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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Hey, it’s a 3-day weekend! Get a free admission to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate this Monday, check out kiddie concerts and find more things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland this President’s Day weekend.

The Okee Dokee Brothers. Image from JamminJava.com.

The Okee Dokiee Brothers – Vienna, VA
Saturday, February 19: 10:30 am

Enjoy energetic and interactive music by childhood best friends, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing. The two friends who are originally from Denver, Colorado, have toured the Midwest with their bluegrass band for years before starting their kindie band, The Okee Dokee Brothers. Tickets are $8 per person (free for babies under 1 year old). Get your tickets online.

Jammin’ Java is located at 2270 Maple Ave E, Vienna, Virginia (map it).

KayDee Puppet Show – Washington, DC
Saturday, February 19: 10 am

Fun show for kids 2 and above! KayDee Puppets use large, delightful moving mouth puppets, telling stories about fun fairy tales. Tickets are $5.75 per person, or $3.50 for Avalon Theatre members. Get your tickets online.

Avalon Theatre is located at 5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC (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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I’ve been watching the weather like a hawk today. Funny how snow dictates your schedule once your kid is in school! Let’s hope that the snow (or lack of) will not hamper your activities with the kids this weekend. Check out top ten things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland this weekend!

David M. Brown Planetarium. Image from APSVA.us.

In My Backyard at the David M. Brown Planetarium – Arlington, VA
Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22: 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 23: 1:30 pm and 3 pm

Your kids will learn about nature as the seasons change. Discover the night sky and learn about the stars, planets and the moon as the sun goes down. Sing along, clap along and recite a poem during the show! Recommended for kids ages 4 to 6. Admission fees: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors (62+) and $2 for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and bring exact change. Doors open 15 minutes prior to show time.

The David M. Brown Planetarium is located at 1426 N. Quincy St, Arlington, Virginia (map it).

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Alright, it’s a three-day weekend! Check out fun things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

Odyssey’s SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure at Maryland Science Center – Baltimore, MD
Friday, January 14: 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday, January 15: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, January 16: 11 am – 5 pm
Monday, January 17: 10 am – 5 pm

Get a close-up encounter with the artifacts recovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration, including coins, bottles, personal effects, on-board items, and pieces of the vessel. General admissions to Maryland Science Center (admissions include exhibit halls, planetarium, demo stage and shipwreck exhibit): $20.95 for adults, $15.95 for kids ages 3 to 12, $19.95 for seniors (60+) and free for kids under 3. Get your tickets online.

Maryland Science Center is located at 601 Light St, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

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