Table of Contents - DIY Spring/Summer Camp Kids Activities Washington DC Area
- 📝 How to Structure DIY Camp
- 🌿 Week 1: Outdoor Explorer Week
- 🎨 Week 2: Creative Minds Week
- 🚀 Week 3: Science & Engineering Week
- ⚽ Week 4: Active Kids Week
- 📚 Week 5: History & Adventure Week
- 🏆 Bonus: DMV Must-Visit Spots
- 📝 Planning Checklist
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Why I created this DIY Camp for Kids Activities in the Washington DC Area
A few weeks ago, a reader emailed me with a question that really stuck with me—“Do you have ideas for parents who are cutting back on summer camp costs but still want to make spring or summer break fun for their kids?” I loved this idea because there are so many FREE things to do in our area! It also reminded me of the summer my kids and I took on our own challenge: visiting all 18 Smithsonian museums in one summer.
That experience showed me that you don’t need an expensive summer camp to create lasting memories. With a little planning, creativity, and taking advantage of the incredible free and low-cost activities in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, you can put together a DIY summer camp right at home. Whether your kids love exploring the outdoors, diving into science experiments, or getting creative with art, this guide will help you plan an exciting and budget-friendly summer adventure.
- Each Week of camp includes 1) Free and low-cost outdoor adventures 2) At Home Ideas for your kids and 3) Small Activities to use for the week.
- This DIY summer camp plan isn’t just great for parents—it’s also a perfect resource to share with your babysitter or nanny! If you need childcare over the summer, giving them this guide can help structure the days with fun, engaging, and budget-friendly activities.
How to Structure a DIY Kids DC Activities Camp
A loose schedule is key for kids! Below are two ideas one for Toddlers and Early Elementary and the other for Older Elementary.
And check out all the Summer Activities in the DMV here!
Sample Toddler and Kindergartener DIY Camp Schedule
- Morning: Breakfast, Get ready checklist, "Invitation to Play" for the Week or Book from the Library about the Theme.
- Snack Break: Hydration + snack
- Mid-Morning: Outdoor adventure (playground, nature walk, splash pad)
- Lunch
- Rest Time: Nap or quiet time for recharge
- Afternoon: Simple at-home activity or free play
Idea for an Elementary Age DIY Schedule
Older kids love structure with a little independence! Try this simple daily schedule:
- Morning: Breakfast, Get Ready checklist, Game, Library Book, Worksheet or Video on the theme for that week.
- Snack Break: Hydration + snack
- Mid-Morning: Outdoor adventure (hiking, park visit, sports)
- Lunch
- Quiet Time: Reading, journaling, or puzzles
- Afternoon: Playdate, science, crafts, or hands-on projects
🌿 Week 1: Outdoor Explorer Week - Kids Activities Washington DC Area
Free & Low-Cost Outdoor Adventures:
- Hike Great Falls Park (VA and MD) – See the water falls or even take a ride on the Canal Boat from August to October. Schedule here.
- Visit Rock Creek Park (D.C.) for a free ranger-led nature walk
- Do a scavenger hunt at the National Arboretum and find the giant Capitol columns. (D.C.)
- Picnic & splash at Yards Park Water Feature (D.C.)
- Go on a birdwatching walk at Huntley Meadows Park (VA)
- Check out the District's only Islands, Kingman and Heritage Islands!
- Little farther away: Discover waterfalls and easy hikes at Shenandoah National Park (VA).
At-Home Activities:
- Make a free nature scrapbook with pressed leaves & sketches.
- Build a backyard fort with blankets, sticks, and string lights.
- Try DIY orienteering—teach kids how to read a simple map! Here's a Public Library YouTube DIY Video.
- Make leaf and bark rubbings from the backyard! Great How To on the PBS Kids website.
Toddler Low-Cost Outdoor-Themed Activities to Purchase:
- Book (check library) - A Walk Through the Woods - Beautiful picture book with papercut illustrations!
- Activity - Melissa & Doug Let’s Explore Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Play Set
- Themed Snack - Itzy Ritzy Toddler Snack Cup - Spill-Proof Snack Cup
Elementary Age Low-Cost Outdoor-Themed Activities to Purchase:
- Book (check library) - Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Spark Curiosity in the Outdoors
- Activity - Craft-Tastic Scavenger Hunt Journal - Nature DIY Craft Kit - 32 Page Journal with Over 500 Stickers
- Themed Snack Treat - BEAR Real Fruit Snack Minis, Raspberry/Blueberry, No added Sugar
🎭 Week 2: Creative Arts & DIY Fun
Free & Low-Cost Adventures:
- Explore The National Gallery of Art’s kids’ workshops or the beautiful Sculpture Garden.
- Check out free storytime & craft events at local libraries.
- DC Public Library: Events
- Fairfax County Library: Events
- Alexandria City Library: Events
- Arlington County Library: Events Calendar
- Montgomery County Library: Events
- Prince George's County Library: Events
- Walk through the colorful murals in Blagden Alley (D.C.) at the DC Alley Museum.
- Check out interactive exhibits at the Hirshhorn Museum (D.C.).
At-Home Activities:
- Make homemade tie-dye shirts
- Create a sidewalk chalk mural challenge
- Set up a DIY photography scavenger hunt
- Make a stop-motion animation using LEGO and a smartphone. My kids love making these using the LEGO App!
- Host a backyard talent show or mini play!
Toddler Low-Cost Art-Themed Activities to Purchase:
- Book (check library!) - Mix It Up!: Board Book Edition - We have this book and its one of my kids favorites! It's interactive and you get to learn color and paint theory.
- Activity - Crayola Spill Proof Paint Set, Washable Paint for Kids
- Themed Snack - Snackle Box – 12-Compartment Divided Snack Container
Elementary Age Low-Cost Art-Themed Activities to Purchase:
- Book (and check the Library!) - Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists
- Activity - Caliart Art Supplies, 153-Pack Deluxe Wooden Art Set - pretty affordable!
- Themed Snack Treat - Snackle Box – 12-Compartment Divided Snack Container
🔬 Week 3: Science & Engineering Week
Free & Low-Cost STEM DC Area Kids Activities:
- Air and Space Museum (D.C.) – The most visited museum in America and for good reason! Here are all my mom tips for the Air and Space Museum.
- And also I wrote up about our visits to the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum near Dulles in Virginia!
- National Museum of Natural History (D.C.) – Explore fossils & gems. My full Guide of my kids favorites at the Museum of Natural History.
- NASA Goddard Visitor Center (MD) – See real rockets! Its Free!
- Maryland Science Center in Baltimore is amazing! Lots of hands-on STEM experiments. My kids loved the water table and the Chemistry Lab!
- National Children's Museum has lots of hands on experiences
At-Home STEM Activities:
- Build a DIY water bottle rocket (baking soda + vinegar explosion). YouTube video here.
- Create a marshmallow catapult and test how far different items fly.
- Make homemade slime with glue and baking soda.
- Build a solar oven and make s’mores from Home Science Tools.
Toddler STEM-Themed Activities:
- Book (check library!) - I Can Code: If/Then: A Simple STEM Introduction to Coding for Kids and Toddlers
- Activity - Open Ended Wooden Shape Puzzles (36 Blocks&60 Cards) for Toddlers 3+ Years Old, Montessori Development
- Math Activity - Counting Dinosaurs Montessori Toys
Elementary Age Low-Cost STEM-Themed Activities to Purchase:
- Book (and check the Library!) - Awesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM Projects
- We have this book and LOVED it! Any rainy day I would just ask, hey what does the blue science book have suggested?!
- Activity - Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit, Over 100 Projects
- My kids absolutely love these Snap Circuits! We have two sets but this is the best one to start with.
- Themed Snack Treat - Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab - Unicorns, Clouds & Rainbows!
⚽ Week 4: Active Kids Week
Free & Low-Cost Play Adventures:
- Roller skate at Anacostia Park’s free pavilion (D.C.). Guide
- Super fun Sports Playground in DC at RFK Playground The Fields
- 20 Nature Walks in Northern Virginia 7 are stroller friendly!
- Try a bike ride on the Mount Vernon Trail (VA).
- Play mini-golf at Watkins Regional Park (MD).
- Do an indoor rock climbing session (many gyms offer first-time discounts!).
- Climb Zone Maryland is amazing
- Movement Gym in Arlington
At-Home Activities:
- Create a DIY backyard obstacle course (cones, tunnels, balance beams).
- Try jump rope challenges or learn new tricks.
- Organize a neighborhood relay race or kickball game.
- Go on a Rainbow Walk
Low-Cost Active Activities to Purchase:
- Book (check library!) - Outdoor Explorers: Take A Hike Field Journal Activity Nature Book with Stickers for Adventurous Kids
- How precious is this, with a magnify glass and stickers!
- Activity - Outdoor Games Combo Set for Kids, Soft Plastic Cones Bean Bags Ring Toss Game for your Obstacle Course!
- Themed Snack - Not really for the snack but love these Thermos Funtainers for toddlers!
Elementary Age Low-Cost Themed Activities to Purchase:
- Book (and check the Library!) - Big Book of WHO All-Stars (Sports Illustrated Kids Big Books)
- Activity - Outdoor Games Combo Set for Kids, Soft Plastic Cones Bean Bags Ring Toss Game for your Obstacle Course!
- Themed Snack Treat - GoGo squeeZ Active Fruit Blend with Electrolytes | 18-Count Variety Pack | Blueberry Strawberry Lemon & Strawberry Pineapple Orange | Made with Real Fruit and Antioxidants Vitamin A, Vitamin E, & Vitamin C
Smithsonian's American History Museum
📚 Week 5: History & Adventure Week
Free & Low-Cost Historical Adventures:
- American History Museum Smithsonian and all my kids favorites!
- Explore George Washington’s Mount Vernon (VA).
- Tour Ford’s Theatre (D.C.), where Lincoln was shot.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture - Our kids really liked this museum and I share about all the levels.
At-Home Activities:
- Create a family time capsule with memories & letters to the future.
- Make a DIY history book with drawings of important places you visit.
- Dress up like a historical figure and tell their story!
Low-Cost History Activities to Purchase:
- Book (check library!) - Courageous People Who Changed the World Board Book
- Activity - Learning Resources Alphabet Learning Mailbox, 62 Pieces
- Fun Snack -Annie's Organic Fruit Peel-A-Parts Fruit Flavored Snacks
Elementary Age Low-Cost Themed Activities to Purchase:
- Book (and check the Library!) - Interesting Stories For Curious People: A Collection of Fascinating Stories About History, Science, Pop Culture and Just About Anything Else You Can Think of
- Activity - Ancient Egyptian Pyramids Dig Kit Gem Excavation
- Fun Snack - Annie's Organic Variety Pack, Easter Basket Stuffers, Cheddar Bunnies, Bunny Grahams, and Cheddar Squares
🏆 Bonus: DMV Must-Visit Spots for Kids Activities in the DC Area
- 🛝 The Best Playgrounds in...
- Washington DC (20)
- Northern Virginia (45)
- Maryland (12)
- 💦 Free Splash Pads (usually start after Memorial Day)
- Washington DC (36)
- Virginia (30)
- Maryland (13)
- Free Summer Outdoor Movie Nights
- National Harbor’s Free Movie Nights (MD)
- Rosslyn Cinema at Gateway Park (VA)
- 🚂 Best Train Rides
