Zoos, Farms and Animal Encounters for Kids in the DMV
Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park
Zip lines, hill slides, moon bounces and the animal park on one ticket. Weekend tickets are sold online only.
Loudoun Fall Farm Tour
34 farms open for free, from a dairy with a milking demo to an alpaca and llama ranch. Rain or shine.
Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch
A pumpkin and a cut-your-own bouquet with every paid ticket, plus wagon rides, jumping pillows and farm animals.
Boo at the Zoo
The zoo stays open after dark for three nights of treat stations and costumes, plus three animal houses open late.
National Zoo, Baby Elephant Linh Mai
The first Asian elephant born at the zoo in 25 years just debuted on Earth Day. Linh Mai is 460 pounds of sass and bubble baths. Plus pandas, lions, and all the spring baby animals. Always free.
Bison Standing Strong at Natural History Museum
Explore Bison Standing Strong at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Past events
These already happened. We keep them here so you can see what this category looks like across the year, and so you know what to watch for next season.
Falls Church Farm Day
Pony rides, a petting farm, apple fishing and crafts in Cherry Hill Park. Free entry, $2 activity tickets.
Wiener 500 at The Wharf
Dachshunds sprint 70 yards down District Pier while half of them stop to sniff. Free to watch, first heat at 2pm, plus Oktoberfest around it.
The Great Frederick Fair
Nine days of livestock barns, carnival rides and grandstand shows an hour from DC. Kids 10 and under get in free.
The BROOD Ramble and the Basset 500
A field full of basset hounds in Herndon, with a race at 1:30 where half the dogs stop to smell things. Bring cash.
Doxie Derby: Rescue Race
A dachshund race benefiting a Loudoun County dog rescue, with the farm's five-acre play area included in the afternoon.
DockDogs at The Wharf
DC's first DockDogs: top dock-diving dogs flying into a 40-foot pool on the pier. Free, 10 to 6, drop in whenever.
Science Solstice Sunday at the National Zoo
First day of summer at the zoo. Scavenger hunt with animal clues and prizes, animal demos, and hands-on STEM stations by Smithsonian scientists. Free with pass.
Bird Walk at the National Zoo
Guided bird-watching walk at the Smithsonian National Zoo. Experts lead families through the grounds identifying bird species. RSVP required.
Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
Thousands of sheep, shearing demonstrations, fiber artists, farm animals, and kids activities. One of the biggest festivals in the DMV for animal lovers.
Burnside Farms
Beyond the tulips, Burnside Farms has adorable farm animals for kids to meet, goats, chickens, rabbits, and more. Under 5 FREE!
Festival of the Earth
Farm animals are a highlight of this beloved community festival, plus bluegrass, food trucks, and crafts. Completely free.
Maryland Zoo Memorial Weekend
Special weekend activities at the Maryland Zoo including animal encounters, keeper talks, and face painting. A full day out for the family.
Bird Migration Celebration
Free Bird Migration Celebration at the Smithsonian National Zoo on May 10, 2026.