Washington, DC. © Cheng Chang/iStockPhoto.com.

Oh, how I love Washington, DC! I have lived in the DC metro area for 10+ years and one of the things that I love about living here is access to free family entertainment! From free museums and historic sites to parades and festivals, Washington, DC, is a great place to live and visit for families.

Check out 100 free things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland below.

Free Museums, Monuments and Historic Sites

1. Learn about dinosaurs at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.

2. Explore space at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

3. Go to the top of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.

4. Feel the grandeur of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

5. Read the words of Thomas Jefferson at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.

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Whoa, it’s the last weekend February! Did you remember to take down your Christmas lights? Please, please, do, if you haven’t already done so. I can still see one of my neighbors’ blue and red lights. Seriously? Please take those lights down. Thanks for letting me rant about that … here are this weekend’s top ten things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

George Washington Mount Vernon's Estate. Image from MountVernon.org.

Black History Month – Mount Vernon, VA
Friday, February 25 – Sunday, February 27: 9 am – 4 pm

Learn about the lives and contributions of the slaves who built the plantation home of George Washington in observance of Black History Month. Daily highlights by Mount Vernon interpreters begin at 10 am, daily wreathlaying occurs at 12 pm, daily tour starts at 1 pm. Admission fees: $15 for adults, $7 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free for kids 5 and under.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia (map it).

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Ah, Valentine’s Day! To be honest, I was never big fan of Valentine’s Day until a few years ago. I didn’t think it was worth the one day a year to get overpriced flowers and to make a reservation at fancy restaurant for their special Valentine menu. But now …. who would’ve thought that celebrating Valentine’s Day with your little one can be so much fun? No expensive flowers needed, either!

There are plenty of fun activities that you can do with your kids this Valentine’s Day weekend. Don’t forget to check out our calendar of events for more things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Michael Rosman. Image from NationalTheatre.org.

FREE: Michael Rosman: Defying Gravity – Washington, DC
Saturday, February 12: 9:30 am and 11 am

Enjoy a zany and off-beat performance by Michael Rosman, where he’ll juggle bananas, toss a bowling ball, or try to keep his balance on a unicycle! You and your kids will enjoy this fun show at the National Theatre in Washington, DC. Free admissions. Tickets are distributed about half an hour before the show starts.

The National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC (map it).

FREE: The Power of Chocolate Festival – Washington, DC
Saturday, February 12 & Sunday, February 13: 10 am – 4:30 pm

This Valentine’s Day weekend, celebrate chocolate, the food of the gods to the Mayan and Aztec peoples, at the Power of Chocolate Festival at National Museum of the American Indian. At this festival, you and your kids can explore chocolate’s culture and history; enjoy live performances, such as Bolivian dance groups and presentations by experts at MARS Chocolate North America and participate in hands-on family activities. Free admissions.

National Museum of the American Indian is located at Fourth Street & Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC (map it).

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ICE! Exhibit at Gaylord National, National Harbor, Maryland

This year, the ICE! exhibit at Gaylord National in National Harbor, Maryland, features “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Whether or not you’re into Dr. Seuss, you’ll be in awe seeing the amazing work of ice artists from the town of Harbin, China, who transformed 2 million pounds of ice into the town of Who-ville.

Our family had a chance to visit the ICE! exhibit recently and despite the freezing cold, we all had a fun time. We actually spent the entire day at Gaylord National, where we had brunch with Santa after visiting the ICE! exhibit, rode the Potomac Express and got splashed by water during the fountain shows. We had such a blast that our family plans to make it a yearly tradition from now on! Here are some tips if you’re planning on going to see ICE! this holiday season.

More on ICE! at Gaylord National >>

I’ve been humming holiday songs since before Halloween. I can’t help it, I love the holiday season! I try to avoid malls and shopping centers whenever possible, but I love checking out holiday activities in the area. So check out 25 fun holiday things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia this season. Enjoy and have a happy holiday season!

Christmas Wonderland at Adventure Park USA. Photo from AdventureParkUSA.com.

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Adventure Park USA – New Market, MD
November 5 – January 1: 6 pm

Enjoy a mile of Christmas lights at this drive through light show! Hundreds of thousands of lights, see Santa, toast s’mores and enjoy attractions at the park. Fees: $25 per car. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross and Christmas Cash for Kids. Get your tickets online.

Adventure Park USA is located at 11113 West Baldwin Road New Market, Maryland (map it).

ICE! at Gaylord National Resort. Photo from GaylordHotels.com.

ICE! featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas – National Harbor, MD
Thursday, November 18 – Sunday, January 9

Visit this 15,000-square-foot indoor winter wonderland at Gaylord National Hotel! This year, ICE! features How the Grinch Stole Christmas. See holiday scenes, Christmas icons and more ice sculpture maintained in a nine-degree facility. Dress warm, it’ll be 9 degrees in there! Winter coats will be provided. Weekend admissions: $29 for adults, $23 for seniors (62+), $18 for kids 4 to 12 and free for kids 3 and under. See my review of ICE! and get your tickets online.

Gaylord National Hotel is located at 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, Maryland (map it).

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