Whether you’re a local family looking for weekend activities or visitors planning an extended stay, we’ve compiled an essential list of 50 must-do activities with kids in MD that showcase the best of Maryland’s attractions, outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and hidden gems.
Outdoor Adventures
- Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
- Features giraffe feedings, otter and rhino training, and the kid-friendly Farmyard with hands-on activities.
- Don’t miss the Zoo Train ride for a fun tour around the grounds.
- Patapsco Valley State Park
- Offers easy-to-moderate trails for kids, waterfalls, and swinging bridges.
- Great for picnics and family-friendly camping trips.
- Sandy Point State Park
- Swim in the Chesapeake Bay or go crabbing with the kids.
- Seasonal events include holiday light displays.
- Kinder Farm Park
- Visit the barnyard animals, hike short trails, and let kids enjoy the large playground.
- Seasonal activities include hayrides and a pumpkin patch.
- Rocky Gap State Park
- Offers a large lake for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
- Rent paddleboats or hike the 5-mile Lakeside Loop Trail.
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath
- Ideal for biking, walking, or even riding a canal boat in the summer.
- Stop by Great Falls for breathtaking views and photo ops.
- Cunningham Falls State Park
- Features a 78-foot cascading waterfall, swimming areas, and canoe rentals.
- Trails are stroller-friendly for families with young kids.
- Assateague Island National Seashore
- Famous for wild horses, beautiful beaches, and nature trails.
- Rent kayaks or enjoy ranger-led programs about island wildlife.
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
- Explore marshlands via kayak or take a guided birdwatching tour.
- Spot bald eagles and turtles along the scenic drive.
Educational Fun
- Port Discovery Children’s Museum
- Interactive exhibits include a three-story climbing structure and a water play area.
- Seasonal events like family yoga and cultural festivals.
- Maryland Science Center
- Hands-on exhibits on space, weather, and dinosaurs.
- Watch IMAX movies and stargaze at the planetarium.
- National Aquarium
- Features an incredible shark tank and touch pools.
- Don’t miss the tropical rainforest exhibit and dolphin presentations.
- B&O Railroad Museum
- See historic locomotives, ride a train, and enjoy train-themed kids’ events.
- Ideal for little train enthusiasts!
- College Park Aviation Museum
- Learn about the Wright brothers and aviation history.
- Kids can enjoy a variety of STEM and aviation-themed sciences.
- Historical St. Mary’s City
- A living history museum with costumed interpreters.
- Explore a working farm, a ship replica, and colonial homes.
- Calvert Marine Museum
- Kids can touch fossils, see otters up close, and climb a historic lighthouse.
- Offers family-friendly workshops and boat tours.
- Dinosaur Park
- A fossil excavation site where kids can learn about dinosaur bones.
- Guided tours available on select weekends.
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center
- Features immersive exhibits about Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy.
- Great for teaching kids about resilience and history.
Indoor Activities with Kids in MD
- ClimbZone
- Features themed climbing walls like Mount Rushmore and the Eiffel Tower.
- Safe and fun for kids as young as 3.
- SkyZone Trampoline Park (Various Locations)
- Includes foam pits, dodgeball zones, and toddler-friendly jump hours.
- Great for rainy days or birthday parties.
- Urban Air Adventure Park
- Offers ziplining, climbing walls, and indoor obstacle courses.
- Fun for kids and adults alike.
- Adventure Park USA
- Combines an arcade, laser tag, and outdoor rides.
- Seasonal events include pumpkin festivals and holiday light displays.
- Pump It Up
- Inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses.
- Ideal for kids’ parties or weekend fun.
- iFly Indoor Skydiving
- Experience simulated skydiving in a safe, indoor environment.
- Certified instructors guide kids through a thrilling adventure.
- Big Escape Rooms
- Kid-friendly escape room themes like pirates or fairytales.
- Great for teamwork and problem-solving.
- Shadowland Adventures
- Laser tag arena with exciting themed environments.
- Fun for older kids and teens.
- Terrapin Adventures
- Features ziplines, climbing walls, and kid-friendly obstacle courses.
- Offers family adventure packages and summer camp!
Seasonal Fun Activities with Kids in MD
- Clark’s Elioak Farm
- Home to the Enchanted Forest storybook park.
- Seasonal activities include hayrides, pumpkin picking, and Easter egg hunts.
- Butler’s Orchard
- Known for strawberry and blueberry picking in summer.
- Fall features corn mazes and a petting zoo.
- Larriland Farm
- Seasonal produce picking and hayrides through scenic farmland.
- Special family events during fall.
- Quiet Waters Park
- Features an ice-skating rink in winter and kayak rentals in summer.
- Regularly hosts outdoor concerts and family movie nights.
- Brookside Gardens
- Enjoy seasonal displays like the tropical plant collection and seasonal plant displays.
- Stunning holiday light displays in winter.
- Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival
- A magical drive-through holiday display with over 450,000 lights.
- Perfect for creating holiday memories with kids.
- Wisp Resort
- Go tubing, skiing, or snowboarding in winter.
- Summer activities include mountain coaster rides and zip lining.
- Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
- Rides, farm animals, and carnival games for all ages.
- A fun way to introduce kids to rural traditions.
- Cherry Blossom Festival in DC/MD
- Family-friendly events include kite flying and cultural performances.
- Perfect for a spring day outdoors.
- Catoctin Mountain Park Maple Syrup Festival
- Learn how maple syrup is made and enjoy a pancake breakfast.
Unique Experiences with Kids in MD
- Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake
- Kids dress up as pirates, learn about treasure maps, and go on a real boat adventure.
- Includes water cannons and treasure hunting for a fun-filled experience.
- The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
- Tree-top climbing and ziplining courses for various age groups.
- Night climbs with glowing lights make it an unforgettable experience.
- Six Flags America
- Family-friendly rides, water attractions, and Looney Tunes-themed areas for younger kids.
- Seasonal events like Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park.
- National Capital Trolley Museum
- Ride historic trolleys, explore interactive exhibits, and see restored cars.
- Includes a hands-on kids’ play area.
- Annapolis Maritime Museum
- Learn about Chesapeake Bay ecology and local maritime history.
- Guided cruises aboard the historic Skipjack Wilma Lee.
- North Beach Boardwalk
- A charming waterfront with a sandy beach, ice cream shops, and a fishing pier.
- Hosts kid-friendly events like movies on the beach and craft fairs.
- Baltimore Inner Harbor Paddle Boats
- Rent dragon-shaped paddle boats or electric scooters for fun sightseeing.
- Explore nearby attractions like the Harborplace.
- Mallows Bay
- Known as the “ghost fleet” due to sunken WWI ships visible in the water.
- Rent kayaks and paddle alongside the wreckage.
- Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center
- A family-friendly nature center with exhibits on local wildlife.
- Kids can join ranger-led activities like nature hikes and scavenger hunts.
Arts and Creative Activities with Kids in MD
- Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
- Offers family-friendly art workshops and live performances.
- Special events like kid-focused theater productions.
- Strathmore Music Center
- Hosts family-friendly concerts, outdoor movies, and arts festivals.
- Walters Art Museum
- Explore art from ancient Egypt to modern times with interactive exhibits and family art activities.
- Younger kids can pair storytelling with simple crafts inspired by museum exhibits.
- Glen Echo Park Arts Center
- Participate in art workshops, book an aquarium visit, or ride the historic Dentzel Carousel.
- Attend a puppet show at The Puppet Co.
- Delaplaine Arts Center
- Take part in kids’ art classes or explore gallery exhibits for inspiration.
- Ceramics classes for teens and adults.
Local Gems
- Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
- A whimsical sculpture garden with kid-friendly outdoor trails, creative play spaces, and seasonal art events.
- Robinson Nature Center
- A hands-on nature center with interactive exhibits, a nature playground, and kid-friendly trails. Perfect for curious kids.
- The Patuxent Research Refuge
- A hidden gem for nature lovers, offering wildlife exhibits, family nature walks, and even tram tours and horseback riding.
- Calvert Cliffs State Park
- Hunt for shark teeth and fossils along the shoreline or enjoy a scenic family hike through forest trails.
From the bustling Inner Harbor of Baltimore to the serene beaches of the Eastern Shore, from the historic streets of Annapolis to the mountain trails of Western Maryland, the state of Maryland offers endless opportunities for creating lasting memories with your little ones.
