virginia
Arts in the Parks
(click stars to rate this activity)A FREE Children’s Entertainment Series held Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. throughout the summer at Burke Lake Park, Lake Fairfax Park, E.C. Lawrence Park and Mason District Park. These interactive performances featuring some of the finest children’s entertainers introduce young audiences to theater and music. Performances this summer include songs by local favorite Rocknoceros, Blue [...]
Ashburn Dinosaur Park
43546 Partlow Road, Ashburn (click stars to rate this activity)A county run, sixteen acre park with three separate playgrounds for different ages. Located in a wooded area so there is plenty of shade, one of the few playgrounds in the area that offers enough shade in the summer. There is a picnic pavilion which is a good place for a birthday party, and walking [...]
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg (click stars to rate this activity)Banshee Reeks is a Nature Preserve in Leesburg established in 1999. The preserve strives to protect the natural habitats and wildlife populations of Banshee Reeks, to conduct and coordinate ecological, historical and other scientific research, and to provide the public with an opportunity to enjoy and learn from this unique reserved area. The preserve consists [...]
Broadlands Live
42935 Waxpool Road, Ashburn (click stars to rate this activity)Broadlands Live is held at Hillside Park during the summer in June, July, August, and September on Friday evenings from 5:30pm to 9:30pm weather permitting. Vendors include Anothai, Domino’s Pizza and Java Jones Ice Cream Cafe. Soda and water will be sold; guests 21 and older can bring in their own beer (ID required), no [...]
Bull Run Regional Park
7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville (click stars to rate this activity)Bull Run’s spacious fields accommodate groups by the hundreds, even thousands, for picnics, camping or special events. Bull Run’s scenic woodland and trails offer miles of hiking and solitude. In springtime, acres of bluebells and other wildflowers bloom beside a picturesque, meandering stream. A large outdoor pool is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. [...]
Burke Lake Park
7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station (click stars to rate this activity)A 218-acre lake with boating, rowboat rental, camping, open fields, fishing, miniature train, a carousel, outdoor volleyball courts, an 18-hole par 3 golf course, clubhouse with snack bar and driving range, disk golf, horse shoe pits, an ice cream parlor, picnic areas with grills, 3 playgrounds, trails, amphitheater, and a brand new miniature golf course. [...]
Cherry Hill Park
312 Park Avenue, Falls Church (click stars to rate this activity)Right near the community center and library in Falls Church City, the park is very scenic, and the farmhouse next door has great kid’s activities on the weekends (many of them are free), where they let the kids husk corn, grind grain and play with the tools. The playground also has a toddler set that [...]
Clemyjontri Park
6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean (click stars to rate this activity)To the casual observer, the playground at Clemyjontri Park looks like an ordinary playground, with swings, slides and play equipment fun to climb on, under and around. A closer look will reveal that some of those swings have high backs for children who need extra support. Instead of standard transfer platforms there are ramps to [...]
Dulles 28 Centre Playground
45131 Columbia Place, Sterling (click stars to rate this activity)Small outdoor playground in the middle of the retail area known as Dulles 28 Centre, anchored by Wegman’s and Target. Conveniently located in front of a Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery, and Pot Belly Deli. There are tables outside so you can grab a drink, ice cream, or sandwich and watch your kids play. The playground [...]
Ellanor C Lawrence Park
5040 Walney Road, Chantilly (click stars to rate this activity)Ellanor C. Lawrence Park was established to preserve large areas of open space, protect natural and cultural features and provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities for the public. The park covers 650 acres. The visitor center is in a converted 1780 farmhouse, and contains an information desk, restrooms, live animal exhibits, historic exhibits, children’s [...]
Fair Oaks Play Area
11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax (click stars to rate this activity)The Looney Tunes-themed play area has padded carpeting and semi-soft climbing toys. There is ample space to run and play as well. One long comfortable booth lines the perimeter, a great place for parents to sit and watch their kids. The play area is located on the first floor immediately in front of JCPenney, between [...]
Ford Nature Center
5750 Sanger Ave, Alexandria (click stars to rate this activity)Visit Alexandria’s very own Nature Center! At the Nature Center, you can see live animals up close and learn about the cultural and natural history of Dora Kelley Nature Park. The Naturalists on staff are here to help you and your family explore and enjoy Alexandria’s wild side! Just outside the Nature Center lies Dora [...]
Free Helicopter Rides
(click stars to rate this activity)Give your kids the ride of their lives! Free helicopter rides for kids ages 7-17. Any child (or group of children) may enjoy a ride in a helicopter at no cost. Founder Rick Rahim generously provides the aircraft and fuel out of his own pocket. The smiles and excitement of the children he flies are [...]
Friday Night Live
77 Lynn Street, Herndon (click stars to rate this activity)Enjoy free concerts during Friday Night Live! celebrations in downtown Herndon. Organizers expect crowds drawing close to 2,500 people on any given night. Every Friday May 1 – August 28, 2009 6:30 – 10:30 PM. Domino’s Pizza and Fresh City provide food at each Friday Night Live! concert. In addition JJ Deli, Jimmy’s Old Town [...]
Gravelly Point Park
(click stars to rate this activity)While it affords a lovely view of the Washington skyline, the main attraction of this little park, built on a landfill just north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, is the airport’s runway, just 400 feet away. Depending on wind direction, planes either take off or land there, sweeping by at 150 mph and as [...]
Great Falls Grange Playground
9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls (click stars to rate this activity)The eight-acre Grange Park, sporting a picnic shelter, playground, and softball and soccer fields. The playground at Great Falls Grange is newly renovated with rock climbing walls, tire swings, a merry-go-round, and a cave with dinosaur fossils. There is plenty of shade, benches, pavilions and picnic tables. The Great Falls Grange Hall, built in 1929, [...]
Hayes Park
1516 N Lincoln St, Arlington (click stars to rate this activity)Hayes Park in Arlington is 2.86 acres with an enclosed school and pre-school aged playground, lighted basketball and tennis courts, picnic shelter, picnic tables, and restroom with water fountains. A sand pit with construction digger is popular with the pre-school crowd. But the big draw is the summertime spray park.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
7701 Royce St, Annandale (click stars to rate this activity)Set within 52 acre Annandale Community Park, Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located in the heart of Fairfax County, a few minutes inside the Capital Beltway. The woods surrounding the center feature an easy loop trail 1/3 mile long. Seasonal brochures enable visitors to discover the changing nature of the woodland at points along the [...]
Hidden Pond Nature Center
8511 Greeley Blvd, Springfield (click stars to rate this activity)Acres of undisturbed woodland, quiet trails, splashing streams and a tranquil pond are just a few of the reasons to visit Hidden Pond Nature Center. Tucked away in Springfield, Hidden Pond is a neighborhood haven filled with wondrous things. Hidden Pond, at 25 acres, lies adjacent to the much larger Pohick Stream Valley Park which [...]
Home Depot Kids Workshops
(click stars to rate this activity)Kids Workshops are FREE and designed for children ages 5-12, though younger ones can still participate with some help from mom or dad. Workshops are offered on the first Saturday of each month between 9-12pm at all Home Depot locations. The Home Depot’s Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks [...]
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington (click stars to rate this activity)On the Potomac Palisades in north Arlington, Potomac Overlook offers 70 acres of peaceful woodland. Potomac Overlook’s Nature Center houses displays and live animal exhibits. The Naturalist staff conducts programs on ecology, local natural history, Indian history and energy for schools, groups and the general public. Youth and nature-oriented groups and schools may make arrangements for [...]
Regal Free Family Film Festival
(click stars to rate this activity)When school’s out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it’s FREE! Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and [...]
Riverbend Park
8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls (click stars to rate this activity)Tucked away in a remote river setting, Fairfax County Park Authority’s only riverfront park has over 400 acres of forest, meadows, and ponds. Trails include a 2.5 mile portion of the Potomac Heritage Trail linking national and regional parkland. Kayakers and canoeists can enjoy exploring many islands in the Potomac River. Serious anglers and families [...]
Starlight Cinema Drive-In Movies
5875 Trinity Parkway, Centreville (click stars to rate this activity)Relive the old-fashioned enjoyment of the drive-in Saturday evenings in August. Your evening will begin at 7:30 P.M.with an outdoor pre-movie program – music, food and children’s activities. Then,at dark,the movies will start. Admission is free and the event is appropriate for the entire family. Gate opens at 6:00pm. In 2009, these free movies will [...]
SummerSounds
9201 Center Street, Manassas (click stars to rate this activity)Each year, the Center for the Arts, in partnership with the City of Manassas, the Manassas Museum, and the Harris Pavilion offers a series of free concerts. Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics to enjoy these free concerts with your friends and neighbors! The Manassas Museum is open , free of admission, 6-8 p.m. on [...]
Trailside Park
20375 Claiborne Parkway, Ashburn (click stars to rate this activity)Hidden off Claiborne Parkway near the W&OD trail, this playground is a true hidden gem. There are lighted fields but the real attraction is the large playground with two large climbing structures, one designed for ages 6-12 and another for smaller kids. The entire playground is surrounded by a fence with benches and picnic tables [...]
