Teeny tiny pencils, brightly colored golf balls, windmills, waterfalls, and more whimsical obstacles await at these mini golf courses. For many families, mini golf is a quintessential spring and summer activity, and summer 2020 is no exception. What better way to while away this strange time than chasing a ball around outside on artificial grass?

In its heyday —about a century ago!—there were more than 30 mini golf courses in the District, and the sport was a major craze. Of that abundance, only one remains in town: The historic East Potomac Mini Golf, which opened in spring of 1931. But, there are several within easy driving distance and worthy of a half-day trip.

This summer, mini golf courses are all observing COVID-19 protocols, with extra sanitation, online prepaid tee times, mask requirements, and lots of social distancing. Click through to the individual websites for more information and to pay your greens fees before heading out.

Read on for more than a dozen mini golf spots in Washington DC and beyond, and check out all the other summer fun we've found from day trips to drive-in movies and plenty of stay-at-home options, too.