Reading
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Start a book club within the family. Everyone reads and discusses the same book. If possible, you
could schedule field trips related to the topic (Harriet Tubman was born on the Eastern Shore of
Maryland, the DC museums are full of resources, etc.)
Tysons-Pimmit library has many summer activities. The first one is on June 24th from 10:3011:15 am for ages 6-12. The activity includes magic, music and fun with a magician.
Hours: Varies, check website
Location: 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043 / (703) 790-8088
Website: fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ty/ and click on events for more summer fun.
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The Fairfax County Summer Reading Program - “Read to the Rhythm !” will run from June 19th September 5th. Kids and teens can read for fun during the Fairfax County Public Library’s 2015
Summer Reading Program. To participate, register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library or
visit a branch. Preschoolers through sixth graders read 15 books (kids can have books read to
them), and teens in grades 7-12 read eight books. Those who finish reading the required
number of books will receive a coupon book with a variety of free prizes and discounts. The
coupons feature items and activities such as ice cream, pizza, craft supplies, bowling and laser
tag as well as admission to some of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s RECenters and nature
centers. More than 25 businesses and organizations have donated coupons for these free and
reduced priced items to reward Fairfax County students for reading during the summer.
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Unite for Literacy is a website for young students and students who are learning English or
another language. Digital books have narration that can be turned on or off. Users can select
the language in which the book will be read, although the words on the page remain in English.
Website: Uniteforliteracy.com.
Reading is Fundamental website has reading resources for children of all ages in both English
and Spanish.
Website: rif.org
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Writing
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Ask your child to make a scrapbook of the summer, including writing and drawing.
Play Scrabble. Or use the Words with Friends app to play with your child on your phones.
Each family member has a journal and everyone writes in it for twenty minutes a few times a
week. Nothing is assigned, nothing is graded. It is free writing. You can share your writing if you
wish.
Play “The Umbrella Island Game” in which you choose a word pattern (double letter, starts with
a consonant and ends with a vowel, etc.) and say, “I’m going to Umbrella Island. I’m taking a
tree but not a bush.” (Note double letter in tree but not in bush. The next person guesses, “I’m
taking a flower but not a petal?” You say, “No, I’m taking a bubble but not a wand.” And so on
until it is guessed correctly, including the reason (double letter.) Then switch roles.
Science
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The National Zoo is free and has thousands of animals, including the giant panda.
Hours: 6 am – 8 pm
Location: 3001 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20008 / (202) 633-4888
Website: nationalzoo.si.edu/
Riverbend Park is located north of Great Falls Park and is free. There is a nature center, hiking
trails, and you can rent kayaks to use on the Potomac river.
Hours: 7 am – 8 pm
Location: 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA 22066 / 703-759-9018
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park
The Air and Space Museum is free and has thousands of objects on display including airplanes,
space craft and a moon rock you can touch.
Hours: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Location: Independence Ave at 6th St, SW, Washington, DC 20560 / 202-633-2214
Website: airandspace.si.edu/
The Rock Creek Park Planetarium projects the night sky onto a large, dome-shaped ceiling.
Rangers lead visitors on a journey of exploration into our solar system, galaxy, and beyond. The
Planetarium is housed in the Nature Center which has a children's Discovery Room offering
environmental education books and games and a "Discover Rock Creek" bilingual (Spanish and
English) exhibit. The Nature Center also includes live turtles, fish, snakes, an active beehive, a
bird observation deck, and "water-wise" garden.
Hours: Planetarium hours vary -- check website for schedule. Nature center is open 9-5 W-Sun.
Location: 5200 Glover Road, NW, Washington, DC
Website: www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/planetarium.htm and
www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/naturecenter.htm
Butterfly exhibit at Natural History museum is free on Tuesdays. Timed-entry tickets are
required and can be obtained at the Butterfly Pavilion Box Office beginning at 10:00 AM each
Tuesday. The Natural History museum is also free and has lots of science-related exhibits.
Hours: 10-6
Location: 10th Street and Constitution, NW, Washington, DC / 202-633-1000
Website: mnh.si.edu
US Botanic Gardens is a free, indoor, living plant museum.
Hours: 10-5
Location: 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington DC
Website: usbg.gov
National Arboretum is a free living museum where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are
cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.
Hours: 8-5
Location: 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC / 202-245-2726
Website: usna.usda.gov
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Hidden Pond features acres of undisturbed woodland, quiet trails, splashing streams and a
tranquil pond as well as a nature center.
Hours: Weekdays 9-5, closed Tuesdays and weekends 12-5
Location: 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield, VA 22152 / 703-451-9588
Website: fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hidden-pond
Hidden Oaks Nature Center features a pond, playground and live animals.
Hours: Weekdays 9-5, closed Tuesdays and weekends 12-5
Location: 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA 22003 / (703) 941-1065
Website: fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hidden-oaks
Math
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One question kids often ask about math is “When will I use this in real life?” This summer, when
you find yourself using math in real life, share the moment with your child and ask him/her to
walk through the steps with you.
Watch baseball on TV or go to a Nationals or Orioles game. There are many ways that math
intersects with baseball. See hand out for more details.
Bake with your child and double or half the recipe which uses fractions.
While getting gas, talk about how many miles per gallon your vehicle gets. Ask your child to
estimate how far s/he thinks you will go on a tank of gas. Remember to check your work.
Play the “Mystery Number Game” before your child goes to bed. For example, "I am thinking of
a mystery number. When I multiply it by 2 and add 7, I get 29. What is the number?" Discuss the
next morning.
Play board games that involve math, for example Chess, Monopoly, Rush Hour, Set. DragonBox
is an app that teaches children as young as age four about algebra.
Buy your child a Rubik's Cube which teaches both geometry and group theory. You can google
tips on how to solve which will help your child (and you!)
Visit khanacademy.org. Khan Academy is a free site that is simply amazing for teaching math,
chemistry and physics. Each type of math is broken down into simple steps and the site includes
quizzes to assess your child’s progress before allowing them to move on. Some classrooms are
“flipping the classroom” and having students do Khan Academy at home and using class time to
answer questions. This is a phenomenal site.
Visit Quizlet.com. Quizlet allows your child to make flash cards for anything. This is ideal for
learning multiplication facts.
History
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Natural History museum is a free museum dedicated to history and science.
Hours: 10-5:30
Location: 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, in Washington, D.C. 20560 / (202) 633-1000
Website: mnh.si.edu
American History museum is a free museum dedicated to American history.
Hours: 10-5:30
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Location: 14th St and Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001 / (202) 633-1000
Website: americanhistory.si.edu
Museum of the American Indian is a free museum dedicated to the American Indian.
Hours: 10-5:30
Location: 4th St & Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560 / 202-633-1000
Website: nmai.si.edu
Arlington National Cemetery is a US Military cemetery. Every hour there is a changing of the
guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Hours: 8-7
Location: Arlington, VA / 877-907-8585
Website: arlingtoncemetery.mil
DC By Foot -- free kid friendly tours of DC.
Hours: Varies
Location: Varies / (202) 370-1830
Website: freetoursbyfoot.com/washington-dc-tours/walking-tours/
Physical Education
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Visit an area playground
Ride bikes on the W&OD trail
Hike the C&O Canal Towpath
Swimming at Upton Hill is $8 per person, $5 after 4:00 M-F.
Hours: 11-7
Location: 6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
Website: oceanduneswaterpark.com / (703) 534-3437
Falls Church Community Center has an open gym which includes a basketball court, volleyball
court and shuffleboard. Call 703-248-5125 for hours.
Hours: Vary, call 703-248-5125 for updated info
Location: 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA 22046 / 703-248-5077
Website: fallschurchva.gov/508/Community-Center
Music/Theater
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Every Thursday, Cherry Hill Park hosts Concerts in the Park. These concerts are family friendly,
free and held adjacent to a playground. Bring a picnic and meet new friends.
Hours: Every Thursday at 7:00 pm from June 25 – August 6
Location: 312 Park Avenue, Falls Church
Website: fallschurchva.gov/632/Concerts-in-the-Park
Every day, the Kennedy Center features a free performance at 6:00 pm.
Location: 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566 / 202-416-8000
Website: kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium
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The National Theater features two free performances every Saturday morning at 9:30 and 11:00
am. Tickets are distributed thirty minutes before each show. One ticket per person in line.
Location: 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC / 202-783-3372
Website: thenationaldc.org/childrens-programming
The Angelika Theater in the Mosaic District has free movies on a large, outdoor screen on Friday
nights at 7:00 pm from June 5-September 4.
Hours: Friday nights at 7:00 pm from June 5-September 4
Location: 2911 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031 / (571) 512-3301
Website: mosaicdistrict.com/events/event/films-in-the-park
The Shakespeare Theater is giving away 1,000 free tickets to every show this year. Tickets are
available in person at the box office every Monday at noon.
Hours: Mondays at noon
Location: Shakespeare Theater box offices -- 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 and 450
7th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Website: shakespearetheatre.org/info/free-will
Map reading skills
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Plan a real or imagined vacation. To incorporate math, plan a budget. To incorporate map
reading skills, allow your child to plan your movement through the city you plan to visit (either
in reality or in your imagination).
Plan a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood. First, hide a piece of candy or a small trinket and
then make a map to its location. After your child finds the candy/trinket, switch roles so your
child can make the map.
While at a location, like the zoo, that has a map, allow your child to be the navigator. Plan extra
time to get around while s/he learns this valuable skill and be ready to assist whenever
necessary.
Art
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National Gallery and Sculpture Garden has thousands of paintings, sculptures and other works
of art from around the world. It is open to the public and free of charge.
Hours: M-S 10-5 and Sundays 11-6
Location: Sixth and Constitution NW, Washington, DC / 202-737-4215
Website: nga.gov
American Art Museum has thousands of American works of art. It is free of charge.
Hours: 11:30-7:00
Location: 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC / 202-633-1000
Website: americanart.si.edu
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden features modern art and sculpture and is free.
Hours: 10-5:30
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Location: 700 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC / 202-633-4674
Website: hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/visit
National Portrait Gallery tells the history of America through individuals who have shaped its
culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays
poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the American
story. It is free.
Hours: 11-7:00
Location: 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC / 202-633-8300
Website: nationalportraitgallery.org
Freer and Sackler Galleries feature Asian Art and are free.
Hours: 10-5:30
Location: 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560 / (202) 633-1000
Website: asia.si.edu
Classes and Camps
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Visit Parktakes (fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes) which offers classes and camps for Fairfax
County residents. If your child receives free and reduced lunch services, your family is eligible to
register for one program for $10 once per quarter.
Visit RecPAC (fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec-pac) which offers summer programs for Fairfax
County residents. If your child receives free and reduced lunch services, your family is eligiblt to
register for one program for $12 per week per child.