While KidFriendly DC covers a lot of timely events and activities, there are plenty of posts about mainstay attractions lurking among the scheduled stuff (not to mention, much of the timely content also includes background on the mainstays). Informative content can’t go to waste, hence I’ve rescued those posts from the archives and compiled them here. So, if you’re looking for things to do any day, most times of the year (some activities are seasonal), this list of KFDC links is a good place to start.
THROUGHOUT THE AREA:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
Volunteer Opportunities in the DC Area Where Kids Can Help Out, Too
Guest Post: Parents & Kids Can Get Involved in Moms Demand Action Together
Go with the Flow: Recreation on the Water in DC and Beyond
PYOP: Pick Your Own Produce at These Local Farms
Bloom Town: Where and When to See the Best Flower Displays Around DC
The Local Library – Check it Out
WASHINGTON, DC:
Full STEAM Ahead at the New National Children’s Museum!
A Very DC Hike at Theodore Roosevelt Island
Mission: Explore the New Spy Museum at L’Enfant Plaza
A Sneak Peek at the New National Children’s Museum
A Monumental Reopening on the National Mall
First Show at the 9:30 Club — with Mom!
Hang out on the LAWN in the National Building Museum (Summer 2019)
Bike the Anacostia River Trail to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Immerse in Infinite Space at ARTECHOUSE (Summer 2019)
The Dinosaurs Have Returned to DC (New Fossil Hall at the Natural History Museum)
Seven Stunning Spaces in DC Where You Can Hang Out with Kids
Take the Kids to Explore Congressional Cemetery (Yes, the Cemetery!)
Wield Some Fun at Bad Axe Throwing
The Hirshhorn’s Newest Exhibit Will Capture Your Heart (Through April 28, 2019)
A Waterfront Destination for All at The District Wharf
Learn to Fly with Trapeze School New York – DC
Explore the Anacostia Watershed at Kingman & Heritage Islands
Scenes from “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” at the Renwick Gallery (Through January 21, 2019)
Get Thee to the Folger Shakespeare Library
Scenes from a Visit to the American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery
Ford’s Theatre Puts the Spotlight on the Death (& Life) of Abraham Lincoln
Kick It with the Kids Playing FootGolf at East Potomac Park
A Day at Nationals Park is a Hit for Families
Scenes from a Visit to The Mansion on O Street
Scenes from the Lotus and Water Lily Bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
New on View at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden this Summer (2017)
Joselito Casa de Comidas: A Dining Experience to Savor with (or without) the Kids
Hunt for Harry Potter in the National Gallery of Art with Watson Adventures
Journey with Earth Explorers at the National Geographic Museum (Through September 10, 2017)
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors at the Hirshhorn (Through May 14, 2017)
The KFDC Guide to Visiting the National Museum of African American History & Culture with Kids
The Library of Congress: A Local & National Treasure for All Ages
“Explore! With the Portrait Gallery” in this New Activity Space for Children
Scenes from the National Gallery of Art East Building
Play it Cool with ICEBERGS at the National Building Museum (July 2 – September 5, 2016)
Lebanese Taverna: A Local Favorite for Family Dining
Get Clued in on The Escape Lounge (This location has closed.)
Animal Close-Ups & Crocs at the National Geographic Museum (Two exhibits through April & May 2016)
Play & Learn Through American History at Wegmans Wonderplace
A Glimpse into Rock Creek’s Past at Peirce Mill
A WONDERful Reopening at the Renwick Gallery
A Unique Dose of Nature in the City at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Life’s a BEACH at the National Building Museum (Through September 12, 2015)
A DC “Secret” Uncovered: Panda Gourmet
Jazzing it up at The Phillips Collection
Play with Extra Zip at Beauvoir Outdoors
Spring Flowers & Year-Round Attractions at the National Cathedral
Go Monster Fish at the National Geographic Museum (March 26 – October 11, 2015)
A DC “Secret” Uncovered: The Glass Forest in Palisades
A DC “Secret” Uncovered: The Franciscan Monastery in Brookland
Pinstripes in Georgetown is Right up Your Alley
This Dupont Circle Mansion Tour is ‘O’ So Cool
Uncover 500 Years of Cryptography at the Folger Library
Recreation Galore at Anacostia Park
Free for All at the Corcoran Gallery
Paddling the Anacostia from Ballpark Boathouse
Everything’s Coming Up Roses (& Peonies & Irises) at the USBG National Garden & Bartholdi Park
Get Q?rius at the Natural History Museum
The National Postal Museum Always Delivers a Great Outing
The U.S. Botanic Garden: A Place for All Seasons
Free to Roam at Dumbarton Oaks Gardens During Fall and Winter
Family Treasure Hunt Cruise on the Boomerang Pirate Ship
Monday Movie Night at The Coupe
Rowin’ on the River at Fletcher’s Cove
Join the Club at Nationals Park
Year-Round Recreation at Canal Park
A Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Nationals Park
Encounter “Real Pirates” at the National Geographic Museum (April – September 2013)
Time for a Tour of the Old Post Office Tower (Currently closed for renovations)
Art in the Heart of Penn Quarter: The American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery
Money Talks at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The U.S. Navy Museum: A True Hidden DC Gem
Play, Work, & Build at the National Building Museum
Exhibits to Experience at the National Geographic Museum
Mission: Good Time at the International Spy Museum
“Ai Weiwei: According to What?” at the Hirshhorn
It’s All Good at Georgetown Waterfront Park
Public Play at Montrose and Dumbarton Oaks Parks
DC’s Secret Garden: Dumbarton Oaks
Grow with it at the National Arboretum
Nature, Space, and Pony Rides at Rock Creek Park
A Feast of Flora at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Explore imagiNATIONS and More at the American Indian Museum
The Permanent Collection: National Museum of Natural History
Get with the Program at Rock Creek Park
DC’s Cupcake Scene Topped with Sprinkles
Background on Boogie Babes Shows
Take the Kids out to the Ballgame
Review: Stories in Art at the NGA
Theatre for the Very Young at The Atlas
Pizza & Ping Pong Score Big at Comet
Book it to the National Building Museum
MARYLAND:
Anchors Aweigh, Kids, at Baltimore’s Port Discovery
5 Places for Shark Tooth Hunting Adventures Near the DC Area
A Multi-Family Getaway to Deep Creek Lake
Great Falls is a Go-to for Outdoor Recreation & Spectacular Nature
Take Your Pick at Homestead Farm
Scenes from the Sunflower Bloom at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area (Summer)
Scenes from a Day at Purse State Park (2017)
Feast & Beach in One Great Place at Kentmorr Restaurant & Crab House
Badlands Play Space Offers Mountains of Indoor Adventures
Scenes from a Visit to Annmarie Sculpture Garden (2017)
Scenes from Flag Ponds Nature Park & Beach
Discover the History of Fort McHenry
Volunteer with the Kids at DC Diaper Bank to Help Babies & Families Thrive
Walk in the Woods at Woodend Nature Sanctuary
Explore Chesapeake Bay Heritage and History at the Calvert Marine Museum
Nature & Recreation in Annapolis at Quiet Waters Park
Minor League, Major Fun at a Bowie Baysox Game
The Ultimate Fossil Hunting Experience with Ruddy Duck Adventures
Outdoor Recreation & Historical Explorations at Harpers Ferry (Maryland Hike)
Savor a Day at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
Dig the Recreation at Purse State Park
Over the Rainbow and Beyond at Watkins Regional Park
Make a Family Day of it at National Harbor
History in the Works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry
Artistic Delights and Fairy Inspiration at Annmarie Sculpture Gardens
Beach Fun & Fossil Hunting at Flag Ponds Nature Park
Reach New Heights of Fun at ClimbZone
Disc Golf in College Park is Off the Chain
Go for a Spin on the Capital Wheel
Pontoon Boating on the Patuxent
Riverside Recreation at Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Model Rocket Launch at Goddard Space Flight Center
Play on at Wheaton Regional Park
Scenes from the Montgomery County Fair
The National Museum of Health and Medicine: Fascinating, but not for the Faint of Heart
The American Visionary Art Museum: Wonderful, Whimsical Art for All Ages
Hands-On at the Maryland Science Center
Explore the World at the National Children’s Museum (This has closed.)
Adventure in the Trees (The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring)
Plenty to Fancy at Brookside Gardens
History on the Potomac at Fort Washington Park
Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake
Getting Crabby (in a Good Way) in Annapolis
Touring Ships at Baltimore Inner Harbor
Open Play at the PG Sports & Learning Complex
Grounds for Play at Cabin John Regional Park
A Water Taxi Adventure (Virginia, too)
Tot Trails Grand Opening at Port Discovery
VIRGINIA:
Scenes from a Fall Day at Huntley Meadows Park
Take a (Time) Trip to Colonial Williamsburg
Super, Awesome, & Amazing Fun at The St. James
Enjoy the Views from the Observation Deck at CEB Tower
Outdoor Recreation at Pohick Bay Regional Park
Great Falls is a Go-to for Outdoor Recreation & Spectacular Nature
Discover the Spectacular Underground World of Luray Caverns
Explore the Local Environment at Buddie Ford Nature Center
Camping and Hiking and Bears (Oh, My!) in Shenandoah National Park
Enjoy the Ride(s) and Then Some at Kings Dominion
Make a Splash in Soak City at Kings Dominion this Summer
Experience 18th-Century Living History at Claude Moore Colonial Farm
Soar with the Wind at iFLY Loudon
Experiment with Hands-On Fun at the Children’s Science Center Lab
Explore the Woods and Wetlands at Huntley Meadows Park
Jump (and Play and Flip!) for Joy at Flight Trampoline Park
Wander & Wonder at Green Spring Gardens
Take a Hike at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
Walk Along the River: Hiking from Riverbend to Great Falls Park
Inflated Fun at Sport Bounce of Loudon
Field Tripping at Ticonderoga Farms
Riding Along with Bike Camp to Arlington National Cemetery
Winkler Botanical Preserve: A Natural Oasis in an Unexpected Place
Hit the Trail at Turkey Run Park
Festival Time at Ticonderoga Farms
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens – a Northern Virginia Gem
Outdoor & Indoor Play at Potomac Overlook Regional Park
A Wildlife Fix at Long Branch Nature Center
Climb a Rainbow at Clemyjontri
WEST VIRGINA
Outdoor Recreation & Historical Explorations at Harpers Ferry
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We will be living in DC with our 12-year old son and daughter during all of April-May. We would like to receive updates and postings. Thanks!
Hi Jodi – I just tried to sign you up, but you’ve apparently opted out of receiving subscription emails at that address. Update your settings, then try signing up – there is a subscription box on the upper left of this page. Thanks for reading KFDC!
I would like to start to receive emails about your posts.
Hi there! How can I submit an event for your site/calendar?
Hi Safiya – You can send it to linda@kidfriendlydc.com. Thanks!