Kick off the holiday week at the fun and festive Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade. Photo courtesy of the Montgomery Parks MNCPPC
MoCo Thanksgiving Parade, ZooLights, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids
LuminoCity will light up the night in Gaithersburg, Photo courtesy of LuminoCity
21 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
See a condensed Cirque show at Gaylord National Resort. Photo courtesy of Vivid Events
What’s Open on Thanksgiving in DC? Family-Friendly Places & Stores
There are so many family-friendly restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner in the DC area! Photo by Cotton Bro Studio via Pexels
15 Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids
Now is the time to buy tickets for popular holiday light shows and other events! Photo courtesy of Brookside Gardens
The DC Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
There are so many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Theissman's Restaurant's Facebook page
Breakfast with Santa in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2025
The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art is always popular. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
Gaylord National Resort's ICE! has a fun new theme every year! Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort
Christmas Towns & Festive Hotels Near DC That Will Blow Your Mind
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy milk and cookies and meet Santa aboard the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's North Pole Express. Photo by Kimberly Byard
Best Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near DC (2025 Guide for Families)
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The National Museum of the American Indian's imagiNATIONS Activity Center is full of interactive activities for kids. Photo by the author
Things To Do in DC That Everyone Will Love—From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
Planet Word has a 22-foot talking word wall!
The 12 Best FREE Hidden Gems & Secret Spots for Kids in DC
Learn the art of blacksmithing at Lawless Forge in Sterling, VA. Photo courtesy of the venue
19 Trending and Out-of-the-Box Activities for Kids in DC
Dave & Buster's is fun for all ages! Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Best Kid-Friendly Arcades in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
You're never too old for a foam pit! Photo courtesy of Sky Zone
Safe and Fun Teen Nighttime Activities Near DC
LEGO® Discovery Center Washington, DC is the perfect birthday spot for little builders.
Only in DC Birthday Parties for Kids: Unique Birthday Parties for All Ages
Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia
Ultimate Virginia Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in VA
It doesn't get much better than a delicious slice of pizza! Photo courtesy of Stracci Pizza
Where to Find the Best Pizza in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Enjoy Art in Bloom during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Elvert Barnes via FLickr 2.0
101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

Things to Do in Washington, DC This Weekend: Chinese New Year, Museum Fun

Celebrate the Year of the Rat in downtown DC.Photo courtesy of DC Chinese New Year Parade
Celebrate the Year of the Rat in downtown DC.Photo courtesy of DC Chinese New Year Parade
1/22/20 - By James Smith

DC families can celebrate the diversity of the city with great things to do all weekend. Chinese New Year celebrations shine a light on Asian culture and the contributions of Asian-Americans to America's development. Kids can learn about games played by the country's indigenous peoples, and some of the innovative ways humans learned to travel around their communities.  

Elsewhere, kids can enjoy a celebration of photography and STEM open house in DC, drop-in art making in Baltimore, and even a cookie baking workshop in Sterling, Virginia.

Whatever you do this weekend, know that your friends at Mommy Poppins DC will be with you throughout 2020 with updates on the best family happenings in the capital area. Check our events calendar for the most up-to-date events in DC and beyond, and remember to sign up for our FREE newsletters to receive posts such as this right to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Kids can enjoy a museum space of their own at Wegmans Wonderplace. Photo by Hugh Talman courtesy of National Museum of American History
Kids can enjoy a museum space of their own at Wegmans Wonderplace. Photo by Hugh Talman courtesy of National Museum of American History

Things to Do in Washington, DC With Kids All Weekend

Community Day: Daniel Gordon Hue and Saturate

Washington, DC - FREE
Explore the fluidity and interconnectedness of photography with these other art forms at Houston Center for Photography’s Community Day, an interactive, daylong event that encourages engagement with the work on display. READ MORE

Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History

Washington, DC - FREE
This 1,700-square-foot exhibit gives kids ages 0-6 a hands-on experience with elements taken from the adult exhibits, providing a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity. It features plenty of interactive elements, including a construction area, a climbing structure, a soft-play area for crawlers, a pretend farm and kitchen with play food and accessories, a mini portrait gallery, and more.  READ MORE

Things to Do in Washington, DC With Kids, Saturday, January 25

Free STEM Activity Event and Open House

Washington, DC - FREE
At this open house, kids can enjoy coding robots, engineering challenges, Minecraft activities, and even a special activity they get to take home.  READ MORE

Families Together: Transportation

Washington, DC
Over the centuries people have developed unique modes of transportation to help them move from one area to another. Kids can explore a variety of transportation vehicles and discover how their unique designs help with their functionality. READ MORE

Winter Blast: A Weekend of Native Games

Washington, DC - FREE
Games can be fun and teach important life skills. Visitors can learn about, play, and celebrate the games of indigenous peoples from the Great Plains, Bolivia, and Hawai’i. READ MORE
Enjoy an art-filled afternoon at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center. Photo courtesy of the center
Enjoy an art-filled afternoon at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center. Photo courtesy of the center

Things to Do in Washington, DC With Kids, Sunday, January 26

Artful Afternoons: Ancient Art

Washington, DC
The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center hosts a hands-on artful afternoon for young museum goers. This month's theme is Ancient Art. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration

Washington, DC - FREE
The Smithsonian's Freer|Sackler, known for an extensive collection of vibrant and colorful Asian art, will ring in the Year of the Rat with its annual Lunar New Year celebration. Expect live musical performances, acrobatics, puppetry, a chance to sample spicy dishes, and the opportunity to view Chinese art exhibitions. READ MORE

Cookie Baking Workshop

Sterling, Virginia
Put on your aprons for a one-hour Little Dreamer Baking Workshop that offers the opportunity to bond with your little one while they make their very own cookies. Aprons and ingredients will be provided, while your child enjoys designing and decorating their sweet treat. Additional $10 per child with open-play admission. $20 workshop only. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
Recent Articles By James Smith:
Read more articles by James Smith.