🌻 Playdate NoVA: Kites Saturday, art and bubbles Sunday

Free weekend plan · Ashburn, VA • Free • Sat, Aug 22 • 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 · Arlington, VA • Free • Sun, Aug 23 • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

MoCA on the Move: Summer Family Fun

A free Sunday drop-in with paper mosaics, live music, chalk, and bubbles in the park.

When: Sunday, 10 AM to 1 PM

Signup: Free and open to all ages; RSVP is available but the official page does not state that it is required

Bathrooms: The official event page does not confirm restroom access.

Parking: Free street parking and free garage parking for up to three hours are available all weekend; enter the garage from 13th Street South.

Try this: Drop in for music, bubbles, chalk, or art

1. Start with chalk or bubbles while little children move freely.
2. Listen to the live music without needing to stay for the full event.
3. Try the paper mosaic activity whenever your child wants to sit.

Easy exit: Leave whenever attention runs out; the event is designed for drop-in participation.

Use this Sunday option if Saturday plans fall through or a flexible outdoor event fits better.

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

Mason District Park

A free Annandale park with a playground, tot lot, permanent restroom, fields, natural area, hiking trail, tennis courts, and summer children's entertainment.

When: Park grounds open sunrise to sunset daily

Signup: No reservation for playground, tot lot, trail, or fields · Picnic shelters and amphitheater reserve separately

Bathrooms: Permanent restroom shown on the official park map

Parking: Multiple free park lots · About 120 to 160 marked spaces estimated from Google Maps in July 2026

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 · Leesburg, VA • Free April to September • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park

Seasonal working farm with animals, nature trail, playground, hill slides, jumping pillows, and mostly stroller friendly paths.

When: Tue to Sun 9 AM to 4:30 PM · October daily 9 AM to 5 PM

Signup: Not needed for general visits

Bathrooms: Yes · Indoor restrooms

Parking: Free onsite lot

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 home.

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

Free weekend plan · Alexandria, VA • Free • Sat, Aug 22 • Plan on about an hour

Create/Fold a Variety of Paper Airplanes - compete with friends to see how far they will go.

Create/fold paper airplanes. Toss/fly them to see how far they go. Which one is fastest? Which one is easier to control? Which one goes the farthes...

When: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Signup: Registration encouraged · Walk-ins are welcome

Bathrooms: Public restrooms available

Parking: Free library parking available

Try this: Let them choose the details

1. Help your child get started, then let them pick a color, shape, sticker, or decoration to make the project their own.
2. Halfway through, ask if they want to add anything or change a color.
3. Before you leave, ask them to show you their favorite part.

Bring: Water, A bag or folder for bringing the project home

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

If plans change · Falls Church, VA • Free • Sat, Aug 22 • Plan on about an hour

Paws to Read with Lucy

Read aloud to Lucy, a trained therapy dog. Bring your own book or choose a book from the library. Walk-ins welcome.

When: 2 PM to 3 PM

Signup: No registration listed · Drop in

Bathrooms: Public restrooms available

Parking: Free library parking available

Try this: Pick a book by its cover

1. Pick three colors before entering the children's area.
2. Find one book cover for each color and let your child choose a favorite.
3. Read the chosen book together before heading home.

Bring: Library card if you plan to borrow books, Quiet snack for afterward

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

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

Free weekend plan · Arlington, VA • Free • Sat, Aug 22 • Plan on about an hour

Kindergarten Kickoff

Get ready for Kindergarten! Rising kindergarteners and their families will enjoy stories and songs about starting school and enjoy hands on activit...

When: 11 AM to 12 PM

Signup: Registration available · 112 seats shown available

Bathrooms: Public restrooms available

Parking: Free library parking available

Try this: Let them choose the details

1. Help your child get started, then let them pick a color, shape, sticker, or decoration to make the project their own.
2. Halfway through, ask if they want to add anything or change a color.
3. Before you leave, ask them to show you their favorite part.

Bring: Water, A bag or folder for bringing the project home

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

If plans change · Arlington, VA • Free park entry • Plan on 60 to 90 minutes

Upton Hill Regional Park

Free playground and trails with optional mini golf, climbing, batting cages, and Ocean Dunes Waterpark in season.

When: Playground and trails dawn to dusk · Paid attractions have seasonal hours

Signup: Not needed for playground · Attraction tickets available

Bathrooms: Yes · Park restrooms

Parking: Free onsite lot

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.

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