Cherry Blossom in Washington, DC. © Robert Dodge

What a busy weekend! Between National Cherry Blossom Festival and Easter events, you’ll have so many options to choose from! Check out fun and free things to do with kids this weekend in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

On a sad note, there’s a possibility that the government will shut down. If it does, then Smithsonian museums will be closed. National Cherry Blossom Festival events will most likely be postponed as well. Please check the official event websites to see if activities will still be held. I will make updates to the best of my knowledge.

FREE: Petal Fest & Performance Stage – Washington, DC
Friday, April 8: 12 pm – 8 pm
Saturday, April 9: 12 pm – 6 pm

See live performances on Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Friday evening with performers from Washington, DC, community performance groups and local officials. On Saturday, enjoy performances with a jazz theme. Free admissions.

The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC (map it).

More fun things to do with kids >>

Happy April Fool’s Day! You’d better watch out today, you know your little ones will be planning pranks all day long! Enjoy the rest of the weekend; check out these fun and free things to do in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Northern Virginia this weekend.

Doktor Kaboom! Image from Kennedy-Center.org.

Doktor Kaboom! at the Kennedy Center – Washington, DC
Friday, April 1: 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 2: 11 am, 1:30 pm and 5 pm

Have fun with Doktor Kaboom as he demonstrates spectacular science experiments. Recommended for kids ages 7 and up. Tickets are $18 per person. Get your tickets online.

The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC (map it).

FREE: First Friday at Washingtonian Center – Gaithersburg, MD
Friday, April 1: 6 pm – 8 pm

Enjoy free live entertainment by a local student band at the Lakefront Plaza, check out sales and specials from merchants and check out a music showcase at Bach to Rock this Friday night. Free event.

The Washingtonian Center is located at 209 Boardwalk Place, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

More fun things to do with kids >>

What marks Spring in Washington, DC? National Cherry Blossom Festival, of course! Check out the many free activities that you and your family can do at the festival this weekend in Washington, DC, as well as other fun family events in the DC metro area and Baltimore, Maryland.

Cherry Blossom Festival Family Day. Image from NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org.

FREE: National Cherry Blossom Festival Family Day – Washington, DC
Saturday, March 26: 10 am – 3:30 pm

Your kids can participate in hands-on activities and enjoy various performances at Family Day at National Building Museum this Saturday. Decorate a mini kite to prepare for the Kite Festival, assemble kirigami flowers, watch local architecture students build a 3-D creation using food cans and more. Performances by Shizumi Kodomo Dance Troupe, the Washington Ballet, Fillmore Arts Center and more. Free admission.

National Building Museum is located at 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC (map it).

FREE: Celebrating National Nutrition Month – National Harbor, MD
Saturday, March 26: 11 am – 4 pm

Learn about nutrition while having fun! The National Children’s Museum Launch Zone will have nutrition and obesity prevention activities that include hands-on science experiments and other fun activities. Free admission.

The National Children’s Museum Launch Zone is located at 112 Waterfront St, National Harbor, Maryland (map it).

See more things to do with kids >>

Ralph's World at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Virginia

One show that we never miss is Ralph’s World! Our family stopped by Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia, a few weeks ago to see Ralph perform with his band. As always, they put on a fun show for the family.

It was a sold-out concert, but thankfully we got there early enough to be third in line to pick our seats. Forget the front-row seat, however, since apparently our family was moving too slow that morning! After the staff members gave everyone the go ahead to pick our seats, kids and parents rushed in to grab the best seats. There was a also a birthday party at the show, so the party attendees were seated in a reserved area. Jammin’ Java is a small venue, so really, there was no bad seat.

More on Ralph’s World concert >>

Keller Williams kids' show at State Theatre in Falls Church, VA

Our family took a break from holiday decorating this Thanksgiving week and checked out Keller Williams kids’ show. The show was held at State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia, and that place was packed!

We got there a little late after going around and around the block trying to find a parking spot. When we got in the theatre, there was a long line in the lobby to the bar (for the parents, of course!) and the place was full of families enjoying the concert. We found a spot in the theatre’s standing area right by the stage and danced along to the music.

More on Keller Williams kids’ show >>