McLean Artfest

An Art Show Where the Kids Get Their Own Tents

McLean Artfest takes over McLean Central Park on Sunday from 10 to 4, and it's free. It's a juried show with more than 30 artists from around the Mid-Atlantic, so the work is good enough that you'll want to look too, not just chase somebody between booths.

What makes it work for families is that the kids get their own piece of it. There's a Children's Art Walk and a set of children's art tents where they can make something instead of hearing "don't touch" all morning. Add gourmet food trucks, a live music stage, a few interactive art pieces around the park and a beer and wine garden for the grown-ups, and you have a slow, easy Sunday.

It's smaller than the big street festivals this weekend, and with little kids I count that as a plus. There's grass to spread out on when someone needs a snack break. If you're also thinking about the Takoma Park Street Festival, it's the same day in the opposite direction, so pick one and enjoy it.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Hit the kids' tents first. They're the reason to bring the kids, and projects are more fun before the afternoon crowd.
• ✓Give them a mission. Ask each kid to find one favorite artist. It turns browsing into a hunt.
• ✓Bring a card for lunch. The food trucks are the easy lunch plan.
• ✓Pack a blanket. There's grass for a picnic break between booths.
• ✓Keep it to two hours. That's usually the sweet spot before little legs quit.