Independence Day | KidFriendly DC

Beach day at Calvert Cliffs State Park

Monday – Take a walk in the woods and explore the grounds of Woodend Nature Sanctuary in Chevy Chase. The home of the Audubon Naturalist Society is perfect for hiking with little ones. The trails are mellow, there are several small exhibits like bees nests and bird feeding areas, and wildlife sightings are practically guaranteed. Open dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

Tuesday – Take a tour and go for a “swim” at Fun House, the National Building Museum’s big summer exhibition. Timed entry tickets are $16/adult, $13/child and good for an hour in the house, but admission gets you into all of the museum exhibits, so be sure to make time for those, too!

Wednesday – Head to Capitol Hill for outdoor play, kids activities, a performance by 4SW featuring students of Northwest High School, a concert by children’s musician Mister G, and a great lineup of speakers at the Play-In for Climate Action sponsored by Moms Clean Air Force. This family-friendly protest against the air pollution that causes dangerous climate change will showcase exactly what’s at stake as temperatures and sea levels rise: our kids. View more info and register here. The event takes place on the National Mall at 3rd Steet NW & Madison Drive NW. Admission is free.

Thursday – Watch JoJo and the Pinecones play a family-friendly concert at Strathmore’s Backyard Theatre for Children in North Bethesda. The annual summer entertainment series for kids takes place on Thursdays in July. Performances are at 9:30am and 11:30am. Tickets are $8-10.

Later on, get artrageous at Art Attack! From 5-9pm, leave your mark on Lubber Run Community Center in Arlington as they say goodbye to the 1950s and hello to a major 21st century upgrade. All ages are invited to leave a community footprint on the space before it is demolished with paint bombs, murals, a D.J., food trucks, and more!

Friday – Make it a beach day at Calvert Cliffs State Park. It’s a great place to enjoy sand, surf, and some easy hiking (it’s a flat, nature-filled 2-mile walk from the parking lot to the beach). Plan to do some fossil hunting while you’re there — you can find shark teeth and other Myocene Era remnants along the shore. Bring along a picnic, as there are no concessions. Hours are sunrise to sunset, and admission is $5/vehicle for MD residents, $7/vehicle for non-residents.

Newsflash! Kids can enjoy free admission (and great city views) at the Newseum this summer

Monday – Enjoy free admission for kids to the Newseum! The annual Summer Fun Deal, which runs July 1 – Labor Day, waives the entrance fee for youth with one paid adult admission. The deal benefits kids ages 7 and up most, since children 6 and under always get in free, and much of the Newseum’s collection will be better appreciated by older children. Adult tickets are $24.95. For a museum outing with littler ones, head to National Postal Museum, a fantastic but often overlooked museum full of interactive exhibits that all ages can enjoy. Hours are 10am – 5:30pm, and admission is free.

Tuesday – Let children get creative with Red Panda Art Studio at a pop-up workshop. For the next month, they are offering twice daily workshops with changing themes Monday – Thursday and select weekend days for ages 2-9. Sessions will take place 10-11:15am and 4-5:15pm at the WAS Gallery in the Westwood II Shopping Center (5110 Ridgefield Rd in Bethesda, MD). Classes are $25/child. And for older kids (or a free outing), No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man at the Renwick Gallery is an exhibit that is sure to delight and impress. Hours there are 10am – 5:30, and admission is free.

In the evening, join the Palisades Citizens’ Association as they kick off this year’s Fourth of July festivities a day early with their annual Hoedown on the Green. Head under the big tent at the Palisades Recreation Center baseball field (5200 Sherier Pl NW) from 6:30-8:30pm for an evening of square dancing, an authentic pie-eating contest, and scooped ice cream for all. The Hoedown is a rain-or-shine event, entirely free, and appropriate for all ages!

Wednesday – Celebrate Independence Day! This round-up of July 4th events will guarantee you have a blast, fireworks or not.

Thursday – Keep the holiday spirit going with a day trip to Baltimore to visit Fort McHenry, the birthplace of “The Star Spangled Banner” and site of a key battle in the War of 1812. Learn about the history of the national monument through all kinds of interesting exhibits, both in the Visitors Center and throughout the grounds. Children will especially enjoy seeing the cannons, exploring underground spaces, and touring the barracks that now house lots of neat exhibits, including several interactives. Hours are 9am – 6pm. Admission to the historic area is $15 for ages 16 and up.

Friday – Play it cool at Ocean Dunes Waterpark in Upton Regional Park in Arlington. Slides, pools, splash areas, and more wet fun will keep kids happy for hours. Plus, there’s mini golf, a batting cage, and a snack shack, too! Hours are 11am – 7pm, and admission starts at $7.