DC Summer Activity Guide for Children: Unforgettable Experiences to Explore Together

This summer, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area is brimming with exciting activities for kids of all ages. From immersive experiences to outdoor movies, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience, a popular immersive adventure, will be wrapping up its run in June. Meanwhile, the National Children's Museum is hosting the traveling exhibit, Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure!, which is best suited for children aged 3-9 and will remain open until September 7, 2025.

For those seeking outdoor fun, Playpalooza DMV is set to bring bounce houses, face painting, and more to Northern Virginia for three summer dates in 2025. Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park in Montross, VA, offers a unique opportunity to wade and hunt for shark teeth and other small fossils.

Nature enthusiasts can explore Hidden Pond Nature Center in Springfield, VA, for a walk around a large pond to see turtles and other wildlife. Putt Across America at the Wharf and Masterpiece Mini Golf offer unique mini golf experiences in the DC area.

DC-area theme parks are also gearing up for summer with events and new roller coasters, including Six Flags America, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Kings Dominion.

Free outdoor concerts are a great way to enjoy the summer evenings, while Scramble Parkour, with locations in Alexandria and Falls Church, features ninja warrior and obstacle courses for every age group.

Pick-your-own berry farms near DC offer a more delicious experience, and kids can go fishing at kid-friendly fishing lakes, requiring a fishing permit. Nationals Park in D.C., home of the Washington Nationals, offers benefits for kids through the Jr. Nationals Kids Club.

Parks Playhouse Junior presents live puppet shows, sing-alongs, and music lessons for kids throughout the summer. In honour of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, history-making aircraft from the war will be on display on June 14.

Kids can participate in activities on the plaza at National Harbor every Tuesday in June, July, and August. There are multiple places and dates around the DC area to see Independence Day fireworks.

Kid-friendly shows based on favourite children's books and TV shows are playing at DC theatres this summer. A winery and brewery also offers a kid-friendly atmosphere, with space to run around and Sicilian pizza, subs, and other small bites.

The Summers Farm Sunflower Festival in Frederick, MD, takes place from August 23 - September 7, 2025, and offers photo ops among acres of sunflowers, along with activities for kids. The RFK Campus skate park in D.C. is a large, pro-designed skate park with obstacles for all ages and skill levels.

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park will waive its fee on June 19 and August 4, 2025. Quattro Goombas in Aldie, VA, welcomes kids and dogs to its 12-acre property, offering wine, beer, wine frappe slushies, Sicilian pizza, subs, and small bites.

Loan Oak Farm Brewing Company in Olney, MD, has a playground for kids, a food menu with kid-friendly items, and allows lawn games. Summer is a great time for kids to brush up on their bowling skills, with many places offering Summer Season Passes or Kids Bowl Free programs.

The best places for boating in DC offer rentals for electric boats, paddleboards, kayaks, and more. Minor-league teams like the Fredericksburg Nationals offer a more low-key baseball experience. Chessie's BIG Backyard includes an accessible playground, a tree house, and a 2,160-foot Chessie's Trail.

The Virginia Scottish Games & Festival feature competitions, musical performances, and more from the Highlands. The National Mall's monuments and memorials are lit up at night during warm summer evenings. Splash pads near DC are a free way for kids to beat the summer heat.

The Astronomy Festival on the National Mall offers space lovers a free guided tour of the sky, telescope observations, and more. There are several great family-friendly beaches near DC, like Virginia Beach and Delaware beaches.

As part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series, children's entertainers perform for free at various parks in Fairfax County. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall showcases various cultures and aims to spark curiosity and human connection.

UniverSoul Circus, at National Harbor from June 26 - August 10, 2025, celebrates urban pop culture with performers reflecting cultural diversity from around the world. Sky Zone and Urban Air Adventure Park offer summer memberships for unlimited play at trampoline parks near DC.

Libraries often have free summer programming for kids, including storytimes, arts and crafts, and puppet shows. Zinnia in Silver Spring, MD, offers charming gardens with outdoor seating, a kids' menu, and a pond, gazebo, and bridge for exploration.

Several DC's free botanical gardens are in full bloom during summer. Outdoor water parks near DC offer fun features like water slides, lazy rivers, and more. Woody's Ice Cream Shop in Fairfax, VA, serves more than 30 flavours of hand-dipped ice cream from a local creamery, with outdoor seating and proximity to a splash pad.

For free outdoor movies in Washington, D.C., during the summer of 2025 that are suitable for kids, DowntownDC Summer Flicks at Franklin Park and Alexandria Summer Movie Nights are your best options. These events encourage attendees to bring blankets and chairs and provide a fun outdoor cinema experience under the stars.

[1] DowntownDC Summer Flicks: [3] Alexandria Summer Movie Nights:

With so much to do, this summer promises to be an exciting time for kids in the DC area!

Themes parks and water parks, such as Six Flags America, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, and Putt Across America at the Wharf, offer a variety of attractions and experiences for kids this summer.
Fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden enthusiasts can find unique experiences at venues like Quattro Goombas, Loan Oak Farm Brewing Company, Zinnia, and Woody's Ice Cream Shop.
For those interested in education and self-development, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, libraries, and nature centers like Hidden Pond Nature Center provide engaging activities and learning opportunities.
Travelers can explore historical sites, such as Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, or venture to family-friendly beaches like Virginia Beach and Delaware beaches this summer.
Entertainment options for kids range from live puppet shows at Parks Playhouse Junior, to children's shows based on favorite books and TV shows at DC theatres, to the UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor, featuring cultural diversity from around the world.

DC Summer Activity Guide for Children: Unforgettable Experiences to Explore Together