Are you planning a trip to Washington, DC? If you are bringing children you may be wondering what there is to do for you and your little ones. It is always best to plan ahead when you are taking a family trip anywhere, it can get a little crazy if you have not pre planned. In this article we will discuss some activities that you and your kids can do that can make for some great experiences and better yet, memories. Washington, DC is a great place to take your kids when they are out of school because they will be obtaining knowledge while having a great time and getting to do that with you. So let’s get started on what you can had to the planner before you take your trip.
Kid Friendly DC
The Wharf
Washington, DC is currently under an indoor mask mandate. Restaurants and shops are open, and The Wharf’s programming continues with weekly free concerts, outdoor movies, waterfront yoga, and more. The Wharf is a multi-billion dollar mixed-use development on the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, D.C. It contains the city’s historic Maine Avenue Fish Market, hotels, residential buildings, restaurants, shops, parks, piers, docks and marinas, and live music venues. The Wharf at the southwest waterfront has been hosting a couple of free, family-friendly series this summer: Concerts on Wednesdays, movies on Thursdays. This week pop/rock band Hijynx will be performing, and Ratatouille will be shown on the big outdoor screen — be sure to register in advance for the film! Plan to grab a bite to enjoy with (or before) the entertainment — our easy faves are Lupo Marino, Falafel Inc., and Grazie Grazie, and there are a bunch of other places there offering tasty fare
Step Afrika
This is a great little adventure to go on with your kids! One that you will have fun at as well. Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding. is kicking off their 2021-2022 season with a three-day celebration at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, which takes place outdoors this summer, this Thursday – Saturday, August 12-15. Join in the celebration and enjoy their lively perscussive performances. Access is first-come, first-served — no tickets or check-in required — and may be restricted due to capacity.
pop-up disc golf course
The course is located on the large grassy space between Oklahoma Avenue NE and Lot 6 in Kingman Park, commonly referred to as the Oklahoma Lawn. (It’s not far from where RFK hosted a dinosaur park last fall, and a pop-up outdoor movie theater.) It’s designed to take advantage of the area’s natural tree coverage. If you’re unfamiliar with disc golf, imagine regular golf, but with a glorified Frisbee: Participants throw a flying disc at a target – in this case, an elevated metal basket – and make each consecutive throw from the spot where the disc landed. Playing at the new course is free, and competitors can borrow a disc, scorecard, pencil, and set of rules from the field office adjacent to Lot 7. (You’ll need to leave your photo ID with staff until you return the disc.) You don’t need a reservation; though Corbett notes that, following some requests, the course will be available to rent for special events.
The 2021 County Fair Season Around the DC Area
What kid does not enjoy a fair? This is the perfect activity to go on with your family. There are several fairs that are healed in Washington, DC. Howard County Fair The 75th annual fair begins this coming weekend, and you have through next Saturday to enjoy rides, magic shows, musical entertainment in the evenings, pig races and pony rides, the Kids & Critters barn, Demolition Derby, a pro rodeo, and more. Most of the rides cost extra, and packages are available, so be sure to check out the website to see what’s available if you plan to go. Montgomery County Fair This fair is a family fave. (You can get a glimpse of one of our experiences there and read a review from a few years ago), so trust me when I say that there is so much to do, you have to see the schedule on the website for yourself to get the full scope. Highlights include lots of 4-H exhibits and demos, including opportunities to visit with some of the animals; animal races, pony rides, a KidZone with interactive games and activities, tons of carnival and kiddie rides, arts & crafts, monster trucks and a demolition derby, and much more. Prince William County Fair Virginia’s largest annual county fair includes 4-H exhibits, rides, contests (think pie eating and water balloon tossing), animal shows, craft demos, the Children’s Barn, Kid’s Zone, live performances, and more. Note that August 9 is Kid’s Friday when all admissions are $6. And there are other special days with all kinds of promos, so be sure to check the schedule for details. Arlington County Fair We’ve been to this fair and have had a great time. It’s big enough for a fun-filled day, but not so huge that it’s overwhelming, and you feel rushed to get to everything. There are carnival rides for everyone from toddlers to adults, and the kids especially loved the pony rides and piglet races. You can also check out competitive exhibits, enjoy live entertainment, cheer on a variety of racing animals, view outdoor movies, and take little ones to the Kids’ Court for moon bouncing, face painting, a beer garden for adults, and more.