Looking for more ideas of things to do with my kids this summer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - don't mean to be nosey, but how on the world can you afford to pay for all of that (ie your long list)??? 95% of your list has a pricey admission fee and that adds up fast when it's you + 2 3, 4 kids in tow.

That is our limiting factor Yes, Smithsonians are free, but the other places (Spy Museum, UdvarvHazy parking (unless it's after 4pm but who wants to deal with rush hour traffic), rope courses, Amusement parks, etc).
Curious, too, what ages ate your kids. Mine would be hot and bored walking battlefields or visiting Arlington Cemetery.

There's definitely no shortage of things to do and sites to see in this area, but doing it on a family friendly budget is where it becomes limiting.

Not OP, but I feel like there are a lot of places that can be visited for free or cheap (e.g., state parks at $5-$10 per vehicle) in this area. In addition to all of the Smithsonians and the NGA, there are the monuments, plus county, state, regional, and national park sites. We always buy a national park pass (for visiting Great Falls, Fort McHenry, Prince William Forest, Shenandoah, etc. all year).... the savings add up fast for us, and anyone with a 4th grader can get a free pass for the year. I agree that walking around non-shady places like battlefields gets hot in the summer, but check out Shenandoah River State Park, Mason Neck State Park, Cunningham Falls, Purse State Park, Calvert Cliffs, or Flag Ponds. All have places to swim or at least wade and cost $10 or less (for the whole family) to enter.

Other suggestions for OP:
-Fort Washington Park and Piscataway Park (both free)
-rent a canoe or kayak at Lake Fairfax or Burke Lake
-Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (free, right next to Clifton, which could be fun to walk around)
-Pentagon 9/11 Memorial (free)
-Dyke Marsh Trail (free)

Fore VA State parks, you get free admission with a current REI receipt. Just go buy a cliff bar on the way there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - don't mean to be nosey, but how on the world can you afford to pay for all of that (ie your long list)??? 95% of your list has a pricey admission fee and that adds up fast when it's you + 2 3, 4 kids in tow.

That is our limiting factor Yes, Smithsonians are free, but the other places (Spy Museum, UdvarvHazy parking (unless it's after 4pm but who wants to deal with rush hour traffic), rope courses, Amusement parks, etc).
Curious, too, what ages ate your kids. Mine would be hot and bored walking battlefields or visiting Arlington Cemetery.

There's definitely no shortage of things to do and sites to see in this area, but doing it on a family friendly budget is where it becomes limiting.

Not OP, but I feel like there are a lot of places that can be visited for free or cheap (e.g., state parks at $5-$10 per vehicle) in this area. In addition to all of the Smithsonians and the NGA, there are the monuments, plus county, state, regional, and national park sites. We always buy a national park pass (for visiting Great Falls, Fort McHenry, Prince William Forest, Shenandoah, etc. all year).... the savings add up fast for us, and anyone with a 4th grader can get a free pass for the year. I agree that walking around non-shady places like battlefields gets hot in the summer, but check out Shenandoah River State Park, Mason Neck State Park, Cunningham Falls, Purse State Park, Calvert Cliffs, or Flag Ponds. All have places to swim or at least wade and cost $10 or less (for the whole family) to enter.

Other suggestions for OP:
-Fort Washington Park and Piscataway Park (both free)
-rent a canoe or kayak at Lake Fairfax or Burke Lake
-Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (free, right next to Clifton, which could be fun to walk around)
-Pentagon 9/11 Memorial (free)
-Dyke Marsh Trail (free)

Fore VA State parks, you get free admission with a current REI receipt. Just go buy a cliff bar on the way there.

This is true, but only if you are an REÍ member (which is $20 for life, I think).

[Anonymous]

First of all you sound like a fun mom. My older one is in overnight camp most of the summer and my younger one goes to day camps. I wouldn't have it in me for daily trips like you're describing. But, awesome list and a few other suggestions:
-Turkey Run trail in VA-my kids love this trail. It's shady with lots of stream crossings and places to skip rocks. You can walk it to Dead Man's Run and sit on the rocks for lunch and then walk back. About 2 miles each way all along the Potomac.
-Hunting for shark teeth at Purse Park. It used to be a MD state park but is no longer so you have to google around to find out exactly how to get to the shark teeth spot (it's a little hidden), but my kids had so much fun finding shark teeth and wading on a hot day.
-C&O canal is now running canal boat rides starting from Lock 1 in Georgetown. I think this experience had been paused during the pandemic and now they're starting it back up. My son has been patiently waiting to do this.
-Washington Monument in Boonsboro MD-an easy hike for kids and then you can stop at South Mountain Creamer for ice cream after.

[Anonymous]

We love Kid Friendly DC -- here's the 2022 Summer Guide: https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2022/05/19/summerguide2022/

[Anonymous]

NASA Goddard Visitor Center just re-opened as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm envious of your budget Op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First of all you sound like a fun mom. My older one is in overnight camp most of the summer and my younger one goes to day camps. I wouldn't have it in me for daily trips like you're describing. But, awesome list and a few other suggestions:
-Turkey Run trail in VA-my kids love this trail. It's shady with lots of stream crossings and places to skip rocks. You can walk it to Dead Man's Run and sit on the rocks for lunch and then walk back. About 2 miles each way all along the Potomac.
-Hunting for shark teeth at Purse Park. It used to be a MD state park but is no longer so you have to google around to find out exactly how to get to the shark teeth spot (it's a little hidden), but my kids had so much fun finding shark teeth and wading on a hot day.
-C&O canal is now running canal boat rides starting from Lock 1 in Georgetown. I think this experience had been paused during the pandemic and now they're starting it back up. My son has been patiently waiting to do this.
-Washington Monument in Boonsboro MD-an easy hike for kids and then you can stop at South Mountain Creamer for ice cream after.

South Mountain Creamery is a fun field trip on its own, too. You can tour the farm, visit the dairy barns, and there is a playground. We went in April to bottle feed calves, although I don't know if that is only a spring option when the calves are little.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard great things about the museum of medical history if your kids have an okay level of grossness tolerance.

We love to go ice skating in the summer.

Old Maryland farm is at Watkins so that’s just one trip.

DC spirit game if your kids play soccer.

Seneca creek lake park has things like pontoon tours looking for animals on the lake and fishing lessons—check the ranger schedule. Some of the local parks will do things like campfire stories and such as well.

Strathmore has music on the lawn certain days.

For older kids, Shakespeare theater has a free summer show.

If your kids can stay up late, the outdoor movies they do some places are sometimes kid friendly. Or ask on the neighborhood listserve if you can borrow/rent a projector and do one of your own in the backyard for them and their friends.

[Anonymous]

I'm in Maryland so I bought a summer pass to 6 flags. They have a great water park.

We spent the winter at the Germantown indoor swimming pool since they have a bunch of slides - if you are looking to get out of the heat, this is a nice option for summer as well.

[Anonymous]

I have seen lots of groupons/gertifikids for activities like bowling, trampoline places, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First of all you sound like a fun mom. My older one is in overnight camp most of the summer and my younger one goes to day camps. I wouldn't have it in me for daily trips like you're describing. But, awesome list and a few other suggestions:
-Turkey Run trail in VA-my kids love this trail. It's shady with lots of stream crossings and places to skip rocks. You can walk it to Dead Man's Run and sit on the rocks for lunch and then walk back. About 2 miles each way all along the Potomac.
-Hunting for shark teeth at Purse Park. It used to be a MD state park but is no longer so you have to google around to find out exactly how to get to the shark teeth spot (it's a little hidden), but my kids had so much fun finding shark teeth and wading on a hot day.
-C&O canal is now running canal boat rides starting from Lock 1 in Georgetown. I think this experience had been paused during the pandemic and now they're starting it back up. My son has been patiently waiting to do this.
-Washington Monument in Boonsboro MD-an easy hike for kids and then you can stop at South Mountain Creamer for ice cream after.

+1 for Purse Park we went last year. Like pp said it’s hard to find google the gps coordinates. Parking is a challenge too as there is basically a few dirt spots off the shoulder. Then you hike unmarked trail to get to a slender beach. Check high tide times the beach disappears at high tide. Bring bug spray. All that said it was a blast. It was a fun time and the girls loved finding shark teeth. Wading in water. Bring net sand shifter bucket and something to keep teeth in.

[Anonymous]

This is a great list! I would add Calvert Cliffs, especially for a weekday when it’s not so crowded. You can also visit the Calvert Marine Museum and then get lunch on Solomons Island. We moved to VA this year and were just saying how we will miss our annual Calvert Cliffs/Solomons Island day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - don't mean to be nosey, but how on the world can you afford to pay for all of that (ie your long list)??? 95% of your list has a pricey admission fee and that adds up fast when it's you + 2 3, 4 kids in tow.

That is our limiting factor Yes, Smithsonians are free, but the other places (Spy Museum, UdvarvHazy parking (unless it's after 4pm but who wants to deal with rush hour traffic), rope courses, Amusement parks, etc).
Curious, too, what ages ate your kids. Mine would be hot and bored walking battlefields or visiting Arlington Cemetery.

There's definitely no shortage of things to do and sites to see in this area, but doing it on a family friendly budget is where it becomes limiting.

Not OP, but I feel like there are a lot of places that can be visited for free or cheap (e.g., state parks at $5-$10 per vehicle) in this area. In addition to all of the Smithsonians and the NGA, there are the monuments, plus county, state, regional, and national park sites. We always buy a national park pass (for visiting Great Falls, Fort McHenry, Prince William Forest, Shenandoah, etc. all year).... the savings add up fast for us, and anyone with a 4th grader can get a free pass for the year. I agree that walking around non-shady places like battlefields gets hot in the summer, but check out Shenandoah River State Park, Mason Neck State Park, Cunningham Falls, Purse State Park, Calvert Cliffs, or Flag Ponds. All have places to swim or at least wade and cost $10 or less (for the whole family) to enter.

Other suggestions for OP:
-Fort Washington Park and Piscataway Park (both free)
-rent a canoe or kayak at Lake Fairfax or Burke Lake
-Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (free, right next to Clifton, which could be fun to walk around)
-Pentagon 9/11 Memorial (free)
-Dyke Marsh Trail (free)

Fore VA State parks, you get free admission with a current REI receipt. Just go buy a cliff bar on the way there.

This is true, but only if you are an REÍ member (which is $20 for life, I think).

Is that only for the Virginia REI stores? Anyone do this recently? Info online looks dated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - don't mean to be nosey, but how on the world can you afford to pay for all of that (ie your long list)??? 95% of your list has a pricey admission fee and that adds up fast when it's you + 2 3, 4 kids in tow.

That is our limiting factor Yes, Smithsonians are free, but the other places (Spy Museum, UdvarvHazy parking (unless it's after 4pm but who wants to deal with rush hour traffic), rope courses, Amusement parks, etc).
Curious, too, what ages ate your kids. Mine would be hot and bored walking battlefields or visiting Arlington Cemetery.

There's definitely no shortage of things to do and sites to see in this area, but doing it on a family friendly budget is where it becomes limiting.

Not OP, but I feel like there are a lot of places that can be visited for free or cheap (e.g., state parks at $5-$10 per vehicle) in this area. In addition to all of the Smithsonians and the NGA, there are the monuments, plus county, state, regional, and national park sites. We always buy a national park pass (for visiting Great Falls, Fort McHenry, Prince William Forest, Shenandoah, etc. all year).... the savings add up fast for us, and anyone with a 4th grader can get a free pass for the year. I agree that walking around non-shady places like battlefields gets hot in the summer, but check out Shenandoah River State Park, Mason Neck State Park, Cunningham Falls, Purse State Park, Calvert Cliffs, or Flag Ponds. All have places to swim or at least wade and cost $10 or less (for the whole family) to enter.

Other suggestions for OP:
-Fort Washington Park and Piscataway Park (both free)
-rent a canoe or kayak at Lake Fairfax or Burke Lake
-Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (free, right next to Clifton, which could be fun to walk around)
-Pentagon 9/11 Memorial (free)
-Dyke Marsh Trail (free)

Fore VA State parks, you get free admission with a current REI receipt. Just go buy a cliff bar on the way there.

This is true, but only if you are an REÍ member (which is $20 for life, I think).

Is that only for the Virginia REI stores? Anyone do this recently? Info online looks dated.

When I joined REÍ a few months ago, the employee told me about the program & said to just show a receipt with your membership number when entering the park. No expiration date, but each receipt can only be used once. I’ve only done it when the station wasn’t manned, though.