We reviewed 6,000+ Washington-area events to pick the 31 best kids & family events in the DC area between August 17 and August 23. Updated daily.
to see a personalized list by location, interest, and age group.
Highlights for August 17 – August 22
Read to a Dog (White Oak Library)
Children read aloud for ten minutes to a certified therapy dog in a one‑on‑one session. Monday, August 17, 5–6 pm. Ages 5–12; limited slots, sign up at the information desk.
Little Critters: Nature Play (Rainforest Animals) (Bird House Classroom, National Zoo)
Drop‑in play where kids explore rainforest plants and animals in the Bird House classroom. Tuesday–Monday, August 18–20, 9:30 am–1:30 pm. Free. Ages 0–5; caregivers must stay, no registration required.
Spark!Lab (American History Museum, West Wing)
Hands‑on inventors’ lab where kids 6‑12 design, build and test their own creations. Wednesday–Sunday, August 19–23, 10 am–4 pm. Free. First‑come, first‑served; open to ages 6–12.
Wonderplace (American History Museum, West Wing)
Interactive museum space with touchable objects and age‑appropriate activities for children six and under. Wednesday–Sunday, August 19–23, 10 am–4 pm. Free. First‑come, first‑served; no tickets required.
Movies in the Parks: Turning Red (Isreal Park, Rockville, MD)
Free outdoor screening of the animated film Turning Red; bring chairs or blankets. Thursday, August 20, 8–10 pm. Free. Closed captioning available; bring snacks.
Family Fun Entertainment Series: Guava Jelly (Reston Town Square Park)
Caribbean reggae music, dance, puppets and magicians for a family‑friendly outdoor show. Saturday, August 22, 10–10:45 am. Free. Check for weather cancellations.
Youth Aviators Air Traffic Control (College Park Aviation Museum)
Step into air‑traffic control to learn radio lingo, procedures and get insights from aviation professionals. Saturday, August 22, 10 am–11:30 am. Free. Registration required by July 30; must attend all four sessions.
Our best picks: kids & family events in the DC area — August 17–23
Monday, August 17
We have a limited number of available time slots. Readers can sign up for a time slot at the Information Desk. Each reader will have ten minutes to read one-on-one with a certified therapy dog! This program is specifically targeted to children 5-12 years old who have some ability to read aloud on their own. Library Pro…
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Tuesday, August 18
Enjoy some end‑of‑summer fun at Northwest One Library by exploring the branch and spotting beach‑ and ocean‑themed pictures hidden throughout the space! Kids ages 0–13 can look for seashells, waves, sea creatures, and other summery images at their own pace during library open hours. Find all the pictures and bring your…
Come explore the rainforest! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we explore the different plants and animals that live in the Amazon rainforest. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are wel…
For families with young children Enjoy music, dance, drums and stories highlighting West African culture! NO REGISTRATION. First-come, first-served seating. Call 703-228-5946 for more information. Summer Reading is made possible through the support of the Friends of Arlington Public Library.
In “Ancient Air,” award-winning bubble magician Meadow Perry brings science, storytelling, and spectacular bubble artistry together in a show that’s as educational as it is enchanting. Children will discover the wonder of how air travels through time, connecting us to the same atmosphere that once filled the lungs of a…
Wednesday, August 19
DC Way presents: Art & Soccer Summer Camp , a dynamic program combining creative expression with high-quality soccer training led by professional coaches. Can a camp build both athletic skills and creativity at the same time? DC Way’s Art & Soccer Summer Camp offers participants a balanced day of movement and imaginati…
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and…
Join us for a fun-filled event to wrap up our Summer Reading Program! Drop in anytime from 3:30-5:30pm and enjoy: Crafts Raffle (at 4pm and 5pm) Snacks Balloon Artist Come celebrate with us and make the end of summer memorable! No registration required, and all ages - children and adults - are welcome.
Saluda y alimenta a simpáticos animales como una llama, un burro y una minivaca de Bar C Animal Ranch. (Todas las edades) Can't make it on August 19? Join Bar C Ranch for a petting zoo on June 20 from 10 AM - 3 PM, Duncan Branch Library Butterfly Garden. Sponsors: SummerQuest Jr. is made possible through a generous gra…
Thursday, August 20
The Benning/Dorothy I. Height Neighborhood Library is excited to welcome families to our 3rd Annual Back to School Bash , an afternoon filled with fun, music, resources, and everything you need to kick off a successful school year. Bring the whole family and enjoy: 🎧 Live DJ & music 🎲 Games and activities 🎁 Prizes a…
For Rising 3rd-5th Grade Students Join us to learn how to make Easy Miso Ramen with the author of Ramen for Everyone , Pat Tanumihardja. Participants will learn about different foods, where they come from, how to follow recipes and how to use a variety of kitchen tools. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Space is limited. Call 703…
Teen players of all skill levels are welcome to join us at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library every first and third Thursday in the Teen Area on the second floor to play Dungeons and Dragons! If you don't know the rules, we'll teach you! All supplies will be provided, so just bring your imagination and enthusiasm!…
Join us Thursday, August 20 at Isreal Park for a screening of Turning Red . The free movie screening begins at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.). Bring your own chairs, blankets, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. Closed captioning will be turned on during the movie.
Friday, August 21
If you have a little one to take care of and are looking for something fun to do, come read and sing all about nature with a park ranger! This program includes nature books, animal puppets, body movements, and songs. Due to high summer temperatures, we will only be doing this program at Peirce Mill Barn for the month o…
Families. The whole family is invited to join us at the Long Branch or Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate…
Celebrate the start of a new school year with a weekend of Back-To-School Pop-Ups - a program that helps prep young learners for the classroom! From Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, join the National Children's Museum and let the students stretch their learning muscles while exploring things like science, geomet…
Saturday, August 22
Families. The whole family is invited to join us at the Long Branch or Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate…
Guava Jelly: Caribbean Reggae Vibes Laugh, dance and play with silly puppets, magicians, live music and fun for the whole family. Inclement weather can cause event cancellations; check RCC’s Facebook/X pages or call 703-476-4500 close to the event time. Presented by Reston Community Center and Reston Town Center Associ…
Phillips Educators will lead participants in an exploration of Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series, as well as a hands-on art activity inspired by the artworks. Participants will have the chance to experiment, create, and connect with artwork in a new way. This program is designed for learners ages 8 and up and requi…
Make a splash at Mermaid Day! Join us for music with DJ Spyder, creative mermaid crafts, and a magical chance to swim with a real mermaid, Seanna.
Ever wondered how to grow your own nutritious, sustainable produce at home? Learn about gardening, nutrition, and hydroponics, a method of growing food that addresses the health of the environment and the community. Play fun, educational games with prizes in this interactive workshop, then then plant lettuce and herb s…
Meet your neighbors around the campfire! Learn a bit about living with local wildlife, roast a marshmallow, play some games, and take a guided evening hike (optional). Marshmallows and roasting sticks provided, bring other treats if you'd like! All attendees over 3 must register; no registration required under 3.
Sunday, August 23
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians. Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At bus…
Join our educators at this hands-on activity table where creativity takes flight! Perfect for budding engineers and aviation enthusiasts, this interactive program allows visitors to design and build their own creations. — Join our educators at this hands-on activity table where creativity takes flight! Perfect for budd…
Festivities include: Bilingual Story Time (1:30pm, English and Spanish) Zumba (2:15 -3:00pm) Children's Craft Corner Teen Gaming Lounge Children's Scavenger Hunt Sidewalk Chalk Art See you there!
Calling all tiny fashionistas! Now's your chance to strut your stuff. Join us for our first ever Northeast Library Toddler Runway Show. You bring your child dressed to impress, and we bring the lights, camera and "press". Children who are able to move independently ages 4 and under are welcome to participate. Slots are…
Monday, August 24
Preschool STEAM Play Join us for open play featuring a mix of games and activities that explore the STEAM-based concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Math! No registration. Attendance is first-come, first-served until event capacity is reached. For more information, email Lib-Courthouse@arlingtonva.us.
Toddler Explorations is an open interactive engagement program for young children and caregivers that uses play and exploration to develop pre-literacy and social skills. Join us in the big meeting room in the basement! Otherwise, if weather and temperatures permit, join us outside in the garden!
Happy Summer! Join us for an Ice Cream Face Storytime and related craft. 18 months - 6 years require adult participation.
Join us Mondays in the Youth Program Room from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a variety of STEAM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Included activities are: Snap Circuits, Owl Pellet dissection, messy concoctions, collabs with the Teen STEAM Club, and many more! Swing by to see what's happening t…