KidFriendly DC | where to go & what to do with kids in the nation’s capital

Celebrate 5 years of The REACH!

Happy Weekend!

Quick links to posts full of ideas for local fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Indoor Action
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Pick Your Own (Apples!)
* The Great Indoors
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Happy Fall!
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Fall officially begins this weekend, and there are a lot of events around the area celebrating it. Fall festivals are in full swing at area farms, in local communities, even a 16th century village in Maryland, and they’re welcoming visitors for all kinds of fun. A few are listed in this round-up, and you can get details on the rest of them in this round-up of autumn celebrations around the area.

The REACH @ 5
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the REACH, the Kennedy Center’s arts campus, where artists and audiences come together to explore creativity. All weekend long, there will be performances, activities, outdoor movies (Coco on Friday evening), and art — and the public is invited to enjoy it all. See the complete schedule here. The Moonshot Studio will also be open on Sunday with activities that celebrate Latin American Art.

Race the District
Where: Union Market | Northeast DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 9pm
Admission: Free – $27
The weekend will be packed with go-karting excitement for all ages, from seasoned racers to complete beginners. Each 15-minute race will accommodate six drivers, perfect for creating fun memories with family and friends. Join for the races and stay for live music, awesome entertainment, and a variety of delicious eats from Union Market District’s favorite restaurants and bars. Note that a minimum height of 58” is required to race, but all ages are welcome to watch.

Homecoming at Abe’s Place
Where: President Lincoln’s Cottage | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free for Family Day, $50 for the 5k
During the Civil War, the Lincoln family called the Cottage home.  And now, every year the Cottage welcome families to enjoy the grounds as the Lincoln family did with a full day of family fun at Homecoming!  The days’s free activities include arts & crafts, storytime, pony rides and a petting zoo, music and movement, cottage tours, and more!

Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival
Where: Germantown, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $16
One of the area’s must beloved fall fests begins this weekend… enjoy a country outing and join Butler’s Orchard in celebrating the harvest with traditional autumn activities. There are hayrides, a tube slide, rubber ducky derby, animal petting area, pony rides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, face painting, and much more. Some activities and food cost extra. You can also bring along a picnic, but be sure to treat the kids – and yourself – to a yummy caramel apple! I recommend reserving tix in advance.

Winnie the Pooh
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 1pm | Sunday, 10am & 1pm
Tickets: $12-44
Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100 Acre Wood is surrounded by Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl in this delightful and gentle musical. Set during one busy day, there’s a Heffalump to catch, Eeyore’s tail to find, and a misunderstanding between Rabbit and Kanga to sort out. In the end, friendship and understanding win the day. Recommended for ages 3+.

Family Workshop: United States of Shakespeare
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 12:30pm & 1-2pm
Admission: Free
In this workshop, families will learn about four historical figures that were all connected through their fascination with Shakespeare. Dive into the worlds of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, Henrietta Vinton Davis and Powhatan Beaty to learn about the power of Shakespeare’s words. Note that the 11:30am workshop is recommended for ages 5–7, and the 1pm workshop for ages 8–14. Free registration required.

National Dance Day Celebration
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 11:15pm
Admission: Free
Find joy in the communities we create through dance! Join us for another exciting National Dance Day celebration with FREE classes, performances, and community conversations. Recognizing the power and importance of showing up for each other, this year’s event explores how dance builds and strengthens community well being. For breaks between the fun, food will be available to purchase from food trucks on the REACH Plaza. There’s so much to enjoy — view the full schedule on the KC website!

Lincoln-Thomas Day – 100th Aniversary
Where: Fort Stevens | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Rock Creek Park is celebrating 100 years of Lincoln-Thomas Day, which honors two individuals of the Civil War-era who came from very different backgrounds but shared a profound connection to Fort Stevens — Abraham Lincoln and Elizabeth Proctor Thomas, who owned the land where Fort Stevens was built. The event on Saturday will include special guest speakers, reenactors, kids’ activities, a short film about Elizabeth Proctor Thomas, and much more!

Chuseok Family Festival
Where: National Museum of Asian Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving at this fall harvest festival! Learn about both past and current traditions of one of the biggest holidays in South Korea through performances, food, crafts, programming from local community groups, and more. Register in advance — some activities have a limited capacity. See the full schedule here.

Gimme an H!
Where: H Street NE, DC
When: Saturday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
The annual festival on northeast DC’s thriving hip corridor is returning! This one is always huge — so beware that there could be a crowd — and there is tons to see and do.  In past years, the event has featured loads of live entertainment, including a kids stage; cool art exhibits; food trucks; crafts for sale by local vendors; fashion shows; dancin’ in the street; and children’s activities, including face painting, story telling, and moon bounces. Public transportation is highly recommended, as parking is always difficult.

Artsfest ‘24
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $10/online, $12/at gate, free/11 & under
Celebrate the visual and performing arts at this event that brings together the country’s most accomplished artists for a fabulous weekend extravaganza of the arts! Set amidst the spectacular backdrop of the beautiful woods of Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Artsfest is a unique art experience with a multitude of artist booths, 35 performers on four stages, creative fun for kids, artist demos, and great food and drink. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture Garden here and here.

Oktoberfest
Where: The Boro | Tysons, VA
When: Saturday 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Oktoberfest early at The Boro. Join an afternoon of fall-themed festivities, including outdoor games, crafts, and a Polka band, and a traditional Bavarian dance troupe presenting performances and workshops to get everyone in the spirit. A kids’ celebration area including glitter tattoos, face painting, crafts, giveaways and more! Registration is encouraged.

Old Firehouse Block Party
Where: Old Firehouse | McLean, VA
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Help celebrate the Old Firehouse’s 33 years of serving the Greater McLean community. Listen to a DJ from 99.5 playing hits as their broadcast live or groove in the silent disco. Enjoy food from Listrani’s Italian Gourmet Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Try rock climbing, and play game in a mobile arcade truck. Explore a vintage fire truck, and learn about the Firehouse history. There will also be a sensory room, art activities, and outdoor games for all ages, along with a local health and wellness booth. The Old Firehouse is located at 1440 Chain Bridge Road in McLean.

Play Day
Where: Takoma Park Middle School | Takoma Park, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Make a mud pie, have your face painted as your favorite animal or cartoon character, and just get silly and play at Let’s Play America’s 16th Annual Play Day. They believe in connecting communities through the joy of play. Whether you’re young or young at heart, have some fun, meet new friends, and discover the power of play. Everyone is welcome, no matter your age or ability.

Clue
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Fri, 7:30pm | Sat-Sun, 1pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: $29-169 (look for discount)
Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 movie and inspired by the classic board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist. Recommended for ages 12+.

Fall Book Sale
Where: Beatley Central Library | Alexandria, VA
When: Through Sunday
Admission: Free
Pick out some new reads at the Beatley Central Library’s Fall Book Sale! Loads of books, CDs, DVDs, and audio books will be available to purchase for $4 or less (unless specifically marked). Plan to join a story time session, too — there are several for children throughout the day. Hours vary by day, so be sure to check the schedule when you plan to go. The Library is located at 5005 Duke Street in Alexandria, VA.

Circle of Life Fall Celebration
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 5-7pm
Admission: Free
Join a lively celebration of the fall equinox! Batalá, Washington’s Afro-Brazilian all-female percussion band, will lead spectators in a musical procession from the front gate to the tree-henge surrounding the Circle of Life installation. Join the spirited parade, hear about exciting new cemetery initiatives and events, and enjoy light refreshments in the Chapel.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Looks like the sun will be shining all weekend, so the huge round-up of the best outdoor places around DC is a good one to have on hand.
* But if you’re still seeking inside fun and games, this post has you covered.
* VINTAGE VINTAGE VINTAGE, a new shop at Union Market, looks like a really fun one to browse.
* Snag yours now because the good ones always sell out early.
* The best new books for kids this fall, recommended by librarians.
* And for adults… on Darcy’s recommendation, I started this book a few days ago and am hooked, just as she said I would be.  Also, I recently finished reading this novel and realllly liked it, even more so after letting it all digest — she’s a brilliant writer.
* For any other parents of high school girls looking for HoCo dresses, here are some sites we’ve throughly browsed and/or bought from:  Windsor, Thats So Fetch, Lucy in the Sky, Lulus, Pacsun, and Nordstrom. Any other good ones to add?
* And for teen guys, some suit options…more here.
* Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are coming up October 8-9, but you can get some good early deals now, like this comfy hoodie, this family game, these headphones, and Apple AirTags.
* A note from your child’s school… 🙂