Here’s how I like to roll in the summer – some of these suggestions might work well for you. If you live in the northern Virginia area – especially in Fairfax County – I hope I can inspire you with some summer activities.
The Lee District Rec Center playground is huge!
I have found that the little people for whom I nanny have lots of energy in the mornings. I don’t have as much gusto as they do, but I do know that my energy declines as the day progresses.
On an ideal day, the kids will eat breakfast, get dressed and ready, and then we’ll head out for an adventure before the sun is too hot. After our activity or play time, we’ll return home for lunch, then those-who-nap can take a nap and the rest of us can have alone quiet time for an hour or two. It helps me to have some down time, and I have found that it really helps the older children to have some relaxed time after lunch as well. Then, in the mid-afternoon we can set out for a swim at the pool or another outing if we feel like it. There will be plenty of days and times that we just hang around the house, but in our situation, it helps to get out at least once a day.
Thankfully our area has endless free activities. Here are my best suggestions, and I’d love to hear yours in the comments!
Burke Lake Park – I am growing to like this park more and more. I go there by myself for a run sometimes, yet it has several playgrounds for kids, and plenty of safe forest space to take the kids hiking or letting them poke around in the forest (as kids like to do). Oh yes, and they love to throw sticks into the lake!South Run Rec Center – It has a great (shaded) playground and hiking trails.
Frying Pan Farm – We’ve only gone there once, taking a picnic lunch during the spring, and we saw many newborn animals and held baby chicks. It’s a fun place to look around at farm animals, and there is a fee for things like the carousel and hayride.
Other Parks – I know that there are many more parks and playgrounds throughout the area. We enjoy stopping to explore as many as possible!
Stores & Restaurants:
Barnes & Noble (in Fairfax or Springfield) – Many Barnes & Noble book stores have a train table that the kids really enjoy playing with. I’m apparently not the only one who uses that as a play space, because I see familiar faces there when we go! The kids also like looking at the toys and reading books. On Thursday mornings the Springfield a story and craft time for young children.
Lego Store – Oh how I wish the Lego Store had seating for adults because they have some great playspaces for kids to build with Legos! When I visit my nieces and nephews out of state, they love for me to take them to the Lego Store. The children I nanny also love the Lego Store, so we go periodically to play and look. The Lego Store usually has Lego Club magazines or catalogs that they will give us as well. The Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge has a Lego Store close to the kids play area, so we stop at both and don’t spend a penny. Tyson’s Corner Mall also has a Lego Store, as well as a Disney Store and an American Girl Store. Endless fun things to look at if, and free if you are able to windowshop without spending money!
Chick-fil-A – Well, eating at Chick-fil-A does cost money except for when you use coupons or dress like a cow on Cow Appreciation Day in July. Some restaurants have an indoor playground which gives the grown-ups a little down time at a nearby table.Free Splash Parks and Fountains:
Lee District Rec Center’s “Our Special Harbor” – This “sprayground” is fabulous! Kids really enjoy getting wet there, and it’s safer because it’s not a pool. They have a maximum capacity and often there is a line waiting to get in, so I recommend arriving to get in line before they open. Outside of the sprayground is a huge playground, but the rubber flooring there gets very hot. It’s best to play there first thing in the morning (or in the winter). As a plus, this play area is designed with special needs children and wheelchairs in mind.
Fairfax Corner fountain – In the middle of the Fairfax Corner shopping center is a fountain for kids to play in! What a great idea!
Downtown Fairfax fountain – It's not as tall or forceful as the spray at Fairfax Corner, which makes it a better fountain for little kids.
Museums:
Chantilly Air and Space – The Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA, near Dulles Airport is impressive! It’s actually called the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and I personally prefer it over the Air and Space Museum in downtown DC. Imagine the biggest warehouse you’ve ever seen, filled with airplanes on display. I have really enjoyed my visits there – and adults and children of all ages do too. There is no cost to enter the museum, however parking costs $15.
National Mall & Museums – if you dare to fight the tourist crowds, there are endless museums and monuments in downtown Washington, DC.
NRA Gun Museum – If you’re not opposed to guns, this is a fun museum to look around at guns acquired over the centuries! It’s free, and you can go through it quickly or take your time.
Libraries: Don’t forget to go to the library, do the summer reading program, and attend kids’ events there! (Unfortunately, it’s hard to sign up for the Fairfax County Library events since they fill up very quickly.)
PS: Oh yeah, and the kids reminded me to not forget Chuck E. Cheese. It’s not free. It’s not a grown-up’s favorite place. But the kids love it.
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