Visit chickens and more at an Old Maryland Farm Community Day on Saturday!
Happy Weekend!
Go-to posts filled with recs for local activities:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Indoor Action
* Baltimore with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Stunning Spaces
Caps Playoff Pep Rally
Where: Union Market | Northeast DC
When: Friday, 5-7:30pm
Admission: Free
Get pumped for the Caps in the playoffs at a pep rally! The event will have poster making, photo ops, a DJ, giveaways including free prints of the GR8NESS mural by David Barr (while supplies last), an appearance by mascot Slapshot, and more! Fans can also get discounted skating at the Capitals SkyRink at Hi-Lawn and a complimentary pair of yellow laces in honor of Alex Ovechkin a synthetic ice rink located on the rooftop at Union Market.
Earth Day Movie Night: The Wild Robot
Where: The Yards | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 8-10pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a movie under the stars in celebration of Earth Day. Based on the beloved book, this heartwarming adventure follows a robot who unexpectedly finds itself in nature, learning to live in harmony with the wild. Gather under the stars on The Yards Sundeck for a movie night that reminds us of the beauty and resilience of our planet. Tickets are free, but for Earth Month there is an optional $5 donation to the Anacostia Watershed Society to support local environmental efforts.
Happy Birthday to the Bard!
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
‘Tis Shakespeare’s 461st birthday, and the Folger Shakespeare Library is celebrating with an Open House on Saturday afternoon. In true Renaissance fashion, there will be song and dance, Elizabethan crafts, sword fighting demos, printing press demos, a chance to write sonnets, and a giant birthday cake. The celebration will begin when the Folger opens its doors at 11am. Activities on the front lawn will run from 1-3pm. Read more about the Folger in this KFDC post.
Old Maryland Farm Community Day
Where: Watkins Regional Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday! Join Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Regional Park to celebrate and connect with the people, places, and natural resources that make Prince George’s County special. Watch the sheep get sheared and enjoy more free nature activities, arts and crafts, giveaways, and more. Read more about Watkins here.
Free Parking
Where: National Parks
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
National Park Week starts on Saturday, and it’s kicking off with a fee free day, so there’s no entrance fee to national parks that usually charge admission. Take advantage and hit the trail at Great Falls, Shenandoah, Prince William Forest, Harpers Ferry, or head up to Baltimore to explore Fort McHenry. Find even more parks to visit here.
WABA Bloom Ride
Where: Starts at Franklin Pak | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am
Admission: Starts at $25
Join the Washington Area Bicyclist Association for a leisurely ride through our vibrant region as the flowers bloom and the air fills with the scents of spring. Stop at charming locations across the city and in Northern Virginia, to admire blossoms and soak in the season’s beauty. There is a Petals and Pedals 20-mile route as well as a 3-mile, family-friendly Blossom Expedition Route. At a picnic afterwards, enjoy a tasty meal with friends (included with registration) and celebrate friendship and community.
Meet the Easter Bunny
Where: Ted’s Bulletin locations in VA
When: April 19-20, 10am – 1pm
Admission: The cost of your meal
The Easter bunny will be hopping through a few Ted’s Bulletin restaurants — in Ballston, Reston, Merrifeld, One Loudon, and Gaithersburg. Mingle, get pics with the kids, and enjoy some delicious Easter specials, too!
More Egg-Cellent Adventures
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Egg hunts, bunny visits, and more Easter activities are happening all around this Easter weekend. Visit Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard, join an egg hunt at a fairytale of a farm or at the beloved Great County, take a bunny train ride, search for Easter eggs in local parks, and more. There are also attractions beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs for your whole gang. This post has a round-up of all the hoppy fun.
Earth Day Celebration: A Day Unplugged
Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Step away from the screens and reconnect with nature at this Earth Day celebration. Bring the whole family for an interactive exploration of what makes Earth such a special place. Enjoy gardening sensory play, paint your own planet Earth to take home, and discover ways to care for the environment. Take a storytime hike with National Zoo Nature Play educators at 11am, 12pm, and 1pm, and learn how to appreciate and protect our natural world. (Bring an extra pair of clothes, closed-toe shoes, and a snack/water!)
Open Studio: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose
Whee: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
At this session of the weekly series, join an Open Studio inspired by artist Joseph Cornell’s use of found objects to craft imaginary worlds. In honor of Earth Day, consider the importance of repurposing everyday items by giving new life and meaning to discarded materials.
Bonus Fun
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $18.95
The museum full of hands-on exploration is celebrating the season with expanded hours, new offerings, and spring-themed programs that invite young learners and their families to grow their curiosity and engage in unique, playful, and environmentally-focused learning experiences. Even more, it’s open two extra hours each day!
Show Time
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
There’s a lot of entertainment on local stages this weekend. Here’s where you can catch it (and you can find show details and any discount links here):
* Annie at National Theatre
* Sister Act at Ford’s Theatre (age 12+)
* Sleepova at Olney Theatre (teens & older)
* In the Heights at Signature Theatre (age 8+)
* Bad Books at Round House Theatre (teens & older)
Easter Bunny Hosts Kids & Family Festivals
Where: Shipgarten | Tysons, VA
When: Sunday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free – $10
Step into a world of family-friendly fun at Shipgarten, Tysons Corner top restaurant for families! Enjoy a day of excitement, including FREE face painting and arts & crafts, egg hunts, live music, great drinks, moonbounces, and a full outdoor playground to ensure everyone has a blast. Dogs are more than welcome at Shipgarten, too, whether on-leash or in our off-leash dog par — treat furry friends to Pup Cups and Kongs filled with peanut butter for a delightful family treat. See the website for the full schedule and to reserve a spot.
Park it in Moco
Where: Montgomery County Parks, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Montgomery Parks presents loads of special activities for visitors of all ages. Take little ones to yoga at Brookside Gardens. Go on an archaeology tour at Josiah Henson Museum and Park. Go on a guided hike of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Find details on these activities and more!
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks throughout Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority also hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. Go on an egg hunt at Colvin Run Mill. Explore Mother Earth at Green Spring Hardens. Do some nature journaling at Riverbend Park. Details and registration for activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
Go with the Flow
Where: Waterways around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
Row, row, row your boat or kayak or canoe or SUP! Paddle season has begun as a few places have started offering boat rentals and more are opening this weekend. Boating in DC has several locations in the District and a few NoVa Parks offer it, too. This post about places to go with the flow has more details.
Keep the Spring Break Vibes Going
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Spring Break for many DC area students winds down this weekend, but there are still extra activities to keep the whole fam entertained while they are off from school. This annual KFDC guide has plenty of ideas to maintain the SB vibes.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Spy Camp at the International Spy Museum sounds quite intriguing!
* This Wednesday, April 23, little ones can join a Children’s Day Festival hosted by the Embassy of Türkiye at Cascades Library and Bambleton Libraay in VA.
* A couple of big, beloved shows are coming to the area in the months ahead, and you can check for discount tickets on sale now– look for deals to Les Miserables and The Sound of Music.
* Did you know there’s a rooftop mini golf course in Tysons? Groupon has a discount on admission right now.
* Looking for some travel inspo? Some ideas here. (And FYI – I noticed fares to Europe have been going down recently.)
* This new parenting book sounds like it has some helpful tips and insight (and was written by my bestie’s cousin).
* A waterproof backpack for kids will be perfect for camp + other spring and summer activities. (More colors/designs here.)
* Love these sandals that I brought on our Spring Break trip. SO comfy and cute (and inexpensive), I’ve worn them with both swimwear and evening outfits.
