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Free National Parks Access for 4th Graders

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‹‹ More Admission Programs

By DullesMoms, June 2026

Fourth-grade families, this one’s a keeper! The Every Kid Outdoors program gives every fourth grader free access to hundreds of national parks, lands, and waters — and the whole carload of family and friends gets in free, too!

From ancient dwellings and towering waterfalls to wildlife refuges and national forests, there’s no shortage of adventure to explore. For Northern Virginia families, that means free admission to incredible nearby destinations like Shenandoah National Park (Luray, VA), Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (Harpers Ferry, WV), Manassas National Battlefield Park (Manassas, VA), and more — all within easy driving distance!

Here’s how it works:

  • Get Your Pass
    Fourth graders complete a fun online adventure diary to receive their pass. Educators can also get passes for their entire fourth-grade class!
  • Print It & Bring It
    The pass must be printed — electronic copies are not accepted. Each pass has a unique code, so every fourth grader needs their own. At some sites, rangers will swap the paper pass for a keepsake plastic pass!
  • Hit the Road!
    Enjoy free entry to national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and more for a full year. Use the Plan a Trip tool to find the perfect destination and start the adventure!

Visit the link below to get the pass and start planning an unforgettable family outing!

Details:
Website

Dates:
Year-Round for Current 4th Graders

Location:
National Parks & Federal Lands Nationwide

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Sully Antique Car Show

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

Shine up the chrome and gather the family for a Father’s Day cruise — hundreds of antique and classic vehicles will fill Sully’s grounds on June 21, 2026, from 10 am-3:30 pm for the 51st Annual Sully Antique Car Show!

Browse the incredible collection, watch vehicle judging and award presentations throughout the day, and take in restoration and specialty vehicle displays, live music, food vendors, children’s activities, and a kids’ tent for young car enthusiasts. Admission also includes the opportunity to explore Sully’s history on-site.

Purchase tickets online in advance to save.

Details:
Website ∙ Tickets

Date:
June 21, 2026

Location:
Sully Historic Site ∙ Chantilly, VA

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Get to know this destination! More commonly known as Sully Plantation, Sully Historic Site is both a Virginia Landmark and a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Chantilly, VA. An oasis of the past, Sully reflects Fairfax County’s history. Completed in 1799 by Richard Bland Lee, Sully’s main house combines Georgian and Federal architectural styles. Richard Bland Lee was Northern Virginia’s first Representative to Congress and General Robert E. Lee’s uncle.

Sully also includes original outbuildings, reconstructed quarters used by enslaved people, and gardens. Guided tours highlight the early 19th-century life of the Richard Bland Lee family, tenant farmers, and enslaved African Americans. Programs reflect the history of Fairfax County through the 20th century.

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Stage Adventures ∙ A Summer Series for Kids

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ Even More Summer Fun

Turn ordinary mornings into front-row experiences this summer at Stage Adventures!

This special summer entertainment series offers a full line-up of interactive performances designed just for kids. Bring a blanket, gather your little explorers, and settle in for a morning of fun:

Details:
Website

Dates:
Select Tuesdays, June 16-Aug 25, 2026

Location:
South Riding Center ∙ South Riding, VA

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Old Town’s Birthday Celebration & Fireworks

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ More 4th of July Fun

There’s always plenty to enjoy in Old Town Alexandria, VA — from festivals and parades to their annual birthday celebration!

On July 11, 2026, celebrate their 277th birthday (& the USA’s 250th)! Hosted along the waterfront at Oronoco Bay Park, you’re invited to enjoy live entertainment, surprise treats, and a dazzling fireworks show once the sun sets.

The schedule at a glance:

  • 6 pm: Intro & opening music act
  • 7:30 pm: Town crier announces Mayor Alyia Gaskins, poetry reading by Alexandria Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso, and acknowledgments
  • 8 pm: Distribution of birthday cupcakes by members of City Council
  • 8:30 pm: Performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
  • 9:30 pm: Grand finale fireworks display, ceremonial cannons by the Presidential Salute Battery

The vantage points for fireworks viewing:

  • Canal Center Plaza ∙ 11 Canal Center Plz
  • Rivergate Park ∙ 2 Montgomery St
  • Oronoco Bay Park ∙ 100 Madison St
  • Founders Park ∙ 351 North Union St
  • Waterfront Park ∙ 1A Prince St
  • Point Lumley Park ∙ 1 Duke St
  • Windmill Hill Park ∙ 501 South Union St
  • Fords Landing Boardwalk ∙ 99 Franklin St
  • Jones Point Park ∙ Jones Point Dr
  • George Washington Masonic Temple ∙ 101 Callahan Dr

Details:
Website

Date:
July 11, 2026

Location:
Oronoco Bay Park ∙ Alexandria, VA

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Franklin Park Independence Day Celebration

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ More 4th of July Fun

Grab your red, white, and blue — there are even more reasons to visit Franklin Park on July 4, 2026!

The Franklin Park Independence Day Celebration kicks off with food trucks, face painting, giant inflatables, amusements, and DJ Bifocals setting the mood. As the evening unfolds, the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble takes the stage, followed by the Sons of the American Revolution, who lead a reading of the Declaration of Independence — a meaningful nod to America’s 250th birthday.

As the night sky takes over, settle in for a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by live music from the Loudoun Symphonic Winds. Admission is free, but parking is not guaranteed after a certain point in the evening — plan to arrive early, bring a picnic, and enjoy the festivities!

Rain date for fireworks only is July 5.

Details:
Website

Date:
July 4, 2026

Location:
Franklin Park ∙ Purcellville, VA

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

LoCo Summer Reading Program

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ Even More Summer Fun

It’s time to dig in! Loudoun County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is back for 2026 with a prehistoric theme, free family performances, and 34 grand prizes up for grabs — including a Nintendo Switch 2 and MacBooks!

Registration opens May 16, 2026, and early registrants earn free entry to the Purcellville Cannons baseball game on June 17, 2026, plus a chance to win Washington Spirit tickets. The program runs June 16-August 16, 2026, and is open to all ages — from pre-readers to adults!

Here’s how it works:

  • Register
    Create a free online account and add all participating family members. Pick up a complimentary weekday child’s pass to Great Country Farms at your local branch!
  • Complete 10 Challenges
    Choose from age-appropriate activities, attend a library event, or read for 60 minutes. Finish all 10 and earn bonus raffle entries!
  • Earn Prizes
    Every participant who completes their challenges receives a free book and a voucher for two Washington Nationals tickets. Grand prize winners are notified by August 20, 2026.

Get all the details, entertainment schedule, and complete challenge list online. Register today!

Details:
Website

Dates:
June 16-Aug 16, 2026

Location:
Loudoun County Public Library ∙ Various Branches

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Results: Summer Camps by Location

‹‹ Summer Camp Guide

ARLINGTON COUNTY

Big adventures, busy days, and happy memories ahead…

Arlington Co Parks & Rec

Arlington Co Parks & Rec

Find the perfect summer camp adventure around every corner in Arlington ...
Art House 7

Art House 7

Every camp is an opportunity to create memories and masterpieces ...
Club SciKidz

Club SciKidz

The wonders of science and technology come alive through hands-on discovery and fun ...

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Make Summer Memories: Rafting & Tubing

By DullesMoms, June 2026

River Riders is ready to guide your family on your next outdoor adventure! Located along the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, River Riders has been a Licensed Professional White Water Guide Service since the ’70s.

Some of the popular opportunities they offer families include:

White Water Rafting
This heart-pounding experience is perfect for both novice and intermediate paddlers. Guests are guided on a 5- to 7-mile excursion through the beautiful scenery of Harpers Ferry. An ideal family-friendly experience, paddlers will enjoy class I-III rapids.

Tubing
Relax as you float leisurely down the Shenandoah or Potomac Rivers this summer, or enjoy a more exhilarating adventure on the whitewater rapids of Harpers Ferry! River Riders has it all, with the experience, comfort, and value families know and trust.

Flat Water Tubing
Flat water tubing is the most relaxing float experience, ideal for families and children (30+ pounds) on a hot summer day. Enjoy a full day of tubing with River Riders, which offers the longest flatwater tubing trip in the area! Never has being lazy been so much fun!

White Water Tubing
Put a little pep in your step (or tube, rather) with white water tubing! As River Riders’ most adventurous tubing activity, this experience is perfect for thrill-seekers ready to take on the river’s rapids. Please note that this unguided trip has stricter safety requirements: participants must be 10-12 years old, roughly 5 feet tall to effectively steer/paddle, and proficient swimmers.

Harpers Ferry Waterpark (Giant Inflatable Waterpark)
This massive addition is a dream come true for families! River Riders built a giant floating inflatable waterpark inside a scenic, crystal-clear natural quarry. Kids aged 5 and up (and 45″+ tall) can tackle commercial-grade inflatable obstacle courses, slides, climbing towers, trampolines, and ninja-style challenges, while a private beach area offers parents the perfect spot to relax and watch the fun.

If you’re looking for more excitement out of the water, be sure to take advantage of River Riders’ zip-lining canopy tour or aerial adventure park. Cast a line for a great fishing experience on the Shenandoah or Potomac Rivers, or hop on a mountain bike for a scenic self-guided excursion!

River Riders recommends arriving an hour early. This gives you ample time to park (VIP parking is an additional fee), sign your waivers, and check in.

Forget something? The on-site store has snacks, water shoes, waterproof phone cases, and memorabilia to ensure a smooth adventure.

Details:
Website

Location:
408 Alstadts Hill Rd ∙ Harpers Ferry, WV

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Kids Camp @ Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ More Summer Movie Fun

Little kids, big kids, and even grown-up kids are invited to Alamo Kids Camp to catch a highly discounted summer movie!

Hosted in Ashburn at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, each week brings a new selection, ranging from recent animated favorites to timeless classics:

Details:
Website

Location:
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema ∙ Ashburn, VA

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Kids Day @ National Harbor

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ Even More Summer Fun

This summer, the Plaza at National Harbor is home to weekly fun and entertainment just for kids! Hosted on Tuesdays, June 2-August 25, 2026, Kids Day brings a little extra weekday excitement. The 2026 line-up includes:

  • June 2, 2026
    Library Storytime
    The county library system is excited to bring kids an interactive storytime, singing, dancing, and more!
  • June 9, 2026
    PBS Kids Retro Summer
    WHUT brings iconic PBS Kids series and exciting new faces — sparking creativity, curiosity, and cross-generational fun!
  • June 16, 2026
    Meet a Police Officer & Firefighter
    Kids get to meet the real-life heroes who keep our community safe!
  • June 23, 2026
    Wild Kratts Nature Adventure
    PBS Kids presents hands-on activities and creature-filled fun inspired by Wild Kratts!
  • June 30, 2026
    George Washington’s Mount Vernon
    Explore Revolutionary War flags, make your own, and enjoy an interactive music presentation straight from Washington’s era!
  • July 7, 2026
    Reading Rainbow Experience
    PBS Kids presents a community read-a-thon with free book giveaways and special guest readers!
  • July 14, 2026
    Wildlife Wonder: Endangered Species Art Activity
    Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council brings the Wildlife Wonder Boat sculpture to life — kids learn about endangered animals and earn a certificate of participation!
  • July 21, 2026
    Super Why! Story & Craft Fun
    PBS Kids presents story puppet making, sidewalk chalk art, and interactive activities to spark creativity!
  • July 28, 2026
    The Case of the Vanishing Vase
    A musical mystery performance from the Teen Performance Ensemble — a whodunit the whole family will love!
  • Aug 4, 2026
    Work It Out Wombats
    PBS Kids brings the fun with this energetic, movement-filled experience!
  • Aug 11, 2026
    Didgeridoo Workshop
    The Embassy of Australia invites kids to learn about one of the world’s oldest instruments with Australian artist Cameron McCarthy — and discover the stories it can tell!
  • Aug 18, 2026
    Be My Neighbor Day
    PBS Kids invites kids to meet real-life community heroes — a doctor, a police officer, an artist, and more!
  • Aug 25, 2026
    Library Storytime
    The county library system is excited to bring kids an interactive storytime, singing, dancing, and more!

Details:
Website

Dates:
Weekly, June 2-Aug 25, 2026

Location:
National Harbor ∙ Oxon Hill, MD

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.