Head to the Zoo for panda birthdays and have a “shark” encounter, too
And just like that summer break is coming to an end — for most of us in DC, anyway. But what an outstanding summer it’s been (besides the ridiculous heat). Ours included some great new experiences, a first sleep away camp adventure and theatre debut among them. We also had a fantastic family vacation. And in good ol’ KFDC fashion, we enjoyed plenty of both the tried and true and the new and cool around DC. But just because summer break is winding down, that doesn’t mean the fun is ending. So, whether you’re looking for a last hurrah before school starts or want to make the most of the next few days, these ideas will have you covered. Happy Weekend!
A Giant Birthday Celebration
Where: National Zoo
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the birthdays of the Zoo’s giant pandas Bao Bao, Bei Bei, and Tian. It’s Bei Bei’s first birthday! Bao Bao will be turning 3, and Tian Tian will be 19. Watch as they devour frozen birthday “cakes,” see animal demonstrations, and enjoy a complimentary tasting of Dan Dan (dahn-dahn) noodles from the Chinese Embassy. While you’re at the Zoo, be sure to check out Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea a playful exhibit of sculptures with an environmental message made from completely of plastic debris collected from beaches.
National Park Service Centennial
Where: National Mall
When: Sunday
Admission: Free
The week-long celebration of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary begins on Sunday with special activities on the National Mall. Take a bike ride with U.S. Park Police, explore the treasure of the museums, play mini golf at Hains Point, and more! Go here to see what other events will be taking place over the week ahead in honor of the centennial milestone.
Olympic Celebration Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am
Admission: Free
The Olympics may be in Rio de Janeiro, but you can get in the spirit as you join special festivities at the American Art Museum. Go for an afternoon of crafts, games, and music that celebrates the culture of Rio and the athletes competing in the 2016 Olympic Games. Whatever your sport, you can cheer on the red, white, and blue of Team USA!
Wizard School Scavenger Hunt for Harry Potter Fans
Where: National Gallry of Art
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: $17.50/ages 10-17, $19.50/ages 18+
Join Watson Adventures on a unique Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt for kids ages 10 & up! Follow in the footsteps of young wizards on a field trip to the National Gallery in search of art that echoes characters, places, and enchanted objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. Wizards and muggles alike can play and enjoy this hunt, which is not an addition to or variation on Harry’s adventures; instead, references to the books provide a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art – a great way to discover (or rediscover) the museum. The hunt is designed for kids and adults to do together, but all-adult teams will be allowed to compete separately. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Advance purchase is required.
Turk & Terrain Outdoor Art Tour
Where: Foggy Bottom Historic District
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Take a free tour of artwork outdoors! The 2016 Arts in Foggy Bottom Outdoor Sculpture Biennial has turned the tiny neighborhood into a free outdoor museum for all to enjoy with site-responsive sculptures, new media installations, and more neat works by 14 local, regional, and international artists. On Saturday, join curator Danielle O’Steen for a kid-friendly tour of the show as she explains the meaning of each piece and its connection to the neighborhood. Groups meet outside of the yellow house on 842 New Hampshire Ave (corner of New Hampshire Ave. and I St. NW)
Fair and Square
Where: Arlington, Montgomery, & Prince William Counties
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.
Colonial Tobacco Harvest
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $3/adult, $2/child, free for 2 and under
Harvest time is here! Tobacco was a precious crop for Colonial Virginians, used to purchase goods not produced on the Farm. On Saturday, your fam and can help the Claude Moore Colonial Farm family gather their ripened tobacco plants, clean the leaves, and hang them inside the barn to cure. It’s an event that’s educational and fun for all ages!
STEM Magic: Airlane Design
Where: Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join the Air & Space Museum for Making STEM Magic, a new program that introduces young visitors to engineering in a fun and creative way. Learn by doing. Design, build, and test a prototype that solves a given challenge. Every month we’ll explore a new theme and introduce a new problem to be solved, so come back each month to accept the challenge and learn to think like an engineer.
Centennial Hike
Where: Rock Creek Park
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Explore the history and nature of Rock Creek Park with the folks who know it best! Join park rangers on a two mile hike that looks at the history of the National Park Service through the lens of Rock Creek as the NPS celebrates 100 years. Meet at the Nature Center and remember to wear proper shoes for hiking and bring along water.
Kids Corner
Where: The Park at City Center
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Join City Center for a special weekend edition of Kids Corner, their weekly series for children. Enjoy storytime, singing, and fun with a musical performance by Chris & Jenna! The Park at City Center is at the corner of 10th & I Streets NW.
Jumanji
Where: Adventure Theatre
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $19.50
Adventure Theatre’s latest production is as funny as it is wild. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, the show takes its characters — and the audience — on an incredible journey to claim Jumanji.And you only have two more weekends to catch a performance. Read a KFDC review here.
Shows on Strings
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $6-10
Peter and the Wolf is the Main Stage performance, and the one-man, multi-marionette show is an engaging and entertaining theatre experience. Read a KFDC review of the production from a few years ago. Really little ones will love Panda Monium, this weekend’s featured Tiny Tots show, where the lights stay on and doors stay open for an atmosphere suited to small fries.
Summer Staples
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Free concerts in the fresh air, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun… Activities exclusive to this time of year can be enjoyed all weekend long. Details on all of these seasonal staples and more can be found in the guide to Summer in DC.
Kids Day
Where: Palmercare Chiropractic
When: Saturday, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Palmercare Chiropractic DC is hosting a Kids Day and will be giving away free treatments for kids under the age of 16. Call ahead to reserve a time slot, or stop by for face painting, balloon animals, and to learn more about their services. Call 202-828-8303 to book a time for your child to get free care on Saturday.
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Several Fairfax parks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. Explore dairy farm history, then make and eat your own ice cream at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Take a wagon ride or build a bat house at Riverbend. Observe the moon at Burke Lake Park. Details and resgitration for these and more activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
Music on the Mill Kids Concert
Where: River Mill Park
When: Saturday, 5-7pm
Admission: Free
Rock out at this new music series in Occoquan at a special kids concert. Rocknoceros will be performing, and there will be lots of extra fun to accompany the show — face painting, balloon art, arts & crafts, and more. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic, and bring the whole gang for an evening of family-friendly entertainment. River Mill Park is a new 1.1-acre park located on the west end of Mill Street in the quaint little town of Occoquan.
Movie On the Green: Zootopia
Where: Fort Dupont Amphitheater
When: Saturday, 6pm
Admission: Free
Fort Dupont is hosting its first outdoor movie night in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial anniversary as a part of the 44th Fort DuPont Summer Series. They are kicking off the series with a young movie-goer fave: Zootopia! Concessions will be available for purchase onsite. Gates open at 5:30pm. The amphitheater is located at 3600 F St. and Minnesota Ave. SE.
Comcast Outdoor Film Fest
Where: Strathmore
When: Saturday – Monday, 8:45pm (gates open 6:30pm)
Admission: Free
Enjoy three nights of summer fun under the stars during the Annual Comcast Outdoor Film Festival. The free event
celebrates the end of summer as it featurs both recent hits and classic movies on the only nine-story high, 52-foot wide inflatable movie screen within 1,000 miles. During the Festival, the community will be able to enjoy an unrivaled outdoor movie experience with digital cinema projection. See Jurassic World on Saturday, Minions on Sunday, and The Wizard of Oz on Monday.
Nature & Recreation in Annapolis
Where: Quiet Waters Park
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $6/car
Head east to explore a new park. A few months ago we discovered Quiet Waters, kind of by accident, and it made for a fantastic outdoorsy Mother’s Day. Hike in the woods under a leafy canopy, paddle the South River, take in scenic vistas, and even view some art. Afterwards, go get crabby. 🙂
Get Crabby
Where: Annapolis area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Depends on how much you order!
It’s not a true DC summer if you don’t take advantage of one of the area’s best offerings: blue crabs! Feasting on the steamed Old Bay-spiced creatures is a seasonal treat, and doing so at a waterfront crab house on the Chesapeake Bay is a bonus. Cantler’s in Annapolis is an institution, and Mike’s Crab House in Riva is a family fave with delicious crabs, gorgeous scenery, and a great outdoor waiting area if tables aren’t immediately available. After your feast, head into downtown Annapolis for ice cream at Kilwin’s and a stroll around town!
DC United vs. NY Red Bulls
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Sunday, 3pm
Admission: Tickets
Kick it at a soccer game on Sunday. The DC United are hosting the New York Red Bulls for an afternoon match. Be sure to stop by the Fan Zone in section 222 for extra activities that kids and adults.
The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
If you’re just looking for things to do 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
Plan Ahead for Fall Adventure!
Where: Solomons, MD
When: Future Weekends
Admission: Prices vary by package
Some outings take advanced planning, especially ones that are particularly cool. Ruddy Duck Adventures offers all-inclusive day trips around the Solomons, MD, area. They devise itineraries that include awesome activities and great dining, plus all the instruction and gear needed; all guests have to do is drive. Opt for a fossil and shark teeth hunt, a paddling excursion, or a wine and art adventure. And you can make it a family outing or a day date sans kids. Bonus: Use the code KFDC at check out to get a discount! And for some inside scoop, read about our experience on the fossil hunt.
