Summer had barely started and cries of “there is nothing to do” rang out in our house. Last summer, with the pandemic, we watched way too much tv and spent way too much time on electronics. This year we sat down and made a summer “bucket list” to focus our summer on fun. Most take place right in our own zip code. Read along with us and see how we complete the list and please share with us if you do something from the list, there is even a prize possible if you do. We offer:
- Have a picnic at the Arboretum.
- Watch a movie at Union Market.
- Check out the playground at the Fields at RFK.
- Spend a rainy morning playing inside at the Lane.
- Celebrate the 4th of July at the Barracks Row Parade.
- Plant flowers in a container garden.
- Binge on candy at the Capital Candy Jar.
- Check out the wild ponies at Assateague.
- Go for a bike ride on Kingman Island.
- Grab a sweet treat at Fare Well and people watch while sitting at their super cute outdoor seating area.
- Check out the pole vaulters at the DC street vault competition.
- Enjoy a free Wednesday concert at the Warf.
- Learn to skateboard at the Maloof Skate Park.
- Pick lavender.
- Work on the kids’ summer reading list by picking up a book at Solid State Books.
- Go to Lincoln Park and read that book.
- Eat a half-smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl.
- Cheer on the Nationals in person – if its your first time, don’t forget to pick up your certificate at guest services.
- Buy flowers and picnic ingredients at the H Street farmers market.
- Go to the Postal Museum (this one will wait until it opens August 27).
- Make your own sushi. You can pick up an at home kit from Sticky Rice.
- Spend a day at Adventure Park USA and finally ride a roller coaster.
- Take a quiet stroll through the gardens at the Franciscan Monastery.
- Have a yard sale.
- Make s’mores in the backyard firepit. Don’t have a firepit? Head over to Camp Warf and enjoy theirs.
- Check out a book from the Northeast library (kids under 5 can sign up for a free book mailed to them each month).
- Shoot some kid-sized hoops at Maury playground.
- Buy the freshest of fish at the Fish Market.
- Turn the backyard into a fairy wonderland (more to come on this in a future issue).
- Play a round of miniature golf. Kids are welcome at H-street Country Club before 7 PM if accompanied by an adult.
- Learn to sew.
- Tour the Basilica.
- Take a water taxi tour of the monuments.
- Take the streetcar to get a different view of H-Street.
- Jump in the fountains at the new Eastern Market splash pad.
- Climb and slide at Ludlow Taylor playground.
- Sail on a pirate cruise.
- Visit the pandas at the National Zoo. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance and there is a separate ticket for the Panda Pass.
- Enjoy an outdoor movie at the Wharf.
- Enjoy guacamole and chips at the cute outdoor seating at Fresca Taqueria and treat mom to a margarita.
- Check out the tiny art at the Free Little Art Gallery.
- Discover the best place to get donuts (we’re taking suggestions on this one).
- Make a sidewalk chalk mosaic.
- Grab some bagels and have a breakfast picnic at Lovejoy Park.
- Head back to the arboretum and check out the bonsai trees.
- Take a walking tour. There are a couple of great ones to choose from.
- Take a picture at the Heart Wall at Union Market.
- Climb the steps at the Lincoln Memorial. You will get a great view of the city and you can convince the kids that you can see your house.
- Grab breakfast at Jimmy T’s and then enjoy a walk around the neighborhood.
- Watch a movie at the National Building Museum.
