Racing pigs, baby storytime, and a free spray park

Free weekend plan · Ashburn, VA • Free • Sat, Jul 25 • Plan on about an hour

Baby Storytime

Songs, simple stories, and a little playtime for babies up to 18 months with a parent or caregiver.

When: 11 AM to 12 PM

Signup: No registration listed · Drop in

Bathrooms: Public restrooms available

Parking: Free library parking available

Try this: Sing, bounce, and pick a book

1. Sit near the edge so you can feed, soothe, or step out without fuss.
2. Help your baby clap, bounce, or move along with the songs.
3. After storytime, let them look at a few board books before you head home.

Bring: Small blanket, Feeding supplies, One quiet comfort item

Easy exit: If your baby gets fussy or needs to eat or nap, head home whenever you need to.

If plans change · Ashburn, VA • Free • Plan on about 40 minutes

Ashburn Library children's area

If storytime is full or nap time throws off the schedule, stop by the children's area for a few board books and a short indoor break.

When: Mon-Thu 9:30 AM to 9 PM · Fri-Sun 9:30 AM to 5 PM

Signup: No signup needed

Bathrooms: Public restrooms available

Parking: Free library parking available

Try this: Pick two board books

1. Find a quiet spot in the children's area.
2. Hold up two board books and see which one catches your baby's eye.
3. Read until your baby is ready to eat, nap, or head home.

Bring: Small blanket, Feeding supplies, One quiet comfort item

Easy exit: Leave whenever your baby needs to eat, sleep, or move on.

Try this instead if storytime is full, canceled, or your baby needs a quieter visit.

Free weekend plan · McLean, VA • Free • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

Clemyjontri Park

A big accessible playground with wide paths, play areas for different ages, and plenty of room for toddlers to move.

When: Daily 7 AM-dusk

Signup: No signup needed

Bathrooms: Seasonal restrooms are available.

Parking: There are 81 on-site spaces, plus overflow parking across Georgetown Pike at Langley Fork Park.

Try this: Let your toddler choose three favorites

1. Start with whatever your child runs to first.
2. After a few minutes, ask them to pick two more things they want to try.
3. After a water or snack break, give them one last turn and head out.

Bring: Water, Snack, Sun or weather protection

Easy exit: When your toddler starts slowing down, let them choose one last playground favorite before you go.

If plans change · Arlington, VA • Free • Plan on about an hour

Long Branch Nature Center

A small nature center with live animals, a children's Discovery Room, gardens, a pond, and short nearby trails.

When: Sun 1 PM to 5 PM · Mon closed · Tue to Thu 10 AM to 6 PM · Fri and Sat 11 AM to 7 PM

Signup: Exhibits do not require signup. Some programs may.

Bathrooms: Accessible restroom available.

Parking: Limited free parking

Try this: Copy the animals

1. Let your child choose an animal or display.
2. Copy how that animal moves or sounds.
3. Pick one more thing to see before snack and the trip home.

Bring: Water, Snack, One small comfort item

Easy exit: If your child loses interest, say goodbye to one last animal and head home.

Try this instead if it is too hot for the playground or Clemyjontri is crowded.

Free weekend plan · Herndon, VA • Free • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

Frying Pan Farm Park

Walk through the farm to see the animals, then stop at the playground before heading home. Admission and parking are free.

When: Kidwell Farm: 9 AM to 5 PM

Signup: No signup needed

Bathrooms: Restrooms are by the playground near Old Floris School and at the Visitor Center.

Parking: Parking is free unless a special event says otherwise.

Try this: Find three animals

1. Ask your child to choose three animals to find.
2. At each one, copy the animal's sound or the way it walks.
3. Before you leave, ask which animal they would want to visit again.

Bring: Water, Closed-toe shoes, Hand wipes

Easy exit: Let your child choose one last animal or one last playground turn, then head out.

If plans change · Reston, VA • Free park entry; Water Mine, rentals, and camping cost extra • Plan on about an hour

Lake Fairfax Park

A playground, trails, picnic space, and room to walk near the lake. The Water Mine and other paid activities cost extra.

When: Playground: sunrise to sunset · Main office: Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM · Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM through Aug. 23

Signup: No reservation is listed for the playground, trails, or picnic areas. Paid activities and camping are separate.

Bathrooms: Restrooms are available. Campground restrooms and showers are for campers.

Parking: Enter at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive. The park page does not list a general parking fee.

Try this: Choose three playground stops

1. Let your child choose one thing to climb, one thing to balance on, and one slide.
2. Repeat the favorite.
3. Take a short walk toward the lake, then stop for a snack before heading back.

Bring: Water, Snack, Sun protection

Easy exit: Let your child choose one last playground turn, then leave before the walk back becomes a battle.

Try this instead if the farm is crowded or your child wants more playground time.

Free weekend plan · Alexandria, VA • Free • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

Our Special Harbor and Chessie's Big Backyard

A free spray park and playground at Franconia Park. It can fill up, so go earlier if you can.

When: Saturday and Sunday 9:30 AM to 7 PM through Aug. 23

Signup: First come first served · Capacity limited

Bathrooms: Permanent restrooms available at the recreation area

Parking: Free shared parking at Franconia Rec Center. The facility lists 263 spaces.

Try this: Make a route through the water

1. Let your child try a few water features first.
2. Ask them to pick three and make a route through them.
3. Run the route once more, then change into dry clothes before everyone gets cold.

Bring: Swimsuit, Towel, Dry clothes, Water shoes if allowed

Easy exit: Once everyone starts getting cold or tired, change into dry clothes and head home.

If plans change · Arlington, VA • Free • Plan on about an hour

Gulf Branch Nature Center

A small nature center with live animals, exhibits, gardens, a log cabin, and wooded trails. Some trails are temporarily closed for stream work.

When: Sun 1 PM to 5 PM · Mon closed · Tue to Thu 10 AM to 6 PM · Fri and Sat 11 AM to 7 PM

Signup: Exhibits do not require signup. Some programs may.

Bathrooms: Restroom inside the nature center.

Parking: Limited free parking

Try this: Follow your child's lead

1. Let your child choose what to see first.
2. Let them choose the next few stops as you go.
3. Before you leave, ask what they would want to see again.

Bring: Water, Snack

Easy exit: If the exhibits stop holding their attention, choose one last animal and head home.

Try this instead if the spray park is full, closed, or a bad fit for the weather.