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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We finally made it to one of the open play times at Wee Play in Herndon, Virginia, a few weeks ago! Since they’ll have another open play time this weekend, I thought you may be interested in our experience and seeing some pictures on our Facebook page.

Wee Play, Herndon, Virginia

When we went there, it was packed! They have an area just for active play, an area with tables for arts and crafts, an area for floor play and another area with bins full of toys.

It definitely kept my daughter busy. In the active play area, she jumped on a trampoline, went down a mini roller coaster (no, it does not go upside down) and for some reason, she had her heart set on this expanding sphere. After that, we sat down to do some arts and crafts, where she did some painting and counting shells. I think she enjoyed counting the shells the most since counting is her new thing now; everything has to be counted, including every bite she takes at dinner time … oh, my!

Go check out Wee Play this weekend if you can. Open play time is on Saturday, February 26th, from 8:30 am to 10 am. Cost is $10 per child and infant siblings are free. This place is recommended for kids ages 5 and under.

Wee Play is located at 441A Carlisle Drive, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

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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