# Things to do with kids in District of Columbia, DC

> 57 upcoming family events and 21 places and ongoing programs in District of Columbia, DC, in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria area. Listings whose address ZIP code is in this county (Census Bureau ZIP-to-county file). Dates and times are Eastern Time. Today is Sat, Oct 24.

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/counties/district-of-columbia-dc

## Events ahead

- [Art & Me Family Workshop: Outdoor Sculpture](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/art-and-me-family-workshop-outdoor-sculpture--listing-0135e507369ea1741931aaad) — Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM · National Museum of Asian Art · Ages 3–8 · Free · checked Oct 16. In this Art & Me family workshop on Saturday, October 24, 2026, children ages 3 to 8 and their caregivers ask what happens to art that lives outside. Families look at the…
- [Dance Place Kids on the Move — Fall 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/dance-place-kids-on-the-move-fall-2026--listing-36ef7472a0455af571cecbbd) — Sep 8 – Dec 13 · Dance Place · From $340 · checked Oct 11. Youth dance semester spanning ballet/tap, hip-hop, modern, jazz, tumbling and child-caregiver movement.
- [Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice — 2026–27](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/dinosaurs-land-of-fire-and-ice-2026-27--listing-8c2ee2e6bcacd26dcfcb8567) — Sep 26 – Jan 10 · National Children's Museum · Ages 3–10 · With admission · checked Oct 11. Children explore Cretaceous habitats, climb dinosaur models and investigate fossils through play.
- [Family Spooky Disco — confirm event time](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/family-spooky-disco-confirm-event-time--listing-8ec31ac9338ccc1d743b3e7f) — Sat, Oct 24 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Dance Place · checked Oct 24. An intergenerational costume dance party offers a live DJ, snacks and party games for children and their grown-ups.
- [Momentum Jazz Hip Hop Academy — Fall 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/momentum-jazz-hip-hop-academy-fall-2026--listing-b9686b7ad86147b52d6ca1fc) — Aug 24 – Dec 18 · Momentum Dance Theatre · Ages 6–15 · checked Oct 11. Youth jazz/hip-hop, ballet and contemporary training with performance opportunities.
- [Safari Adventure with WETA PBS Kids](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/safari-adventure-with-weta-pbs-kids--listing-1216fbf4ad695161b3a9bf36) — Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · All ages · Free · checked Oct 11. African savanna science, specimen observations and art accompany a costume-character Elmo visit.
- [Sitar Arts Afterschool — Fall 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/sitar-arts-afterschool-fall-2026--listing-9e18e427a4a01eff04b04b4b) — Sep 21 – Dec 5 · Sitar Arts Center · Paid · checked Oct 11. Affordable youth visual/digital arts, music, dance, theatre and writing instruction.
- [Tinkering with Textiles — fall 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/tinkering-with-textiles-fall-2026--listing-5ebe2356b1c75866bd8d5082) — Oct 14 – Nov 17 · 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM · National Children's Museum · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 11. Guests practise weaving, sewing and knotting on collaborative textile projects.
- [Van Ness Elementary Fall Festival with Pumpkins in the Park — Navy Yard](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/van-ness-elementary-fall-festival-with-pumpkins-in-the-park-navy-yard--listing-866bc5d4a663fa7c57f9ca22) — Sun, Oct 25 · 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Van Ness Elementary School · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 24. The Navy Yard BID and Van Ness Elementary School join forces this year, opening the school's annual Fall Festival to the whole neighborhood and folding in the BID's Pumpkins in…
- [Professor Wingnut Wants to Fly! — Discovery Theater](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/professor-wingnut-wants-to-fly-discovery-theater--listing-5c36eea918ecdc4160c2ec09) — Tue, Oct 27 (+2 more dates) · 10:00 AM · Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center · Ages 3–8 · Paid · checked Oct 24. Wacky citizen-scientist Professor Wingnut and his friend Seymour Seagull explore the science of flight — from birds to airplanes — in this musical show for ages 3 to 8, with…
- [Cricut Project Reservation — Southwest STEAM Lab](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/cricut-project-reservation-southwest-steam-lab--listing-eb947492c49d616f0949a2fb) — Wed, Oct 28 · 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · Southwest Neighborhood Library — SOW STEAM Lab · Ages 13–19 · checked Oct 11. Eligible teens can reserve a cutting machine and heat press for two hours to work on an independent creative project.
- [Skeleton Sam Scavenger Hunt](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/skeleton-sam-scavenger-hunt--listing-1d1734e2733f412cd4c2bfc1) — Wed, Oct 28 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library · Ages 13–19 · checked Oct 11. Teens follow clues, locate model skeleton parts and reassemble them to solve a seasonal library challenge.
- [Story Time with DC Public Library — October 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/story-time-with-dc-public-library-october-2026--listing-8a0a0392bd610703fab5562b) — Wed, Oct 28 · 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM · Smithsonian National Museum of American History · Up to 5 · Free · checked Oct 11. Read-alouds support young children’s language and literacy with their grownups.
- [Hocus Pocus — Movies on the Pitch at Audi Field](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/hocus-pocus-movies-on-the-pitch-at-audi-field--listing-a1f7b3643e0ea5cd68d019ae) — Thu, Oct 29 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Audi Field · Paid · checked Oct 24. Audi Field, home of D.C. United, turns its pitch into a family-friendly outdoor cinema for a Halloween-week screening of Hocus Pocus. Gates open at 6 pm and the movie starts at 7…
- [Tinkerer-in-Residence printmaking — fall 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/tinkerer-in-residence-printmaking-fall-2026--listing-5937d83ebb245e1b0be5f5cf) — Thu, Oct 29 (+2 more dates) · 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM · National Children's Museum · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 11. Chitra Sharma leads printmaking with everyday objects, foam blocks and fabric.
- [Hill-O-Ween 2026 at Eastern Market](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/hill-o-ween-2026-at-eastern-market--listing-77b9c3e833ab3ca255f7badf) — Fri, Oct 30 · 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Eastern Market — Capitol Hill community festival · All ages · checked Oct 11. Children and families celebrate Halloween with costumes, music, photo activities and community entertainment.
- [Smithsonian Sleepover: All-American Road Trip at the American History Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/smithsonian-sleepover-all-american-road-trip-at-the-american-history-m--listing-d2e4b62fe151852053af6906) — Oct 30 – Oct 31 · 7:00 PM – 9:00 AM · Smithsonian National Museum of American History · Ages 8–14 · Paid · checked Oct 16. Smithsonian Associates runs an overnight family program at the National Museum of American History starting Friday, October 30, 2026, at 7 pm and ending the next morning at 9 am…
- [Día de los Muertos Family Festival — National Museum of the American Indian](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/dia-de-los-muertos-family-festival-national-museum-of-the-american-ind--listing-4d57fb262c7e05dd829f881b) — Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM · National Museum of the American Indian (Washington) · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. The National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall celebrates Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm, presenting it…
- [Halloween Kids Club at Pinstripes Georgetown](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/halloween-kids-club-at-pinstripes-georgetown--listing-3a8af3da9c8cea953778a47f) — Sat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM · Pinstripes Georgetown · checked Oct 24. Pinstripes, the bowling-and-bocce restaurant at the foot of Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, adds an extra Halloween edition of its Kids Club on Halloween morning. Little ones…
- [Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden opening celebration](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/hirshhorn-sculpture-garden-opening-celebration--listing-75c10ada652a7cb7259f042a) — Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden · All ages · Free · checked Oct 11. A free community art celebration offers mini gardens, clay sculpture, sketching and artist talks.
- [Pumpkin Painting: Creative Minds — Anacostia Community Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/pumpkin-painting-creative-minds-anacostia-community-museum--listing-6b616475ca27715d913919f2) — Sat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum hosts a free pumpkin decorating workshop on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, 2026, from noon to 3 pm, in its Program Room. Instead of…
- [Stamp & Scream Halloween at the National Postal Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/stamp-and-scream-halloween-at-the-national-postal-museum--listing-9932bfd7601d6b5e548bd384) — Sat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Smithsonian National Postal Museum · Free · checked Oct 16. The National Postal Museum near Union Station hosts a free Halloween festival, Stamp & Scream, on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 11 am to 3 pm. Families explore spooky stamps…
- [The World & Me: Bat Week Extravaganza](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/the-world-and-me-bat-week-extravaganza--listing-22697b41d3b027a5ffc04ee3) — Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · All ages · Free · checked Oct 11. Families examine bat and spider specimens and make artwork about their ecological roles.
- [Play Date: Animal Spotlight — Bison](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/play-date-animal-spotlight-bison--listing-21551783f2506f9c6b7d3768) — Tue, Nov 3 · 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · All ages · Free · checked Oct 11. Young learners observe bison specimens and investigate their role in ecosystems and art.
- [Dance Stories with Kalanidhi Dance — Discovery Theater](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/dance-stories-with-kalanidhi-dance-discovery-theater--listing-e9635cdb5d90ebeb7164ff33) — Thu, Nov 5 (+1 more date) · 10:00 AM · Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center · Ages 5+ · Paid · checked Oct 24. Kalanidhi Dance, a D.C.-area company founded in 1991, introduces children to Kuchipudi, a classical dance form from South India. In this very interactive show, dancers…
- [Family Fun: Diwali at the National Museum of Asian Art](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/family-fun-diwali-at-the-national-museum-of-asian-art--listing-edd7ef8f86f8d9d12e4020e1) — Fri, Nov 6 · 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · National Museum of Asian Art · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. The National Museum of Asian Art invites families to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on Friday evening, November 6, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm. Children make crafts…
- [Celebramos a los Veteranos: A Festival of Service and Remembrance](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/celebramos-a-los-veteranos-a-festival-of-service-and-remembrance--listing-9b109f41720986af314c8968) — Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Smithsonian National Museum of American History · Free · checked Oct 16. The National Museum of the American Latino presents a free Veterans Day festival at the National Museum of American History on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10 am to 5:30 pm…
- [First Saturday Festivals — November/December 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/first-saturday-festivals-november-december-2026--listing-3929072c9354d8e8ea8bf865) — Sat, Nov 7 (+1 more date) · 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM · National Gallery of Art · All ages · Free · checked Oct 11. Family artmaking, bilingual storytime, children’s yoga and a play space celebrate gratitude and holidays.
- [Service and Sacrifice: Veterans Day 2026 at the American Indian Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/service-and-sacrifice-veterans-day-2026-at-the-american-indian-museum--listing-549c0e8f7a460ac54a66a439) — Sat, Nov 7 · 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM · National Museum of the American Indian (Washington) · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. The National Museum of the American Indian honors Native Americans' service in every branch of the U.S. military on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10:30 am to 5 pm. The Native…
- [Spirit Toonz: D.C. Soccer in Art — Family Workshop](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/spirit-toonz-d-c-soccer-in-art-family-workshop--listing-b57cdabd7a1cccd54aa8198b) — Sat, Nov 7 · 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · Free · checked Oct 16. Artist Rain Young leads a free family art workshop at the Anacostia Community Museum on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 11 am to 3 pm. Participants pick a featured Washington…
- [The World & Me: National Bison Day](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/the-world-and-me-national-bison-day--listing-7640539045d019e850c5c4f9) — Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · All ages · Free · checked Oct 11. Drop-in stations introduce bison adaptations, conservation, specimens, play and art.
- [Twentieth Annual Parade of Trabants](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/twentieth-annual-parade-of-trabants--listing-43de01b83e4f096b4a068671) — Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · International Spy Museum · Free · checked Oct 11. Vintage Cold War vehicles, history discussions, music and hands-on Berlin Wall activities welcome families.
- [From Spy School to Real Spies: Stuart Gibbs](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/from-spy-school-to-real-spies-stuart-gibbs--listing-5eb38d448049459168771c80) — Sun, Nov 8 · 2:00 PM · International Spy Museum · Ages 7+ · With admission · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 24. A children’s author discusses true WWII spy stories, answers questions and signs his new book.
- [DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/dc-holiday-market-at-dupont-circle-2026--listing-846e443e60646ca42dc51bb5) — Nov 12 – Dec 23 · 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM · DC Holiday Market — New Hampshire Avenue NW at Dupont Circle · Free · checked Oct 24. The open-air DC Holiday Market sets up on a closed stretch of New Hampshire Avenue NW between Q Street and Dupont Circle for six weeks before Christmas. More than 35 small…
- [Garden Tots at Hillwood — fall 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/garden-tots-at-hillwood-fall-2026--listing-79679d406d16d9bae46bad34) — Fri, Nov 13 · 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens · Ages 2–5 · From $12 · checked Oct 16. Garden Tots is Hillwood's hour-long garden class for children ages 2 to 5 with an accompanying adult, held on select Friday mornings. Each session explores a new theme in the…
- [Carter G. Woodson Zine Lab at the Anacostia Community Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/carter-g-woodson-zine-lab-at-the-anacostia-community-museum--listing-f0967e66a79b5d6be064adcc) — Sat, Nov 14 · 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · Free · checked Oct 24. A free, hands-on family workshop with artist Brittany Monet at the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum. Families make their own zines — small handmade booklets for telling a…
- [NMAAHC Kids Book Day: 123 I Like You and Me](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/nmaahc-kids-book-day-123-i-like-you-and-me--listing-41436d0346da93bf83ace4bb) — Sat, Nov 14 · 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM · National Museum of African American History and Culture · Ages 4–8 · Free · checked Oct 16. The National Museum of African American History and Culture holds NMAAHC Kids Book Days built around its new children's book, 123 I Like You and Me: A Joyful Counting Book, on…
- [Open Studio: November Sculpture Saturdays at the Hirshhorn](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/open-studio-november-sculpture-saturdays-at-the-hirshhorn--listing-eb3aa648203022bc72a5b085) — Sat, Nov 14 (+2 more dates) · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden — Art School · Free · checked Oct 24. Each Saturday in November the Hirshhorn's free drop-in Open Studio takes its cue from the museum's newly renovated Sculpture Garden. On Nov 14 families look at Mark Grotjahn's…
- [American Art Family Day — Smithsonian American Art Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/american-art-family-day-smithsonian-american-art-museum--listing-3520cc52c771c4c4c78a5f42) — Sun, Nov 15 · 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM · Smithsonian American Art Museum · Free · checked Oct 16. The Smithsonian American Art Museum hosts a free family day on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 11:30 am to 3 pm, to explore its newly reopened collection galleries. Families can…
- [Garden Play: Houseplants! — Smithsonian Gardens](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/garden-play-houseplants-smithsonian-gardens--listing-cd2d7a42f99eab3f551f64e3) — Mon, Nov 16 · 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · S. Dillon Ripley Center — Room 3035 · Ages 2+ · Free · checked Oct 16. Smithsonian Gardens moves its Garden Play program indoors on Monday, November 16, 2026, from 10 to 11 am, in Room 3035 of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Children explore the…
- [Scribble Machines — November–December 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/scribble-machines-november-december-2026--listing-2f8122ab129e02289676bfd0) — Nov 18 – Dec 15 · 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM · National Children's Museum · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 11. Guests experiment with circuits, offset motors and movement to make drawing machines.
- [A Christmas Carol — Ford’s 2026 run](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/a-christmas-carol-ford-s-2026-run--listing-efff37734013e883b4756697) — Nov 19 – Dec 31 · Ford's Theatre · Ages 5+ · Paid · checked Oct 11. A musical theatre adaptation of Dickens follows Scrooge’s transformation with a children’s ensemble.
- [Washington Harbour Ice Rink — 2026–27 season](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/washington-harbour-ice-rink-2026-27-season--listing-f5a3b47970168ce1c9ce0554) — Nov 19 – Feb 28 · 11:00 AM · Washington Harbour Ice Rink · All ages · From $10 · checked Oct 24. The Washington Harbour's outdoor ice rink on the Georgetown waterfront reopens for the 2026–27 season. It is billed as the largest outdoor rink in the city, with views of the…
- [National Zoo ZooLights: Opening Night 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/national-zoo-zoolights-opening-night-2026--listing-a40a15cc832bb4f74ffef78c) — Fri, Nov 20 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Smithsonian's National Zoo · From $10 · checked Oct 11. See illuminated pathways and animal lanterns at the zoo's seasonal evening celebration. Daytime animal exhibits are generally closed during this lights event.
- [A Bison Celebration — National Museum of the American Indian](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/a-bison-celebration-national-museum-of-the-american-indian--listing-af8db524fb08dd5ddc0f645d) — Sat, Nov 21 · 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM · National Museum of the American Indian (Washington) · Free · checked Oct 16. On Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 1 to 5 pm, the National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the past, present and future of North America's largest land mammal. Films…
- [Growing Community: Fall Harvest Celebration — Anacostia Community Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/growing-community-fall-harvest-celebration-anacostia-community-museum--listing-e91083e5cd00c2e040360154) — Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. The Anacostia Community Museum closes its Growing Community garden season with a harvest celebration on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm, in and around the ACM…
- [A Christmas Carol — sensory-friendly performance](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/a-christmas-carol-sensory-friendly-performance--listing-69a943979f6f20f2b592d5e5) — Sun, Nov 22 · 2:00 PM · Ford's Theatre · Ages 5+ · Paid · checked Oct 11. A designated sensory-friendly matinee offers access to the seasonal musical theatre production.
- [Holidays at Hillwood: A Woven Wonderland](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/holidays-at-hillwood-a-woven-wonderland--listing-5adcbea85750a34cedbbfbd3) — Nov 24 – Jan 3 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 16. From late November into early January, Hillwood decks Marjorie Merriweather Post's estate in Christmas trees inspired by its textile exhibition, Interwoven: A Tradition of…
- [Season's Greenings 2026: National Parks and Historic Places](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/season-s-greenings-2026-national-parks-and-historic-places--listing-d35f97558a6bbeced29d542d) — Nov 26 – Jan 3 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM · United States Botanic Garden · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. The U.S. Botanic Garden's annual holiday show, Season's Greenings, runs November 26, 2026 through January 3, 2027 with poinsettias, evergreens and a model train display that…
- [Coffee & Gratitude: Cyanotype Family Workshop — Anacostia Community Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/coffee-and-gratitude-cyanotype-family-workshop-anacostia-community-mus--listing-4780d1a842a36d8f3d41afed) — Fri, Nov 27 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · Free · checked Oct 24. On the morning after Thanksgiving, the Anacostia Community Museum offers a calm alternative to Black Friday shopping. From 10 am there is coffee, hot chocolate and light…
- [Native American Heritage Day at the American Indian Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/native-american-heritage-day-at-the-american-indian-museum--listing-98857683d9b39c3b98724d19) — Fri, Nov 27 · 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM · National Museum of the American Indian (Washington) · Free · checked Oct 16. The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27, 2026, the National Museum of the American Indian marks Native American Heritage Day from 11 am to 4 pm. Denmi Whiteman (Oglala…
- [The Washington Ballet's The Nutcracker](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/the-washington-ballet-s-the-nutcracker--listing-a1b114efccbb5be1c63aaef9) — Sat, Nov 28 (+23 more dates) · 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Warner Theatre · Paid · checked Oct 20. The Washington Ballet's The Nutcracker, choreographed by Septime Webre to Tchaikovsky's score, plays the Warner Theatre from Saturday, November 28 through Sunday, December 27…
- [Seasons of Light — Smithsonian Discovery Theater](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/seasons-of-light-smithsonian-discovery-theater--listing-d0f083611443fa8824ac568a) — Dec 1 – Dec 18 · 10:00 AM · Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center · Ages 5–10 · From $8 · checked Oct 24. Discovery Theater's signature holiday show, an interactive celebration of winter festivals from around the world: Diwali, Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day…
- [Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/holiday-boat-parade-and-party-at-the-wharf-2026--listing-683a4b1d6ecb6db1539e4230) — Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · The Wharf — District Pier and Wharf Street · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. The 34th annual Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 5 to 9 pm. More than 60 decorated boats parade along the Washington…
- [Native Art Market at the National Museum of the American Indian](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/native-art-market-at-the-national-museum-of-the-american-indian--listing-5d834d5638d530342870d6ca) — Sun, Dec 6 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM · National Museum of the American Indian (Washington) · Free · checked Oct 24. The National Museum of the American Indian's annual Native Art Market brings award-winning Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere to the museum's Potomac Atrium…
- [Little Red and the Gingerbread Man with Barefoot Puppets — Discovery Theater](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/little-red-and-the-gingerbread-man-with-barefoot-puppets-discovery-the--listing-aa546b230ba60a5eb0390bc6) — Wed, Dec 9 (+2 more dates) · 10:00 AM · Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center · Ages 3–7 · Paid · checked Oct 24. Richmond's Barefoot Puppet Theatre brings a seasonal puppet show for the youngest theatergoers to the Smithsonian's Discovery Theater: two classic tales rolled into one, as…
- [Morning at the Museum (Sensory-Friendly) — Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/morning-at-the-museum-sensory-friendly-portrait-gallery-and-american-a--listing-dfd95740d8387d51cc3fea11) — Sat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM · Smithsonian American Art Museum · Free · checked Oct 16. Morning at the Museum is a free, sensory-friendly program for neurodivergent children, teenagers and young adults and their families, who visit a Smithsonian museum before it…

## Places and ongoing programs

- [Big Moments, Little Stories — Story Time at Anacostia Community Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/big-moments-little-stories-story-time-at-anacostia-community-museum--listing-168c9a0fac461077681334d3) — Fridays 10:30–11:30 am · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · Free · checked Oct 16. The Anacostia Community Museum hosts a cozy Friday-morning story time, Big Moments, Little Stories, at 10:30 am in its Sunburst Lounge, lasting about an hour. Stories connect…
- [Brick City interactive LEGO exhibition](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/brick-city-interactive-lego-exhibition--listing-615aecd9095e4169b38947c4) — Open through Monday October 19, 2026; closed for refresh until Friday November 27… · National Building Museum · With admission · checked Oct 11. Families explore LEGO architecture and build their own structures and pixel artwork.
- [Building Readers Club](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/building-readers-club--listing-0aeedc2325b30df9529eb3f8) — Monthly newsletter; free program dates announced separately. · National Building Museum · With admission · checked Oct 11. A free family book club offers reading prompts, newsletters and special museum program days.
- [Building Stories interactive exhibition](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/building-stories-interactive-exhibition--listing-7bd6d24e08fc3128d5298e76) — Thursday–Monday 10:00–17:00; closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thanksgiving and Christmas. · National Building Museum · With admission · checked Oct 11. Intergenerational interactive galleries connect children’s literature with architecture and design.
- [Cradleboards and Crawlers — Baby Program at the American Indian Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/cradleboards-and-crawlers-baby-program-at-the-american-indian-museum--listing-0af92991000369da430b9c19) — Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:30–11:00 am · National Museum of the American Indian (Washington) · Ages 0–2 · Free · checked Oct 16. Cradleboards and Crawlers is a free drop-in program for early learners ages 0 to 2 and their caregivers in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3 of the National Museum of…
- [Draper Spark!Lab](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/draper-spark-lab--listing-d0bf33fcdb3ce479b09a34cd) — Wednesday–Sunday 10:00–16:00; closed Monday–Tuesday. · Smithsonian National Museum of American History · Ages 6–12 · Free · checked Oct 11. Children collaborate, test, create and invent through hands-on STEM and art activities.
- [Exhibit Explorations — fall 2026 youth group pilot](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/exhibit-explorations-fall-2026-youth-group-pilot--listing-29043a88addf66e2efd5d3bb) — October 13–December 10, 2026. Henry’s Highlights Tuesdays 10:15 (20–80 students); Sant… · Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · Ages 11+ · Free · checked Oct 11. Educator-led youth groups investigate museum exhibits using guided observations and discussion.
- [Family building, literacy and scout programs](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/family-building-literacy-and-scout-programs--listing-280c6a1de1e9021957712385) — Storytime Thursdays 10:30 (free); Little Builders monthly weekend 10:30 (one hour)… · National Building Museum · checked Oct 11. Recurring building challenges, stories, crafts and scout workshops connect families with design.
- [Girl Scout private badge workshops](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/girl-scout-private-badge-workshops--listing-173111272f0aaeb6c31cac45) — Private on-site workshop by arrangement; virtual option also offered separately, not a… · International Spy Museum · checked Oct 11. Troops can arrange on-site Detective or Special Agent badge workshops about espionage.
- [Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/gunboat-philadelphia-save-the-revolution-virtual-reality-experience--listing-21096c1232d99dfa40be979b) — Daily 10 am–5 pm (closed Dec 25) · Smithsonian National Museum of American History — 3 East · From $10 · checked Oct 24. A virtual-reality experience at the National Museum of American History that takes visitors back to 1776. Wearing a VR headset, participants join the story of the gunboat…
- [Imagination Gallery — Phillips family art space](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/imagination-gallery-phillips-family-art-space--listing-f35ac1a033da6a876666b0d2) — Floor 2L of Phillips House; Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–17:00, Sunday 11:00–17:00; Monday… · The Phillips Collection · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 11. Children and adults create paper sculptures, read and explore art in an intergenerational gallery.
- [imagiNATIONS Activity Center](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/imaginations-activity-center--listing-e737f570ed9f040b36c56e4e) — Activity Center open daily 10 am–5 pm; hours subject to change. Museum closed December 25. · National Museum of the American Indian · Up to 10 · Free · checked Oct 11. Families explore Indigenous innovations through interactive play and scientific discovery. Entry is first come, first served and may be limited during busy periods.
- [Levine Music NW DC Youth Lessons](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/levine-music-nw-dc-youth-lessons--listing-3b0b471dd13ea79037e7a42a) — Ask the organizer for the current class schedule and enrollment. · Levine Music NW DC · checked Oct 11. Individual and group music instruction in a nonprofit community music school.
- [Little Critters: Nature Play at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Bird House](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/little-critters-nature-play-at-the-smithsonian-s-national-zoo-bird-hou--listing-94a6e371fd7dc5e6265055a7) — Drop-in Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 9:30 am–1:30 pm (some dates end 12:30 pm)… · Smithsonian's National Zoo — Bird House Classroom · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. Little Critters: Nature Play is a free drop-in program for children ages 0 to 5 and their families in the Bird House Classroom at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Sessions run…
- [National Children's Museum: STEAM Play](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/national-children-s-museum-steam-play--listing-d3d281f3499ce6f599bd089a) — Monday and Wednesday–Sunday 9:30 am–4:30 pm. Closed Tuesday. · National Children's Museum · From $18.95 · checked Oct 11. Children and accompanying adults explore STEAM exhibits and programs across the museum. Sensory backpacks and accessible facilities support a range of visitor needs.
- [STEM2Go — Anacostia Monthly Take-Home Projects](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/stem2go-anacostia-monthly-take-home-projects--listing-5f71b1c1e0dac5d0c155522c) — Monthly kits during actual library opening hours; reviewed October1,2026listing is an… · Anacostia Neighborhood Library — Children’s Section · Ages 5–19 · checked Oct 11. Pick up a monthly guided science-project kit to complete at home while the branch has supplies.
- [Story Time at the National Postal Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/story-time-at-the-national-postal-museum--listing-c102abdcf00b09d4725f20d9) — Fridays 10:00–11:30 am · Smithsonian National Postal Museum · Free · checked Oct 16. Every Friday from 10 to 11:30 am the National Postal Museum runs a drop-in Story Time that starts in the Historic Lobby: a fresh story, a stroll through the museum and hands-on…
- [Storytime Studio at the Hirshhorn](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/storytime-studio-at-the-hirshhorn--listing-481089c5307892e55111e2ee) — Wednesdays at 10 am and 11 am; Estudio de Cuentos (Spanish) last Tuesday of the month at… · Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden — Art School · Ages 0–6 · Free · checked Oct 24. A free weekly storytime for children from birth to age 6 and their caregivers in the Hirshhorn's Art School studio. Each Wednesday morning an educator reads a picture book aloud…
- [Teen Studio — Hirshhorn Art School](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/teen-studio-hirshhorn-art-school--listing-1f1b09494aa331ca863f0672) — Saturdays 2:30–4:30 pm during the school year · Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden · Ages 13–19 · Free · checked Oct 16. Teen Studio is the Hirshhorn's free art-making program exclusively for teens ages 13 to 19, held every Saturday from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in the Art School on the museum's lower…
- [Top Secret Family Guide museum mission](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/top-secret-family-guide-museum-mission--listing-28887ec828acfbdf5a09ec82) — Self-guided90-minute guide during booked museum visit; timed admission required. · International Spy Museum · Up to 10 · Paid · checked Oct 11. A self-guided family mission helps younger visitors explore spy exhibits and problem-solving.
- [Wegmans Wonderplace](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/wegmans-wonderplace--listing-d0589b14f81017fc0c730a48) — Wednesday–Sunday 10:00–16:00; closed Monday–Tuesday. · Smithsonian National Museum of American History · Up to 6 · Free · checked Oct 11. An interactive early-learning space connects history with collaborative pretend play.

## Recently ended

- [Halloween Spooktacular 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/halloween-spooktacular-2026--listing-1f9c7d30a60968ab7ae78c11) — ended Fri, Oct 23
- [Play Date: Awesome Arachnids](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/play-date-awesome-arachnids--listing-20afdd871f8c758b5fa4d1fe) — ended Tue, Oct 20
- [Teen & Tween STEAM Club — Vinyl Designs](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/teen-and-tween-steam-club-vinyl-designs--listing-9c2af24ff22f5a062376fa2a) — ended Mon, Oct 19
- [Boo at the Zoo 2026 — Family Halloween Evenings](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/boo-at-the-zoo-2026-family-halloween-evenings--listing-0c0578c54664890d22df15c8) — ended Sun, Oct 18
- [Katy Hessel family book talk](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/katy-hessel-family-book-talk--listing-cfa935b96ebaf1087f325384) — ended Sat, Oct 17
- [National Fossil Day 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/national-fossil-day-2026--listing-4cfb9bd80bfd79cdf7a334a7) — ended Wed, Oct 14
- [Automata — fall 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/automata-fall-2026--listing-dd7edcdeb6a68de8bb055d6e) — ended Tue, Oct 13
- [LEGO Storytime with the National Building Museum](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/lego-storytime-with-the-national-building-museum--listing-dd435c5235318a66aed866c0) — ended Tue, Oct 13
- [Play Date: Creature Features — Fossil Edition](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/play-date-creature-features-fossil-edition--listing-8d03bbd65df249f2026a1802) — ended Tue, Oct 13

## Nearby

- [Things to do with kids in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc.md)
- [This weekend in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/this-weekend.md)

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