Take in the beauty of DC's iconic cherry blossoms. Photo courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Facebook

Free Spring Activities for Families in DC

1. See the Cherry Blossoms

The famous Washington, DC cherry blossoms are a symbol of spring in the area, and they are truly a sight to behold. The National Cherry Blossom Festival provides many fun ways to celebrate and enjoy the blossoms, including events like the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. But you can also marvel at the flowers on your own at one of the area's places to see the cherry blossoms.

2. Explore DC's Famous Monuments and Memorials

Spring is the perfect time to stroll around the iconic National Mall and Memorial Parks. Since you won't have to rush indoors to escape the cold or get relief from the heat, you can cover more ground and really spend time at each monument. Check out day one of our three-day DC itinerary to learn how to see most of the top monuments and memorials in one day. And when you get hungry, here are the best places to eat with kids near the National Mall. 

3. Roll on Over to a Skate Park

Break out the helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads and take your skateboarder or inline skater to one of the many great skate parks near DC. A couple to try are the Skate Park at RFK Campus; Wakefield Skate Park in Annandale, Virginia and Bowie Skate Park in Maryland.

RELATED: 12 Hiking Games for Kids That Turn Walks into Adventures Agai

Check out the Children's Garden at the US Botanic Garden. Photo courtesy of usbg.gov

4. Stroll through a Botanical Garden

There is no better time to visit the DC area's many botanical gardens than spring, when flowers and trees are bursting into life after a long winter. Try the US National Arboretum and the US Botanic Garden in DC; Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland; and Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia.

5. Visit a Museum

Rainy spring days call for indoor activities, like visiting a museum. The beauty of DC is that there are so many free (yes, free) museums for families to explore, including Smithsonian museums like the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

6. Take a Hike

With all of the state, national, and local parks in the DC area—as well as miles and miles of gorgeous hiking trails—your family could take a different hike every day this spring and still not do them all. Try one of the hikes listed in our roundup of 12 fall hikes near Washington, DC and see how different it looks with spring in full bloom!

RELATED: 10 Parks with Beaches Near DC for a Day Trip with Kids

Follow the yellow-brick road to the Wizard of Oz-themed playground at Watkins Regional Park. Photo courtesy of playlsi.co

7. Head to a Playground

The DC area has some pretty fantastic playgrounds that appeal to a variety of ages. See how many of our must-visit destination playgrounds you can cross off your spring fun list, or bring your toddler to some of the best tot lots and toddler playgrounds near DC. Enjoy some fresh air while your child blows off steam!

8. Tour the Embassies

Passport DC, a monthlong event that takes place every May, includes fun programming by 70 embassies and a variety of DC's cultural institutions. One highlight is the free Around the World Embassy Tour on May 3, 2025, when more than 50 embassies open their doors to visitors to share the food, dance, music, art, fashion, innovations, and goods from their countries. Another is the EU Open House, when guests can visit embassies from EU countries to enjoy food, music, games, cultural exhibitions, and more.

9. Snag a Free Comic Book

May 3 is Free Comic Book Day 2025! Head to a free comic-book store near you to snag a free comic book. Some stores also offer other fun activities on Free Comic Book Day!

Spring Festivals and Events for Families in DC

10. Flower Mart 

11. Anacostia River Festival

12. Montgomery County GreenFest

13. ViVa Vienna!

14. Gaithersburg Book Festival

Test your skills at the country's oldest continually operating mini golf course. Photo courtesy of East Potomac Mini Gol

Outdoor Spring Adventures in DC

15. Play a Round of Mini Golf

What better way to spend a gorgeous spring afternoon than challenging your family to a round of putt-putt? Head to one of the area's many great mini golf courses, including the only remaining course in Washington, DC itself—East Potomac Mini Golf. The 18-hole course, which opened in 1931, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest continuously operating miniature golf course in the country. 

16. Relax at a Winery, Beer Garden, or Brewery

Sometimes parents just want—no, need—to unwind with a cold beverage while the kids run around and play. They can do just that at a number of kid-friendly wineries, beer gardens, and breweries in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Some of them offer live music and other entertainment, and many even welcome dogs!

17. Go Camping

Ah, spring... the perfect time to head into the great outdoors to enjoy nature with your family. Whether you like to brave the elements and pitch a tent or you're more of a cozy-cabin kind of camper, there are plenty of family-friendly campgrounds within a four-hour drive of DC. These campgrounds offer a wide range of outdoor activities and fit a variety of budgets.

18. Go Fishing

There are lots of great fishing lakes around the DC area where families can cast their lines. Just know that everyone ages 16-64 needs a fishing license to fish anywhere in DC, including along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. You can purchase a fishing license online.

RELATED: 6 Little League Baseball Drills You Can Do at Home

Take the kids out to a ballgame to cheer on the Washington Nationals. Photo courtesy of federalbaseball.com

19. Root, Root, Root for the Home Team

The boys are back in town this spring... the Washington Nationals, that is. Head to Nationals Park to cheer them on and enjoy kid-friendly activities like a play structure and the opportunity to run the bases after every Sunday afternoon home game. Be sure to sign your kids up for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club. For a more low-key baseball experience, take the kids to cheer on a minor-league team like the Fredericksburg Nationals. You could also take a day trip to Baltimore to root for the Baltimore Orioles.

20. Go Paddleboarding, Kayaking, or Canoeing

It may not be warm enough to go swimming just yet, but you can still enjoy the DC area's many rivers and lakes. Paddleboard, kayak, and canoe rentals open back up in April or May. If you'd rather pedal than paddle, the Tidal Basin's famous paddle boats are available for rent beginning in April, offering spectacular views of the cherry blossoms from the Potomac River.

21. Pick Spring Flowers

Bring some spring into your home by picking fresh tulips and daffodils at Burnside Farms in Nokesville, Virginia. Pack a picnic, and don't forget your camera—the flower fields make for spectacular photo ops!

22. Get Up-Close to Animals

Smithsonian's National Zoo is famous (and free), but there are other places in the DC area where families can interact with animals in a unique way. Try one of the great animal farms and petting zoos in Northern Virginia and Maryland to pet and feed sheep, goats, cows, and other farm animals. Or, head to one of the free nature centers near DC to learn about the natural world, see amphibians and reptiles up close, and explore outdoor areas such as ponds, trails, and play spaces.

RELATED: Easter Scavenger Hunts and Other At-Home Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

Lee-Fendall House is one place to hunt for eggs this spring. Photo courtesy of leefendallhouse.org

Spring Holiday Activities in DC

23. Go On an Easter Egg Hunt

Easter egg hunts are a big thing in the DC area, giving families lots of options. Kids can hunt for eggs at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia, at Butler's Orchard in Germantown, Maryland, or at one of many other Easter egg hunts near Washington, DC.

24. Meet the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is in town this spring, and there are plenty of places in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for families to meet and take pictures with the bunny. Try one of these Easter brunches and other places to get Easter Bunny pictures near DC.

25. Feast On a Mother's Day Brunch

Whether you're looking for a fancy affair or a more laid-back vibe, the DC area has plenty of restaurants that serve a delicious Mother's Day brunch. If you don't feel like going out, help your kiddos whip up one of these Mother's Day brunch recipes kids can make—or just stay in bed and let someone else give them a hand!

Spring Day Trips for Families

26. Clifton, Virginia

27. Kensington, Maryland

28. Fairfax, Virginia

RELATED: 7 Great Carousels Near DC for Kids

Ride the Americana-themed carousel at National Harbor. Photo courtesy of nationalharbor.com

29. National Harbor

This waterfront town in Maryland has so many things for kids and families to do when the weather is nice. Soar 180 feet above the Potomac River on the giant Capital Wheel. Take a spin on the Americana-themed carousel, then play on the neighboring playground. Dip your toes into the sand at the Beach. Enjoy spring events like the Sakura Sunday Festival. And head to Gaylord National Resort to do fun spring activities like the Spring-A-Long Scavenger Hunt and the free Springtime Light Show.