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.
![rows of graves shaded by fall foliage at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) in Arlington, Virginia](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/fall-foliage-ANC-courtesy-ANC-1200-mtime20181015141612_2023-07-07-052639_pxhr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=c47c50f8dfeca1d02df64a84d395075a 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/fall-foliage-ANC-courtesy-ANC-1200-mtime20181015141612_2023-07-07-052639_pxhr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b5497c6499981cc1df181d15fe585afe 540w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/fall-foliage-ANC-courtesy-ANC-1200-mtime20181015141612_2023-07-07-052639_pxhr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=59aede94535cd2e8da270adbff68a777 768w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/fall-foliage-ANC-courtesy-ANC-1200-mtime20181015141612_2023-07-07-052639_pxhr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f416caa3321edba6bbd95d1f8c4c59ae 1024w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/fall-foliage-ANC-courtesy-ANC-1200-mtime20181015141612_2023-07-07-052639_pxhr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d2c8bc50ac87528886954638e201c300 1200w)
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.
![Iwo Jima Remembrance](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem5-mtime20170811110522.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=44.4%2011.67&q=80&w=320&s=47c7614def5c06b9689215b2af67f995 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem5-mtime20170811110522.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=44.4%2011.67&q=80&w=540&s=8a97d08d9ea3678204c2c8559a09825f 540w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem5-mtime20170811110522.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=44.4%2011.67&q=80&w=768&s=6511b0f5ca4f17b74976e1a0fa793652 768w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem5-mtime20170811110522.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=44.4%2011.67&q=80&w=1024&s=81a47bf80a77bee0726aac982f02ecf6 1024w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem5-mtime20170811110522.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=44.4%2011.67&q=80&w=1200&s=c07e33cedf9843d05e17f372c44f09ce 1200w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem5-mtime20170811110522.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=44.4%2011.67&q=80&w=1440&s=0e2a9e78a98c650f224b4d72b70dedc8 1440w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem5-mtime20170811110522.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=44.4%2011.67&q=80&w=1920&s=da6782137dc3fd09e43a7d6c76bcf844 1920w)
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.
![Theodore Roosevelt Island](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/Theodore-Roosevelt-Island_no-credit_unlimited-use-1920-x-1080-mtime20181228094401.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=898c1aef5ce2391f5c57aa710a9cb218 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/Theodore-Roosevelt-Island_no-credit_unlimited-use-1920-x-1080-mtime20181228094401.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8b251ec94590727999adf59a04110052 540w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/Theodore-Roosevelt-Island_no-credit_unlimited-use-1920-x-1080-mtime20181228094401.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b0174de629b3dcf69f883de8243ebea0 768w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/Theodore-Roosevelt-Island_no-credit_unlimited-use-1920-x-1080-mtime20181228094401.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5e291337b82a726cde993722b07e2c46 1024w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/partners/Theodore-Roosevelt-Island_no-credit_unlimited-use-1920-x-1080-mtime20181228094401.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=daf7ece288cc21f1bbfa0e15068c676e 1200w)
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.