Kick it at a DC United match!
Happy Weekend!
Go-to posts full of ideas & inspo for ongoing activities:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Kid-Friendly Eats
* The Great Indoors
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Peaceful Places
Family ‘Hoppy’ Hour with King Bullfrog
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $10/child, $5/adult
Bring the family out to enjoy a Friday evening filled with live music perfect for all ages! This concert will be outdoors (weather permitting), perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs!
Celebration of Textiles: Quilting DC
Where: GWU & Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole fam to celebrate DC’s quilting community at the museum during its 42nd annual Celebration of Textiles. Meet DC area quilters who are keeping traditions alive or innovating what a quilt can be. See other textile demonstrations of weaving, spinning and more throughout the day, and hit the dance floor for square-dancing lessons and live music fro a DJ. Get a sneak peek of our exhibition Handstitched Worlds: The Cartography of Quilts, too!
Kensington Train Show
Where: Kensington Town Hall | Kensington, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: $7/adult, $2/child, $15/family
All aboard for the Kensington Train Show! Featuring model trains and more train inspired fun, it’s an event for the whole family. Marvel at local club National Capital Trackers’ “O” gauge electric trains that will literally include al the bells and whistles. Play an an I Spy Train Game and take a train themed StoryWalk. Enjoy a performances by Orleans Express on Saturday (11:30-1:30pm), and Matthew Dodd will share railroad songs and stories on Sunday, (1-4pm).
Food on the Fly
Where: National Air & Space Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Air & Space Museum for hands-on fun for all ages during this family day! What food do you eat when you’re on the move? How is it different on an airplane or in a spacecraft? Find out more about the history of food during flights through the air and in space. Register in advance!
United for Soccer
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $27 (check for discount)
Check out some soccer action on Saturday evening. DC United is hosting San Jose Quakes at home. As always, I recommend taking public transportation or parking in the Navy Yard neighborhood and walking to Audi Field from there. Plan for a pre-match bite — El Bebe, All Purpose Pizza, The Salt Line, and Dacha are conveniently located and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there.
Capitol Hill Arts Walk
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Head to the Hill for a day of art and community! Local artists and artisans will display their work in their own micro-galleries, in Capitol Hill home-studios, on porches, and in yards. Most will have work for sale. Stroll around to check it out all and enjoy some time in one of the city’s loveliest neighborhoods.View a map here of where you can find the art.
Game (Sale) Time
Where: Labyrinth | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday,
Admission: Free (but plan to spend o good deals!)
Labyrinth is hosting its legendary annual Used Game Sale. The proceeds raised are used to buy games for local teachers’ classrooms, support the shop’s game class aftercare program, and add new games to the demo library. The sale includes live, silent, and blind auctions on the first day, and a rummage sale on the second day with prices dropping as the day progresses.
Steam Saturday
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday, 1-2pm
Admission: Free with museum admission ($7/child, $10/adult)
Kids in 2nd – 8th grade are invited to join the National Building Museum for STEAM activities related to their new Brick City exhibition. Each activity challenges children to think creatively and experimentally using principles of design thinking and engineering. From building with LEGO bricks to working with AI to plan a city, each child will solve problems large and small and come to a greater understanding of the built world around us. STEAM Saturdays occur monthly on the second Saturday.
Doggy Paddle DC
Where: Select public pools in DC
When: Sunday
Admission: Free but reserve a dog spot
Bring your pooch to the pool! With the end of the outdoor swimming season (at most pools), this annual event provides dogs with a one-day opportunity to jump in the pools, enjoy a swim and play fun aquatics games. All dogs must have a valid and original DC Department of Health issued dog license (no photo copies) and tag to enter the pool. If an application for a license is needed you must have the required documentation (i.e. proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations; and proof of spaying/neutering). Dog licenses will be issued on site.
DC Bike Ride
Where: Throughout Washington, DC
When: Saturday, 8am – 12:30pm
Admission: $79/adult, $39/age 8-17, free/7 & under
This closed-roads, car-free, 20-mile bike ride through the District gives bicyclists ages 3 and up the opportunity to pedal past some of the capital’s most iconic sites with the city’s two-wheelin’ community. End up at a Finish Festival by the U.S. Capitol with beats, eats, and fun activities for all ages. BYO ride or rent bikes on-site for only $12, thanks to a partnership with Unlimited Biking — they can pick-up and drop-off their bike at the event finish line for a seamless experience, and youth pricing is available for young riders.
Ren Fest!
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD
When: Weekends through October 20
Admission: $24/age 16+, $12/age 7-15, free/6 & under
The medieval time trip is going strong! You just can’t beat the amazing variety of entertainment — exciting jousting matches, cheeky comedy shows, fire eaters, sword swallowers, tight rope walkers and other balancing acts, jugglers, musical performances, puppetry, plus slides, play areas, games, and some of the best people-watching ever. It all takes place in Revel Grove, the charming location that resembles a 16th-century Tudor village. KFDC Tip: Admission prices go up after this weekend, so take advantage!
Nats vs Dodgers
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at
There are home games for the Nats all weekend as they host the Dodgers. Catch them on Friday (7:05pm), Saturday (4:05pm), and Sunday (1:35pm). The Washington Ballet will make an appearance on Friday during the President’s Race, and kids can run the bases after the Sunday game. Before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.
Magic Mirror
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Fri, 10:30am | Sat & Sun, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: $15
Magic Mirror is THe Puppet Co.’s special 40th Anniversary production! Meet Toad, a young person destined for greatness in this mash-up story with lots of familiar fairy tales. Bring kiddos to join a journey of dragons, monsters, and spirits of the woods.
Prince George’s County Fair
Where: Showplace Arena | Upper Marlboro, MD.
When: Through Sunday
Admission: $6/age 13-54, $5/age 6-12 & 55+, free/5 & under
Enjoy a variety of entertainment and attractions for all ages, including 4-H exhibits, magic and dance shows, pig and duck races, a horse pull competition, a chain saw artist, a K-9 show, and much more.
Block Party
Where: Capital Jewish Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The Capital Jewish Museum which just opened a few months ago, is still celebating its launch and kicking off the Jewish New Year with a Block Party, and all are invited! Join them for live music and workshops from local band Minnush, pop-up programs and social justice activities hosted by community partners, wares by artisans & makers, food trucks, a beer & wine garden, and more!
DC State Fair
Where: Franklin Park | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Apparently, being an actual state isn’t a requirement to have a state fair. But this annual event in its 12th year is a free showcase of the District’s agricultural, culinary, and creative talents and a day-long celebration of all things homegrown. While inspired by time-honored state fair traditions — growing and gardening, animal husbandry, and deep-fried foods — it also honors the things that make the District unique. This fair holds competitions to find the tastiest mumbo sauce, best honey, and top local photogs.
Adams Morgan Day
Where: Throughout Adams Morgan, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate one of the city’s most diverse communities at the 44th Annual Adams Morgan Day, offering a day full of music, art, culture, dancing, and more. The family-friendly event will have activities for all ages, including free crafts, multiple stages of entertainment, all kinds of demos, a whole Family Fun Zone, and tons more. The 18th Street Pedestrian Zone is back for the day, too! More details and the schedule of performances are available on the website.
Takoma Park Folk Fest
Where: Takoma Park Middle School | Takoma Park, MD
When: Sunday, 10:30am – 6:30m
Admission: Free
Regroovinate at the annual Takoma Park Folk Festival, where folk music and performances from around the world will be on four stages. Along with the music, the family-friendly event features a crafts show and sale, showcasing the works of local artisans. Pack snacks or purchase food from vendors there. Rain or shine.
The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from DC
Where: Orchards & farms around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
We’re in the thick of apple season, and there are several spots around the region where you can pick your own. This round-up of area farms and orchards offering PYO opportunities has details. And I always recommend calling ahead to be sure the pickings are good the day you plan to go.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Plan for autumn fun with the annual round-up of Fall Festivals in the DC area!
* The final Movies on the Pitch at Audi Field is this coming Thursday, September 14 — get free tickets here for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
* Pizzeria Pupatella is partnering with the 21st Annual Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5k on Saturday. Racers, their families, and the community are invited to stop by Pupatella in South Arlington following the race from 8-10pm to fuel up on discounted pizza + beverages, listen to live music, and connect with the APD/AFD teams for more opportunities to give back to a good cause.
* Get artsy at local museums this weekend: Hirshhorn’s Art Cart and Portrait Gallery Weekend Workshops are great for kids!
* Just shared a write-up about our Portugal trip, and packing recs are coming soon, but a sneak peek at a couple of them: This and these (or similar).
* 10 Happy Things for September
