A full-scale carnival at Tysons Corner Center running June 18–28! Classic rides, games, and carnival treats for the whole family. Located right at the mall with free parking. Grab your tickets and enjoy the fun before it wraps up June 28.

Outdoor movies on the waterfront at National Harbor with stunning views of the Potomac. Bring a blanket, grab food from nearby restaurants, and enjoy free films under the stars with the whole family.

World-class performing arts venue with free AMP (Artist-in-Residence) concerts, lawn events, and top-tier family programming year-round.

The most visited museum in DC. Powerful, moving exhibits on Black history, culture, and achievement. Advance passes recommended.

The National Museum of African American History & Culture hosts its annual Juneteenth celebration with storytelling, performances, and family-friendly programming. Special exhibitions and community events honor the significance of June 19th.

A wildly colorful immersive art experience with interactive rooms designed to spark joy. Perfect for families, teens, and content creators alike.

Dinosaur skeletons, the Hope Diamond, an insect zoo, and fascinating human origins exhibits. Kids love the ocean hall whale.

Free Millennium Stage performances every day at 6pm plus ticketed family shows, musical theater, and the beloved KC Jazz Club for Teens.

Baltimore's annual Juneteenth celebration in Druid Hill Park features live performances, cultural art displays, local vendors, and family-friendly activities honoring the holiday's significance. Free and open to all.

Home to 2,700+ animals including giant pandas, lions, elephants, and great apes. 163 acres of free family fun in Rock Creek Park.

An immersive interactive experience built entirely around the magic of bubbles. Giant bubble installations, art rooms, and activities that kids absolutely love.

The massive companion to the Mall museum. Space Shuttle Discovery, the Concorde, WWII aircraft, and a flight simulator. A must-visit for aviation fans.

Prince George's County celebrates Juneteenth with a family festival featuring live music, local food vendors, cultural performances, kids activities, and community organizations. One of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the DMV.

Waterfront destination with the 180-foot Capital Wheel observation ride, carousel, splash pad, restaurants, and year-round family events.

An immersive, interactive chocolate adventure experience at Tysons Corner Center. Journey through the world of Hershey's with themed rooms, tastings, and sweet surprises for the whole family.

One of America's premier aquariums with dolphins, sharks, tropical rainforest, and a stunning 4D cinema experience. A Baltimore icon.

Fantastic hands-on science museum in the Inner Harbor with exhibits on space, earth science, and the human body. IMAX and planetarium on site.

Award-winning children's theater in Bethesda with professional productions for all ages plus summer arts camps and after-school classes.

One of the most visited museums on Earth. Rockets, historic aircraft, space suits, and hands-on STEM galleries. Located on the National Mall.

Free working farm in Fairfax County with cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and seasonal events. One of Northern Virginia's most beloved family spots.

Indoor LEGO playground with themed rides, 4D cinema, MINILAND DC, master model builder workshops, and endless building zones. Best for kids ages 3–10.

The National Mall comes alive for Juneteenth with live music, cultural performances, food vendors, and family activities celebrating Black freedom and joy. Smithsonian museums host special programming and free admission across all locations.

The original Star-Spangled Banner, Julia Child's kitchen, and pop culture history. Great for elementary-age kids and up.

Portraits of presidents, innovators, and cultural icons. Beautiful historic building in Penn Quarter with a stunning atrium courtyard.

World-class art spanning centuries plus a beloved outdoor sculpture garden with a reflecting pool. Free family workshops on weekends.

Beautiful museum celebrating the history and cultures of Native peoples of the Americas. Excellent rotating exhibits and a great café.

Profoundly moving and important museum documenting the Holocaust. "Remember the Children" exhibit recommended for ages 8+.

Interactive museum dedicated to the joy of language and words. Great for kids who love reading, writing, and storytelling.

Smithsonian's modern and contemporary art museum with a stunning outdoor sculpture garden on the Mall. Kids love the large-scale installations.

Smithsonian museum of Asian and American art connected underground to the Sackler Gallery. Beautiful architecture and fascinating world collections.

Smithsonian's only museum dedicated to the art of Africa. Stunning works spanning ancient to contemporary. Underground on the Mall near the Castle.

Smithsonian American Art Museum's craft and decorative arts gallery. Famous for immersive installations that kids find magical. Steps from the White House.

Smithsonian museum inside the historic Washington City Post Office. Surprising and interactive — kids love the mail planes, trains, and stamp collections.

Smithsonian American Art Museum shares a beautiful glass-canopied courtyard with the Portrait Gallery. Largest collection of American art in the world.

1,754 acres of forested parkland with hiking trails, a nature center, planetarium, horse center, and tennis courts. Right inside the city.

Iconic terraced park with a cascading fountain and a beloved Sunday drum circle. Beautiful views and a community gathering spot in Ward 1.

446 acres of gardens, bonsai pavilion, and the iconic National Capitol Columns. Breathtaking spring azaleas. Hidden gem in NE DC.

Miles of riverside trails, picnic pavilions, roller skating rink, and a boat launch on the Anacostia River. Hub for Ward 7 and 8 families.

DC's only national park managed aquatic garden. Stunning lotus and water lily blooms in summer. Magical and peaceful for all ages.

Linear park along Watts Branch with walking trails, playgrounds, and community gardens named after the legendary soul singer.

Popular waterfront splash pad on the Anacostia riverfront in the Navy Yard neighborhood. Open summer months, surrounded by restaurants.

Neighborhood splash pad open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Perfect for hot summer days in NE DC.

One of DC's premier aquatic centers with indoor and outdoor pools, lap swim, lessons, and a splash area for toddlers.

Large outdoor community pool inside Fort Dupont Park. Free for DC residents all summer with family swim hours and lessons.

Free outdoor pool for DC residents. Open summers with family swim hours in Ward 7. A community staple for East of the River families.

One of the nation's premier youth orchestras. Beginners through advanced. Free auditions open to all DC youth regardless of income.

Historic park with a carousel, art studios, dance halls, puppet company, and summer children's theater. A DMV treasure just over the DC line.

Free outdoor roller skating rink inside Anacostia Park. A classic East of the River activity loved by all ages.

Free outdoor education and wilderness adventure programs for DC youth. Rock climbing, camping, and leadership development.

Free after-school soccer, poetry, and service-learning for DC public school students. Life-changing program for 700+ kids each year.

Nature center in the heart of Wheaton Regional Park with live animals, trails, and free family programs. A Montgomery County classic.

Stunning 50-acre garden with a butterfly exhibit, Japanese garden, and seasonal displays. Free year-round in Wheaton Regional Park.

Outdoor lakefront entertainment center with a carousel, mini golf, restaurants, movies, and summer outdoor concerts. Perfect family destination.

6,300-acre park with hiking, fishing, kayaking, and stunning views of a scenic reservoir. Great trails for all skill levels and ages.

Visit and feed adorable alpacas on a working farm in Montgomery County. A fun and unique outing for young children.

Hike through forests to a gorgeous Chesapeake Bay beach where kids can hunt for ancient shark teeth fossils along the shore. One of Maryland's most unique family outings.

Charming small-town beach on the Chesapeake Bay with a boardwalk, fishing pier, and calm shallow waters perfect for young kids. About an hour from DC.

Free splash pad inside Watkins Regional Park alongside a carousel, mini train, and nature center. A full free day out for PG County families.

One of Maryland's most popular parks with an outdoor ice rink, miniature train, carousel, adventure playground, and tennis courts.

Beloved park with a miniature train, old-fashioned carousel, campground, tennis, and nature trails. A quintessential PG County family destination.

University of Maryland's premier arts venue with world-class performances, free family events, and extensive arts education programs.

A thriving arts campus in a converted historic prison with galleries, studios, performing arts, and summer arts camps for youth.

Beautifully preserved 19th-century grist mill with demonstrations and peaceful rural setting. A hidden gem in western Loudoun County.

Peaceful woodland park in Arlington with nature center, hiking trails, and stunning Potomac River overlooks. A hidden gem for families.

Arlington's nature education center with live animals, hands-on exhibits, and free programs for children exploring local wildlife and ecology.

World-class art museum with the largest collection of Matisse in the world plus incredible family programs and free admission always.

Baltimore's waterfront hub with boat tours, street performers, restaurants, and the historic USS Constellation warship to explore.

Beautiful 207-acre urban arboretum with nature trails, a Victorian greenhouse, and seasonal family events in a historic mansion setting.

Historic 137-acre park in East Baltimore with athletic fields, playgrounds, a pagoda, nature center, and an outdoor pool open in summer.

745-acre historic park adjacent to the Maryland Zoo with walking trails, reservoirs, tennis courts, and a stunning Victorian-era conservatory.

Baltimore's legendary public market since 1782. Freshly steamed crabs, local vendors, and the authentic Baltimore experience.

Free bus connecting Inner Harbor, museums, Federal Hill, and neighborhoods. Great way to explore Baltimore with kids without driving.

Free creative writing tutoring and workshops for DC youth ages 6–18. Storytelling, journalism, poetry, and more in a welcoming drop-in space.

Monthly youth writing workshops at MLK Library covering fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and personal essays. Open to all DC teens.

Free summer writing camps hosted at Montgomery County Public Libraries. Kids craft short stories, comic scripts, and poetry collections.

DC's flagship public library with a dedicated children's floor, story times, maker space, and free programs for kids of all ages.

Weekly story time sessions at DC library branches across all 8 wards. Bilingual options available. No registration required at most locations.

Free weekly story times for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers across all Pratt Library branches in Baltimore City.

Montgomery County's annual summer reading challenge for kids, teens, and families. Earn prizes, attend events, and keep reading skills sharp all summer.

Year-round free kids programming at Fairfax County libraries: STEM story times, coding clubs, book clubs, and summer reading challenges.

One of the most visited museums in the world. Explore spacecraft, aircraft, and the history of flight and space exploration. Free admission.

Dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, ocean hall, and live butterfly pavilion. A must-visit science destination for DMV families.

Free coding program for DC high schoolers. Learn web development, build real projects, and connect with tech industry mentors.

The companion facility to Air & Space on the National Mall. See the Space Shuttle Discovery, SR-71 Blackbird, and hundreds of aircraft up close.

Hands-on exhibits designed for young children — science, arts, and global citizenship. Located in the Capital One Arena area.

Interactive spy gadgets, real espionage history, and immersive missions. A massive hit with tweens and teenagers.

Smithsonian's performing arts theater for young audiences — puppetry, dance, storytelling, and cultural performances. Located in the Ripley Center.

Acclaimed theater offering youth acting camps and conservatory programs for ages 6–18 in the DMV area.

Professional ballet training from pre-dance (age 3) through pre-professional programs. Diverse, inclusive, and world-class instruction.

Ride historic streetcars and learn the history of trolleys in the DC region. A unique and affordable family outing in Silver Spring.

Maryland's largest amusement park with go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, bumper boats, and rides. A full day out for families.

Indoor/outdoor aquatic center with a 50-meter pool, waterslide, tot pool, and swim lessons for all levels.

Prince George's County's beloved outdoor splash pool with water slides, a zero-depth entry area for toddlers, and a lap pool. A summer staple for PG County families.

Maryland's most popular beach on the Chesapeake Bay. Sandy shores, calm waters, a boat launch, and stunning views of the Bay Bridge. About 45 minutes from DC.

Annual late-summer fair with rides, livestock, 4-H exhibits, concerts, and county fair classics. A beloved family tradition for 100+ years.

Interactive children's museum in downtown Bethesda with STEM exhibits, art studios, and creative play spaces for young learners.

Public ice skating sessions, lessons, and youth hockey leagues. One of Montgomery County's most affordable family activities.

Stock-your-own trout fishing in Montgomery County. A great first fishing experience for kids with parent-friendly access.

The arts center for Prince George's County with theatrical performances, concerts, and family shows throughout the year.

Olympic-caliber facility with indoor Olympic pool, track & field, tennis courts, and youth sports programs.

Living history farm recreating 18th-century colonial life with costumed interpreters, livestock, and hands-on activities for children.

Washington's iconic estate on the Potomac with historic mansion, gardens, museum, and the Revolutionary-era farm experience.

Indoor aquatics center with lanes, lessons, water aerobics, and a warm-water toddler pool. Year-round family swimming in Reston.

Beautiful 95-acre garden with tranquil walking paths, a children's garden, and the beloved WinterWalk light display in December.

Indoor trampoline park with wall-to-wall jumps, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and a toddler zone. Perfect for rainy days and birthday parties.

PGA-certified junior golf camps introducing kids to the sport in a fun, supportive environment. Open to all skill levels.

Beloved intimate music venue in Vienna with regular family-friendly shows and youth music events. Local DMV institution for live music.

Gorgeous 4,800-acre park with miniature train and carousel, fishing, camping, disc golf, and trails around the scenic lake.

Hands-on petting zoo where kids can bottle-feed baby goats, pet deer, and see exotic animals. Small, friendly, and perfect for young children.

Birthplace of American railroading. Massive roundhouse, historic locomotives, and train rides. A dream for train-loving kids of all ages.

Top-rated children's museum in the Inner Harbor with 3 floors of hands-on exhibits, including an ancient Egypt adventure and water table.

One of the oldest zoos in the US with 1,500+ animals including African elephants, penguin coast, and a beloved children's zoo area.

Maryland's museum of African American history and culture. Engaging exhibits spanning from the transatlantic slave trade to modern civil rights.

Wildly creative museum celebrating self-taught art and extraordinary human spirit. Visually stunning and unlike anything else in the DMV.

Themed escape rooms in Adams Morgan. Teams of 2–8 solve puzzles to break out. Great for older kids, teens, and family game nights.

Guided painting classes for all skill levels in a fun, social setting. Family-friendly sessions available on weekends — no experience needed.

Upscale bowling alley in Glover Park with full arcade, great food, and cosmic bowling nights. A go-to for family fun in all weather.

Modern upscale bowling in Bethesda with arcade games, great food, and bumper bowling for little ones. Fun guaranteed rain or shine.

Indoor trampoline park with wall-to-wall jumps, foam pits, dodgeball, ninja warrior course, and a dedicated toddler zone. A must for high-energy kids.

Guided step-by-step painting classes in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Family sessions on weekends — kids and parents create side by side.

Massive indoor adventure park in Sterling with trampolines, climbing walls, laser tag, ninja courses, and a dedicated area for toddlers under 5.

Lively bowling venue in Arlington with arcade games, billiards, great bites, and bumper bowling for the little ones. Family favorite.

Upscale bowling and bocce ball bistro in Tysons. Unique mix of gourmet dining and family-friendly entertainment. Great for special occasions.

High-tech golf entertainment with point-scoring games for all skill levels. No golf experience needed — just aim and swing. Great for family outings.

Full-body virtual reality experience where your whole group steps inside a game together. Sci-fi adventures, zombie battles, and more. Mind-blowing for teens.

Indoor trampoline park in Woodbridge with foam pits, dodgeball courts, ninja warrior course, and a toddler zone for the little ones.

Sky Zone trampoline park in Laurel serving Prince George's and Howard County families. Jump zones, foam pits, and dodgeball for all ages.

Sky Zone in Germantown with wall-to-wall trampolines, ninja obstacle courses, and dedicated toddler areas. Great for birthday parties.

Indoor adventure park with trampolines, climbing walls, go-karts, laser tag, and a sky rider coaster. One of the most feature-packed parks in NoVA.

Urban Air in Manassas with massive trampoline park, ninja warrior course, laser tag, and sky rider. Perfect for active kids of all ages.

Urban Air in Germantown with trampolines, climbing structures, warrior course, and a dedicated toddler zone. Great for rainy day family fun.

Urban Air in Waldorf serving Charles and Prince George's County families. Full adventure park with climbing, jumping, and ninja obstacles.

Massive arcade and entertainment complex in White Flint with hundreds of games, full restaurant, sports bar, and redemption prizes. Fun for the whole family.

Dave & Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall with a huge arcade floor, billiards, restaurant, and bar. Great pre or post outlet mall stop with kids.

Classic Dave & Buster's at Springfield Town Center with huge arcade, full menu, and games for kids and adults. A solid rainy day option in Fairfax County.

Dave & Buster's in White Marsh with hundreds of arcade games, a sports bar, and full dining. Easy stop off I-95 north of Baltimore.

Topgolf in Germantown with 3 floors of climate-controlled hitting bays, point-scoring games, full food and drink menu. No golf skills needed.

Topgolf Ashburn with multi-level driving range bays, game technology, and a full restaurant. Fun for families who love a little friendly competition.

Real indoor skydiving in a vertical wind tunnel. No experience needed — trained instructors guide you through every step. Unforgettable for kids and teens.

Indoor skydiving experience in Rockville. Feel the rush of freefall in a safe, controlled wind tunnel. Perfect for adventurous kids and teens.

All-in-one entertainment hub with bowling, laser tag, arcade games, billiards, and a full restaurant. Great for groups and birthday parties.

Upscale boutique bowling in Penn Quarter with stylish lanes, arcade games, and a full bar and menu. Steps from Capital One Arena.

Bowlero in Lorton with modern lanes, arcade games, billiards, and a full food and drink menu. Great spot for families in southern Fairfax County.

Bowlero in Germantown with updated lanes, cosmic bowling nights, arcade games, and family-friendly food. A go-to for Montgomery County families.

Bowlero serving Laurel and surrounding areas with great lanes, arcade games, and full dining. Convenient between DC and Baltimore on I-95.

Guided painting studio in Old Town Alexandria area. Family sessions on weekends — kids and parents paint together with step-by-step instruction.

Paint and sip studio in Fairfax with regular family-friendly classes. No art experience needed — just show up and follow along.

Painting studio near Potomac Mills with guided classes for families and kids. A creative and relaxing outing that produces something to take home.

Themed escape rooms in Fairfax for groups of 2–8. Puzzle-solving adventures perfect for older kids, teens, and family game nights.

Award-winning escape room experiences in downtown Bethesda. Multiple themed rooms with varying difficulty levels for families, teens, and adults.

Escape rooms in the heart of Georgetown. Solve clues and puzzles to break free before time runs out. Great for older kids and family outings.

Cutting-edge immersive digital art experiences in a stunning underground space near the National Mall. Light, sound, and technology collide in rotating exhibitions unlike anything else in DC.

Nationally recognized creative writing workshops for kids and teens. Fiction, poetry, and screenwriting in small group settings with published authors.

After-school programs, birthday parties, and camps that make science fun for kids. Experiments, rockets, and slime guaranteed.

Kids learn to code by building their own video games. Self-paced curriculum from Scratch to JavaScript in a fun dojo environment.

Game-based coding curriculum for kids in Fairfax. Students earn belts as they level up from block coding to JavaScript and real game development.

Outdoor STEM learning for toddlers and young kids. Led by trained educators in local parks — exploring nature, building, and problem-solving.

Interactive science exhibits, planetarium shows, and IMAX theater at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Hands-on science fun for the whole family.

Free summer meals for kids

200+ sites across DC, Baltimore, Maryland & Virginia — through August 31