.
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Craftoween 2026 at Merry Pin in NW
- Includes Crafty Tales: “The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt” at 10:15 am + a costume swap!
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Fall Festival at MLK Memorial Library ♥
- Includes a pumpkin patch, fall festival train, story time, DJ, seasonal treats & more!
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Mask Making at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library in NW
- Color an animal mask.
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Open Studio: Good Night, Art School at Hirshhorn Museum
- Inspired by his artistic practice, use paint sticks, scratch paper, and glitter to make your own versions of the night sky.
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | A Safari Adventure with WETA PBS KIDS & the National Museum of Natural History ♥
- Explore the animals that live on the African savanna, create art inspired by a safari, and watch Elmo’s safari adventure in Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure! Families with learners of all ages are invited to explore different stations, observe specimens from our collection, and engage in play and art-making. They can meet costume character Elmo in person and capture a memorable moment together, too!
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:00 am | Rock Creek Park Driving Days on Beach Dr. NW
- Experience Rock Creek Park from a different perspective during Scenic Driving Days, one of only two opportunities each year to travel the full length of Beach Drive by car. Stop at Picnic Grove #6 to meet park rangers, explore activities and displays, and discover the park’s natural and cultural stories.
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:00 am & 1:30 pm | Art & Me | Family Workshop: Outdoor Sculpture at National Museum of Asian Art (Best for ages 3-8) ♥
- Explore outdoor sculptures at the museum and learn how conservators care for artworks exposed to sun, rain, and more. Then, kids make their own outdoor art and observe how it stands up to the elements, just like experts do.
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:00 pm | Late Skate at Anacostia Park in SE
- Saturday (10/24) at 3:00 pm | Strides of Joy 5K Breast Health Walk and Wellness Fair at Anacostia Park in SE
- Saturday (10/24) at 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm | SpyKids Mission Training at Volta Park Pool in NW ($) (Best for ages 12 & under)
- During SpyKids Mission Training your SpyKid will be guided through Georgetown to learn about the many spies who once traded secrets for cash (and still do). Along the way you will learn about how spies secretly communicate, what motivates a spy to spy, and the role bananas had in overthrowing a government.
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:30 am | STEAM Hour at College Park Aviation Museum (Best for ages 6-12)
- Drop in anytime during the hour for an opportunity to explore the wonders of aviation through play.
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:00 am | Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival at the Accokeek Foundation on Bryan Point Rd. ♥
- This event honors the history, culture, and resiliency of Indigenous communities both near and far, featuring music, dancing, arts, and cultural celebrations.
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:00 am | Animal Encounters: Bird Migration Walk at Mt. Rainier Nature and Recreation Center ($)
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:00 pm | Boo-wie Fest at Belair Stable in Bowie ♥
- Try your hand at pumpkin decorating, fall crafts, create a family memory at the photo station, and walk through our hauntingly fun shed rows to collect your treats, if you dare. Wear your favorite costume and bring a bag to collect your goodies.
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:00 pm | Halloween on Ice Party at Bowie Ice Arena ($) ♥
- Wear a costume or bring a canned good for free admission. Costume and canned good donation get you free skate rental too.
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at New Carrollton Library
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs. Bring a book or choose one from the library.
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:15 pm | Movie: Wonka at Glenarden Library ♣
- Saturday (10/24) at 5:30 pm | Flights & Frights: Trick or Treat at College Park Aviation Museum ($) ♥
- Set your Halloween spirits soaring at Flights and Frights at the College Park Aviation Museum! Join for an evening filled with trick-or-treating in the gallery and spook-tacular games, crafts, and experiments. Come dressed in your favorite costumes and get ready for a high-flying Halloween adventure.
- Saturday (10/24) at 6:30 pm | Hispanic Heritage Movie Night: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at Belair Mansion in Bowie ♣
- Free popcorn, hot chocolate, and treats will be available. Costumes are encouraged.
Maryland
Montgomery County
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Mr. Gabe Pre-Halloween Concert at People’s Book Takoma
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | MonsterFlash: Not-So-Spooky “Haunted” Bus at Twinbrook Library in Rockville ♥
- Get into the Halloween spirit with bilingual Storytimes, family fun, and a tour of Monster Flash, MCDOT’s not-so-spooky “haunted” bus! Costumes are welcome!
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:30 am | Halloween Hubbub at Quince Orchard Library in Gaithersburg ♥
- Get ready for a spooktacular time at the Quince Orchard library! Join us for a special storytime, in house trick-or-treating, crafts, games, and more! Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Adventure Theatre’s Beatrice Likes the Dark at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:30 am | Trick-or-Treat at the Gaithersburg Museum
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:30 am | Trick-or-Treat at the Library at Gaithersburg Library
- Dress in your best costume for some pre-Halloween trick-or-treating. There will be little treats, games, crafts, and a whole lot of fun!
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:00 pm | Trolleyween at National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville ($) ♥
- Explore Halloween-decorated streetcars in Street Car Hall, take part in a themed scavenger hunt with prizes, and enjoy unlimited rides aboard our historic streetcars.
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:00 pm | Lightwire Theater: The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Gen at Robert E Parilla Performing Arts Center in Rockville ($)
- The Next Gen features Tortoise Junior and Lil’ Hare in a whole new kind of race; where their adventures lead them into unexpected territory. Old man Tortoise and Big Daddy Hare must come together despite their differences to find and save their children. What hurdles will they have to overcome to make it to the finish line?
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:00 pm | Spooktacular Rec or Treat at Damascus Community Recreation Center (Best for ages 3-14)
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:00 pm | Celebrate Diwali at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda ♥
- Includes crafts and stories, as well as cultural performances and snacks! This family-friendly celebration is open to all ages.
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:00 pm | Mall-O-Ween at Ellsworth Place in Silver Spring
- Includes face painting, pumpkins to decorate & halloween fun!
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:00 pm | MonsterFlash: Not-So-Spooky “Haunted” Bus at Germantown Library
- Get into the Halloween spirit with bilingual Storytime, family fun, and a tour of MonsterFlash, MCDOT’s not-so-spooky “haunted” bus! Costumes are welcome!
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:30 pm | Pokémon Club for Kids at Twinbrook Library in Rockville (Best for ages 5-12)
- Get ready to battle other fans in fun and friendly Pokémon card games. Create a Pokémon craft. Share the love of Pokémon.
- Saturday (10/24) at 4:00 pm | STEM at the Library: Glow-in-the-Dark Slime at Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville
- Learn the science behind making slime and what makes things glow.
More Maryland Events
- Saturday (10/24) at 9:00 am | Halloween Tricks, Treats and Trees at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($) (Best for ages 0-4 & 5+) ♥
- Make crafts and enjoy themed sensory play. Morning trail activities are designed for ages 0-4 years; afternoon trail activities are designed for ages 5 years +. Ongoing activities are for all ages. Must call to reserve tickets.
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Girl STEM-Powerment Event at New Town High School in Owings Mills ♥
- STEM Professional Women and Educators discuss their fields and careers. There will be demonstrations and activities. Organizations that will be represented at the event include U.S Army Corp of Engineers, National Aquarium, Amazon, Jacobs, JensenHughes and more!
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:30 pm | Floating Pumpkin Patch at Roger Carter Community Center in Elliott City ($) (Best for ages 3-9)
- Jump into the heated pool to find your floating pumpkin. Enjoy games, crafts and refreshments. Come dressed in costume, but don’t forget their bathing suit!
- Saturday (10/24) at 6:30 pm | The Haunted Experience at Rockburn Branch Park in Elkridge ($) (Best for ages 7+) ♥
- An ink-black night sets the stage for a spooky hayride through the eerie trails to the ghostly dwelling deep in the woods. Enjoy haunting tales of ghosts and goblins that tingle the spine!
Northern Virginia
Arlington County
- Saturday (10/24) at 9:00 am, 10:30 am & 12:00 pm | Pumpkin Splash & Safety Bash at Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center ♥
- Families will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of properly fitted life jackets and how to use them safely during aquatic activities. They will also learn about the life jackets available for free use at our facility during programs, events, and recreational swim times, helping make water safety a regular part of every visit.
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:30 am | Halloween Storytime at Cherrydale Library
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:30 am | Halloween Stories & Mystery at Shirlington Library
- Our ghost has gone missing! Help follow the clues to find him after we enjoy some Halloween stories and songs together.
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:00 pm | Kids Baking Fun! at Cookology ($) (Best for ages 8+) ♥
- In this fun, hands-on kids cooking class, young chefs will bake fluffy Blueberry Streusel Muffins with a crumbly, buttery topping. Then, they’ll whip up classic Strawberry Shortcakes—homemade biscuits layered with juicy strawberries and fresh whipped cream.
- Saturday (10/24) at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm | Hansel & Gretel at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
- There’s a Halloween Costume Party add-on for the 3pm show.
Northern Virginia
City of Alexandria
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Pumpkin Patch Cake Pop Decorating Studio Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 5-12)
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Ghost, Goblins & Ghouls Monster Fun Run at George Washington Middle School ($) ♥
- A family-friendly Halloween event featuring costumes, music, treats, and spooky fun. Dash, jog, or stroll the course and make festive memories!
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:00 am | Fantastical Fun Featuring Kwik Stix at Lakeshore Learning (Best for ages 3+) ♥
- Make stained glass art!
- Saturday (10/24) at 5:00 pm | Halloween Costume Party: Family Skate and Dance Night at Franconia Recreation Center ($)
- Come out to skele-skate with friends or simply dance to the monster mash. Dress in your best costume and glide across the gym floor as a DJ plays upbeat tunes. Don’t forget to bring your own skates.
- Saturday (10/24) at 6:00 pm | Twilight Boardwalk Stroll at Huntley Meadows ($)
More Northern Virginia Events
- Saturday (10/24) at 9:30 am | Fall Harvest Family Days at George Washington’s Mount Vernon ($)
- Meet Mount Vernon’s farm animals and hear George Washington speak about his favorite topic—farming.
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna ($)
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Air & Scare 2026 at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly ($15 for parking)
- Tickets are not required for the indoor portion of this event! Includes Air & Scare Runway costume fashion show, trick or treat stations, storytime, photo ops & more!
- Saturday (10/24) at 11:00 am | Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($) ♥
- The Ghost Town includes themed activity areas, train ride, carousel ride, crafts and mini golf.
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:00 pm | Halloween at the Boo-ro in Tysons ♥
- Round up your little ghosts, ghouls, and pups for a day of music, activities, treats, and frightfully fun surprises!
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:00 pm | Fall Festival at Tysons Corner Center
- PenFed Credit Union is serving up a backyard barbecue with all the upgrades – including, mini golf, a haystack adventure for the kids, craft barbecue, giveaways, and more.
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:00 pm | Cain’s Branch Archaeology Tour at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly ($)
- Hike the trail and learn about the history of abandoned sites hidden from most visitor’s view. Follow trails of forested areas and Cain’s Branch waterway to learn about the life of early inhabitants who made Sully their home.
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Halloween Carnival at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church ♥
- Free admission, two timeslots to choose from, and fall fun ranging from carnival games, to bounce houses, and fall eats and treats await at Cherry Hill Park. Costumes are encouraged with kid’s only costume contest during both timeslots.
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:00 pm | Hiking Day! at Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria
- Join a Naturalist as we read the book Hiking Day, by Anne Rockwell. Take a little hike of your own following the story. Meet on the Catherine Lodge Porch.
- Saturday (10/24) at 3:00 pm | Spooktacular Halloween Runs at South Run Recreation Center in Springfield ($) (Best for ages 2+) ♥
- Choose your fun run and come in your best costume!
- Saturday (10/24) at 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm | House of Reptiles at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($) ♥
- Play games, test your courage with a touch table and meet these wonderful creatures up close. Calm your nerves by roasting s’mores at a campfire while listening to stories and then take a stroll through the darkening autumn woods.
- Saturday (10/24) at 6:00 pm | 4th Annual Haunted Mini Golf and Haunted Trail at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton ($)
- Experience the excitement of Halloween with family-friendly haunted attractions, a terrifying haunted trail, and plenty of festive surprises around every turn.
- Saturday (10/24) at 6:30 pm | Halloween on the Farm at Frying Pan Park in Herndon ($) ♥
- Visit with farm animals, create crafts, play games, tour the decorated farmhouse and enjoy the fall on the farm.
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Washington, DC
- Sunday (10/25) at 1:30 pm | 2026 Brookland Halloween Parade and Party at St. Anthony’s in NE
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:00 pm | Fall Colors Nature Walk at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library in SE ♥
- Get to know your local trees with Casey Trees. This adult program will be accompanied by a dedicated children’s program conducted by Ward 8 Woods in collaboration with library children’s staff.
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:00 pm | Craftopia: Monster Madness at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library in NW
- Create a paper roll monster.
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:30 pm | Fall Fun Day! at Mitchell Park in NW ♥
- There is something for everyone: crafts, face painting, a balloon artist, fire truck crafts, local food vendors, and more.
Maryland
- Sunday (10/25) at 9:00 am | Halloween Tricks, Treats and Trees at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($) (Best for ages 0-4 & 5+) ♥
- Make crafts and enjoy themed sensory play. Morning trail activities are designed for ages 0-4 years; afternoon trail activities are designed for ages 5 years +. Ongoing activities are for all ages. Must call to reserve tickets.
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | Trolleyween at National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville ($) ♥
- Explore Halloween-decorated streetcars in Street Car Hall, take part in a themed scavenger hunt with prizes, and enjoy unlimited rides aboard our historic streetcars.
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | Family Discovery Hike at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($)
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:30 am | STEAM Hour at College Park Aviation Museum (Best for ages 6-12)
- Sunday (10/25) at 11:00 am & 12:30 pm | Family Workshop: 3D Printing Design Remix at KID Museum in Bethesda ($)
- Visitors will remix and modify open-source 3D models, leveraging creative design-hacking using Tinkercad to transform and customize a toy/gadget.
- Sunday (10/25) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Adventure Theatre’s Beatrice Likes the Dark at Glen Echo Park ($)
- Sunday (10/25) at 11:30 am | Trick-or-Treat at the Gaithersburg Museum
- Sunday (10/25) at 12:00 pm | Downtown Columbia Maker Faire at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia ♥
- From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue to show off hobbies, experiments, projects, and careers.
- Sunday (10/25) at 12:00 pm | Hallowheaton 2026 at Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Wheaton ♥
- Includes s’mores roasting, pumpkin painting, costume contests, Monster Flash Bus & movie giveaways in promotion of Warner Bros. The Cat in the Hat!
- Sunday (10/25) at 12:30 pm | Harbor Halloween at National Harbor ♥
- Includes trick or treating, pumpkin carving contest, pet parade, and a screening of Hocus Pocus!
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:00 pm | Happy Haunted Hayride at Rockburn Branch Park in Elkridge ($) (Best for ages 2-7) ♥
- It’s cute, it’s friendly and not so scary. This hayride is for fun – not fright!
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:00 pm | Around the World with Bright Star Touring Theatre at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville ($) (Best for ages 4-10) ♥
- Celebrate world cultures and folktales from around the globe with this fun, high-energy show from Bright Star Touring Theatre. This educational performance celebrates diverse global cultures with interactive folktales and stories like Anansi and Pourquoi.
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:30 pm | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Sunday (10/25) at 3:00 pm | Monster Bash: Halloween Family Dance at Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center ($)
- This red-carpet event will feature a DJ, face painting and light refreshments. Halloween costumes are highly recommended!
- Sunday (10/25) at 3:00 pm | Stories and Movement with Metropolitan Ballet Theatre at Germantown Library (Best for ages 2-6)
- Children will focus on stretches, gross motor movements, and get a peek into basic ballet technique, all while expressing themselves creatively!
- Sunday (10/25) at 4:00 pm | Math, Art, Play! at White Oak Library
- Participants will use patterns, shapes, color, and hands-on making to discover how mathematical ideas can become art. This interactive workshop is designed to encourage creativity, experimentation, and playful mathematical thinking.
- Sunday (10/25) at 4:00 pm | Clara Barton Haunted House at Clara Barton Neighborhood Recreation Center in Cabin John
- Fortunes will be told, witches and zombies will haunt your path and games will challenge you! Refreshments will be offered and small giveaways will be handed out to kids.
Northern Virginia
- Sunday (10/25) at 9:30 am | Fall Harvest Family Days at George Washington’s Mount Vernon ($)
- Meet Mount Vernon’s farm animals and hear George Washington speak about his favorite topic—farming.
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | MoCA on the Move at Met Park: Fall Family Days at Metropolitan Park in Arlington ♥
- Artist Spotlight: David Amoroso — Calavara Masks // color and bedazzle a mask in honor of Día de los Muertos + live music
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | Mommy/Daddy and Me – My Little Pumpkin at Cookology in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 3-7) ♥
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | Stream Life at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
- Freshwater ecosystems are full of fascinating creatures. Search for stoneflies, hellgrammites, water pennies and crayfish. Explore the park’s streams with a naturalist, use dip nets and kick nets to catch and release these creatures.
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna ($)
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:30 am | Halloween Stop in for Stories at Central Library in Arlington
- This fun and interactive program combines activities such as read-aloud stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays and introduces children to listening skills, picture books, the library, and the joy of reading.
- Sunday (10/25) at 11:00 am | Family Class: Handmade Pasta at Cookology in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 8+) ♥
- Sunday (10/25) at 11:00 am | Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($) ♥
- At this Family-friendly Halloween event, Family members can come in their best costumes to celebrate the holiday with an afternoon packed with fun but not-spooky activities. The Ghost Town includes themed activity areas, train ride, carousel ride, crafts and mini golf.
- Sunday (10/25) at 1:30 pm | Not-So-Spooky Animal Encounters at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington ♥
- Meet live animals up-close this Halloween! During this special edition of the seasonal Animal Encounters offering, participants will get to learn about and interact with some of the “scary” animals that call the park home, and see if they’re really that scary after all.
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:00 pm | 30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade in Alexandria ♥
- Sunday (10/25) at 2:30 pm | Pumpkin Patch at Nature Playce at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale ($) (Best for ages 3-5)
- Preschoolers hunt for their favorite miniature pumpkin to decorate and take home. Enjoy seasonal stories and a craft.
- Sunday (10/25) at 3:00 pm | Hansel & Gretel at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre ($)
Sensory Friendly & Accessible
- Sunday (10/25) at 8:30 am | Sensory-Friendly Morning: Halloween Edition at Planet Word (Best for ages 10 & under)
- All guests are invited to participate in our Halloween theme with optional, not-scary costumes and trick-or-treating around the galleries for fun fidgets, bookmarks, and mini-books.
For Tweens & Teens
Washington, DC
- Friday (10/23) at 3:30 pm | Zombie Runway at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library in SE ♥
- Create your own undead, zombie‑themed Barbie for the Zombie Runway!
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:30 pm | Teen Studio: Are You Surreal? at Hirshhorn Museum (Best for ages 13-19)
- This Saturday, check out Moonmad by Max Ernst, a surrealist piece that blurs a recognizable face into something totally dream-like. Then head back to Art School to explore portraiture as a tool for self-expression, experimentation, and storytelling with guest artist Simone Agoussoye.
Maryland
- Friday (10/23) at 3:30 pm | Sew It Seams: Learn the Basics at Bowie Library
- Learn the basics of using a sewing machine! No experience required and all materials provided. For teens only.
- Friday (10/23) at 4:00 pm | Fresh Voices Open Mic at Bowie Library
- Experience the power of the spoken and written word as renowned poet Patrick Washington curates a space for expression.
- Friday (10/23) at 5:00 pm | Teens Night Out – Wizards Game at Wheaton Community Recreation Center ♥
- Friday (10/23) at 7:00 pm | Steal their Look: A Birdy Fashion Show at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville ($) (Best for ages 14+) ♥
- Guests up to the task are invited to strut their feathers on an ADA-accessible “runway” with a flock of volunteer judges offering their eyes for bird style. Winners will earn a small prize for their birdy threads. Light refreshments, snacks, music, and looks will be served.
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:30 am | Sew It Seams: Intermediate Open Sewing Lab at Oxon Hill Library
- Saturday (10/24) at 12:00 pm | Teen Leadership Program at Glenarden Library ♥
- Teens will use creative writing to learn about leadership skills, build confidence, and develop real-world readiness.
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:00 pm | Mindfulness and Mental Resilience for Teens at Germantown Library
- Feeling stressed? Learn practical tools to build emotional balance, confidence, and resilience—skills that support both academic success and overall well-being.
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:30 pm | Game On: Magic the Gathering at Accokeek Library
- Bring your favorite deck, enjoy one of ours or build one from our collection of cards—there’s something for everyone! No experience with Magic the Gathering necessary!
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:00 pm | Craft and Create: Make a Piñata at Laurel Library ♥
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:00 pm | Game On: Magic the Gathering at Largo-Kettering Library
- Bring your favorite deck, enjoy one of ours or build one from our collection of cards—there’s something for everyone! No experience with Magic the Gathering necessary!
- Saturday (10/24) at 2:00 pm | Discover: Improv Workshop presented by the Washington Improv Theatre at Upper Marlboro Library ♥
- Discover the fun and creativity of improv in this engaging introductory workshop! Participants will explore spontaneity, collaboration, and quick thinking through interactive exercises.
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | & We Remember the Ancestors Virtual Poetry Workshop ♥
- This workshop offers a thoughtful space to remember, reflect, and celebrate the people whose stories have become part of our own.
- Sunday (10/25) at 12:00 pm | Skyline of Screams at Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (Best for ages 13+) ♥
- Participants will face timed obstacles and brain-teasing puzzles, working together to unlock their escape. Beware, the undead won’t make it easy. Armed with bubble guns, guests must fend off zombies while navigating the darkened corridors and traps.
Northern Virginia
- Friday (10/23) at 4:00 pm | Teen Slime Lab at John Marshall Library in Fairfax (Best for ages 13-18) ♥
- Friday (10/23) at 6:00 pm | Teen Nights at Gunston at Gunston Community Center in Arlington
- Saturday (10/24) at 9:00 am | Red Cross Babysitting Class at Arlington Mill Community Center ($) (Best for ages 11-17) ♥
- Saturday (10/24) at 10:00 am | Fall Color Snap Sketch Hike at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria ($) (Best for ages 10+)
- Enjoy a hike and learn how to draw a beautiful autumn scene.
- Saturday (10/24) at 1:30 pm | GenOUT Youth Chorus Concert at Central Library in Arlington ♥
- Enjoy an afternoon of music, joy, and inspiration led by the GenOUT Youth Chorus, the DC area’s youth chorus for social justice champions.
- Sunday (10/25) at 10:00 am | Are You Going to Eat that? at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($) (Best for ages 10+)
- Enjoy a naturalist-led hike and identify plants that are safe to eat and which ones to avoid. Participants will learn how plants were used in rope making and folk remedies with connections to Eastern Woodland Indians.
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It's Maryland STEM Festival Season
The Maryland STEM Festival is back with a month of hands-on learning and discovery! From robotics and coding to science experiments and engineering challenges, families can explore STEM events across Maryland through November 15. We've rounded up exciting activities for kids, tweens and teens, organized by age group to make planning easier. Many events are FREE!
More Kid-Friendly Things-to-do...
Check out this list of recurring kid-friendly things-to-do for each day of the week. Most activities are free or low cost! This list is reviewed & updated frequently so make sure to bookmark it for future reference.
