The Best Things to do With Kids in Washington, D.C. This February

By Kim Humphrey
Posted Jan 21, 2020 Things to Do DC/MD/VA

February gets a bad rap for being one of the coldest months of the year, but it's also one of the sweetest - Hello, Valentine's Day and CHOCOLATE! There's also no shortage of family fun in the Washington, D.C. area this month. From Lunar New Year celebrations to amazing family theater to chocolate festivals, take a look at our hot picks for things to do in Washington, D.C. with kids this February.

Chinese New Year Family Celebration at the Smithsonian American Art Museum - FREE

Photo Credit: Bruce Guthrie

The Year of the Rat officially began on January 25th, but the festivities will still be in full swing at the SAAM on February 1st from 11:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Enjoy Chinese ribbon dancing, acrobatic yo-yo performances, and an interactive magic show. Artists from the city of Shenzhen will demonstrate ink finger-printing, wood printing, and how to make hands-on shadow puppets and dough figurines. Check out calligraphy demonstrations by the Confucius Institute at George Washington University, and Chinese paper cuts and good luck envelopes with the Confucius Institute at George Mason University. Go on an art scavenger hunt, create your own New Year craft, and enjoy delicious treats available for purchase at the Courtyard Café. 

Take a Snow Day!

Photo: AvalancheXpress at Heritage Hills Golf Resort, York, Pennsylvania

Embrace the winter season by taking a day trip to one of the many awesome ski/snow tubing resorts in the Washington, D.C. area. - as little as 90 minutes away. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Skiing and Snow Tubing With Kids Within 3 Hours of Washington, D.C. for a great list of family-friendly destinations. One of our favorites is AvalancheXpress in York, Pennsylvania - save 19% off UNLIMITED snow tubing at AvalancheXpress with our deal!

Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax, VA

Held in historic downtown Fairfax, the Chocolate Lovers Festival is an annual 'treat' enjoyed by all ages of chocolate lovers! This year's event runs from January 31st - February 2nd. Participate in the Taste of Chocolate to sample cakes, candies, brownies, fudge, ice cream and other delicious concoctions. Taste a variety of chocolate beverages in the outdoor heated tent, including chocolate beer, wine, soda, milk, tea, hot chocolate and more. Join in on a cake walk or enter the family Chocolate Challenge baking competition for a super sweet weekend of fun! Some events are free and others require a fee. Check out the full schedule of events HERE. 

African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA - FREE

African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space at the National Air and Science Center, Washington, D.C.

February is African American History Month and the Udvar-Hazy Center is celebrating pioneers of the past with a special event on February 8th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Enjoy hands-on activities, puppet shows and hear inspiring stories of African Americans who have overcome overwhelming obstacles and refused to be hidden figures, including Tuskegee Airman Colonel Charles McGee, the first African American pilot in the U.S. armed forces.

Valentine's Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum - FREE

Homemade love is in the air on February 8th and 9th at the National Postal Museum's annual Valentine's Day Card Workshop! Drop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to create handmade, heartfelt cards to send to your loved ones. You can even mail them at the Museum's full-service post office, located on the bottom level next to the gift shop. Ask the clerk to hand cancel your card with the special National Postal Museum stamp! After you make your cards, stay and experience all of the Museum's fun, hands-on exhibits that are great for kids.

Family Day: Mongolia's Past and Present at the Natural History Museum - FREE 

Experience Mongolian culture and traditions through performances, games, interactive art demonstrations, and conversations with scientists and artists in the Natural History Museum's Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center on Sunday, February 9th from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meet and be inspired by throat singers, long song singers, musicians and dancers. Learn about Mongolian painting and calligraphy, and play traditional games in a real ger (yurt)! This event is free, but registration is required.

Disney on Ice Presents Celebrate Memories at Capital One Arena 

Delight in your favorite Disney stories coming to life on ice, February 13th - 17th at Capital One Arena! Sail along with Moana on her high-seas adventure and dance with Woody, Buzz and all the Toy Story friends. Feel inspired when love wins in Frozen and dreams come true for the Disney Princesses. Share the excitement and make new memories the whole family will treasure forever! Save up to 40% off tickets for select shows. 

Calling all Young Jedis to Alden Theatre in McLean, VA!

Star Wars fans, dress as your favorite character and head to the Alden Theatre on February 15th for Jedi Academy! This solo, interactive, comedy variety show will captivate Youngling Jedi Warriors, Princesses and Darth Vaders with comic antics, exciting physical challenges and magical mayhem. May the force be with you! Save 27% off tickets to Jedi Academy.

Presidential Family Fun Day at the National Portrait Gallery - FREE

Kick off President's Day weekend with this annual presidential party at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday, February 15th from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Kogod Courtyard. Participate in crafts, music, dancing, games and special tours of “America’s Presidents.” President Lincoln’s Cottage, the DC Public Library, the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents, artists, and experts from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will also be part of the festivities.

Visit Museum of the Bible's Awesome Children's Area!

One of Washington, D.C.'s newest museums is also one of the best places to take the kids, especially when you're looking for some indoor fun in the cold winter months. The Museum's children's area, Courageous Pages, includes over 2,000-square feet of fun games and interactive features - all geared to show kids the Bible is packed with courageous people who did what they believed was right, even in the face of fear or opposition. Courageous Pages includes about a dozen play areas, including multiple, hands-on games similar to classics like skee ball and beanbag toss, and even an entire area dedicated to toddlers with a two-story climbing structure. Read all about it in our Real Mom Review, and check it out for yourself for 40% off.

Family Dance Workshop: American Ballet Theatre at The Kennedy Center - FREE

Calling all tiny dancers ages 10 and under to The Kennedy Center on Sunday, February 16th at 11 a.m. for a 45-minute workshop led by artists from American Ballet Theatre. Young ballerinas and their adult companions will explore music and movement by learning simple ballet steps or choreography. Pre-registration is available approximately one month before each event and is highly recommended.

Experience Future Sketches at ARTECHOUSE

Washington, D.C.'s premier immersive digital art museum has teamed up with one of the most dynamic pioneers in the field of coding and interactive media, Zach Lieberman, to debut a cutting-edge exhibit featuring multiple art+technology installations where visitors can experience the intersection between creativity and code. Visit Future Sketches this month for some fun 'play' time, augmenting your body through drawings, costume and movement; painting with light; playing with shadows; and viewing your face in a whole new way! Save 20% off your visit with this deal.

NSO Family Concert: Girl Power! Celebrating Women in Music at The Kennedy Center

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote with this special NSO Performance for Young Audiences on Sunday, February 16th showcasing female composers, conductors and performers. Come early for the Musical Instrument "Petting Zoo!" starting one hour before the show. Find tickets HERE.

Celebrate George Washington's Birthday With FREE Admission to Mount Vernon

George Washington's Mount Vernon, Mt. Vernon, Virginia

Happy Birthday, George Washington! Celebrate the birthday of POTUS1 with FREE admission to his beloved home, Mount Vernon, on President's Day, February 17th, and lots of special festivities throughout the day. Witness a wreath-laying tribute and gun salute at the President's tomb, watch Continental soldiers reenact a charge against the enemy in a military demonstration, listen to patriotic music played by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and more. Mount Vernon's Food Truck, Executive Orders, will also be on site with food and drink available for sale.

Engineering STEM Day at the African American History and Culture Museum - FREE 

Celebrate National Engineering Week with Engineering STEM Day at the African American History and Culture Museum on Saturday, February 22nd from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. This celebration will highlight the long lineage of African American engineers whose knowledge, inventions and contributions have shaped and influenced our world. The family-friendly festivities will include hands-on STEM activities and a book corner for young learners. This event is free, but registration is required.

Celebrate Mardi Gras at the District Wharf

This year, Fat Tuesday falls on February 25th and The Wharf is celebrating a few days early with a community-wide extravaganza on February 22nd from 4 - 7 p.m. The fun will include a spirited parade down Wharf Street, a dance party with live music on District Pier, activities and crafts for kids, s'mores by the Caps Campfire at Camp Wharf, and a special finale! 

YAO YAO at The Kennedy Center Family Theatre

Yao is a mischievous little girl who loves to play, but hates when her Daddy picks up his briefcase and goes off to work. One day, Yao grabs Daddy’s overcoat and accidentally pulls a thread that leads to the start of a magical world. South Korea’s Brush Theatre uses interactive screen art technology and live music to capture the whimsical adventure that follows. Save 25% off tickets to this special production recommended for kids ages 3-7. Choose from five performances, Saturday, February 29th at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. or Sunday, March 1st at 1:30 p.m. or 4 p.m.

Check out BRAND NEW Ecofunplay Indoor Play Space in Vienna, VA

Kids up to age 10 will love this new play space in Vienna, and parents will love knowing that every toy, surface and play area at Ecofunplay is non-toxic, BPA free, and made of plant-based materials! During Open Play, kids can engage a variety of interactive games and educational toys - all hand-selected to promote healthy ad safe play. Grand Opening Special: Save 25% off Open Play admission.

Save BIG on Summer by Registering for Camp NOW!

We know, it's only February, but trust us, the end of the school year will be here before you know it. And the best prices on summer camps are right now, as many camps offer special promotions and extra savings to fill as many spots as possible, as early as possible. Did you know that CertifiKID is the largest resource for summer camp savings in the Washington, D.C. area? Save even more by taking advantage of our Early Bird Camp Promotion where you can score an extra $10 off your camp purchase of $50+ through February 23rd (Use code EARLYBIRD20). Camps are already discounted up to 50% off, so this is a GREAT deal! Check out our Washington, D.C. camp deals and filter by location and interest to find the perfect camps for your kiddos.

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For more affordable family fun this month, check out our family-friendly Washington, D.C. deals and coupons.

Tags: free cheap February events fun kids families Washington, DC

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CertifiKID was founded by a mom with a passion for helping parents provide the best experiences for their children on a budget. From outings to adventures, classes to camps, theater to sporting events, amusement parks to getaways, CertifiKID provides the best family-friendly experiences at unbeatable prices. Sign up for family-friendly deals in your area and start saving!