School’s out, family’s still around but your kiddos want/need to get outside of the house. No worries – You got this: From Kwanzaa Celebrations to STEM-Tastic fun to Thank You Card Workshop to Ice Skating to Crafternoon and Open Gym time you’ll have enough local activities at your fingertips to keep your kids active and yourself, sane. As this runs through the weekend, this fabulous guide doubles as the upcoming Kids’ Weekend Guide! Comment with any additional events and I’ll update in a jiffy!
Tip: Certain days have broader activity menus than others, so plan accordingly. May the force be with you. 🙂
Kwanzaa Celebration with Melvin Deal African Heritage Dancers and Drummers
Celebrate Kwanzaa with a lively performance by Mevlin Deal African Heritage Drummers and Dancers (pictured). Melvin Deal is the Founding Executive Artistic Director of the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers and has worked tirelessly in addressing issues of violence, delinquency and dysfunctional lifestyles and abuse in African-American communities. A graduate of Howard University, Deal is an accomplished dancer, musician, choreographer, researcher, and arts educator.
When: Wednesday, December 27th, 11am-12:30pm
Where: Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie Street SE, Washington, DC
Cost: Free!
Gametime @ Board & Brew
Board & Brew is a fun place to check out with your 5+year-old crowd. Why? Read my review here. With over 500 board games including Operation, Perfection, Hungry Hippos, etc., you’ll easily have a good time! Speaking of eating up, they also have a good menu of kid-friendly options. And for my fellow coffee afficionados, they rotate between Vigilante, Mad Cap and Counter Culture coffee – so you’ll be sure to get a tasty, quality brew while you’re there!
When: Opens at 7 am
Where: 8150 Baltimore Ave, College Park
Cost: (Before 4pm) $2.50 p/p for games + the cost of whatever you may order from menu.
This place is really great for 1-12 year olds! HUGE. Two climbing walls. Two foam pits. Tons of equipment for curious ones to explore and blow off some steam. Very clean. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parents are required to be on the floor with the children (Maximum 3 child:1 adult). Check out my review here!
When: 11:30-12:30pm
Where: 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover
Cost: $7 per child.
Can’t find enough people to play your favorite board game? Join us for an afternoon of fun board games. Bring your games or use ours.
Join us in exploring science, engineering, technology, and math concepts through a variety of fun activities.
This spectacular holiday drive-through event features over one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, & one of the tallest tree displays in the state! Don’t forget to bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.
When: Now through – January 1, 2017, 5-9:30 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10/car
Celebrate Kwanzaa with all-day arts and crafts at the museum. Register online or call 202.633.4844.
When: Thursday, December 28th, 10:30am-2:30pm
Where: Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl, SE, Washington DC
Cost: Free!
When: 10:30-11am
Come to Peter Pan story time for pre-school fun! Ideal for little learners up to five-years-old, enjoy a flight-themed story and hands-on craft activity.
Cost: Free with museum admission
This place is really great for 1-12 year olds! HUGE. Two climbing walls. Two foam pits. Tons of equipment for curious ones to explore and blow off some steam. Very clean. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parents are required to be on the floor with the children (Maximum 3 child:1 adult). Check out my review here!
When: 11:30-12:30pm
Where: 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover
Cost: $7 per child.
Come to Cub Corner story time for preschool fun! Ideal for little learners up to five-years-old, enjoy a flight-themed story and hands-on craft activity.
Cost: Free with museum admission
Super Saver Ice Skating!
Huge indoor ice skating rink with a warming hut and a snack bar – what else do you need?!
When: 12-2pm (public session)
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Rink, 5211 Campus Drive, College Park
Cost: $4 (skate rental included)!
Learn to play chess or improve your game after school! Presented by Future Chess Champions.
Come join us for an hour of afternoon crafting. Make and take something fun home. Parents are welcome to participate too!
When: 5-6pm
Where: Bladensburg Library, 4820 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg
Cost: Free!
Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more at this innovation collaboration between PGCMLS & Mt. Rainier’s fabulous organic juice & smoothie joint, The Waterhole. Best for 0-5 years old. Curious? Click here for my review of The Waterhole!
When: 10am
Where: The Waterhole, 4004 34th St., Mt. Rainier
Cost: Free (Heads-up: Waterhole’s menu is delish, highly recommend indulging!)
Board & Brew is a fun place to check out with your 5+year-old crowd. Why? Read my review here. With over 500 board games including Operation, Perfection, Hungry Hippos, etc., you’ll easily have a good time! Speaking of eating up, they also have a good menu of kid-friendly options. And for my fellow coffee afficionados, they rotate between Vigilante, Mad Cap and Counter Culture coffee – so you’ll be sure to get a tasty, quality brew while you’re there!
When: Opens at 7 am
Where: 8150 Baltimore Ave, College Park
Cost: (Before 4pm) $2.50 p/p for games + the cost of whatever you may order from menu.
This place is really great for 1-12 year olds! HUGE. Two climbing walls. Two foam pits. Tons of equipment for curious ones to explore and blow off some steam. Very clean. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parents are required to be on the floor with the children (Maximum 3 child:1 adult). Check out my review here!
When: 11:30-12:30pm
Where: 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover
Cost: $7 per child.
Huge indoor ice skating rink with a warming hut and a snack bar – what else do you need?!
When: 12-2pm (public session)
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Rink, 5211 Campus Drive, College Park
Cost: $4 (skate rental included)!
You get to chillax or shop while your young’ns play at Ikea’s indoor playground AKA Smaland. Ball pit, tunnels, toys, etc. Children must be potty trained and be 37” to 54” tall (so children typically b/w ages of 3-6). Tips: (1) Best to arrive earlier on in the day as day progresses, so do the entrances lines; & (2) Join Ikea Family & kids get extra 30 minutes to play (depending on capacity) & you get free coffee! Yes, it’s relatively drinkable! 😉
When: 10:30am – 7pm
Where: 10100 Baltimore Avenue, College Park
Admission: Free!
This spectacular holiday drive-through event features over one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, & one of the tallest tree displays in the state! Don’t forget to bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.
When: Now through – January 1, 2017, 5-9:30 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10/car
Toddler Time @ Art Works Now
Open studio time for toddlers and their accompanying adults. Even the youngest children can explore a variety of age-appropriate art materials in a safe, fun environment. What to expect? Read my review of Toddler Time at Art Works Now.
When: 10am-12pm
Where: Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave, Hyattsville
Cost: $5
Kids may wear pajamas to snuggle in and join us for stories, songs, and fun. Read here about why this is one of our favorite libraries to explore. And check out my rec for coffeeshop while in Laurel!
Huge indoor ice skating rink with a warming hut and a snack bar – what else do you need?!
When: 2:30-4:30pm (general session)
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Rink, 5211 Campus Drive, College Park
Cost: $6 kids; $7 adults (skate rental extra)
You get to chillax or shop while your young’ns play at Ikea’s indoor playground AKA Smaland. Ball pit, tunnels, toys, etc. Children must be potty trained and be 37” to 54” tall (so children typically b/w ages of 3-6). Tips: (1) Best to arrive earlier on in the day as day progresses, so do the entrances lines; & (2) Join Ikea Family & kids get extra 30 minutes to play (depending on capacity) & you get free coffee! Yes, it’s relatively drinkable! 😉
When: 10:30am – 7pm
Where: 10100 Baltimore Avenue, College Park
Admission: Free!
Huge indoor ice skating rink with a warming hut and a snack bar – what else do you need?!
When: 2-4pm (general session)
Where: Herbert Wells Ice Rink, 5211 Campus Drive, College Park
Cost: $6 kids; $7 adults (skate rental extra)
This spectacular holiday drive-through event features over one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, & one of the tallest tree displays in the state! Don’t forget to bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.
When: Now through – January 1, 2017, 5-9:30 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10/car
Board & Brew is a fun place to check out with your 5+year-old crowd. Why? Read my review here. With over 500 board games including Operation, Perfection, Hungry Hippos, etc., you’ll easily have a good time! Speaking of eating up, they also have a good menu of kid-friendly options. And for my fellow coffee afficionados, they rotate between Vigilante, Mad Cap and Counter Culture coffee – so you’ll be sure to get a tasty, quality brew while you’re there!
When: Opens at 11am
Where: 8150 Baltimore Ave, College Park
Cost: (Before 4pm) $2.50 p/p for games + the cost of whatever you may order from menu.
You get to chillax or shop while your young’ns play at Ikea’s indoor playground AKA Smaland. Ball pit, tunnels, toys, etc. Children must be potty trained and be 37” to 54” tall (so children typically b/w ages of 3-6). Tips: (1) Best to arrive earlier on in the day as day progresses, so do the entrances lines; & (2) Join Ikea Family & kids get extra 30 minutes to play (depending on capacity) & you get free coffee! Yes, it’s relatively drinkable! 😉
When: 10:30am – 7pm
Where: 10100 Baltimore Avenue, College Park
Admission: Free!
Watkins Festival of Lights
This spectacular holiday drive-through event features over one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, & one of the tallest tree displays in the state! Don’t forget to bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.
When: Now through – January 1, 2017, 5-9:30 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10/car
Leave a Reply