- Updated: 10/7/2026
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 9, 2026
Washington, DC
- Friday (10/9) at 10:00 am | Family Program: Pumpkin Parts! at US Botanic Garden ♥
- Think like a botanist as you and your child explore inside one of the most iconic seasonal plants: a pumpkin! Observe the different parts of the pumpkin and learn about the Cucurbitaceae plant family, which also includes gourds and squashes.
- Friday (10/9) at 10:00 am | #STEAM the Block Party at Oxon Run Park in SE ♥
- An unbelievable day packed with hands-on S.T.E.A.M. activities, live music performances, youth activations, games, and so much more!
- Friday (10/9) at 10:00 am | Garden Tots | Patterns at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens ($) (Best for ages 2–5)
- Explore colors, shapes, and patterns in Hillwood’s gardens, then create a patterned garden lantern to take home through art-making, imaginative play, and outdoor exploration.
- Friday (10/9) at 10:15 am | Homeschool Workshops at National Building Museum in NW ($) (Best for ages 5-7)
- By comparing the roles of authors and illustrators to those of architects, students will discover connections between the storytelling process and architectural design process.
- Friday (10/9) at 11:00 am | SOW Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series featuring Rio at Southwest Neighborhood Library ♣
Maryland
- Friday (10/9) at 10:00 am | Once Upon a Skate – Story Time and Skating Fun at Bowie Ice Arena (Best for ages 18 months – 5)
- Start with a story, then head onto the ice for supervised skating with toys and games designed for young children.
- Friday (10/9) at 10:00 am | Little Jams featuring Ted Garber at Cabin John Regional Park in Potomac
- Bring little music lovers to a free outdoor family concert!
- Friday (10/9) at 10:30 am | Pre-K Story Hour (Bilingual) at Springhill Lake Recreation Center (Best for ages 0-5) ♥
- Enjoy bilingual storytelling and healthy snacks during this monthly early-childhood program for young children and their caregivers.
- Friday (10/9) at 10:30 am & 7:00 pm | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co. in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+) ♥
- Join Jennie the Cat for a playful Halloween adventure featuring cuddly puppets, audience participation, original music, shadow puppetry, pumpkin carving, and plenty of tricks and treats.
- Friday (10/9) at 11:00 am | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo ($) ♥
- Enter Beatrice’s magical world in this limited-run family production blending music, shadow play, humor, and a story about curiosity, courage, and finding connection in unexpected places.
- Friday (10/9) at 5:00 pm | Parent’s Night Out at Greenbelt Community Center ($)
- Kids can spend the evening making art and enjoying a pizza dinner while grown-ups get a night out. Children must be potty-trained.
Northern Virginia
- Friday (10/9) at 10:00 am | Spidey Training Academy at Encore @ Cherrydale United Methodist Church ($) ♥
- Spend the school-closure day using theater games, creative movement, storytelling, crafts, and superhero-inspired adventures during this one-day Encore Stage & Studio camp.
- Friday (10/9) at 5:00 pm | Rock the Avenue: Twilight Edition in Alexandria ♥
- Community celebration featuring live music, local food and businesses, kid-friendly entertainment, interactive activations, community organizations and more.
- Friday (10/9) at 6:00 pm | All About Owls Campfire at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Learn how to identify barred owls and other native owls during an evening campfire program, then toast marshmallows over the embers. Children must attend with a registered adult.
- Friday (10/9) at 6:30 pm | Hispanic Heritage Celebration Dance at Chick Armstrong Recreation Center in Alexandria ($) ♥
- Community dance to promote diversity and cultural awareness in the recreation center by embracing and recognizing our Latino cultural experience. The evening will include music, refreshments, and displays for the community to enjoy.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Washington, DC
- Saturday (10/10) at 9:30 am | DPR Hike Club: Hike Into Fall at Alethia Tanner Park in NE
- Get outdoors for a guided 45-minute city hike through DC parks and trails, with light refreshments before the hike and a group line dance afterward. The hike begins at 10:00 am; children and dogs are welcome and must remain with their caretakers.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Mid-Autumn Festival Community Day at Chinese American Museum DC in NW ♥
- Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncakes, tea tastings, calligraphy, lantern painting, traditional Chinese music, paracord keychain making, and Play-Doh mooncake crafts.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | The Phillips Plays ~ Artist Process: Permanent Collection at The Phillips Collection in NW ($)
- Explore an artwork from the museum’s collection, experiment with related art-making techniques and materials, join kid-friendly tours, and spend time in a creative play area. Children 18 and under receive free museum admission.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Saturday Morning Live at The National Presents: Rompe Cajón at The National Theatre in NW ♥
- Explore the African roots of Peruvian culture through traditional music and dance, Afro-Peruvian percussion, singing, and movement during this interactive family performance. Pre-registration is available, and walk-ups are welcome pending space.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Art Walk at National Portrait Gallery
- Portrait Gallery educators will encourage participants to look closely, sketch what they see, and make connections.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Always Think B4U Move: The Art of Strategy II at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum in SE
- Celebrate National Chess Day with a four-round tournament, beginner-friendly lessons, guided open play, chess trivia, interactive challenges, and prizes for youth, families, beginners, and experienced players.
- Saturday (10/10) at 1:00 pm | Under the Arbor: Annual Chile Celebration! at U.S. National Arboretum in NE ♥
- Learn about chile peppers with the Herb Society of America, sample different varieties, and taste chile-inspired foods including salsa, spicy hot chocolate, and pickled peppers.
- Saturday (10/10) at 3:00 pm | FUNSET: The Festival at Franklin Park in NW ♥
- Spend the afternoon and evening enjoying live music, DJs, food, local vendors, and community activities at this free downtown festival.
- Saturday (10/10) at 3:00 pm | SOROCHE Block Party & Record Release at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library in NW
- Celebrate with live music as SOROCHE brings its mix of cumbia, punk, ska, folk, and other influences to a community block party and record release. DC Public Library lists the event for children, teens, and adults, making it a strong multigenerational pick.
- Saturday (10/10) at 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm | SpyKids Mission Training at Volta Park Pool in NW ($)
- 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).
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Mental Health Resource Fair at Kentland Community Center
- Connect with community resources while families take part in line dancing, giveaways, and other activities. Free groceries will also be available to the first 150 families.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Girls in Aviation at College Park Aviation Museum ♥
- Meet women working in aviation, try flight simulators, play aviation-themed games, and explore hands-on activities designed to inspire future flyers and aerospace enthusiasts. Free swag bags will be available while supplies last, and registration is requested by October 8.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Waterfront Art Festival at Bladensburg Waterfront Park ♥
- Spend the day exploring an outdoor art market, live music, art demonstrations, community projects, scenic river boat tours, and a dedicated kids creative zone along the Anacostia River.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Unsung Heroes Who Shaped America at Surratts-Clinton Branch Library (Best for ages 5-12) ♥
- Discover an overlooked American trailblazer through a story and hands-on craft presented by Surratt Historic Site & Museum. This session celebrates Asian American contributions with Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist and a colorful paper craft.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Prince George’s County Green Festival at Driskell Park in Hyattsville ♥
- Explore environmental exhibits, kid-friendly activities, food trucks, adoptable animals at the Pawchella pet pavilion, nature walks, and an iNaturalist BioBlitz during this annual countywide sustainability celebration.
- Saturday (10/10) at 1:00 pm | Autumn Nature Crafts at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($)
- Get creative with natural and nature-inspired materials during a drop-in seasonal craft session.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm | Fall Fest & Annual Pumpkin Festival at Schrom Hills Park in Greenbelt
- Celebrate fall with seasonal activities and pumpkin carving, followed by Greenbelt’s annual illuminated Pumpkin Walk.
- Saturday (10/10) at 4:00 pm | Salsa at Sunset with Orlando Machuca, Jr. at National Harbor Plaza
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month along the waterfront while Orlando Machuca, Jr. teaches salsa and bachata during this short seasonal Saturday dance series. Families and friends are specifically invited to join the fun.
- Saturday (10/10) at 6:00 pm | Zombie Chase at Upper Marlboro Community Center ♥
- Test your survival skills in an outdoor game of tag where participants begin with two survivor flags and race through zombies and obstacles while trying to reach sanctuary with their flags intact.
- Saturday (10/10) at 7:00 pm | Through the Dark, the Light Beckons with Dissonance Dance Theatre at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse ($) ♥
- Experience Dissonance Dance Theatre’s 20th-anniversary performance featuring company repertoire and world premieres that explore city life, memory, community, and the African American experience through contemporary dance. Tickets are $25, with $20 student and senior tickets available.
Maryland
Montgomery County
- Saturday (10/10) at 9:00 am | Family Fishing Fun! ($) (Best for ages 3+) at Black Hill Discovery Center
- Learn how to set up a bobber rig, bait a hook, and cast before trying to catch fish in Little Seneca Lake. Poles, bait, and rigging supplies are provided; participants ages 16+ need a current Maryland fishing license.
- Saturday (10/10) at 9:30 am | Halloween Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John Miniature Train & Wheaton Miniature Train and Carousel ($) ♥
- Ride through the woods with an Eye Spy card and search for spooky characters during this limited October train experience. Rides are $6 per person; Wheaton also offers a $9 train-and-carousel bundle.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Outdoor Guided Walk for Families: Mushrooms at Brookside Gardens ($)
- Join a youth educator for an interactive garden walk focused on mushrooms, with kids and caregivers exploring garden hotspots and discussing what they discover along the way.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring Penny’s Puppets: Stone Soup at The Puppet Co. in Glen Echo ($)
- Enjoy an intimate Tiny Tots puppet performance from teaching artist and musician Penny Russell. Tickets are $10 per person and are required for all ages.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 3–9)
- Watch the beloved alphabet adventure come to life through music and theater during this limited-run production.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:30 am | Firefighter Storytime at Quince Orchard Library (Best for ages 18 months+)
- Celebrate Fire Prevention Week with a special storytime and craft, then meet local firefighters and see a fire engine if it isn’t called away for an emergency.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Germantown October Fest at BlackRock Center for the Arts ♥
- Celebrate fall with a parade, free children’s carnival, Spooky Dance Party and costume contest, live bands and dancers, an artisans market, food trucks, and community vendors throughout downtown Germantown.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Party Like It’s 1776 with Montgomery History at Glen Echo Park
- Celebrate Montgomery County’s 250th anniversary with games, dancing, music, cake, refreshments, Ben Franklin, the Old Line Fife and Drum Corps, and the Washington Revels inside the Spanish Ballroom.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo ($) ♥
- Enter Beatrice’s magical world in this limited-run family production blending music, shadow play, humor, and a story about curiosity, courage, and finding connection in unexpected places.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co. in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Join Jennie for a playful Halloween adventure featuring cuddly puppets, audience interaction, original music, skateboarding, shadow puppetry, pumpkin carving, and plenty of tricks and treats. Both Saturday performances run about 45 minutes.
- Saturday (10/10) at 1:00 pm & 2:30 pm | Afternoon on the Pontoon at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds ($) (Best for ages 6+)
- Cruise Little Seneca Lake with a naturalist while looking for local wildlife including beavers, deer, otters, herons, and osprey. Registration and payment are required for every participant.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm | Storytime Diversión at Kensington Park Library ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino through two picture books followed by hands-on activities designed by the museum.
- Saturday (10/10) at 3:00 pm | Bones and Tomes at Rockville Memorial Library (Best for ages 5-12) ♥
- Learn about the human skeleton, mix an invisible-ink solution, and use it to create a skeleton painting that can disappear and reappear.
- Saturday (10/10) at 4:00 pm | AutumnFest at Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville
- Celebrate fall with pumpkin painting, live music, a cozy campfire, nature activities, a native tree and shrub sale, and dog-friendly games including a costume contest and talent show. No registration is required.
- Saturday (10/10) at 5:30 pm | Campfires at Black Hill at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds ($)
- Gather around the campfire for themed songs, stories, games, and s’mores with a Montgomery Parks naturalist. Registration is required for everyone attending.
More Maryland Events
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:15 am | Monster Mash Music and Movement at Odenton Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- Preschoolers can come in costume for a Halloween-themed session of singing, chanting, instruments and dancing built around sounds and rhythms.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:15 am | Science Saturdays: Stomp Rockets at Maryland City Library in Laurel ♥
- Build a stomp rocket and see how far it flies.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Community Safety Festival at Edgewater Library ♥
- Meet first responders, explore emergency vehicles and big trucks, see K-9s and enjoy a bounce house while learning about community safety resources.
- Saturday (10/10) at 12:00 pm | Spooky Science at Maryland Science Center ($) ♥
- Spend the afternoon experimenting with Halloween-themed science: make a wearable amulet, investigate science-based special effects and experiment with a color-changing “potion.” Activities are included with paid Science Center admission.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm | Sitting at the Feet of Our Elders at Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Columbia ♥
- Families can hear firsthand stories from community elders and history makers in an intergenerational afternoon of sharing and learning.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm | Cardboard Casita Encanto Sing Along at Odenton Library (Best for ages 6-10)
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by building a cardboard casita for a collaborative magical village during an Encanto-themed afternoon.
Northern Virginia
Arlington County
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Marvelous Education Expo at George Mason University FUSE ♥
- Families can try educational games, STEM activities, emerging technology, creative learning tools and other hands-on experiences from education innovators. The event is free, but registration is required.
- Saturday (10/10) at 12:00 pm | Pike Fest at Penrose Square ♥
- Enjoy local food and drinks, music, family-friendly activities, and pike photos, all designed to showcase and uplift the businesses that make the Pike special.
- Saturday (10/10) at 12:00 pm | The ARTS Place Pop-Up on Langston Blvd.
- Explore work from 40+ local artists during this seven-week fall pop-up, with changing workshops, performances and other special activities.
- Saturday (10/10) at 12:00 pm | Fall Heritage Festival at Fort C.F. Smith Park
- Step back into history with old-fashioned games and crafts, corn-husk doll making, butter churning, candle dipping and cider pressing.
- Saturday (10/10) at 1:00 pm | Digital Discovery Fair: Explore. Learn. Connect. at Arlington Central Library ♥
- Explore robotics and technology demos, hands-on workshops, digital tools and exhibits while getting help with everyday tech questions. Registration is encouraged but not required.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm | Woodlawn Park Invasive Plant Removal at Woodlawn Park (Best for ages 8+)
- Families can help restore wildlife habitat by removing invasive plants while learning about native plants and local ecology. Training and tools are provided, and preregistration is encouraged.
- Saturday (10/10) at 5:00 pm | Super Seedlings at Long Branch Nature Center
- Talk about the parts of a plant, its life cycle, explore pine cones and other seed pods, do some plant-inspired yoga, and go on an acorn hunt.
Northern Virginia
City of Alexandria
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Grand African Run at 1100 Main Line Blvd. ($)
- Run or walk together during this community race featuring a 5K plus a 1K kids run/walk, with Olympic and world-champion athletes joining the event.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Friendship Firehouse Museum Open at Friendship Firehouse Museum ($)
- Explore Alexandria’s first volunteer fire company and see early firefighting equipment during this special museum open day.
- Saturday (10/10) at 1:30 pm | Hispanic Heritage Fiesta at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library ♥
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live Andean music, crafts, face painting and food in the library’s Reading Garden.
- Saturday (10/10) at 3:00 pm | Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Patrick Henry Recreation Center ♥
- Wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, Ecuadorian cultural dance, a DJ, trivia, soccer activities, cultural exhibits, food and vendors, plus other family activities.
More Northern Virginia Events
- Saturday (10/10) at 9:00 am | OFC Ignite: McLean 5K Relax and Recover at The Old Firehouse
- Recharge after the McLean 5K with a monthly family play morning featuring ping pong, board and arcade games, refreshments, wellness-themed activities and access to the Sensory Room.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | 50th Annual Fall Festival at Historic Downtown Fairfax ♥
- Celebrate the festival’s 50th year with 400+ arts and crafts vendors, food, live entertainment and children’s activities throughout Old Town Fairfax.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Farm Day at Cherry Hill Park ♥
- Step into Cherry Hill Farm’s past with farm animals, pony rides, pumpkin and birdhouse painting, historic trades, corn grinding, seed sowing, live music and other old-fashioned activities.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Brick or Treat at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. in Springfield ($) (Best for ages 3-10) ♥
- Build through a month-long Halloween adventure with monster-themed LEGO challenges, Halloween creative workshops and other seasonal activities included with regular attraction admission.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | All About Bells at the Korean Bell Garden at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna ($)
- A volunteer docent will share the art, history, fabrication and science behind bells from 10:00 am-1:00 pm; the activity is included with regular garden admission.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($)
- Play Halloween-themed mini golf surrounded by ghosts and goblins, with seasonal treats included.
- Saturday (10/10) at 1:00 pm | Oktoberfest Kids & Family Festival: Fondue, Spider-Man, Rumi & Petting Zoo at Shipgarten in McLean
- Spend the afternoon with a Spider-Man and Rumi performance, petting zoo, chocolate-dipping station, outdoor food and other fall festival activities.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | The Addams Family at The Alden Theatre ($) ♥
- See the McLean Community Players’ limited-run, family-friendly musical about Wednesday Addams falling for a decidedly “normal” young man.
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Washington, DC
- Sunday (10/11) at 9:30 am | Paddle Through the Past: Georgetown by Kayak at Key Bridge Boathouse ($)
- Paddle the Georgetown waterfront with a park ranger while exploring stories of the area’s Indigenous roots, colonial port, Civil War history, industry and transformation into today’s waterfront park.
- Sunday (10/11) at 10:00 am | Sunday Storytime at Planet Word Museum (Best for ages 2-6)
- Settle in for Planet Word’s monthly family program featuring read-alouds, songs and hands-on fun presented with DC Public Library children’s librarians.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:00 am | Drag Story Hour with Charlemagne Chateau at Loyalty Books Petworth in NW
- Sunday (10/11) at 12:00 pm | Fall Family Fest 2026 with the Southwest DC Community Center at Waterfront Park in SW ♥
- Includes face painting, market, live music, family photos & more!
Maryland
- Sunday (10/11) at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 3-9)
- See the beloved alphabet story brought to the stage with music in this limited-run family musical.
- Sunday (10/11) at 10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring Penny’s Puppets: Stone Soup at The Puppet Co. in Glen Echo ($)
- Enjoy a short Sunday morning puppet performance from teaching artist Penny Russell featuring the classic tale of Stone Soup.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:00 am & 12:30 pm | Family Workshop: Wooden Animal Habitats at KID Museum in Bethesda ($) ♥
- Work together with woodworking tools including drills, screwdrivers, clamps and coping saws to build a miniature animal habitat. Workshop registration includes museum access.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo ($) ♥
- Catch Adventure Theatre MTC’s limited-run family production.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:00 am | Wheaton Passport to Sports Day at Wheaton Regional Park ($) (Best for ages 3+) ♥
- Get a sports passport and rotate among ice skating, tennis, pickleball, field sports, crafts and beginner instruction at Wheaton’s sports facilities.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:00 am | Howard County Pride Festival at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods ♥
- Celebrate Howard County’s LGBTQ+ community at this free, family-friendly festival featuring live entertainment, hands-on art activities, lawn games, community organizations, food vendors and more.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | Ingrid and Mollie present Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co. in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Follow Jennie through a Halloween adventure featuring puppets, original music, audience interaction, skateboarding, shadow puppetry and pumpkin carving.
- Sunday (10/11) at 12:00 pm | Oktoberfest at Kentlands in Gaithersburg ♥
- Celebrate the City of Gaithersburg’s annual Oktoberfest with live entertainment, festival activities, food and community programming throughout Kentlands.
- Sunday (10/11) at 4:00 pm | Through the Dark, the Light Beckons with Dissonance Dance Theatre at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville ($) ♥
- See Dissonance Dance Theatre’s 20th-anniversary production, an all-ages program combining company repertoire and premieres exploring city life, memory and African American experience.
Northern Virginia
- Sunday (10/11) at 10:00 am | YIKES! at SPARK! Not Your Usual Halloween Art Market at 2700 Art Space ♥
- Celebrate spooky season at a special Halloween edition of Arlington’s monthly SPARK! market with local artists, food vendors, music, poetry and hands-on art making.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:00 am | Brick or Treat at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. ($) (Best for ages 3-10)
- Build through a Halloween adventure with monster-themed LEGO challenges, glow-in-the-dark creative workshops and The Great Monster Chase 4D movie. The seasonal event is included with attraction admission.
- Sunday (10/11) at 11:00 am | Paws in the Park 2026 at Oronoco Bay Park in Alexandria ♥
- Celebrate pets and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s 80th anniversary with adoptable animals, live music, shopping, food, a Family Fun Tent and dog-and-human costume contest.
- Sunday (10/11) at 1:00 pm | Ethiopian Fall Festival at Chinquapin Park in Alexandria ($) ♥
- Experience Ethiopian culture through live music, traditional and contemporary dance, cultural exhibits, food, youth performances and family activities at this annual community celebration.
- Sunday (10/11) at 2:00 pm | The Addams Family at The Alden Theatre in McLean ($) ♥
- Join Wednesday, Gomez, Morticia and the rest of the Addams clan in McLean Community Players’ limited-run musical comedy about family, love and embracing what makes each person unique.
Sensory Friendly & Accessible
- Saturday (10/10) at 9:00 am | OFC Ignite: McLean 5K Relax and Recover at The Old Firehouse in VA
- Drop in for family games, refreshments and wellness activities with access to the Old Firehouse’s Sensory Room. The room is designed as a low-stimulation space with soft lighting, tactile materials and gentle visuals, with neurodiverse visitors specifically in mind.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:30 am | Family Storytime — ASL Interpretation Provided at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in Annopolis, MD (Best for ages 0-5)
- Saturday (10/10) at 1:00 pm | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical — ASL-Interpreted Performance at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD ($) (Best for ages 3-9)
- See the colorful family musical with ASL interpretation.
- Saturday (10/10) at 4:00 pm | AutumnFest at Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville, MD ♥
- Celebrate fall with pumpkin painting, music, nature activities and other family fun. Montgomery Parks provides a dedicated social narrative, an ADA-accessible shuttle cart, and a Sensory Retreat Tent where visitors can take a quieter break if they feel overwhelmed.
- Sunday (10/11) at 9:00 am | Sensory-Friendly Sunday: Changing Leaves at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia, MD ($) ♥
- Visit before regular opening during a program specifically designed for families with children, teens and adults with sensory-processing differences, autism or developmental disabilities. Families can explore at their own pace with sensory bins and pathways, scavenger hunts, crafts, outdoor play and planetarium activities. Preregistration is recommended.
For Tweens & Teens
Washington, DC
- Friday (10/9) at 7:00 pm | The Drive-In at Union Market: The Addams Family at Union Market in NE ♣
- Rated PG-13 | Bring chairs and blankets for an outdoor screening. Walk-up viewing on Neal Place available!
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:30 am | Hispanic Heritage Month Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa at National Museum of American History (Best for high school students and older)
- Explore salsa’s Afro-Cuban roots, legendary performers, instruments, fashion and cultural history through the temporary ¡Puro Ritmo! exhibition, including interactive rhythm experiences and time on the dance floor.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm | Author Talk: Lotería — Stories by Cynthia Pelayo at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (Best for teens ages 13-19)
- Hear Bram Stoker Award-winning author Cynthia Pelayo discuss Lotería, a collection of dark stories inspired by Latin American folklore, myths and superstitions.
- Sunday (10/11) at 2:00 pm | Roosevelt at Rock Creek Park at Peirce Mill (Best for ages 10+)
- Follow in Theodore Roosevelt’s footsteps on a ranger-led history hike through Rock Creek Park while connecting his presidency with his enthusiasm for outdoor adventure.
Maryland
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | STEAM into Native Cultures at Montpelier Historic Site & Museum (Best for ages 10–14)
- Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with hands-on STEAM activities exploring how Indigenous peoples use patterns in the natural world to understand direction and the passage of time. Walk-ins are welcome and donations are optional.
- Saturday (10/10) at 12:00 pm | (TAB) Teen Advisory Board at Twinbrook Library (Best for middle school and high school students)
- Help shape teen library programs and spaces, build leadership experience and earn service-learning hours.
- Saturday (10/10) at 12:00 pm | Teen Drop-in Sewing at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 12-17)
- Work on a different sewing project using recycled clothing and fabric, or bring a project of your own.
- Saturday (10/10) at 3:00 pm | Veteran’s Stories at St. Anne’s Cemetery at St. Anne’s Cemetery (Best for ages 11+)
- Take a guided cemetery tour to learn about local veterans and discover the library resources researchers used to uncover their stories.
- Saturday (10/10) at 4:30 pm | Art in Nature: Nature Journaling Club for Kids — Forest Floor at Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 8–15)
- Explore the forest floor with a naturalist, practice careful observation, and turn discoveries into a nature-journal entry during this month’s themed session. Participants should bring a sketchpad and pencil.
- Sunday (10/11) at 1:00 pm | Hands-On History: Textiles — From Wool to Embroidery at Agricultural History Farm Park ($) (Best for ages 10-14)
- Learn how wool becomes thread, practice traditional stitching techniques and create an embroidered keepsake while exploring textile work from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Northern Virginia
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 am | Period Products 101: Exploring Reusable and Disposable Options for Young People at Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop (Best for ages 9-15)
- Learn about disposable and reusable period products, how different options work, menstrual-health basics, self-care and common myths through demonstrations, discussion and group activities.
- Saturday (10/10) at 10:30 am | Teen Advisory Group — Monthly Meeting at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (Best for ages 12-18)
- Teens can share ideas about the library and community, socialize, make recommendations and learn about volunteer opportunities.
- Saturday (10/10) at 11:00 am | Hidden History of Hidden Pond at Hidden Pond Nature Center in Springfield ($) (Best for ages 13+)
- Explore the natural and human history of Hidden Pond during this Fairfax 250 program, with guided exploration and stories about how the park and surrounding community changed over time.
- Saturday (10/10) at 2:00 pm | Woodlawn Park Invasive Plant Removal at Woodlawn Park (Best for ages 8+)
- Help restore wildlife habitat by removing invasive plants while learning about native plants and local ecology.
- Saturday (10/10) at 3:00 pm | Film Screening: Caramelo at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library in Alexandria (Best for teens)
- Watch the Portuguese-language, subtitled PG-13 comedy-drama Caramelo, about a chef whose life changes after forming a bond with a dog.
- Sunday (10/11) at 1:15 pm | Tween Craft and Snack at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (Best for ages 9-12)
- Craft, snack and hang out with Perler beads, collage supplies, coloring materials and relaxing music.
This Week's Book Recommendation
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Farms to Visit this Fall
🍂 Looking for a fall farm to visit? We've rounded up some of our favorite farms across Maryland and Northern Virginia, with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, apple picking, hayrides and more! Our newly updated guide includes 2026 dates, admission prices, family tips and our take on what each farm is best for.
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.
