Catching the boys of summer is among the many joys of summer
This first “official” weekend of summer comes with loads of ways to make the most of it. A solstice celebration at the Smithsonian, Giant BBQ Battle, the Nats, seasonal fun, all kinds of live entertainment, two opportunities to play in mud, a musical pajama party, and a day of play for little one are just some of your options for a great time with the kids. Happy Weekend!
Joys of Summer
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Free concerts, outdoor swimming, baseball, special exhibits, movies under the stars, sprayground fun… Activities exclusive to the season can be enjoyed all around the area throughout the weekend. Get the full scoop on all of these joys of summer in the 2018 Summer Guide.
Friday Night Fishing
Where: Diamond Teague Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Anacostia Riverkeeper’s summer catch and release fishing series is underway and will take place every Friday through August 17. Rods, reels, bait, and instruction are all free. No registration required — just show up! Diamond Teague Park is located on the Anacostia River, between Nationals Park and Yards Park.
Dinosaurs Rock
Where: Brambleton Town Center | Brambleton, VA
When: Friday
Admission: Free
Check out this large scale dinosaur pop-up to engage and entertain children for the premiere of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. During the event, DINOSAURS ROCK is creating an interactive museum with real fossils and artifacts on the entire lawn across from Regal Cinemas. Businesses in Brambleton Town Center will also be offering special themed menu items and deals.
Solstice Saturday
Where: Smithsonian Museums in DC
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
The Smithsonian is marking the first Saturday of summer — Solstice Saturday — by staying open late and hosting parties, programs, and performances. The National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery, and Smithsonian American Art Museum will be open until midnight welcoming visitors to the free festivities. Visit the website to see where and when the they’re all happening!
Pajama Party
Where: DC Diaper Bank Warehouse | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $10
123 Andrés (Uno, Dos, Tres Andrés) is celebrating the release of his newest album, La Luna, with a “Pajama Party” family concert. All ticket sales will benefit the Greater DC Diaper Bank, a wonderful organization that provides more than 100,000 free diapers a month to more than 3,600 low-income families in the DC metro area. 123 Andrés is also donating $1 from each album sale of La Luna during the first year of its release to the Greater DC Diaper Bank and the National Diaper Bank Network.
MudFest
Where: Woodstock Equestrian Park | | Beallsville, MD
When: Saturday,
Admission: $15/car
Looking for ways to get more dirt on your family and friends? Celebrate International Mud Day (yes, apparently, it’s a thing) with Montgomery Parks! At the family-friendly event, mud-seekers will find themselves in the rolling hills of Woodstock Equestrian Park with mud pools and puddles to slip, slide, and get dirty in. It’s a great way for people to get outside and reconnect with nature. Cook up your favorite mud pie in their kitchen, create and display your best mud art, and capture amazing “mudgrammable moments.”
Barbeque Battle
Where: Pennsylvania Avenue NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday 11am – 9pm & Sunday, 11am – 7:30pm
Admission: Start at $12/adults, free/12 & under
Join one of the biggest summer barbeques around as the Giant National Capital Barbeque Battle returns to pit some of the nation’s best barbequers against each other to compete for big prizes. The reward for attendees: Samples from all the entrants (plus, more food), live music, cooking demos, kids’ fun, and more. It all takes place along Pennsylvania Avenue NW, from 3rd to 7th Streets.
Kick it for FREE
Where: Stead Park | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the Volo City Kids Foundation as they begin their FREE soccer program for kids ages 6-12. No previous experience necessary! The league will take place at Stead Park (1625 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20009) in Dupont Circle from 11:00am-12:30pm and last for 7 weeks. All materials, including a t-shirt for practices will be included. Healthy snacks and drinks will also be included. Register your child for this great opportunity here.
Show Time
Where: Venues around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* It’s opening weekend for Tinker Bell at Adventure Theatre
* David Engel’s Wizard Academy is the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods performance at Wolf Trap
* You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown opens at Imagination Stage
* And little ones will love Paper Dreams at the theatre in Bethesda
* It’s the final weekend for Sleeping Beauty at The Puppet Co.
* And Baby Bear’s Birthday is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* Here Comes Trouble is playing a Saturday morning show at Jammin Java
* Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets are playing a free kids show at McLean Central Park on Sunday
* Teen ages and up will enjoy The Second City’s Generation Gap at the Kennedy Center
* Make it a date night for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Camelot
Heritage Days
Where: Various locales | Montgomery County, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County, MD, as more than 30 historic sites welcome visitors for guided tours, re-creations of historic events, children’s activities, and more — all free of charge. Learn about the history of dairy farming, railroads, and trolleys; African American communities, astronomy, local arts & culture, and outdoor recreation. Check the online brochure for participating locations and activities.
UniverSoul Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Tickets: $13+ (look for a ticket deal)
The world-class, live entertainment attraction that has captured the hearts and imaginations of a new generation of families is celebrating its 23rd year of FUN. UniverSoul connects with progressive, upwardly mobile, urban pop cultures from around the world, embracing and celebrating the unique and familiar aspects of global cultures and ethnicities into a stellar production that blends circus arts, theater and music. A fresh, cool, and hip approach to live family entertainment!
National Day of Play
Where: Gymboree of DC | Cleveland Park, DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 12:45pm
Admission: Free
Gymboree of DC invites you to celebrate National Day of Play on Saturday. It’s their biggest play event of the year, so gather some friends and join the fun. They’ll be exploring the play space, blowing bubbles, and creating artistic masterpieces. Open to kids under 5, it’s FREE for members and non-members! Don’t forget socks to wear on the playfloor. Due to space constraints, they ask that strollers are left at home.
World Cup Viewing Party
Where: Wheaton Sports Pavilion | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
Join Montgomery Parks’ at the Wheaton Sports Pavilion to watch the FIFA World Cup match-up between Mexico and South Korea! The Pop-up Parks’ giant screen will be set up on the field and food trucks will be in the driveway. Doors open at 10:30a with kickoff at 11:00am. It’s free and family-friendly!
Nats vs. Phillies
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets prices vary
It’s a weekend of home games for the Nats as they host the Phillies. There are games Friday (7:05pm), Saturday (7:05pm), and Sunday (4:05pm). Get the Kids Max Scherzer Eye Patch giveaway for the first 10,000 fans on Sunday, and you can check for more special promos here. And before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.
By the People Festival
Where: Throughout DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
This new international arts and dialogue festival is taking place in every quadrant of the city and focuses on the themes of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Expect a full-on arts takeover of DC during the four-day extravaganza, with interactive visual art installations, performances ranging from ballet to go-go, high-profile speakers, and an augmented reality art hunt. Register in advance for a free festival pass and visit the schedule to make a plan.
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Local parks | Fairfax, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. Join for Dairy Days at Sully Historic Site, do some stargazing at Burke Lake Park, enjoy colonial games and ice cream at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, and more! Go here to see all of your options, this weekend and beyond, and register for activities.
Astronomy Night on the Mall
Where: 15th & Constitution NW | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 6-11pm
Admission: Free
Get an eyeful of the night sky and a chance to mingle with astronomers at the 8th Annual Astronomy Festival on the Mall. This free public stargazing event features solar, optical, and radio telescope observations of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. You can also enjoy hands-on activities, demonstrations, hand-outs, posters, banners, and videos. There will also be planetarium show with a portable blow-up dome and speakers from scientific and educational organizations. UPDATE: Due to weather conditions, the event has been moved to rain location, School Without Walls High School located at 2130 G St NW on the George Washington University campus.
American Indian Paddle
Where: Mattawoman Creek | Indian Head, MD
When: Saturday
Admission: $35-85
This amazing RiverPalooza 2018 kayaking trip features leaders of the Piscataway Kanoi Tribe who provide a pre-paddle cultural history presentation, then guide and provide interpretation of cultural resources along the 3-mile paddle, suitable for beginners, starting at the Mattawoman Creek Education Center. Atlantic Kayak owner and naturalist Judy Lathrop, who has a passion for culture and history, will also provide interpretive and ecological education throughout the entire program.
Book Fair & Fun
Where: Barnes & Noble Potomac Yard | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The Friends of Beatley Central Library is sponsoring a free book fair on Saturday. Throughout the day, they’ll be hosting a variety of free events for toddlers, young children, teens, and seniors. There will be a Harry Potter selfie station, storytime, craft activities, book signings, and more. See the schedule here. And if store guests buy anything — a book, game, or even a coffee from Starbucks — and mention that that they are there for the book fair, the organization gets a portion of the sale proceeds for their summer reading program.
Get the Blues
Where: Homestead Farm | Poolesville, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $3
Blueberries are currently ripe for the picking at Homestead Farm (along with tart cherries, too!). While admission to the farm is free, it’s $3 to access the patches. BYO container or purchase one there. Be sure to visit the goats and pigs while you’re at the farm. Read more about Homestead here, and for more places to PYO, see this post.
Mud Day
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Solomons, MD
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $5, free/members & kids under 4
Celebrate International Mud Day with an afternoon of family-friendly muddy mayhem. Explore our squishy art projects, play in the mud kitchen, create a terrarium, paint with mud, and cavort in a giant mud pit! Snack vendors will be on site. Rinse-off stations will be available, but bring extra clothes and prepare for a muddy car ride home!
Happy Nappy Storytelling
Where: Sankofa Video & Books | Petworth, DC
When: Sunday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Join Sankofa for another edition of Happy Nappy Storytelling with special guest Crystal Judkins, author of “Onyx McFly Saves the Day” and “Onyx McFly: Lost in Space”! Onyx McFly is a tough and determined eight-year-old girl, who is as bright as she is brave. With her multi-colored sidekick Boom by her side, Onyx uses her imagination to live out a whole host of fabulous exploits, stimulated by her surroundings. Judkins will read and sign copies of her book at 2pm, followed by an arts & crafts session at 3pm. This event is best for kids ages 10 and under.
***MORE GOOD STUF TO KNOW***
* Workafrolic, the co-working and child care space in Shaw, is partnering with Fit Kids Hit the Stage to offer summer camp from July 23-27.
* See what’s coming to local stages this summer in this new round-up of seasonal entertainment.
* The National Children’s Museum is reopening in downtown DC in March 2019!
* This cover… wow.
* Even though the executive order has been signed, families separated at the border still need considerable assistance. This article has many good suggestions for how you can help.
