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Spook-tacular Halloween Events for Families in the Washington, D.C. Area

As Halloween approaches, there’s no shortage of family-friendly events in and around Washington, D.C. Whether your little ones want to dress up and collect candy, explore haunted houses (not too scary!), or get creative with spooky crafts, the DMV has something for everyone. Here’s a guide to the best Halloween events for families this season:

Halloween and Fall Events:

Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co: Through October 31
The Puppet Co favorites Ingrid and Mollie are bringing a charming and educational adventure to the main stage for Halloween! Come meet Jennie the Cat! This show features cuddly puppets, audience interaction, and all original music. Recommended ages 4-8.

Eye Spy Halloween Trains: Train schedule: October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 from 9:30am-4:30pm
Montgomery Parks’ Halloween Eye Spy Train returns! Are you ready to join for a train ride around “Trainsylvania” while searching for all of the hidden characters along the tracks?

Soul Strolls: Twighlight Tours at Congressional Cemetery: October 18-26 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our own.
Want to bring children to Soul Strolls but are looking for a more family friendly tour? The 5:00 PM tour times on Saturday (Oct 19 and Oct 26) will be curated to be more family friendly. Mature themes and topics will be dialed back with younger audiences in mind. Consider these tour times rated “PG.”

Boo at the Zoo: October 18-20 from 6:00pm-8:30pm
It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly Halloween event. Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House and Think Tank, dance party, a souvenir tote bag and around 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.

Halloween in the Garden: October 19 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Are you ready for a howling good time at Annmarie’s Halloween in the Garden? Join for this family-friendly Trick-or-Treating festival. The garden will be decorated for the season with lots of great Halloween and fall decor, with fun photo ops around every corner! More than 60 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more! So dress up the whole family and enjoy a spooktacular day at Annmarie! Click here for detailed event and safety information. 

Family Day: Halloween at Library of Congress: October 19 from 10:30am-3:30pm
Celebrate spooky season with eerie crafts, images, and more from the collections. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to staff experts, and a guide to using Library resources at home.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 19 & 20
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Explore the Farm. Meet General Washington. Purchase food freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven. Watch an 18th-century cooking demonstration. Visit with the colonial surveyors to see how surveying was done. Witness an 18th-century Cooper and Wheelwright perform their craft. See how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century with the Farrier. Watch 18th-century spinning demonstrations. Learn about 18th-century textiles and how they were dyed.

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party, Halloween Special: October 20 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Rumpus Room Family Dance Party: Halloween Special is back at Hi-Lawn! Get ready for a spooktacular day of dancing and fun for the whole family. Come dressed in your favorite costumes and boogie with us at DC’s best (and only) family dance party on the roof at Union Market. Don’t miss out on this fang-tastic event – mark your calendars now! This one always sells out! Rumpus Room is designed for kids 10 and under and their caregivers.

Glow in the Park: October 25 & 26 starting at 6:00pm
Enjoy a magical experience climbing and ziplining through the trees lit up with neon colored lights, rockin’ music, and exciting themes! Reserve your tickets in advance for this fan-favorite event! Ages 5 and up are welcome.

Hill-O-Ween: October 25 from 5:00pm-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St.

Sensory Inclusive Trick or Treating at B&O Railroad: October 25 from 4-6pm
All ages are invited to join the B&O for a sensory inclusive Halloween experience! With limited noise, allergen-free candy, and pre-visit resources, this event makes trick-or-treating safe and accessible for Neurodivergent visitors.  Explore the Roundhouse* collecting candy, stickers, toys, fidgets, and other goodies, and participate in activities on the turntable including games, a craft, and a sensory exploration table.  

Mystery Mansion: October 25, 26, November 1 & 2 fro 5:00pm-9:00pm
Mystery Mansion is an indoor family friendly haunted house and outdoor fest hosted by The Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase. While the haunted house is designed for guests as young as five through twelve, the Mystery Mansion experience appeals to Halloween fans of all ages. All are welcome and costumes are appreciated! Purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

My Gym Halloween Party: October 25 from 5-5:45pm & 6-6:45pm
Looking for not too spooky family fun this Halloween?  Find it at My Gym’s Halloween Party!  Join for circle time, games, costume parade, and loads of fun!  Each child leaves with a My Gym Halloween treat. Book your spot today!  Must sign up ahead of time.

Family Program: Trick or Fruit at US Botanic Garden: October 25 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Explore plants that produce edible fruits throughout the Conservatory at this fun evening program for families. 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!

DPR Halloween Events: October 25-31
It’s Halloween in DC and DPR is hosting events in all eight wards this 2024 Halloween season! Make plans to attend one of the themed events taking place throughout the District. 

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place: October 26 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Wear your Halloween costume and search for treats (not tricks) in every corner of the garden. Enjoy crafts, activities and period games amid lovely autumn plant life. This outdoor event will take place rain or shine.

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: October 26 from 10:00am-3:00pm
Join us for our annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to explore the spooky side of air and space. This year, the event will take place both inside and outside at the Museum.

Dia de Los Muertos at Smithsonian American Art Museum: October 26 from 11:30am-3:00pm
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Smithsonian American Art Museum! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances, including traditional Mexican folk dance by Corazon Folklorico, a mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of different Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba. Attendees ages 12 and younger can enjoy face painting throughout the day, while visitors of all ages can participate in hands-on craft activities. Round out the day by exploring the museum’s collection with our Día de los Muertos-themed scavenger hunt

Glen Echo Fall Frolic: October 26 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Join for some Halloween fun at Glen Echo Park! Activities include decorating a Trick-or-Treat bag and other crafts, a festive fall photo-op (say that 10 times!), a costume contest (will you win for “Most Spooky,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Group?”), and Trick-or-Treating at our resident art studios and galleries. We focus on the arts-y & crafts-y more than the scary, but we love to see all the costumes – even the scary ones!

Trick or Treat at Mount Vernon: October 26 from 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds. Watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows at 3pm & 4:30pm. See an 18th-century bake oven demonstration with Half Crown Bakehouse on the 12-acre field. Sample a rusk (twice-baked bread pieces) with chocolate cream from a recipe dating back to the 1760s and using American Heritage Chocolate. And more!

Día de los Muertos at National Museum of the American Indian: October 27 from 10:00am-5:00pm
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life.

Van Ness Spooktacular: October 27 from 10:00am-2:00pm
Everyone’s favorite kid-friendly Halloween event is returning to Forest Hills Playground this year. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and gather at Forest Hills Playground for spooky-inspired activities followed by Trick or Treating at small businesses along Connecticut Ave in Wakefield, Forest Hills and Van Ness from 12:30pm-2pm.

Halloween at the Harbor: October 27 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Enjoy trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving competition, pet pawrade and more. This family-friendly party is sure to be a wicked good time!

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular!: October 27 2:00pm & 4:00pm
An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween with fa-boo-lous new works and spooky old classics.

28th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade: October 27 at 2:00pm
One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions takes place along Mount Vernon Avenue, beginning at E. Bellefonte Avenue. Children, pets, and decorated strollers are invited to march and show off their costumes! This parade ends with live music and an award presentation at the Mount Vernon Rec Center field. This hometown favorite event is a must-see!

37th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race: October 29 from 7:30pm-9:00pm
The Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is a time to celebrate the diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and join thousands of costumed spectators cheer on costumed drag queens, drag kings and community members as they race down 17th Street NW. Lively and filled with local drag entertainment and much more, you won’t want to miss this DC tradition!

Bethesda Row Trick or Treat: October 30 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Come dressed in your spookiest or most festive costumes and make your way to Bethesda Row for an evening of family-friendly Halloween fun. Explore the neighborhood’s restaurants and shops where you can snag some delectable treats and surprises. Pose for a photo with our lively costume characters and be sure to share your unforgettable moments with us on social media for a frightfully fantastic prize! Tickets for children must be purchased in advance and all proceeds will be donated to Manna Food Center.

Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue: October 31 from 3:00pm-6:00pm
The Chevy Chase Citizens Association is reviving Spooktacular – to be held on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC. Restaurants and store owners will provide goodies for costumed trick-or-treaters.

Halloween Spooktacular at Mosaic: October 31 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Grab your costume and join for a Spooktacular Halloween at Mosaic! From store open to store close, stop by your favorite shops for trick-or-treating and then lay out your blankets, spread out your candy, and enjoy Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire on our big screen in Strawberry Park, starting at 6pm.

Pumpkin Chunkin at Great Country Farms: November 2-3 from 9:00am-5:00pm
Bring your leftover jack-o-lantern to our smashin’ stations and let it fly! The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself or bring your pumpkin to the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to our upside down “fireworks display” as the pumpkins are dropped from a 40ft lift. You will be sure to love giving your pumpkin one final ride. What happens to all those smashed pumpkins?… the pigs and cows love to eat them and we compost the rest.

El Día de los Muertos at National Portrait Gallery: November 2 from 5:00pm-8:30pm
Join us for our annual celebration of el Día de los Muertos—one of the National Portrait Gallery’s biggest events of the year—with live music, Mexican folk-dance performances, workshops, and a variety of activities for all ages. Create calaveras and papel picado to decorate the community altar, get your face painted to look like la Catrina, and more! Take the celebration to the streets as you witness the live video mapping projection by artists MasPaz and Guache. The artists will create their work live from the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, projected onto the G and 9th street façade.

Día de los Muertos at The Wharf: November 2 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with your family and friends at The Wharf. Sip on Modelo while you discover beautifully decorated altars honoring loved ones, listen to live music by the Latin Celtic band La Unica, and light up the night during the community lantern procession. The family-friendly afternoon will include free activities for the kids including face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more. Don’t forget to dress the part by wearing colorful colors, skulls, and flowers!

Día de los Muertos at The Kennedy Center: November 4 at 7:30pm
Celebrate the Mexican holiday, el día de los muertos, the day of the dead, with a concert dedicated to music by Mexican composers, conducted by NOW’s Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Side Yards at The Yards: November 8 from 5:30pm-8:30pm
The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping, and relaxing, is welcoming back Side Yards, the community’s favorite fall celebration of everything extraordinary for its ninth year. This year’s event promises a fresh twist with thrilling Lucha Libre performances, fan-favorite sideshow acts, including daring sword swallowers, magicians and mind-bending contortionists, as well as face painting and interactive activities for all ages to enjoy. With glow-in-the-dark giveaways, glitter tattoos, a live DJ, and more, there is something eye-popping for every guest at Side Yards! The event is free to attend, but registration is required on Eventbrite.

Wayside Farm

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Screams & Disease Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 18, 25, 26 & 29 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Relive the bloody and dark history of the Lee-Fendall House when it served as a Civil War hospital.

Night of the Living Zoo: October 25 from 7:00pm-11:00pm
Get ready for a spine-chilling evening at the Night of the Living Zoo! The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is bringing its adults-only Halloween party back from the dead. Your ticket grants you after-hours access to the Zoo, an open cocktail bar, two entertainment stages and tantalizing food options available for purchase. The Reptile Discovery Center and Great Cats exhibits will be open for animal viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. Flash tattoos are available with additional purchase. Proceeds from the event support the Zoo’s conservation work to save endangered species. Ages 21+

Adults (and older kids):
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Laurel’s House of Horror
Haunted Hayrides

Family Fun in AU Park, Washington, D.C.: A Guide for Kids and Parents

Nestled in the heart of Northwest Washington, D.C., American University Park (AU Park) is a charming neighborhood that offers plenty of family-friendly spots. AU Park has plenty of places to keep kids entertained and parents happy.

1. Playgrounds

  • Friendship “Turtle” Park: A favorite among local families, this playground is located at 45th and Van Ness Street NW. The large turtle sculptures that give the park its nickname are a hit with kids, making for perfect photo ops. The park offers two separate playground areas, one for toddlers and one for older kids, with slides, swings, and climbing structures. There’s also a splash pad during the warmer months, plus plenty of benches and shaded areas for parents to relax. In the summer and fall you are sure to be able to catch a baseball game too.
  • Fort Bayard Park: For a more laid-back playground experience, head over to Fort Bayard Park at River Road NW and Western Avenue. This smaller, quieter park has swings, a slide, and open green spaces where kids can run around or play ball. It’s also a peaceful spot for a family picnic.
  • St. Columba’s Playground: Tucked behind St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, this lesser-known gem offers a small but well-maintained playground that’s great for younger kids. It has a shaded area, swings, and climbing structures, providing a quieter space for play compared to larger parks. Families often stop by after attending one of the church’s community events or preschool programs.

2. Family-Friendly Restaurants

  • Millie’s: Located just across the street from Turtle Park, Millie’s is perfect for family dining. With a relaxed atmosphere and a menu featuring tacos, burgers, salads, and seafood, there’s something for everyone. Their outdoor seating area is great for kids, who can enjoy ice cream from Millie’s own ice cream stand while parents savor a margarita.
  • Pizzeria Paradiso: Just a short drive away in nearby Spring Valley, this beloved pizzeria is great for grabbing a quick bite. The wood-fired pizzas are a big hit with kids, and they also offer sandwiches, salads, and small plates. The laid-back atmosphere makes it a great choice for a casual family meal.
  • Playa Bowls: A popular chain known for its healthy, tropical-inspired bowls and smoothies. Playa Bowls focuses on offering nutritious options with fresh ingredients like acai, pitaya (dragon fruit), coconut, chia pudding, and oatmeal as the base. These bowls are then topped with a variety of fresh fruits, granola, nuts, seeds, honey, and other delicious add-ons, creating colorful and refreshing meals.
  • Compass Coffee: A popular Washington, D.C. based coffee roaster and café known for its commitment to simplicity, quality, and community. Compass Coffee was created with the goal of providing high-quality coffee that’s easy to enjoy without any pretension.

3. Things to Do with Kids

  • American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center: For families with older kids or those looking to introduce their little ones to art and culture, the Katzen Arts Center offers rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. The museum is free and is just a short walk from the heart of AU Park.
  • Tenley-Friendship Library: Just a few blocks away from AU Park, the Tenley-Friendship Library is a great spot for a rainy day. They offer storytime sessions for toddlers and kids, as well as various children’s programs throughout the week.
  • The National Zoo: Although not directly in AU Park, the National Zoo is just a short drive away and makes for an excellent family outing. Kids will love seeing the animals, and the zoo’s educational exhibits make it both fun and informative.

4. Seasonal Events

  • Halloween and Holiday Celebrations at Turtle Park: Around Halloween and the winter holidays, Turtle Park hosts community gatherings that often include costume parades, games, and treats for kids. It’s a great way to meet other families in the neighborhood and join in the festive spirit.

The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Fun for Kids in and around Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is not only the political heart of the United States but also a city bursting with vibrant cultural, educational, and recreational activities—many of which are perfect for families! If you’re looking to escape the weather or simply enjoy some indoor fun, D.C. has plenty to offer. From world-class museums and creative play spaces to indoor sports and interactive exhibits, here’s your comprehensive guide to all the best indoor places to take kids in Washington, D.C.

Museums with Kid-Friendly Exhibits

  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
    Explore the wonders of the natural world at this iconic museum. Kids will love the Dinosaur Hall, featuring life-sized skeletons, and the Hall of Mammals, where they can see their favorite animals up close. Don’t miss the Butterfly Pavilion, where they can walk among free-flying butterflies.
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
    Perfect for young aviators and astronauts, this museum offers interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and a planetarium. Children can learn about the history of flight, explore space through virtual reality experiences, and even touch a real moon rock!
  • Smithsonian National Museum of American History
    Step back in time to explore America’s past. Highlights include the Spark!Lab, a hands-on invention space where kids can become inventors, and the Draper Spark!Lab, which encourages creativity and innovation.
  • International Spy Museum
    For little detectives, the Spy Museum is a thrilling experience. Kids can learn about espionage, test their skills in interactive spy challenges, and see real-life spy gadgets.
  • National Children’s Museum
    A blend of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) exhibits, this museum is designed specifically for young minds. Interactive exhibits like the Dream Machine and the Innovation Sandbox encourage learning through play.
  • National Geographic Museum
    This museum offers rotating exhibits that often feature stunning photography, interactive displays, and hands-on activities. Kids can learn about wildlife, space, and world cultures.
  • United States Botanic Garden
    While primarily known for its outdoor gardens, the Conservatory offers a warm, humid escape with lush greenery, a children’s garden, and educational exhibits about plant life. It’s a fantastic spot for kids to learn about nature while staying indoors.
  • National Gallery of Art – East Building
    While not specifically for children, the East Building’s modern art collection is vibrant and colorful, making it accessible for younger viewers. They also offer family workshops and programs to help kids engage with art creatively. Kids will also love the lit-up moving walkway.
  • The National Postal Museum
    A Smithsonian Institution that is under visited will keep your child busy, especially the older ones. There are many hands-on exhibits as well as replica mail cars and mail carrying planes hanging from the ceiling. Visitors can create their own stamp designs, sort through the Museum’s collection and create their own stamp collection based on the topics that interest them at touchscreen tables and kids can pretend they are mail-clerks and try to toss packages into their proper bin. Union Station is located next door so you can take the Metro (red line or stop by Union Station to admire the architecture or grab lunch.
  • Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    Located in the heart of the Nation’s Capital, the BEP’s Washington, DC Tour & Visitor Center is a great place to learn all about U.S. paper currency. You can see millions of dollars bring printed as you walk along the gallery overlooking the production floor. The free 40-minute experience includes an introductory film and gallery tour of the production process. The visitor center includes exhibits and currency products for sale. 
  • The National Capital Trolley Museum 
    This museum is not very large but will have the attention of those train enthusiasts in your family. Summer is the perfect time to go as they have family programs throughout; storytelling, crafts and videos featuring trolley cartoons. They have a model train, a working trolley kids can take rides on (rides are unlimited with paid ticket), silent films displaying trolley life, and a large area full of old street cars.
  • Port Discovery Children’s Museum
    Choose your own adventure with a day full of play, exploration, and family-friendly fun at Port Discovery. Featuring hands-on experiences, interactive exhibits, and entertaining programs all designed to spark imaginations and help children and adults connect, discover, and learn through play.
  • U.S Capitol Tour
    The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tours begin every 10 minutes until 3:20 p.m. All tours are led by our professional tour guides and visit the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall.

Indoor Play Spaces and Activity Centers

  • Be With Me Playseum
    A unique children’s play museum where kids can role-play in different themed rooms, from a grocery store to a dentist’s office. The Playseum encourages imaginative play and is designed for children up to age 9.
  • Scramble
    An indoor play facility in Alexandria, Virginia, Scramble offers a massive play structure, a mini-soccer field, and even a separate toddler zone. This European-style play space is designed to encourage active, imaginative play.
  • Magic Ground
    A unique children’s entertainment center and indoor playground design to create a fun, educational, and memorable experience for both children and their parents. Urban parents and children will find a place to spend valuable family time, play safely, eat healthy, and also relax while your children play and participate in activities especially designed to stimulate their development.

Creative Spaces and Art Activities

  • Red Panda Art Studio
    They offer classes, camps and day-off workshops designed to engage children’s creativity, enhance their imagination, and explore their artistic abilities – with an overall focus on having fun and collaborating with peers.  They provide different activities and materials to keep them engaged and interested, and allow more time to explore in depth when desired. 
  • The Loft Collective
    An art studio for children and families, located in Takoma Park, MD, just at the edge of Washington DC. They offer classes that focus on making as a conduit for making meaning and making connections. With an eye on public art and a diverse group of artists, they choose projects and stories that explore the power of art to amplify voices, shift mindsets, and impact change.
  • District Dabble Lab
    District DabbleLab is a space that seeks to inspire imagination, develop skills, spark curiosity, and promote creativity.  
  • All Fired Up
    Another fantastic pottery painting studio, All Fired Up offers a variety of ceramic pieces to paint, from figurines to plates. They also host workshops and birthday parties.
  • Kids Create Art Studio
    This art studio offers a range of art classes and workshops for kids, including painting, drawing, and sculpture. It’s a great way to nurture creativity in a structured environment.
  • ArtJamz
    An art playdate or a time to go get messy. Each child gets their own canvas to paint and keep, an easel, smock, and unlimited access to a huge selection of art materials. Glitter, stencils, palettes, and other materials are sure to excite and inspire any young artist. Parents can get their own easel and canvas or grab a drink at the bar and hang out in the artists lounge while the kiddos unleash their inner artists. Multiple locations in the DMV.

Indoor Sports and Recreation

  • Lucky Strike Bowling
    This upscale bowling alley located in Chinatown is perfect for a family outing. They offer kid-friendly lanes, bumpers, and even lightweight balls for younger children.
  • Pinstripes Bowling
    The Georgetown & Bethesda locations offers a unique variety of entertainment and events every day of the week. Enjoy our made-from-scratch Italian-American cuisine during Saturday & Sunday Brunch with the family, happy hour after work, or a night of bowling and bocce.
  • Swingers Putt-Putt
    Swingers Dupont Circle takes crazy golf from the 1920’s British seaside, Tanqueray infused plus-fours, adds DC’s best street food, banging beats and sticks it in Dupont Circle. Game on… 
  • Beat the Bomb
    Beat the Bomb players pull on hazmat suits, helmets, and face shields and move through a series of high-tech rooms while cracking codes and navigating laser mazes. If you don’t succeed, you get blasted! Children must be at least 8 years old to participate, and kids 10 and up can play on their own.
  • My Gym Potomac
    Whether you’re looking for a fantastic Parent and Me program or high-energy classes for big kids – you’ve come to the right place! The Guest Experience includes Unlimited Classes and Open Gym sessions for one week!
  • Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
    Another trampoline park that offers fun for all ages. Sky Zone has toddler time during the week, Sky Jam (16 and older) and they offer birthday parties.
  • Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center
    An amazing aquatic center in Tenleytown that offers an Olympic size indoor lap pool and kiddie pool that is open year round, seven days a week. Kiddie pool includes basketball hoops, a wade in area and buckets that dump water. Free to DC residents.
  • Five Iron Golf
    A mix of indoor golf and entertainment. State-of-the-art simulators and world-class instruction meet premium events and amenities plus delectable food and cocktail menus. Five Iron is fostering a dynamic, engaging, and fun atmosphere for golf enthusiasts and party-goers alike. They also offer children’s birthday parties.
  • DC Improv Comedy Club – Family Shows
    While most shows are for adults, DC Improv occasionally hosts family-friendly comedy shows and improv workshops, which can be a fun and unique indoor experience for older kids.
  • The Escape Game
    9 escape rooms for all skill levels.
  • ZavaZone
    This indoor adventure park, located just outside D.C., offers trampolines, climbing walls, zip lines, and ropes courses. It’s an ideal spot for energetic kids looking to burn off some energy.
  • Monster Mini Golf
    Monster Mini Golf is an exciting indoor monster themed glow in the dark 18 hole miniature golf course that offers a host of fun activities at every turn. This is not your average mini golf course! Whether you’re visiting for the first time, or the hundredth, you feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf among a scary but cool monster décor with custom and animated props at every turn.
  • Shadowland Laser Tag
    An indoor laser tag facility featuring a large, multi-level arena filled with glowing walls, fog, music, and special effects that create an immersive gaming environment. The venue is designed to resemble a futuristic labyrinth with plenty of nooks, crannies, and hiding spots, making it an ideal setting for strategy-based play.
  • HyperKidz
    Themed zones for kids ages 0-13. Other attractions include an interactive LED dance floor, laser light show, interactive screen games, bubble machine, glow-in-the-dark play, a concession stand, souvenir stand, and giant lite brite boards. Various locations in the DMV.
  • Laugh Out Loud Stations Mega Fun Center
    CRAZY FUN Rides and AMAZING attractions all in one place to develop LOL Stations as the Best Indoor Theme Park and Birthday Party Place in the Washington metropolitan area, where the entire family can play together!! LaserTag, Challenge Course, Tumbler, Bumper Cars, Ball Blaster, Bouncers, 4-Level Playground, Himalaya, and much more!! Purchase a package or pay for single games.
  •  Silver Stars Gymnastics
    Offering classes, birthday parties and open gym (you do not have to be enrolled in classes).
  • Climb Zone
    Indoor rock climbing with individual walls, each with a theme. There are a few bounce houses, an area for kids 3 and under to play in, video games and a small cafe. You can have a birthday party here too. Put your harness on and climb aboard your favorite art whether it be Mt. Rushmore or the Alice in Wonderland themed wall, you’ll have a great time.
  • Play N’ Learn: The Playground Superstore
    Spend up to 2 hours at Play N’ Learn’s indoor playground in Columbia, MD. Your children are welcome to come play on swing sets, basketball goals, trampolines, air hockey and foosball tables in the 6,000 sq ft facility. The facility, which features safe rubber flooring throughout, is best suited to entertain ages 2-8. However, they do have baby swings to accommodate the little guys.

Science and Discovery Centers

  • KID Museum
    Located in Bethesda, Maryland, KID Museum offers hands-on activities focused on science, technology, and creativity. Kids can engage in maker activities, robotics, and other STEM-related workshops.
  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Q?rius
    A unique discovery room designed for older kids and teens, Q?rius offers a hands-on learning environment where kids can touch real fossils, use microscopes, and explore various scientific fields.
  • Planet Word
    This unique museum dedicated to language and words offers interactive exhibits that are perfect for older kids and teens. They can participate in word games, explore the history of languages, and even record their own stories.
  • Maryland Science Center
    In addition to all of the great hands-on science exhibits MSC has a Kids Room designed for children ages 0-8. Highlights include large water play area, undersea world with periscope and submarine theme and pneumatic messaging system, streetscape, and giant pinscreen. The museum also has an IMAX and Planetarium. 
  • imagiNATIONS Activity Center at The National Museum of the American Indian
    The interactive, family-friendly imagiNATIONS Activity Center provides young visitors a lively space with a wide variety of learning experiences. The cultural and scientific knowledge of Indigenous peoples reflects a tradition driven by innovation that is both unique and universal. Today many of their innovations and inventions are part of daily life for millions worldwide. Visitors to the center may explore some of these ingenious adaptations through a variety of play-based interactives.
  • Wegman’s Wonderplace at The National Museum of American History
    Wegmans Wonderplace is the first exhibition on the National Mall designed for children 0 to 6. This 1,700-square-foot interactive space provides the youngest historians with age-appropriate activities and experiences.
  • Glen Echo Park Aquarium
    The Glen Echo Park Aquarium is a Chesapeake Bay Discovery Center in historic Glen Echo Park. Their mission is to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed through education, in order to encourage stewardship and conservation. The Aquarium features live animal exhibits, static and interactive displays, activities, a live touch tank, a giant sand pit, a submarine, and a pirate ship in a tree, all designed to help our visitors learn about our nation’s largest estuary!

Family Friendly Theaters

Nature Centers with Indoor Exhibits

Don’t Miss These End-of-Summer Festivals & Events Before Fall Arrives

As the summer sun begins to set, there’s still time to squeeze in a few more memorable moments before fall arrives. Washington, D.C., and its surrounding areas are buzzing with late-summer festivals that offer the perfect way to celebrate the season’s final days. From lively cultural celebrations to outdoor music festivals, these events are a great way to enjoy the last warm days of summer. Here’s a look at a few festivals you won’t want to miss as we bid farewell to summer and prepare to embrace the beauty of autumn.

August 23 from 6pm-9pm: Mid-Autumn Festival Community Day
Join the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) for a movie night to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival! MOAPIA will show for a movie night to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival! MOAPIA “Raya and the Last Dragon,” a captivating family-friendly film, and unleash your creativity with fun lantern-making activities for all ages. Don’t miss out on this joyful celebration filled with excitement, creativity, and community spirit!

August 24 from 9am-8pm: The 2024 National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
The event is free and open to the public. A selection of programs will be livestreamed online and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the Festival. Check here for family-friendly options. Plan your day with the filterable Festival schedule. You can also view and download the Festival program PDF and Festival map.

August 24  from 10am to 4pm: Turning the Page Back to School Festival
The space will be filled with thousands of high-quality used books of all genres, for all ages. 4,000+ used children’s books, CDs, and more, along with community vendors and partners, DJ, arts, crafts, activities, and author’s readings. All items are $7 or less and proceeds support local non-profit, Turning the Page.  Turning the Page is a nonprofit that engages public school families for student success; collecting and selling donated used books is one way they raise capital for their programs and has been working with DC families since 1998, providing family engagement and literacy development programming. Learn more about Turning the Page and Carpe Librum’s book sales here.

August 24 at 6:30pm: Opera in the Outfield
Join Washington National Opera at Nationals Park for a FREE broadcast of Puccini’s Turandot! Here’s your chance to see the acclaimed production that sold out in May. The doors open at 4:30 p.m. and production starts at 6:30 p.m.

August 25 from 10am-6pm: WOW! Indonesia Festival
Vibrant mixture of Indonesian-American cultural performances such as music, dance, and act performances. There will be arts and crafts (batik workshop, mask painting, etc.), sports and games, cooking demonstration and food sampling as well as corporate exhibitions. The festival will take place between 3rd and 7th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue.

August 28-September 1: DC JazzFest
Enjoy stellar performances by rising stars and world-renowned artists at venues across Washington, DC. Don’t miss the headlining performances Labor Day Weekend at DC JazzFest at the Anthem and DC JazzFest at The Wharf. DC JazzFest at the Wharf Seated and VIP tickets include access to indoor performances at Arena Stage and Union Stage. DCJazzPrix tickets are sold separately. 

September 6 from 5:30pm-8:30pm: Back to the Yards
Get ready to groove at Back to the Yards, our electrifying retro neon dance party at Yards Park! Celebrate the best of the 80s and 90s with an epic playlist featuring chart-toppers, one-hit wonders, and fan favorites. Be sure to rock your brightest neon gear as you dance the night away. This family-friendly event offers a variety of exciting activities for kids and adults alike. Enjoy thrilling breakdance performances, get creative with groovy crafts, and have fun with face painters and glitter tattoos. Capture your retro moments at our photo booth, and don’t miss out on the glow giveaways. With free admission and entertainment for all ages, this celebration is one you won’t want to miss. Join us for a night of unforgettable fun and nostalgia!

September 7 from 10am-5pm: DC State Fair
The DC State Fair is a free showcase of the District’s creative talents and a daylong celebration of all things homegrown. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions—growing and gardening, contests, and deep-fried foods—the DC State Fair honors the things that make the District of Columbia unique. This means the DC State Fair holds competitions to find the tastiest mumbo sauce, best honey, and the top photographers with a creative eye. Among many activities, the 15th Annual DC State Fair will include 50+ exhibitors including local makers, community organizations, food vendors, government agencies, and universities, live performances, children’s activities, arts, demonstrations, and blue-ribbon presentations for 30+ contests.

September 7 from 11:30am-4pm: Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond Opening Festival
Celebrate the opening of Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond, an exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center that showcases the impacts of Asian American culture and creativity on Washington, DC. Enjoy an afternoon of martial arts presentations, visual arts demonstrations and hands-on craft activities, a discussion with local Asian American chefs, and music and dance performances, including DJ sets. Representatives from local Asian American community organizations will talk with visitors about their work and histories in the area. This event is co-presented by SAAM and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. 

September 14 from 11:30am-4:00pm: Holiday Stamps Family Festival
The winter holidays have come to the Museum early this year! Come and meet Guest Artist Katie Kirk in person while we celebrate the new 2024 Christmas stamps issued by the Postal Service. There will be crafts, games, and all sorts of winter holiday family fun.

September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month at American Indian Museum
A variety of activities throughout the month, ranging from concerts to corn craze and more fun for the whole family.

September 21 from 10am-3pm: Homecoming at President Lincoln’s Cottage
Enjoy the grounds as the Lincolns did with a full day of family fun at Homecoming! During the Civil War, the Lincoln family called the Cottage home. Tad Lincoln spent three summers of his childhood exploring the grounds of the Soldiers’ Home as well as the rooms of the Cottage. Here he played with friends, soldiers, animals, as well as his own family. You can expect arts & crafts, storytelling, pony rides & a petting zoo, enjoy a picnic from food trucks, music and more.

September 21 from 12pm-7pm: H Street Festival
H Street Festival is one of the most anticipated and highly attended single day festivals in Washington D.C.  The festival is 12 blocks long and has 15 staging areas that are diversely themed and programmed to target the different segments of audiences.  The staging areas feature music of different genres, dance, youth based performances, interactive children’s program, fashion, heritage arts, poetry and many more.

September 27-28: Art All Night
With activations in all 8 wards, there is more to explore than ever before. Join your favorite artists and local businesses and discover new ones as we come together to celebrate the District of Columbia. Scroll down to explore each neighborhood’s activation!

September 28-29: Fiesta DC
This two-day extravaganza transforms Washington, DC into a global fiesta celebrating latino cultures. Savor authentic and diverse Latin American cuisine, lose yourself in the infectious rhythms of live music and dance performances, and explore a marketplace brimming with handcrafted artisan creations. Fiesta DC is a celebration for all ages, offering engaging activities and fostering a spirit of community and cultural exchange.

October 7 from 11am-4pm: Chuseok Family Festival
Celebrate Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day, with NMAA! Learn about both past and current traditions of one of the biggest holidays in South Korea. Take pictures in traditional Korean clothing known as hanbok and view a charye table display, which is a traditional feast prepared for a family’s ancestors. Enjoy special performances, food talks, programming from local community groups, and more! This event is co-presented by the Korean Cultural Center of Washington, DC, and Onjium.

Fall Festivals Post Coming Soon!

Discover the Magic of Theater: A Guide to the Upcoming Season for Washington, DC Families

As the curtains rise on a new theater season in Washington, DC, families have a lot to look forward to! Our city is home to an array of theaters offering diverse performances that will ignite the imagination, spark joy, and create unforgettable memories. Whether you’re introducing your little ones to the world of theater or continuing a family tradition, here’s your guide to some of the best family-friendly theater experiences in the area.

Imagination Stage: Where Stories Come to Life

Located in Bethesda, Imagination Stage has long been a favorite for families. This season, they’re offering a mix of beloved classics and new stories that promise to captivate young audiences.

  • Winnie The Pooh – September 20 – October 27, 2024
    Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100 Acre Wood is surrounded by Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl in this delightful and gentle musical. Set during one busy day, there’s a Heffalump to catch, Eeyore’s tail to find, and a misunderstanding between Rabbit and Kanga to sort out. In the end, friendship and understanding win the day. 
  • A Cajun Red Riding Hood – December 14, 2024 – February 8, 2025
    A Cajun Red Riding Hood updates the classic tale, sending the plucky heroine—now a red-robed little duck—and her ‘fraidy cat friend TeJean on an adventurous journey through the bayou. Along the way the pair tangle with a Big Bad Gator, but Petite is no sitting duck and leads her nemesis on a merry Mardi Gras chase through New Orleans. A chorus of swamp dwellers sings backup to the Zydeco-driven songs in this foot-stomping musical.
  • Paper Dreams – January 12 – February 16, 2025
    This charming and dreamy dance-based performance imagines two friends who live inside a wastepaper basket! Together they discover what imaginative ideas might unfold from a crumpled piece of paper. Can mistakes inspire our greatest ideas?  DC Theatre Arts called Paper Dreams “an enchanting production that…educates and entertains and sparks inquiry into the creative process for young and old alike.”
  • Mother Goose – March 2 – April 13, 2025
    Through innovative puppets, props, and original music, eight classic Mother Goose rhymes come gently and tunefully to life. The magical Mother Goose invites the children in the audience to join in with each rhyme’s story, teaching them that the very best way to do what needs to be done is to do it together. Among the rhymes the children will experience are “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Old King Cole,” and “Humpty Dumpty.”
  • Dory Fantasmagory – June 18 – August 3, 2025
    It’s tough being the youngest! Dory’s siblings won’t play with her and there are monsters to battle all over the house, like the hair-raising Mrs. Gobble Gracker. With the help of her fairy godfather, Mr. Nuggy, her monster-friend, Mary, and her mighty imagination, Dory sets out to win what she wants most: her family’s attention. 

Imagination Stage also offers sensory-friendly performances, ensuring that every child can enjoy the magic of theater.

Adventure Theatre: Adventure Awaits

Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo Park is known for its high-energy productions and interactive storytelling. This season, they’ve lined up shows that promise plenty of excitement for audiences.

  • She Persisted – October 4- November 3, 2024 
    Fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, the musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor.
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas -December 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025 
    “‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” But wait! A mouse is stirring – because Santa missed his house last year. Before you can say “Merry Christmas!”, we are off on the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl who just will not take no for an answer. Do not miss this joyful tribute to the holiday season! 
  • Dragons Love Tacos – February 7– March 30, 2025 
    You know what Dragons really love? Tacos of course! A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out!
  • Charlotte’s Web – April 25 – May 25, 2025 
    Charlotte’s mission to save Wilbur unfolds with the unveiling of her miraculous web, adorned with the proclamation “Some pig.” Thus begins a triumphant crusade, culminating in Wilbur’s salvation and a poignant gesture honoring Charlotte’s legacy. This timeless tale celebrates the power of friendship and the enduring impact of kindness, promising both actors and audience an enchanting afternoon filled with warmth and wonder. 
  • The Lightning Thief – June 20 – August 17, 2025 
    This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. 

Adventure Theatre also hosts acting classes and workshops, providing kids with the opportunity to step into the spotlight themselves. The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo, next door to Adventure Theatre has magical Mainstage productions. For the little ones and those new to theater, check out the Tiny Tots program.

The National Theatre: Broadway and Beyond

The National Theatre, located in the heart of downtown DC, brings the magic of Broadway to local audiences. While many of their shows are geared towards older kids and adults, there are still plenty of opportunities for family outings.

  • MJ The Musical – August 13-September 8
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert– September 27-28
  • Mean Girls – October 15-20
  • The Life and Music of George Michael – October 25
  • Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert – November 8-9
  • SIX The Musical – November 12-December 1
  • A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical – December 3-8
  • A Magical Cirque Christmas – December 12-15
  • The Hip Hop Nutcracker – December 20-22

The National Theatre also hosts a Saturday Morning Series, featuring free performances perfect for introducing little ones to live theater.

The Kennedy Center: World-Class Performances for All Ages

The Kennedy Center is a cultural landmark in DC, offering world-class performances that range from Broadway tours to innovative new works. This season, their Family Theater lineup is packed with must-see shows.

  • MO at the NSO – September 21–22, 2024
    With the help of all-star guests, New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Mo Willems introduces fun musical ideas, explores big emotions, and invites viewers to listen, play, and create. In partnership with the National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Enrico LopezYañez, Willems uses music and storytelling to take kids and former kids on a playful journey of symphonic delights.
  • Spells of the Sea – October 12–20, 2024
    When Finley Frankfurter’s father, a famed fisherman, is struck by the Big Bad Sickness of the Sea, she embarks on an extraordinary quest for the elixir of life. Can Finley, a girl with dreams as vast as the ocean but plagued by self-doubt, save her father against all odds? This enchanting family musical blends laughter, magic, and music to tell a coming-of-age story about facing fears, embracing emotions, and believing in yourself. Spells of the Sea is not just a musical; it’s an inspiring journey for dreamers of all ages.
  • Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure! – October 26–November 3, 2024
    Equal parts interactive science, comedy, and personal empowerment messages, Doktor Kaboom returns with a new show. Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure! illustrates physical science concepts, which are also metaphors for real-life mental and emotional pressures. Praised for keeping crowds riveted with interest and rolling with laughter, Doktor Kaboom is also known for empowering volunteers from the audience to be the heroes of the moment. In Under Pressure!, Kaboom validates the pressures some students may feel, and shares tools and life lessons as resources for dealing with the difficulties that face us all.
  • Halloween Spooktacular! NSO Family Concert – October 27, 2024
    An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians, led by conductor Michelle Merrill, celebrate Halloween. Enjoy a concert filled with musical treats from fa-boo-lous new works to spooky old classics. Arrive early for trick-or-treating and a special Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace!
  • Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!”: Back by popular demand, this musical adaptation of Mo Willems’ beloved book is a hilarious, high-energy show that will delight children and parents alike.
  • Sailing on String – November 2–5, 2024
    Two curious explorers take off on a voyage into a world made of string. Yarn birds fly through the air, and a string ship travels the sea. This gentle, engaging performance from Arts on the Horizon features object transformation, movement, live string music, and captivating design. Watch as a simple piece of yarn takes on countless new forms in this special immersive performance for the youngest audience members.
  • Uncle Devin – November 9, 2024
    Go on a magical journey through the Land of Percussion to see and hear different percussion instruments with D.C.-based musician Uncle Devin. Through this interactive musical experience, kids and their families will discover the history of percussion, the oldest and most diverse form of musical creativity. Known as the “children’s drumcussionist,” Uncle Devin is a national leader in the children’s music industry and an award-winning drummer and percussionist specializing in Family Funk.
  • Finn – November 23–December 22, 2024
    From the creator of Doc McStuffins and Vampirina, Finn explores the depths of the brilliant and beautiful ocean, with quirky sea creature characters and catchy tunes. Hilarious and heartwarming, this underwater musical chronicles the coming-of-age journey of Finn, a young shark who dreams of following in his family’s footsteps by joining the prestigious Shark Guard. As Finn faces the challenges of growing up and following his heart, the musical takes us on a magical journey of self-discovery, friendship, and adventure.
  • Washington National Opera Jungle Book – December 13–15, 2024
    Step into the jungle, where adventure awaits! Join Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, and more animal characters for a heartwarming tale about friendship, compassion, and forgiveness. The jungle may be filled with dangers but there is strength in chosen family. Our holiday opera returns for all ages with a new take on the Kipling classic from Kamala Sankaram and Kelley Rourke. The beloved story gets a contemporary twist with music from South Asian and Western music traditions and mesmerizing Bollywood dance from Indian classical dance company Taal.
  • Havana Hop: A Children’s Tale of Culture and Confidence! – January 11–12, 2025 Young Yeila dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins to find her roots, gain confidence, and be her amazing self! Travel with Yeila as she visits her grandmother in Cuba to add salsa flavor to her own hip hop style. The audience gets to dance along in this dynamic participation play where one actress creates three generations of lively women.
  • Grey Skies Blue – January 17–19, 2025
    A group of youth face a life-altering experience when one of their Black brothers encounters a policeman. Two lifelong friends embrace their journey of self-identity together. A young woman refuses to be defined by her family’s history of addiction, and a promising relationship is challenged beyond deceit. SHAPESHIFT presents powerful stories of friendship through interconnected vignettes, exploring emotional themes of social injustice, sexual identity, addiction, and betrayal. Join as nine accomplished dancers combine hip hop moves with the lyricism of contemporary dance to illuminate the human experience.
  • NSO Music for Young Audiences Old MacDonald’s Symphony – January 18–19, 2025
    The whole farmyard is getting ready for a hoedown—but it needs your help with the farm chores. This immersive show, developed specifically for toddlers, will have audience members laughing and dancing along with Old MacDonald and the farmhands. Join for a silly adventure featuring puppets, storytelling, dancing, and a string quartet from the National Symphony Orchestra, presented in collaboration with Teller Productions.
  • NSO Music for Young Audiences M² = (Math x Music) – February 1–2, 2025
    The Last Stand Quartet performs a lively program linking the ways in which math is present in all music-making, creating music to move to and engage with on a deeper level. Add together four National Symphony Orchestra musicians—violinists Joel Fuller and Derek Powell, violist Mahoko Eguchi, and cellist Rachel Young—and this ensemble will show audiences how math times music equals fun!
  • The Other Children of the Sun – February 22–March 9, 2025 This tale of a Navajo creation legend unfolds not on earth, but in the house of the Sun, where the lesser-known siblings of the Hero Twins reside. These celestial children set forth on a journey to slay monsters—and find their own place in creation. The Other Children of the Sun challenges us to look at heroism through a new lens and reminds us that every journey—no matter how small—has the power to change the course of the universe! This superhero adventure is brought to life by writer and co-director Rhiana Yazzie, a Navajo playwright and trailblazer of Native American storytelling, and co-director Steven Paul Judd, a Kiowa/Choctaw filmmaker and screenwriter.
  • Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – March 15, 2025
    Bring the whole family to enjoy smart, crafty lyrics with irresistibly fresh pop beats. Performing in Spanish and English, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band is on the pulse of all things kids’ music, creating indie sounds rooted in whimsical imagination. A two-time Latin Grammy Award® winner with several Grammy® and Emmy Award nominations, this husband-and-wife duo have been named “THE face of kindie music” (The Washington Post) and “the Rolling Stones of kids music” (Style Network).
  • Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster – March 28–April 6, 2025
    Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just…isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? Originally commissioned as a virtual broadcast by the Kennedy Center, Leonardo! uses hundreds of illustrated paper puppets, book pages, two-dimensional props, furry monster puppets, and songs to bring Mo Willems’ books to life. Recreating the experience of holding one of Mo’s books, Manual Cinema brings a show that’s big, bold, colorful, and full of visual rhythm with a playful use of scale.
  • NSO Family Concert Earth to Space – March 30, 2025
    Get ready to explore the vastness of space with music inspired by the planets, stars, and beyond! In anticipation of the September 2025 voyage of Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years, the National Symphony Orchestra celebrates the discoveries and beauty of space through music and images. Longtime friend of the NSO and space enthusiast, conductor Emil de Cou will lead this program of musical adventures and celestial learnings.
  • Falu – April 26, 2025
    Falu introduces children to the wonders of the world. Her “ethereal and transcendent” (Billboard) songs take families on musical journeys through South Asia and the day-to-day of a child’s wonder. A Grammy Award®–winning and internationally recognized artist, Falu is known for her rare ability to seamlessly blend a signature modern style with traditions of Indian classical and folk music. Each concert is a celebration of how music can beautifully express both difference and connection across cultures.
  • Marooned! A Space Comedy – May 3–4, 2025
    An astronaut crashes on an uncharted planet. Will she survive strange creatures, an abnormal atmosphere, and isolation in order to find her way home? See for yourself…in Marooned! Featuring music from the Voyager Golden Record, this innovative new puppet show takes place at the outer reaches of space.
  • Minty Fresh Circus – May 8, 2025
    With an Afro-futuristic vibe and a steam-punk look, Minty Fresh Circus features movement, music, and circus arts in a time-bending journey of redemption. Watch as the artists perform a range of spectacular circus and dance skills sourced from the African Diaspora, including percussive dance, Lindy, hip hop, rope jumping, and more. Conceived by Monique Martin, this U.S.-based circus show features an all-Black cast with a majority-Black creative team. Minty Fresh Circus celebrates the power of Black music and movement, infused with the joy and resilience of those who traversed the transatlantic slave trade.
  • Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks – May 9–11, 2025
    Ten unique perspectives are brilliantly woven into one funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life. Washington, D.C.–area native, New York Times best-selling author, and Kennedy Center Next 50 leader Jason Reynolds conjures 10 tales (1 per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings.
  • Sesame Street the Musical – July 10–August 31, 2025
    Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends are taking the stage! Featuring classic Sesame Street songs and brand-new musical numbers, this is your chance to see the Muppets from Sesame Street in a show the New York Times calls “playful and captivating; a beguiling place to play pretend.”

This post was sponsored by Imagination Stage.

Save the Date:
Kidz Bop Live: Aug. 10
Cirque du Soleil: Sept. 11-15
Blippi Live: Sept. 16 & 27
Disney on the Ice: Oct. 10-14
Disney Jr. Live at Warner Theatre : Oct. 10
Laurie Berkner Band: Oct. 20
Sonic Symphony: Jan. 11
Additional venues:
Arena Stage
Atlas Performing Arts Center Arts for Young Audiences
BlackRock Center for the Arts
Bloombars
Busboys + Poets
Discovery Theater
Encore Stage and Studio, Theatre for Kids, By Kids
Jammin Java
Olney Theatre Center
Other Voices Theatre
Strathmore
Synetic Theater
The Arlington Players

Keep Kids Sharp with Music Lessons this Summer ♫

Creative Kids Home for the Summer?

Then, give your kids something to get excited about and start them on Music Lessons (In-Person or Online) with the International School of Music!

From virtual singing classes to in-person piano lessons—the International School of Music offers instruction in all instruments to students of all ages and abilities.

Sign up for lessons HERE and save 50% off registration by 6/30!

Voted best for Music Lessons, International School of Music has a team of nurturing and patient instructors who will customize lessons to students’ goals so each child can progress at their own pace and learn the music they love!

ISM’s fun, engaging and personalized lessons help students bring structure into their lives, confidence, concentration, and self-expression that last beyond the music lessons!

Call 301-365-5888 to schedule YOUR intro lesson today or

CLICK HERE to save 50% Off Registration by 6/30!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream in and around Washington, DC!

We love to make popsicles and homemade ice cream in the summer but we also welcome a scoop (or two) at an ice cream shop when it’s hot! In fact on my daughter’s summer bucket list she added, “go to as many ice cream shops” last summer. Challenge was accepted. There’s nothing like a good scoop of ice cream or an ice cold popsicle in summertime.

The Charmery– Chevy Chase, MD & Walter Reed in addition to other locations

Through personalized hospitality and super premium, highly original, insanely delicious ice cream, The Charmery aims to bring together local and global communities to help every person achieve happiness through ice cream. They use the best possible ingredients, supporting local farmers and producers whenever possible. Featuring ever changing seasonal ice cream flavors, specialty sundaes, hand-spun milkshakes, and floats. The Charmery loves to collaborate with our local community including artists, musicians, and community figures.

VanLeeuwen Ice Cream– 3 locations in Washington, DC

What could be happier than that magic combination of milk, cream, eggs, and cane sugar (or coconuts, cashews and oats for our vegan friends)? Peanut butter brownie honeycomb is 10/10!

Sarah’s Handmade -2 Locations in Bethesda, MD

Handmade ice cream that stays true to Sarah’s commitment to the highest quality ice cream that she would “feel proud feeding my family,” Sarah uses only the best, local-whenever-possible ingredients and sticks to her small-batch, all-natural recipes. The flavors are endless and always a hit!

Malai– T St NW, DC

Malai, figuratively meaning cream of the crop, draws inspiration from South Asian ingredients, aromatic spices, and our founder’s upbringing. The ice cream is all eggless, handcrafted, and churned with very little air, resulting in purer, more robust flavors, as well as the creamiest textures you can find.

Southwest Soda Pop Shop -SW, DC

Southwest Soda Pop Shop is a family owned ice cream parlor and restaurant that serves up the best lunch at Washington, DC’s District Wharf. Southwest Soda Pop Shop has been serving sweet treats, like soft serve ice cream, and refreshing drinks with a smile to guests at the District Wharf since 2018, and is proud to be one of the only black owned restaurants in DC’s District Wharf.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream – Bethesda, MD & NW, DC

Always a line, definitely worth waiting in, enough said, go and get some scoops, many scoops and report back. 

The Baked Bear – Bethesda, MD

Homemade cookies from original recipes and hand-scooped on site, cookies are made with the highest quality ingredients and baked fresh from scratch every day, so you can imagine the aroma flowing from Baked Bear! You can choose your base (brownie, doughnut and/or cookies), then your ice cream flavor followed by toppings and sauces. Don’t forget to ask to have it pressed if you want a warm end result. Recipe uses an all-natural mix made only with rBGH-free cream, pure cane sugar and natural stabilizers. 

State Fair at The Roost – SE, DC

State Fair features playful riffs on composed sundaes using homemade frozen custard, replete with all of the delicious sauces and toppings you’d expect, and several more you won’t. Pastry Chef Allie Cheppa is at the helm of the nostalgic spot, serving up composed sundaes and floats, or build-your-own by mixing and matching custard bases + toppings.

Italian Bar– Chevy Chase, DC

Kids order gelato, parents order drinks!

The Creamery at Union Market – NE, DC

A family-owned and operated dairy shop sourcing local milk and ice cream located in Union Market. This is spot for all things dairy inside Union Market should also be the go-to for all your ice cream needs. The shop sells milk, butter, cheese, and other dairy products from local farmers, and has a killer selection of hard-serve ice cream. Classic flavors like cookies and cream, chocolate, and coffee come in scoops or pints packed to go, plus soft serve, homemade waffle cones, and other sweets.

Ice Cream Jubilee – SE & NW DC

I found out about ICJ because of the mouth-watering Instagram photos everyone posts and then I realized you can order from UberEats! The best flavors come from the best ingredients.  They use only all-natural cream and milk from a local creamery, just 50 miles from our scoop shop in Washington, DC.  and are proud about the small-batch technique – just a few gallons at a time; allowing to create the highest-quality product and the freshest flavors.

Millie’s – NW, DC

Brought to you by the owners of Surfside & Jetties. Walk up to an outdoor ice-cream stand (attached to the take-out hut) and grab delicious scoops and toppings.

Honeys & Friends – NW, DC

In the old Sugar Fox location with the same concept. Flavors change weekly if not daily. They also offer cookies and other delicious treats.

Nicecream Factory – Arlington, Virginia

Handcrafted ice cream is their passion. They start the process by combining fresh milk and local ingredients from nearby farms. Using a freezing agent, liquid nitrogen, then freeze the ice cream on the spot in front of guests, creating the freshest handcrafted cup of ice cream you can get. Flavors are typical with some fun ones worth trying; white chocolate peanut butter and bananas foster are on my list!

Thomas Sweet – NW, DC

A Georgetown staple. This extensive sweets shop is complete with homemade fudge and chocolates—in addition to ice cream. The specialty here is the one-of-a-kind ‘blend ins’ with homemade ice cream. It’s not a place for the indecisive as they have a chalkboard full of flavors like peanut butter chip, vanilla cherry and our favorite, coffee oreo. Keep in mind that the kiddie-sized cup is very large—about 2 scoops of ice cream.

The Dairy Godmother – Alexandria, VA

This summer, you’ll find some exciting new additions at this custard shop. Stick with what you know and get Wisconsin-style frozen custard in vanilla or chocolate every day, or try the flavor of the day. Tollhouse cookie and toasted almond are both on the schedule; see all the upcoming flavors of the day here. They’ll also be offering homemade marshmallows and sorbet this summer along with puppy pops—a treat for your dog!

Goodies Frozen Custard – Alexandria, VA

You may have seen Goodie’s cater an event as they started as a food truck of sorts. Now the Wisconsin style frozen custard has a permanent home in Alexandria.

Moorenko’s Ice Cream – Scoop shop in Silver Spring, MD & pints found in markets through DMV

This ice cream brand, which is sold throughout the DMV in markets and deli’s, is made right here in D.C.! They even have a small shop where you can go for freshly made, hand-crafted ice cream. They’ve got the classic flavors as well as some unique flavors like Cinnamon Cappuccino & Blackberry Chocolate Chip.

Mount Desert Island – Mt. Pleasant, DC

Serving premium homemade ice cream in small batches.

Captain Cookie and the Milkman – 3 trucks & 4 locations

What started as a food truck serving milk and cookies and ice cream sandwiches, now has 3 food trucks you can hunt down in the city or hire for an event. For those of us who can’t make it to a truck stop, there are 2 actual locations you can visit. They also deliver!

Jarabe – Farmer’s Markets

Jarabe Gourmet Pops is a Latin American specialty pop-up based found at various farmers markets that specialize in Mexican-style gourmet pops. 

Sfoglina – NW, DC & Rosslyn, VA

Italian soft serve gelato: your choice of Vanilla Gelato or Blueberry Balsamic Sorbetto. I promise you will want to go back the next day for another!

Maracas Pops – Georgetown

Originally from Mexico, the owner, Julia has been inspired by tropical flavors and refreshing treats. She fell in love with paletas, also known as Mexican ice pops, and was inspired to share her love for their unique flavors by starting her own company, Maracas Ice Pops.

Did you know Maryland has 11 dairy farms that offer fresh, delicious on-farm ice cream? Together, they make up the “Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail.” Visit each creamery and get a trail passport stamped to be named Maryland’s Ice Cream Trail Blazer! Sounds like a delicious summer bucket-list item. Now in its ninth year, the Ice Cream Trail is designed to promote the state’s dairy industry and has become increasingly popular, drawing participants from across the state and the region.

Reader recommended:
Everyday Sundae
Tipsy Scoop
Carmen’s Italian Ice
Class 520
Nathan’s Dairy Bar

Oldies but Goodies:
Broad Branch Market
Dolcezza Gelato
Jetties
Milk Bar
Dolci Gelati
Pitango Gelato
Godiva
Ben & Jerry’s
YogiBerry

Summer posts:
Indoor/Outdoor summer toys
Water toys that are a summer must have!
Summer bucket list
Device free road trips and flights
Pick your own fruits and vegetables

Keep Kids Sharp with Music Lessons this Summer ♫

Are your children spending too much time on their devices? It’s a tough new frontier for parents, but we have an easy way to reduce screen time and help your child’s confidence and self-esteem. 

Kids are creative! Put a keyboard, guitar or mic in their hands and we guarantee you’ll see a total transformation! 

So let’s give the smartphone a break, and let’s MAKE MUSIC this summer at the International School of Music in-person or online!  

Text or Call 301-517-9567 today to schedule your introductory lesson with one of the International School of Music’s voted-best instructors and save 50% off registration when you register by 5/25 HERE!

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