Battle of Bladensburg Encampment this weekend! Photo source: Riversdale House Museum
Get a head start on your weekend plans with this list of family-friendly activities near the Route 1 Corridor! History and kids activities collide at the Battle of Bladensburg Encampment in Riverdale Park, LGBTQ Family Playdate in Brentwood, Movie at the Museum in College Park, Live Animal Show in Mount Rainier & more! Enjoy and share this Guide far and wide! 🙂
Friday
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
A little birdy told us that this place is fab for an on-the fly playdate! Stop in and enjoy the rockets on display, moon rocks and more!
When: 10am-5pm
Where: Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt
Cost: Free!
Family Fun at the Wonderful World of Watkins: Fabulous Fridays in August (All Ages)
Ride to your heart’s content for one great price. Includes carousel and train ride. Catch a glimpse of the farm with cute animals and finish off with some mini-golf.
When: 5-8pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $5/person
Movie at the Museum
We’re off to see a movie! Won’t you join us? Bring your picnic basket, lawn chairs and blankets. You’re watching “The Peanuts Movie” outdoors! Face painting and games!
When: 6-9pm (showtime is at 7:30pm)
Where: College Park Aviation Museum, College Park
Cost: Contact for info
Xtreme Teens: End of Summer White Party (Ages 13-17)
Dress to impress at this all-white clothing party. Event includes live band, light refreshments, and door prizes. We’re turning it all the way up to let summer go out with a bang!
When: 7-10pm
Where: Glenn Dale Community Center, Glenn Dale
Cost: Free! w/ MNCPPC youth ID
Saturday
Conservation and Recreation Day (All Ages)
Check out the wildlife viewing area with live raptors and reptiles, retriever dog demonstrations, kids’ crafts, nature walks and more! Play a photo-adventure scavenger hunt or download an app, be an Agent of Discovery (oo, pray tell, LOL).
When: 10am-2pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel
Cost: Free!
Spanish-English Ready 2 Read Storytime (Ages 3-5)
A special room at the library is waiting for you, full of stories selected just for the young crowd. This storytime wouldn’t be complete without musical fun and fingerplays. Delivered to you in English AND Spanish. Ole!
When: 11-11:30am
Where: Hyattsville Library, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Live Animal Show – ReptilesÂ
Leaping lizards! What could bring more fascination to your child’s eye than the site of a reptile right in front of them. At this show, they can learn fun facts about the critters up close and personal. Our favorite is their chameleon.
When: 11am-12pm
Where: Mount Rainier Nature Center, Mount Rainier
Cost: $3
Battle of Bladensburg Encampment (All Ages)
Blast into the past while the troops ready the cannon and prepare for battle. It’s the War of 1812! Witness hands-on demos, partake in kid’s activities, tours and more!
When: 12-4pm
Where: Riversdale House Museum, Riverdale Park
Cost: Free!, $3 fee house tours, snacks available for purchase
Sunday
LGBTQ Family Playdate (All Ages)
Meet other LGBTQ families at this summer playdate. Large green space and multiple playgrounds for all ages. Frog sprinkler may be on if it’s hot so the kids can cool off. Snacks and drinks provided.
When: 10am-12pm
Where: Bartlett Park, Brentwood
Cost: Free!
KYS Cuts – Free Back to School HaircutsÂ
Let a local radio station and shopping center help you get your kids ready for school in style. With cool shopping deals and a haircut, on them! Face painting, giveaways and more! First come, first served.
When: 1-5pm
Where: Laurel Shopping Center, Laurel
Cost: Free!
Jolly Shows Carnival (All Ages)
Best way to end a summer of fun, is with some carnival rides and games. All the lights and myriad of colors beaming from this amusement station are guaranteed to get your kids excited. Look for tickets deals online! More info here
When: 3-11pm
Where: University Town Center, Hyattsville
Cost: single ticket: $1.75; book of 30 tickets: $40.00; book of 50 tickets: $60.00 (rides are 3-5 tickets on average)
Looking Up at the Stars: A Venture into the Night Sky (All Ages)
Do some stargazing with legit equipment provided by the National Capital Astronomers. Learn about viewable planets, constellations, and distant galaxies. Walk up event, no registration required!
When: 7:45-10pm
Where: Lake Artemesia, College Park
Cost: Free!
So grateful for this guide as we have looked for fun activities to keep our 3 and 6 year old granddaughters entertained and happy.
That’s great to hear! Hope you all have a fun weekend! Thanks for taking the time to write, Loretta!