Ah, summer. A sweet time of sunshine, pool days, vacation, popsicles… and a house full of kids with no school to keep them busy. The relaxed schedule of summer is a great time to invite more leisure into the home and give your kids a chance to be bored, and it’s also a great time to capitalize on all the wonderful (free!) things to do right here in our nation’s capital. 

At Home Fun

There is plenty of research circulating in the media that says it is good for kids to be bored. To spark their creativity on those boring days, here are some creative projects:

Leave out a box of old cardboard and recycling materials, tape, and a glue gun (if you’re brave). You could even invest in a BeaverBot, a fancy machine that helps kids cut cardboard, and see what they can create. Challenge them to make a new invention or build a house for their little toys. This doesn’t just have to be for preschool or elementary school-aged children. Ask your teen to make a pinball machine or a doll house or garage for a younger sibling or cousin. 

Leave art supplies out where kids can access them easily. A basket with watercolors, pencils, paper, and postcards with famous pieces of art to imitate can provide plenty of entertainment. 

A pile of old magazines, scissors, paper, and a glue stick can become a collage. 

A piece of paper, tape, and various leaves and sticks from the backyard become a nature collage. 

Do we have to tout the benefits of reading? If you have an eager reader, take a weekly trip to the library and stock up on new favorites. If your child is more reluctant to pick up a book, try eliminating the screen-time options completely for a week and requiring at least 20 minutes of reading time each day. Choosing a consistent time can help eliminate the battle. Offer to read-aloud at first, and you might be surprised to see what happens once they get hooked on a good story. Audiobooks are another wonderful option! For some great book recommendations for all ages, check out Sarah MacKenzie’s blog and podcast The Read-Aloud Revival. 

Do you regularly ask your children to do chores? From little 2-3-year-olds to teens, summer is a great time to invest in teaching them basic household chores. Little ones can help empty the dishwasher or sweep the floor; teach them how to make their bed or line up everyone’s shoes. For older kids, could you challenge your elementary through high school-aged child to make dinner or lunch one day a week? From planning, shopping, to cooking, they will learn so much by taking ownership of the whole process.  

Out and About (Free!) Fun 

There are so many museums in this area that are free—and many are closer and easier to reach than downtown! Take full advantage. The Natural History Museum is a great place for a curious toddler because everything is either 1) behind glass or 2) meant to be touched. Bring a sketchbook to the National Gallery or picnic on the Mall. With some planning, you can visit Glenstone in Potomac, MD. While it is a bit of a drive, and requires free passes in advance, the grounds are beautiful and there is plenty of modern art to inspire. A trip down to the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria provides another option for a free art museum. While down in Alexandria, check out River Farm, a free garden and historic estate that was part of George Washington’s farmland and boasts a wonderful view of the Potomac. In Fairfax, visit Historic Blenheim and the Civil War Interpretive Center, and pair it with a walk around Old Town Fairfax. 

There are just so many playgrounds, spraygrounds, and parks in this area! Check out the spraygrounds at various Arlington County parks. Mosaic Park is a personal favorite from that list, and it’s close to Ballston Quarter for a fun food option. Work your way through this awesome list of the best playgrounds in DC or the 45 best playgrounds in Northern Virginia. Great Falls Park can be free, as well as a trip out to Occoquan Regional Park, where you can hike for free (there is also an option to rent kayaks and paddleboards). This list gives some ideas of stroller-friendly trails in Northern Virginia for those with little ones. 

Have you taken advantage of all your local library has to offer? Check the website of the branch closest to you for programming like storytime for littles, or even Makerspaces. My local library has a sewing machine, a couple of 3D printers, and various other tools available in their MakerLab for anyone with a library card to use, and helpful volunteers are available to show you the ropes. Typically, kids are allowed to participate with a guardian accompanying them. The library is a wonderful place to while away a hot or rainy summer afternoon!