The fair, STEMusic, and what to do around NoVA this weekend

Free weekend plan · Ashburn, VA • Free • Sat, Aug 1 • Plan on about an hour

Baby Storytime

Lap rhymes, action songs and interactive stories followed by playtime. For ages 0-18 months with a parent.

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 · Sterling, VA • Free • Sat, Aug 1 • Plan on about an hour

Family Storytime

Interactive stories and movement. For ages 5 and under with a parent.

When: 10 AM to 10:30 AM

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.

This is a closer option if the first place is closed or crowded, or you want something shorter.

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

Hayes Park Sprayground

A free seasonal Arlington sprayground with a restroom, onsite parking, and overflow across the street. School access and posted restrictions can change overflow availability.

When: Mon and Thu 10 AM to 3 PM · Tue and Fri 2 PM to 8 PM · Weekend noon to 8 PM · Wednesday closed

Signup: Not needed · Check status alerts · Water shoes recommended · Swim diaper required when needed

Bathrooms: Yes · Park restroom

Parking: Onsite parking plus school overflow across the street · About 35 to 55 spaces estimated across both areas

Try this: Follow the water

1. Start with ten minutes of child-led water play.
2. Find three different ways the water moves and copy each one.
3. Change into dry clothes and finish with a snack break.

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

Long Branch Nature Center

Free Arlington nature center with a children's Discovery Room, live animals, seasonal exhibits, gardens, a viewing pond, and 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.

This is an easier outing if the weather changes, the first place is closed, or everyone needs a shorter day.

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

Bles Park

A free Ashburn park with a recently updated inclusive playground, restrooms, six picnic pavilions, sports fields, paved and natural trails, and river access. Choose the playground or one short trail instead of trying to cover the whole park.

When: Daily dawn to dusk

Signup: No reservation for the playground and trails · Selected pavilions can be reserved

Bathrooms: Restroom building onsite

Parking: Free onsite parking

Try this: Find five colors

1. Choose five colors to find before leaving the parking area.
2. Take a short child-led walk and find one safe natural object for each color.
3. Finish with a snack and let your child choose a favorite discovery.

Bring: Water, Snack, Sun or weather protection

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

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

Trailside Park

Loudoun playground and park listing with restrooms, parking, and room for a simple weekday outing.

When: Dawn-dusk · Field lights vary

Signup: No signup needed

Bathrooms: Yes · Park restrooms

Parking: Free lot · Easy access

Try this: Choose three playground favorites

1. Let your child choose the first thing to try.
2. After a few minutes, ask them to pick two more playground favorites.
3. Take a water break, then give them one last turn before you leave.

Bring: Water, Snack, Sun protection

Easy exit: Give your child one last playground turn, then head home before everyone is worn out.

This is a closer option if the first place is closed or crowded, or you want something shorter.

Free weekend plan · Lorton, VA • Free general admission • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

Workhouse Arts Center

A free historic art-campus visit with galleries, artist studios, public restrooms, accessible single-level buildings, and generally free parking. A hands-on child class is not a standing daily activity and needs its own current program listing.

When: Wed-Sat 11 AM to 6 PM · Second Saturdays 11 AM to 9 PM · Sun noon-5 PM · Closed Mon-Tue and listed holidays

Signup: No registration for ordinary campus and gallery browsing · Book classes and ticketed programs separately · Check the current calendar for a hands-on child activity

Bathrooms: Public restrooms in buildings W-2, W-3, W-10, and W-16

Parking: Generally free north and south open-air lots · About 600 to 800 spaces estimated from Google Maps in July 2026 · Some special events charge for parking

Try this: Choose a gallery favorite

1. Let your child pick the first gallery or artist building.
2. Ask them to choose one artwork they would hang at home and explain why.
3. Before leaving, each person picks one detail to sketch or remember.

Bring: Water, Small notebook and pencil if your child likes to sketch

Easy exit: Choose one last gallery or studio, then head home while everyone is still interested.

If plans change · Woodbridge, VA • Free • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk

A free wetlands boardwalk and trail outing. Rippon Landing adds a playground, grills, a small pavilion, and a portable restroom for a more kid-focused stop.

When: Daily daylight visit · Check weather before leaving

Signup: No signup needed for the boardwalk or trails.

Bathrooms: Portable restroom at Rippon Landing

Parking: Park parking areas · Use the entrance for the part you plan to visit

Try this: Let your child lead the walk

1. Let your child choose the route and identify two landmarks that will help everyone return.
2. Photograph or sketch five clues showing animals, water, plants, or how the park is used.
3. At the end, rank the clues from easiest to hardest to notice and explain the top choice.

Bring: Water, Walking shoes, Phone camera or small notebook

Easy exit: If everyone starts losing interest, choose one last stop and head home.

This is an easier outing if the weather changes, the first place is closed, or everyone needs a shorter day.