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Top Free Things To Do with Kids in DC in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Celebrate Three Kings Day at GALA Theatre with live music, gifts, and a parade. Photo courtesy of the theater
Celebrate Three Kings Day at GALA Theatre with live music, gifts, and a parade. Photo courtesy of the theater
12/28/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Washington, DC is known for its many free offerings, but did you know the depth of the free activities available? They extend well beyond the National Mall.

The holidays are over, and I know I don't want to spend one more dollar. Bring on all the FREE things to do!Good news—we live in an area rich in free museums, many of which have weekly storytimes and activity centers catered towards children. There are also plenty of other free activities in the area—just check out our list of 101 free things to do in DC with kids.

There are also a host of additional free events this month. For some free theater, check out the Wheaton Family Theatre Series. GALA Theatre is hosting a Three Kings Day celebration, and there's a free Winter Block Party at McLean Community Center. There are also plenty of free First Day Hikes and MLK Day events.

We’re adding more events to our  family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

 

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Can you brave the icy cold water at the Mosaic Polar Plunge? Photo courtesy of the event
Can you brave the icy cold water at the Mosaic Polar Plunge? Photo courtesy of the event

Fun Free Activities To Do in DC in January 2026

Creature Feature at Brookside Nature Center

Boyds, MD - Thursday, January 1
Join Brookside Gardens for an up-close encounter with an animal ambassador. Why does it live at the nature center? What would its wild counterparts be doing at this time of year? An expert will answer these questions and more.  READ MORE

Wildlife Rescue - An AR Experience (at Gaylord National)

National Harbor, MD - Daily, through Sunday, January 4
Take a virtual safari through Gaylord National! Search for 12 endangered animals using tracking markers and bring them to life with augmented reality (AR). Learn fun facts, snap photos, and enjoy this tech-savvy adventure. A smartphone and free app download are necessary. READ MORE

Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden

Washington, DC - Daily, through January 4
Celebrate the holiday season in the US Botanic Garden's annual holiday display, with the Conservatory full of poinsettias, holiday decor, and DC landmarks made from plants. In the outdoor gardens, find festive lights and decor and a model train show. This year, G-gauge model trains will chug through displays of dinosaurs made from plant parts, including T-rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and more, plus living plants whose ancestors lived alongside them such as cycads, ferns, and magnolias. READ MORE

Folger Frost Fair

Washington, DC - Daily, through January 4
Celebrate the season with a month-long winter festival at the Folger. Enjoy festive decorations, holiday music, free activities, and more, through the first weekend in January! READ MORE

Winterfest at Mason Neck State Park

Lorton, VA - Thursday, January 1
Bundle up and celebrate the wonder of the season! Join Mason Neck State Park for a day of frosty fun, nature exploration, and cozy community cheer. Discover how wildlife adapts to winter, take a guided hike through the quiet woods, create nature-inspired crafts, and warm up by the campfire with a hot beverage. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the beauty and magic of winter outdoors!  READ MORE

First Day Hike: Seneca Creek State Park

Gaithersburg, MD - Thursday, January 1
Hikers are invited to take a self-guided hike around the Lakeshore Trail at Seneca Creek State Park. This 3.7-mile loop along natural surface trails offers scenic views of nature and the opportunity to observe winter wildlife. Maps, field guides, scavenger hunt activities, and trivia games are available. Friends of Seneca Creek State Park is providing coffee and hot chocolate as supplies last. READ MORE

Winter Block Party at McLean Community Center

McLean, VA - Saturday, January 3
Join McLean Community Center for the 5th annual Winter Block Party! Participants will enjoy entertainment, games, food, and a wide variety of amusements, crafts, and more. READ MORE

Three Kings Day (Fiesta de los Reyes Magos) at GALA Theatre

Washington, DC - Sunday, January 4
GALA Hispanic Theatre is holding a Three Kings Day celebration. This festive end to the holiday season features the timeless story of the Magi, performances by local musicians and dance troupes, a street parade, and free gifts for children. READ MORE

Wheaton Family Theatre Series: Dancing Our Way Through Books (at Highland Elementary School)

Wheaton, MD - Saturday & Sunday, January 10 & 11
The new year at InterAct Story Theatre kicks with Artistic Director Ali Oliver-Krueger leading kids and adults in exploring a folktale together through movement, drama, and song. READ MORE

The Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade

Washington, DC - Saturday, January 17
Coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Peace Walk is held annually on the MLK holiday. Over a thousand Peace Walkers join in the two-mile walk along MLK Ave in Southeast DC. READ MORE

MLK Service Cleanups with Montgomery Parks

Montgomery County, MD - Saturday - Monday, January 17-19
Recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day through a volunteer park cleanup at parks across Montgomery County. Participants can help clear litter from streams, beautify green spaces, and do other things to protect natural spaces and wildlife. READ MORE

Drawing Stories: Family Art Day at NMAI

Washington, DC - Saturday, January 17
Learn about historical and contemporary ledger art and narrative art through tours of the exhibition Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains, along with storytime and family-friendly hands-on activities. READ MORE

MLK Birthday Celebration Especially for Youth (at Reston Community Center)

Reston, VA - Sunday, January 18
Children can rotate through a series of activities including a performance, an age-appropriate video, and arts and crafts. All activities are based on the history of Dr. King and the civil rights movement.  READ MORE

MLK Service and Learning Day at Frying Pan Farm Park

Herndon, VA - Monday, January 19
Introduce your young ones to Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. Learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and the importance of giving back to our community. Rotate through stations to hear about the Civil Rights Movement, participate in a service project, and reflect on the power of community cooperation.  READ MORE

Mosaic Polar Plunge

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, January 24
Supporters of the Special Olympics take a chilly polar plunge at Mosaic District to raise money for Special Olympics athletes. Watch the costume contest and pool plungers, or register online to participate. READ MORE

Dinosaurs are Wow with Mindy Thomas in Baltimore

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, January 24
Join Mindy Thomas to discuss "Wow in the World: Dinosaurs Are Wow!" New York Times bestselling author and award-winning podcast creator Mindy Thomas, host of the hit podcast Wow in the World, will give readers a prehistoric primer on history’s most bonkerballs beasts! READ MORE

Stargazing at the Udvar-Hazy Center

Chantilly, VA - Saturday, January 24
Join Museum staff and members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club for a view of the night sky through telescopes. Stargazing will take place outside in the bus parking lot. READ MORE

Try Hockey for Free Day at the Wharf

Washington, DC - Sunday, January 25
Caps Youth Hockey is heading to The Wharf Ice Rink for the first-ever outdoor Try Hockey for Free event. All players will be provided a hockey stick to use and must bring their own helmet (a bike helmet works well) and warm winter gloves.  READ MORE

A Day of Community at the National Portrait Gallery

Washington, DC - Sunday, January 26
Activate and uplift! Teens and young adults are encouraged to find their voices. Art is activism and portraiture is powerful. Honor the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to community action by joining the Portrait Gallery and its partners for A Day of Action.    READ MORE

Stellar Star Show at Rock Creek Park

Washington, DC - Fridays - Sundays in January
Come and enjoy a ranger-led program in the only planetarium in the National Park Service! The Stellar Star Show will be a 30-minute ranger-led program about the planets and the night sky. READ MORE

Sailing Through the Winter Solstice

Frederick, MD - Daily, through March 14
Carroll Creek Park once again comes alive with individually designed lighted sailboats. Visitors can view the boats anytime day or night, with the lights turning on at sunset. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
The R.I.S.E Center to Anacostia Park
Various Parks in Montgomery Country
National Museum of the American Indian, National Mall