Family Fun
Calling all families! Arlington has enough fun activities and experiences to keep even the fussiest kids happy and entertained.
With endless swaths of green spaces and one-of-a-kind historical and educational attractions, Arlington has a crayon box worth of experiences for all sorts of families. Here’s how to keep your kids entertained.
Fill Their Minds
Take the kids to Arlington National Cemetery where the entire family can learn about America’s military history and visit the graves of U.S. heroes. Experience the time-honored Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Explore Arlington House, the onetime home of Robert E. Lee, to learn about the Civil War and plantation life. Children can even earn a Junior Ranger badge there.
Afterward, you can meet military funeral horses at the stables of The Old Guard at nearby Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall.
More Civil War insights await at the Civil War Visitor Center at Fort C.F. Smith Park in the Langston Boulevard neighborhood, where youngsters can try on replica war uniforms and learn about camp life.
For a different war story, visit the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) that commemorates one of the most famous incidents of WWII. Get patriotic goosebumps watching the weekly Marine Parade with the Drum and Bugle Corps and Silent Drill Platoon.
Let the kids learn about drug law enforcement and become DEA Junior Special Agents at the DEA Museum & Visitor Center in Pentagon City.
Have your burgeoning chefs try hands-on cooking classes for kids at Cookology Culinary School in Ballston.
Get Them Outside
Arlington has nearly 100 miles of paved trails, making it the perfect place to rent bikes from Capital BikeShare and go for a ride. You can walk or bike along the Mount Vernon Trail to Gravelly Point and watch planes fly to and from nearby Reagan National Airport as they take off and land literally overhead — a wow experience for youngsters. Or watch real birds — raptors, that is — being fed at Potomac Overlook Regional Park Nature Center.
No matter where you’re staying, there’s probably a park nearby to cool off with water fun. Just try to keep the kiddos away from the Ocean Dunes Waterpark (and the batting cages and mini golf, for that matter) at Upton Hill Regional Park, one of Arlington’s many “spraygrounds” — playgrounds with squirting water. Others include Drew Park, Hayes Park, Lyon Village Park and Virginia Highlands Park. Kids 8 to 80 love the interactive water features at Mosaic Park and Penrose Square. Wear water shoes and prepare to get wet.
Arlington is also full of parks with inviting playgrounds for tykes, such as Chestnut Hills, Fairlington, Glencarlyn, Lubber Run, Mosaic and Rocky Run.
Go for a hike. Whether your little ones are in strollers or striding confidently on their own, walks are fun for the whole family. Stroll the 2.5-mile Bluemont Junction Trail/Bon Air loop, which has a network of trails, six parks, and the Caboose at Bluemont Junction with a historical exhibit. The 2-mile “walkabout” in Shirlington is full of kid-friendly sites: Fire Station #7 (tours on request), the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (socialize with dogs and cats), and Arlington Trades Center (home to awesome county big trucks).
Amble the leafy trails or go on a scavenger hunt on 91-acre Theodore Roosevelt Island and earn a Junior Ranger badge. Explore the wooded Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park, which has a restored log cabin, interactive exhibits and a working blacksmith’s forge.
Have your kiddies sink their toes into the sand at the Sandbox at Gateway Park, the largest sandbox in Arlington County.
Spoil Them
Let your brood pick out some new duds or cool gadgets at the behemoth Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Take a shopping break at Sugar Factory where they can score a King Kong sundae fit for a gorilla.
Treat them to Nicecream in Clarendon and watch their eyes widen as their ice cream is flash-frozen with liquid nitrogen before them.
A few blocks away find toys, clothes and DC-inspired gifts at the locally owned Kinder Haus Toys. Another favorite toy shop, One, Two Kangaroo Toys stocks adorable toys and games for kids of all ages in Shirlington. Visit family-owned toy store Barstons Child’s Play for its carefully curated toys, games and books, and weekend story time. In the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, take the little ones to Curious Kids Toys or the LEGO store.
Keep Them Entertained
Take the whole crew to a free outdoor concert at the Lubber Run Amphitheater in the summer. Or enjoy the free Netherlands Carillon Concerts on summer Saturday evenings. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic and spread out to hear jazz, pop, and patriotic music played on the carillon's 53 bells.
Bring the kiddos to Punch Bowl Social for bowling, arcade games, karaoke and ping-pong or to The Wonder, where they can do crafts and play in a bouncy house, ball pit, spy school and bubble disco.
Take your young ones for a spin on the ice at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex where the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals practice. There’s even an area where youngsters can get autographs from their favorite players.
Plunge into the lazy river pool at the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center or scale the climbing walls at Movement that cover more than an acre.
Catch a free flick at the outdoor Rosslyn Cinema in Gateway Park every Friday during the summer. With games, sing-alongs and onsite food trucks, it’s a win-win for everyone.
Challenge the whole family to mind games in the Escape Room Arlington, 5 Wits or Bond’s Escape Room, with its live-action adventures and a first-of-its-kind art splatter room.
Get creative at the Arlington Art Truck! During the Art Truck season from April – November, artists-in-residence pack the van with projects ranging from interactive sculptures, installations, performances and more. Each project is paired with a County or community partner so visitors can create or activate artworks as well as learn more about County and community resources. Learn more about our previous seasons of the Arlington Art Truck below and click here for the current season.