End of Summer Bucket List: 25 Things to Do in DC Before School Starts

If you haven't yet crossed everything off your family's summer bucket list, no sweat—there are still so many things to do in DC with kids before school starts (see the 2024-25 school calendars for DC and other local school districts here). Even better, many of these summer events and activities are free! We're talking free summer concerts, free outdoor movies, and more fun that won't cost a dime.

Read on for your family's ultimate end of summer bucket list in DC and its surrounding areas. Our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide has even more fun things to do. Your kiddos will have so many fun memories to share once school starts back up again!

Keep cool at the Canal Basin at Yards Park. Photo courtesy of the Capitol Riverfront

End of Summer Bucket List for DC Families

1. Cool off at a Sprinkler Park, Sprayground, or Splash Pad

The DC area has lots of great sprinkler parks, spraygrounds, and splash pads to help kids beat the summer heat. Some of them remain running past Labor Day, but many of them don't—and you don't want to miss the chance to cross them off your summer bucket list!

2. Make a Splash at a Swimming Pool

The DC area's free public swimming pools close for the season after Labor Day. So, be sure to get in a few last-minute swims with the kids and cross this item off your summer bucket list!

3. Catch Some Thrills at a Water Park

The area's outdoor water parks also close after Labor Day, so head to one before summer ends to slip, slide, splash, and have fun.

4. Hit the Beach

Summer may be winding down, but it's not too late for a beach day—or beach weekend! Check out our list of family-friendly beaches near DC. For a beach day that's more laid-back and closer to home, try one of several parks with beaches near DC or great lakes and swimming holes for DC families.

5. See a Free Outdoor Concert

There are so many free outdoor concerts all over the DC area throughout the summer. While a few—like National Harbor's Salute the Sunset Concert Series and Fairfax City Rock the Block—run through September or October, most of them wrap up in August.

6. Watch a Movie Under the Stars

Free outdoor movies are a summertime staple, and there's still time to catch many of them before they finish for the season. Try Movie Night Wednesdays in the Park at the UDC Amphiteater in DC; Movies in the Parks in Rockville, Maryland on Wednesday nights; or Films in the Park in Fairfax, Virginia's Mosaic District on Thursday nights.

7. Go Peach Picking

August is when peaches are ripe and ready for picking in the DC area. Head to one of these great farms to go peach picking near DC before the month is over and cross this activity off your summer bucket list.

RELATED: Summer Festivals Near DC for Families

August means county fairs galore! Photo courtesy of the Arlington County Fair

8. Go to the Fair

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is in town August 9-17, 2024, the Prince William County Fair August 9-18, and the Arlington County Fair takes place August 14-18. With carnival rides and games, live entertainment, food, animals, and more, they make for a perfect family-fun day before school starts again.

9. See Live Theatre

Head to Imagination Stage by August 10, 2024 to catch Miss Nelson Is Missing!, the tale of a group of of fifth graders whose poor behavior drives away their sweet teacher. And the adorable stage show Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, based on the Caldecott honor-winning book by Mo Willems, is at Adventure Theatre until August 19.

10. Take a Summer Day Trip

Squeeze in one last summer adventure before the kids go back to school. Stroll through historic Clifton, Virginia, explore Baltimore's Inner Harbor, or try one of our other great summer day trips from DC for families.

11. Enjoy Kids Day on the Plaza at National Harbor

You still have four more chances to take part in a Thursday morning of fun, free kids' activities at National Harbor. Enjoy interactive storytimes, singing, dancing, meeting community helpers, and more. 

12. Attend the Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series

Enjoy free summer entertainment for children at various Fairfax County Parks locations through August 17, 2024. Performers include musicians, puppeteers, magicians, and more. The series takes place Wednesday mornings at Frying Pan Farm Park; Saturday mornings at Burke Lake Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Mason District Park, AND Wakefield Park; and Saturday evenings at Mosaic District and Sully Historic Site.

13. Squeeze in a Summer Camp

If you haven't yet crossed camp off your kiddo's summer bucket list, there may still be time. Check out our Washington, DC Summer Camp Guide to find summer camps that might still have openings.

14. Work Your Way Through the Mindbender Mansion at the National Children's Museum

At the Mindbender Mansion, kids can solve puzzles, decipher codes, and engage in interactive challenges as they work their way through each themed room. This temporary exhibit is only at the museum until September 2, 2024, so there's time to get there before school starts.

RELATED: How to Make Ice Cream at Home in 5 Easy Steps

Cherry chocolate chip ice cream for lunch? We won't judge! Photo courtesy of Woody's Ice Cream Shop

15. Have Ice Cream for Lunch

Summer break is one of the few occasions when it's perfectly acceptable to feed the kids ice cream for lunch (or dinner). You'll be making those school lunches again before you know it. While you still can, take them to one of these must-try ice cream shops near DC.

16. Visit Disney Encanto x Camp

Take an immersive journey into Disney's Encanto at the CAMP store in Tysons Corner Center before it leaves on September 2, 2024. Visit a Casita full of secret passages, interactive magic, live music, and surprises behind every magic door. Read my review of Disney Encanto x CAMP.

17. Dig Up Your Own Potatoes

The Big Dig Potato Harvest at Great Country Farms takes place August 17-30, 2024. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and fresh fruit from the orchards, then grab your shovel and dig for potatoes in the potato field.

18. Head to the National Book Festival

The Library of Congress National Book Festival is the ultimate celebration for book lovers. Taking place on August 24, 2024, it includes book signings, children's authors and activities, and more.

19. Get Ready for Fall Little League Season

Little sluggers can work on their swing at one of these indoor and outdoor batting cages near DC. You can also try these six Little League baseball drills at home.

20. Go Boating, Paddleboarding, and More

Get out on the water while the warm weather is still here with our list of the best places for paddleboarding, kayaking, electric boating, and more near DC.

21. Go Fishing

Fishing is another fun way to enjoy DC's lakes and rivers before summer ends. Check out our list of fishing lakes near DC and more kid-friendly places to go fishing.

22. Catch Thrills at a Theme Park

Visiting a theme park is a quintessential summer experience, and there's still time to do it before the season ends. Head to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Hersheypark, or one of several other fun amusement parks near DC.

23. Get A List Hit of Dopamine

Dopamine Land, is a multisensory experience combining media, technology, and play in one place, leaves town on September 1, 2024. Read our review of Dopamine Land to see why it's worth visiting before school starts.

24. Pick Sunflowers

August is sunflower season in the DC area. Pick your own bouquet and take Insta-worthy photos at Great Country Farms through August 11, 2024 or Summers Farm through September 8. 

25. Play A Round of Mini Golf 

Many local mini golf courses reduce their operating hours after school starts, so summer is the perfect time to challenge the family to a game of putt-putt. Check out our roundup of great mini golf courses near DC for families. Or, try the pop-up Pixar Putt at the Wharf before it heads to infinity and beyond on September 2, 2024.