Get your fill of summer this weekend!
Well, that was fast. It seems like yesterday we were trading school uniforms for swimsuits, backpacks for beach bags, and homework assignments for vacation itineraries. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun. But just because summer break is coming to an end for many local kids, including mine, that doesn’t mean the good times that come with the season are over yet. We just have to enjoy them on Saturdays & Sundays (and late afternoons and evenings) now. Happy Weekend!
Juggle Jam
Where: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
When: Friday, 6-7:30pm
Admission: $5 suggested donation
Throw caution to the weekend! Conquer the thrilling challenge of juggling with veteran juggler Christian Kloc. This workshop begins with a short demo, moves into some goofy warm-ups, then puts juggling props in your hands and offers pro tips to jumpstart your newfound circus habit. After practicing controlled chaos, put on a show with your fellow jugglers and get the thundering applause you deserve!
Joys of Summer
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Activities exclusive to the season are happening all weekend See a special museum exhibit, like XYZT, HIVE, or Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree. Have some water-inspired fun. Enjoy free music outdoors and movies under the stars. Go with the flow on local waterways. Hit the beach. Feast on seasonal treats. And so much more. Details on all of these joys of summer in DC be found here.
Colonial Tobacco Harvest
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5/adult, $3/child, free for 2 & under
Harvest time is here! Tobacco was an important crop in Colonial Virginia, used as currency by the Claude Moore Colonial Farm family to buy supplies and other goods. Help the Farm Family clean the tobacco leaves, gather the cut plants, and hang them on the tobacco sticks inside the tobacco barn to cure. It’s a fun and educational outing for the whole family!
Fair Game
Where: Montgomery, Arlington, Prince William Counties | MD & VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
County fair season continues as Arlington’s annual fest is underway, and Montgomery and Prince William counties host their final days. All are chock full of amusement for everyone, with carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races, and so much more. This post has the whole scoop on all of the county fun.
Maketto Kids Day
Where: Maketto | H Street NE, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s the first ever Kids’ Day at the Erik Bruner-Yang eatery! Bring the fam for an afternoon of treats, games, magic show, balloon making, cookie decorating, a moon bounce, and more in the beautiful courtyard. Register in advance here. (PS: If you haven’t yet eaten there, you must — it’s one of my neighborhood faves!)
Loudoun Rising
Where: Inova Loudoun Hospital, South Hospital Lawn | Loudoun, VA
When: Saturday 6:30pm
Admission: Free
Inova Loudoun Hospital is taking health to new heights with a major expansion, and the community is invited to help celebrate at Movie Night Under the Stars. Before the screening of Up at 8pm, the fun will start with pre-movie activities at 6:30 — glitter tattoo and balloon artists, games and crafts, a photo booth, treasure hunt and giveaways, “sneak peek” of future patient rooms, and tours of the Inova Children’s Hospital ambulance. Children can bring their favorite stuffed toy to the teddy bear clinic in the Mobile Health Services bus. There will also be popcorn and snow cones, plus the new facility dog, Jeremiah. Arrive early to reserve a great spot on the lawn, enjoy a picnic from home or purchase dinner from one of the food trucks and enjoy. Rain date is August 20.
Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $19.50
You only have two more weekends to catch Adventure Theatre’s summer production! When Junie B. Jones, with her two bestest friends in the world, loses her new furry mittens to some “stealers,” she has to investigate. But Junie B. might have something she forgot to return, too. Recommended for all ages.
Shows on Strings
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: $6-12
Circus! is the Main Stage performance at the puppet theater in Glen Echo Park, recommended for children of all ages. And really little ones will love Imaginary Friends, this weekend’s featured Tiny Tots show, where the lights stay on and doors stay open for an atmosphere suited to small fries.
Magic with The Talented Kevin
Where: River Mill Park | Occoquan, VA
When: Saturday, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a free magic show Saturday evening at The Town of Occoquan’s free summer series might be call Music on Mill, but the entertainment includes non-musicians as well. This weekend, see The Amazing Kevin magic show for the young and young at heart! Bring a blanket or lawn chair (no tents or pop ups), pack a snack or picnic, and head down to River Mill Park for live entertainment and stunning views of the Occoquan River.
HBD, Brookland Pint!
Where: Brookland Pint | Brookland, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Help celebrate three years of the family-friendly restaurant with fun for your whole crew!
Activities for kids kicking off at 10am will include a super hero costume party, moon bounce, cotton candy, Sno-cones, and more. A Pig Roast BBQ begins at noon, and adults can enjoy a great selection of grown-up beverages, too.
Beach Drive Block Party
Where: Beach Drive | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Rock Creek Park and Rock Creek conservancy are hosting a block for residents and neighbors to experience the new section of Beach Drive before anyone else! All ages are welcome walk, run, ride bikes an other non-motorized vehicles on the reconstructed roadway and wider, smoother multi-use trail. Other programs like ranger led hike, bike tours, and kids’ hand-on activities will be happening, too. This will take place at National Zoo entrance on Beach Drive near on Harvard Street NW.
Cirque de Soleil: OVO
Where: Eagle Bank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $49
Cicque de Soleil’s latest show OVO is teeming with life. Insects work, play, fight, and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy in motion. Their home is filled with biodiversity, beauty, action and moments of quiet emotion. The awestruck insects are intensely curious when a mysterious egg appears, representing the enigma and cycles of their lives.
Solar Eclipse Day
Where: Port Discovery | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday
Admission: $15.95/ages 2 and up
Prepare for the Solar Eclipse with activities that are out of this world! The children’s museum in Baltimore is hosting a day of sun-themed activities for little ones ahead of the big event. Check the website for the schedule, and plan on enjoying the rest of the attraction filled with all kinds of fun, engaging exhibits for kids.
Sun & Heat
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission:
Baltimore’s other wonderful museum for kids is also hosting activities in anticipation of Monday’s event. Make eclipse viewers for the solar eclipse, create art using the power of the sun, bake cookies in a car, and check out thermo slime as things really start to heat up. Read more about the Maryland Science Center in this KFDC post.
RFK Campus Block Party
Where: RFK Skate Park
When: Sunday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Join Events DC for a day of family-friendly fun with games, food, music, entertainment, and the unveiling of a new mural on the Skate Park at RFK Stadium designed by Naturel. There wil be live music and dance performances, professional and amateur skaters showing off tricks and offering demos, and DC Vault will show off their talent on their new pole vault track located next to the skate park. Plus, there will be a mechanical skateboard, interactive art wall, and much more! RSVP for the free event!
DC, Inside & Out
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
Want even more options for fun things to do with the kids around the area? If you’re looking for activities outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
The Great Indoors
***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* The Great American Solar Eclipse is on Monday! And there are a bunch of ways to observe and celebrate it with kids around DC.
* Ren Fest begins next weekend!
* Enter for a chance to win one of four Family 4-Packs of tickets up for grabs to see InterAct Story Theatre’s The Legend of Pufferfish Pat: A Tall Tale for Mad Times.
* Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Free for All is underway and running through August 27. You could see a performance of Othello without spending a dime.
