So you may not want to take your kids to Shamrock Fest to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (although kids ages 12 and under are free). Don't fret, there are family-friendly activities that you and your kids can enjoy to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Go to one of the St. Patrick's Day parades in Washington, DC, Alexandria, Baltimore and Gaithersburg. You can also check out several local places that will be holding St. Patrick's Day special events. 

St. Patrick's Day Kids' Night Out at JW Tumbles of Herndon, VA
Drop off your kids at JW Tumbles of Herndon, Virginia, this Friday, March 12, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Your kids get to enjoy fun activities such as shamrock rock, treasure hunts, crafts, games, pizza party and a g-rated movie. For kids ages 3 to 7, kids must be potty-trained.

Fees: $25 for members, $30 for non-members, 2nd child gets 20% off and 3rd child is free. Pre-register online or call 703-481-2990. Drop-in space may be available on Friday.

JW Tumbles of Herndon is located at 12950 Highland Crossing Drive in Herndon, Virginia (map it).

FREE – Shamrock Marble Painting and Potato Stamping at the Story Tellers, Occoquan, VA
A special storytime at the Story Tellers, a bookstore in Occoquan, Virginia, at 10:30 am on Monday, March 15. Your kids will get to participate in special shamrock craft activities after storytime. Free for kids ages 6 and under.

The Story Tellers is located at 308-D Poplar Alley in Occoquan, Virginia (map it).

St. Patrick's Day at Be with Me Playseum, Besthesda, MD
Special crafts and storytime in honor of Saint Patrick at Be with Me Playseum in Bethesda, Maryland, on Wednesday, March 17. All day, from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Fee is $5 per child. Call 301-807-8028 for more information.

Be with Me Playseum is located at 7000 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland (map it).

St. Patrick's Day Bounce at Pump It Up, Leesburg, VA
Bounce non-stop at Pump It Up in Leesburg, Virginia, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm on March 17. Fee: $15 per child; wear green and get $2 off! Reservations are required, call 703-443-1400.

Pump It Up is located at 73 Lawson Road SE in Leesburg, Virginia (map it).