DC Waterparks | KidFriendly DC

On the loose at the beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Garden

The KFDC crew is on vacation, so this week is going to be light on posts. You can count on the Weekend Round-Up for sure, but for other updates, check the KidFriendly DC Facebook page. Have a great Mon-Fri!

Monday – Enjoy what the Capital Weather Gang predicts will be a “magnificent Monday” at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. With acres of beautiful grounds, ponds full of turtles and fish, a Korean Bell Garden, and plenty of other horticultural delights, it’s a great place for an outing with the kids. Hours are 10am – 8pm. Admission is $5/adults, $2.50 for ages 7-17 and 55 and up, free for kids 6 and under.

Tuesday – Get wet and stay refreshed at an outdoor pool, waterpark, or sprayground. The Summer 2013 guide has links to many local places where it’s all about being in the water.

Wednesday – See Lions and Tigers and Bears (oh, my!) at the National Geographic Museum’s newest photo exhibit. The free display showcases the majestic predators through Nat Geo’s always amazing images. Make a day of it and visit the Real Pirates exhibit while you’re there. Admission is $11/adults, $9/ages 5-12, free for under 5. Hours are 10am – 6pm.

Thursday – Take the little ones to Eastern Market, where they can shake those sillies out with Mr. Skip and the Boogies Babes. Showtime is 10:30am. Admission is $5/child, free for siblings 6 months and under.

Friday – Head on down to the county fair! Thursday and Friday are preview days at the 4-H Fairfax Fair and will feature carnival rides, amusements, and treats (plus it’s less crowded on weekdays). Held at Frying Pan Farm Park, hours are 10am – 3pm both days and 5-10pm on Friday as well. Day-of event tickets are $25, and you can download a $5 off coupon here.

Where to Play on the Weekdays: June 24-28

Go big at the Maryland Science Center.

Monday – Discover the history of flight at the College Park Aviation Museum. Guests can view early airplanes up close, dress up like aviators, create flight-inspired art, and more. Keep an eye on the runway right outside the floor-to-ceiling windows — you might see planes take off and land at the College Park Airport, the oldest continuously operating airport in the world! Open daily 10am – 5pm. Admission is $4/adults, $2/children, free for ages 2 and under.

Tuesday – Beat the heat for a buck with the Regal Summer Movie Express. At participating Regal theaters, you can catch a family movie for just a $1 every Tuesday (and Wednesday) at 10am. Visit the website to find a theater near you and see what’s playing this week.

Wednesday – Fly to Neverland at Imagination Stage where Peter Pan & Wendy will be entertaining audiences through early August. Showtime is 10:30am, and tickets start at $10.

Thursday – Make your way up to Baltimore to visit the Maryland Science Center, where your crew can explore a variety of fun and fascinating hands-on exhibits, play in the Kids Room, see an IMAX movie, and more. Hours are 10am – 6pm. Admission is $16.95/adults, $13.95/ages 3+, free for 2 and under.

Friday – Splash, slide, swim, and have a blast at a water park! All of the local parks are now open for the season, and there are several throughout the area — the 2013 Summer Guide has a list of and links to all of them.