Ages 0 to 10, always
Everything we list is for kids ages 0 to 10.
Free or low cost
We highlight free and budget friendly picks.
Curated by real NoVA parents
Local notes on drive time, bathrooms, parking, and age fit.
Rainy day ready
Find indoor fun when the weather does not cooperate.
Save good ideas
Keep favorite places and events ready for later.
Rainy day activities for kids in Arlington
Start with free Arlington choices before committing to a longer drive or a full family admission bill. The best backup depends on age, noise tolerance, parking, and whether the child needs active play or a calmer room.
- Gulf Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA. Free Arlington nature center with live animals, natural history exhibits, pollinator gardens, a restored log cabin, and wooded trails. Free Official source
- Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA. Free Arlington nature center with a children's Discovery Room, live animals, seasonal exhibits, gardens, a viewing pond, and nearby trails. Free Official source
- Stop in for Stories at Central, Arlington, VA. For families with children of all ages Stop In for Stories is for children of all ages and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program... Free Official source
- Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse, Arlington, VA. Preschool STEAM Play Join us for open play featuring a mix of games and activities that explore the STEAM-based concepts of Science, Technology, En... Free Official source
- Baby Lapsit Storytime at Shirlington Library, Arlington, VA. For families with babies 0-12 months Bond with your baby through songs, rhymes, and games! Stay after the program to connect with other parents and... Free Official source
- Tales Together at Central, Arlington, VA. For families with children ages 3-6 Tales Together is for children 3-6 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines a... Free Official source
- Family Storytime at Central, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Family Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines ac... Free Official source
- Family Storytime at Central, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Family Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines ac... Free Official source
- Baby Lapsit Storytime at Courthouse, Arlington, VA. For families with babies 0-12 months Bond with your baby through songs, rhymes, and games! Stay after the program to connect with other parents and... Free Official source
- Builders' Club at Shirlington, Arlington, VA. For kids in Kindergarten - Grade 5 Join us for an afternoon of building fun with LEGOs, KEVA planks, and other materials! NO REGISTRATION. First-co... Free Official source
- Crafty Kids at Glencarlyn, Arlington, VA. For elementary school children: 6 - 11 At Crafty Kids, children can explore the arts and make crafts. All materials will be provided by the library... Free Official source
- Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children at Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA. For families with children ages 0 - 5 Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children es un programa bilingue en Español para las familias... Free Official source
- Pajama Storytime at Cherrydale, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Pajama Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines ac... Free Official source
- Pajama Storytime at Glencarlyn, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Pajama Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. We encourage everyone to wear their pajamas... Free Official source
- Family Storytime at Courthouse, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Family Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines ac... Free Official source
- Family Storytime at Shirlington, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Family Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines ac... Free Official source
- Family Storytime at Shirlington, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Family Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines ac... Free Official source
- Baby Lapsit Storytime at Cherrydale, Arlington, VA. For families with babies 0-12 months Bond with your baby through songs, rhymes, and games! Stay after the program to connect with other parents and... Free Official source
- Family Storytime at Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA. For families with young children Family Storytime is for children 0-5 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines ac... Free Official source
- Tales Together Storytime at Westover, Arlington, VA. For families with children ages 3-6 Tales Together is for children 3-6 years and an accompanying adult. This fun and interactive program combines a... Free Official source
- Builders' Club at Central, Arlington, VA. For kids in Kindergarten - Grade 5 Join us for building fun with LEGO bricks, KEVA planks, and more! NO REGISTRATION. First-come, first-served seat... Free Official source
- Cuentos en pijama para niños / Pajama Storytime for Children, Arlington, VA. Para familias con niños de 0 a 5 años / For families with children ages 0 - 5 Cuentos en pijama para niños / Pajama Storytime... Free Official source
- Baby Lapsit Storytime at Central, Arlington, VA. For families with babies 0-12 months Bond with your baby through songs, rhymes, and games! Stay after the program to connect with other parents and... Free Official source
- Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children at Shirlington, Arlington, VA. For families with children ages 0 - 5 Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children es un programa bilingüe en inglés y españ... Free Official source
Free indoor backups
Arlington Public Library events include storytimes, crafts, maker activities, and family programs. The DEA Museum is free and has hands on activities, though families need federal security screening and usually pay for garage parking.
Nature centers for a calmer hour
Long Branch Nature Center and Gulf Branch Nature Center have live animals and indoor exhibits. Both have restrooms and limited free parking. Gulf Branch is closed Mondays. Scheduled programs may require registration or a fee.
Active indoor play
Scramble Falls Church is a large commercial indoor playground outside Arlington. Arlington County also runs scheduled Open Bounce sessions for ages three through nine. Open Bounce is a paid registered program rather than a standing drop in place. Compare age fit, price, registration, and local choices on the Arlington indoor activities page.
Pools and creative spaces
Long Bridge Aquatics sells daily admission and children under five enter free. Pool schedules change during the week. MoCA Arlington is free Wednesday through Sunday, but parents should look at the current exhibition before deciding whether it fits their child.
Metro friendly Washington backups
Smithsonian Natural History is free, requires no pass, and has a family restroom. National Children's Museum uses paid timed tickets. Metro is usually easier than finding and paying for a garage near either destination.
Parent questions
What counts as a rainy day activity?
Indoor play, libraries, art centers, arcades, card shops for older kids, and any place where bathrooms and parking make the day easier.
Should birthday package listings show here?
No. Rainy day results should show places to visit, not party packages.