Fall is just around the corner in DC, and that means gorgeous weather, no stifling humidity or bugs, and beautiful fall foliage. It's the perfect time to enjoy all of the wonderful outdoor things to do in DC this fall that are on our fall bucket list for kids, like pumpkin picking, petting zoos, and tons of family-friendly fall festivals. There are also Halloween events galore, amazing exhibits and shows to see, and exciting fall train rides.

Read on for our list of 30 things to do in DC this fall and its surrounding areas with kids. The list includes fall activities in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the city itself for families and kids of all ages. For even more ideas for autumn activities, check out our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families.

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, North America's 20th Great Wolf Lodge resort, opened its doors in late June 2023 in Perryville, MD (under an hour's drive from Baltimore). With 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot water park with 22 water slides, and loads of indoor attractions (plus an outdoor pool), the resort is the largest Great Wolf Lodge location to date.

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland hosted my family for a weekend in late August, and we partook in almost all of the resort's activities. My 12-year-old twin boys and 8-year-old daughter all had a fantastic time.

Read on for my honest review of Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, including tips and tricks on making the most of your family's stay. Then check out Mommy Poppins' reviews of Great Wolf Lodge Poconos and SoCal. You'll find even more great places to stay on your next family vacation in our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide.

Lady Liberty has come to the DC area—well, sort of. Reclining Liberty, a 25-foot sculpture modeled after the Statue of Liberty in New York City, was installed on the front lawn of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Arlington in Virginia on August 3, 2023. The statue, made by sculptor Zaq Landsberg, depicts Lady Liberty lying on her side with her head resting on one hand.

Reclining Liberty was originally installed in NYC's Morningside Park in 2021, then moved to Liberty State Park in 2022. It will remain on view at MoCA Arlington until July 28, 2024.

For more information about museums and exhibitions in the DC area, visit our DC Museum Guide for Kids and Families.

DC LEGO lovers have a big reason to celebrate: The new LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC officially opened to the public on August 14, 2023 at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Virginia. The 32,000-square-foot indoor attraction features 12 immersive zones, including a Mini World made with over 1.5 million bricks, a train ride, a 4D Cinema, DUPLO Park for the youngest builders, and so much more. There are also LEGO character appearances and plenty of opportunities for creative building.

I had the chance to visit LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC with my 12-year-old twin sons and my 8-year-old daughter. We had an absolute blast, and we can't wait to return!

Read on for my review of LEGO Discovery Center, including tips and tricks on how to maximize your family's visit. Then visit our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for even more indoor fun for DC-area kids.

Swimming lessons teach kids one of the most important life skills—one that will keep them safe in pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. Lucky, there are plenty of swim schools in the DC area that offer swimming lessons for kids, from beginner swimmers as young as 3 months old to experienced swimmers looking for a competitive edge.

Dive into our list of 12 great schools that offer swimming lessons for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Then find more kids' classes and programs—including baby swimming classes in DC—in our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC. You can also check our directory of classes to find the perfect class for your child. 

If you have an adventurous kid who likes to climb to great heights, race as fast as they can, and try new (and maybe a little scary) things, extreme sports like aerial arts, axe throwing, and go-karting might be right up their alley. Extreme sports may seem, well, extreme, but they're totally safe and quite thrilling for kids who need a little adrenaline rush. They're also perfect things to do with teens and tweens who may roll their eyes at less exciting activities.

We've rounded up the best extreme sports and activities in the DC area, from flying trapeze and indoor skydiving to archery and whitewater tubing. For even more thrills, check out our lists of trampoline parks, ninja warrior and parkour gyms, skate parks, and rock climbing gyms near DC.