Go for a dip in one of DC's free public swimming pools. Photo courtesy of DC Parks and Recreation

Water Activities to Help You Beat the Heat During a DC Heat Wave

1. Go Swimming

Swim for free at one of several indoor and outdoor free swimming pools in DC.

2. Make a Splash at an Outdoor Water Park...

Tackle winding water slides, float along a lazy river, bob in a wave pool, and have more water fun at one of these cool outdoor water parks near DC.

3. ...or at an Indoor Water Park!

If it's hot and rainy, take the fun inside and head to one of the amazing indoor water parks near DC.

4. Play at a Splash Pad or Sprinkler Park

Splash pads and sprinkler parks are a fun (and usually free) way to keep cool during a summer heat wave.

RELATED: Fishing Lakes Near DC and More Kid-Friendly Places to Go Fishing


Take a day trip to Sandy Point State Park on the Chesapeake Bay. Photo courtesy of Maryland DNR

5. Hit the Beach

Take a day, overnight, or weekend trip to one of several family-friendly beaches near DC, including the Delaware beaches and Virginia Beach. Don't feel like driving that far? There are plenty of parks with beaches in Northern Virginia and Maryland where families can build sandcastles, soak up the sun, and take a dip in the Potomac River.

6. Find a Swimming Lake or Watering Hole

The DC area is full of lakes, ponds, rivers, and other places where you can jump into the water and take a swim. Beat the heat at one of our favorite swimming lakes and watering holes for DC families.

7. Take Your Kids for Swimming Lessons

Your children will stay cool in the water and learn a lifesaving skill when they take one of these swimming lessons for kids or baby swim classes near DC.

8. Go Paddleboarding, Canoeing, or Kayaking

Rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or electric boat and spend some time on the water at one of many lakes and rivers in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Learn where here!

RELATED: Best Museums for Kids in the DC Area

There's lots for little ones to explore at the National Children's Museum.

Indoor Activities to Keep Cool in a DC Heat Wave

9. Explore the National Children's Museum

From hands-on science exhibits to climbing structures to favorite Nickelodeon characters, the National Children's Museum has a variety of activities to keep children ages 0-12 engaged, happy, and cool on a hot DC day. Each season there's a new visiting exhibit: summer 2025 has Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure!, and Curious George: Let's Get Curious! comes in summer 2026. 

10. Visit DC's Many Free Museums

The AC is always cranking—and admission is always free—at one of the many free museums in DC to visit with kids, including famous Smithsonian institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Air and Space Museum.

11. Hit the Public Library

Local libraries host a slew of free summertime events for kids and families, from storytimes and sing-alongs to craft sessions and game nights. Check your library's website for a calendar of events, many of which require online registration.

12. Play at an Indoor Playground

When it's too hot to head to an outdoor playground, kids can run, jump, climb, and slide at one of the DC area's awesome indoor playgrounds.

13. See Some Live Theater

Plenty of theaters near DC offer family-friendly musicals and plays—with AC on hot days! Sesame Street the Musical is playing at the Kennedy Center through August 31, 2025, or you can catch The Lightning Thief at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo, MD by August 17. 

RELATED: Destination Playgrounds in the DC Area: 15 Play Spaces Worth the Trip

Head to ZavaZone for air-conditioned fun. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

14. Bounce at a Trampoline Park

Jump and bounce in air-conditioned comfort at one our favorite trampoline parks near DC, like ZavaZone.

15. Channel Your Inner Ninja Warrior 

Unleash your inna ninja warrior at one of several ninja warrior gyms and obstacle courses in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

16. Go Indoor Rock Climbing 

Head to one of the DC area's indoor rock-climbing gyms to get some exercise and have some fun while staying out of the sun.

17. Challenge Yourself at an Escape Room

The AC at these awesome escape rooms for kids and families will feel so good, you may not want to escape! 

18. Have Fun at the LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC

Build with LEGO bricks, see 4D LEGO movies, ride a train, and have more brick-themed fun at the LEGO Discovery Center in Springfield, VA.

19. Peppa Pig x CAMP

Starting July 25, 2025, step through the Magic Door at the CAMP store in Tysons Corner Center to immerse yourself into the world of Peppa Pig. Start your journey aboard Miss Rabbit’s Train, then roar into fun at Dinosaur Park, help Mr. Bull fix up Peppa’s treehouse, and splash around at the Duck Pond—no boots needed! It all leads to the big moment—Peppa introducing her baby sister, Baby Evie!

20. Enter Bubble Planet

At Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience, journey through 10 interactive rooms including a huge bubble-bath ball pit, an undersea LED room, a virtual-reality room, an endless infinity experience, and a vast ocean of pink balloons. Dazzling colors, lasers, moving lights, and bubbles integrate with 360-degree projection technology and virtual reality to create a magical experience.

21. Go Bowling

There are few places where the AC pumps more than at bowling alleys! Plus, nearly all of the places on our list of fun bowling alleys near DC for kids offer a Summer Season Pass or a Kids Bowl Free program all summer long.

22. Play Laser Tag

Laser tag is another fun indoor activity that keeps kids active and cool. Find out where to play laser tag near DC. 

RELATED: The Best Easy Playdough Recipe


Fun water games make your backyard so much cooler. Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins

At-Home Heat Wave Activities

23. Have Some At-Home Water Fun

Our list of 35 water games will help kids beat the heat all summer long in your own backyard. Or, have an epic water-gun battle with some of the best bubble guns on the market.

24. Make a Cold Treat

Grab some popsicle molds and try one of eight fun popsicle recipes to make with kids. Or, learn how to make ice cream at home in five easy steps.

25. Get Crafty

Our Ultimate Guide to Crafts for Kids has hundreds of art projects for kids, including summer-themed ideas like seashell crafts. 

26. Do Science Projects

Our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids will keep kids busy and learning in air-conditioned comfort. It includes our lists of 67 easy science experiments and 25 preschool science experiments.

27. Have a Movie Marathon

Pop some popcorn, pour some cold lemonade, and spend the day watching some of the 75 best kids' movies in the comfort of your AC. Or try one of these 35 great summer kids' movies. 

28. Play Some Indoor Games

Get some air-conditioned exercise with one of 30 exercise games and indoor activities to get kids moving. For more relaxed indoor fun, try one of our favorite board games for family game night or card games every kid should know.

More Ways to Keep Cool During a DC Heat Wave

29. Have a Fun Restaurant Meal

Head out for a meal at one of the many fun restaurants near DC where kids can play or theme restaurants for families. They offer activities like arcade and board games, ping-pong, bowling, Skee-Ball, laser tag, live shows, and more—plus air conditioning on hot summer days.

30. Go out for Ice Cream

You'll all scream for ice cream and beat the heat at one of the many must-try ice cream shops near DC.