Indigenous Peoples’ Day is typically celebrated on the second Monday of October. This year, it is on Monday, October 14, and many people will have the day off.
Here are some ideas for how to spend the long weekend with your children, from visiting a corn maze to trying something spooky.
Burn Some Energy
Sometimes three-day weekends can result in some pent-up energy. Take the kids to Hyper Kidz in Ashburn to enjoy a 16,000-square-foot indoor playground or to Alexandria’s 17,000-square-foot play zone. They are open seven days a week for unlimited open play. Children 13 and younger are welcome to play and parents are always free with a paid child’s admission. Note: federal holidays are charged at weekend rates. 21641 Beaumeade Cir., Ste. 311, Ashburn; 7005 Manchester Blvd., Ste. 10B, Alexandria
Visit a Corn Maze
It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a corn maze. Luckily, there are many options to try in the area. Wayside Farm’s 10-acre corn maze features a Spider-Man theme. There’s also Belvedere Plantation’s Great Adventure Maize Maze. Wayside Farms: 5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville; Belvedere Plantation: 1410 Belvedere Dr., Fredericksburg
Spend the Day Playing with Legos
The Lego Discovery Center in Springfield is home to 12 different zones, all dedicated to the famous colorful building blocks. Through October, the center has a Brick or Treat: Monster Party experience. If your children wear costumes to the center, they get a special treat. 6563 Springfield Mall, Ste. 12004, Springfield
Take a Scenic Fall Drive
Peak fall foliage in Virginia typically occurs between October 10 and October 31. With Indigenous’ Peoples Day falling on October 14 this year, chances are there are lots of opportunities to gaze at leaves in bright yellows, deep oranges, and warm reds. Pile the kids into the car and take a day trip to see fall leaves along The George Washington Parkway, Historic Route 50, and Skyline Drive. Various locations
Take a Hike
With the weather turning cooler, taking a hike is a great way to get the kids out of the house. Here are five easy NoVA hikes for kids. There are so many trails perfect for all ages, including Mason Neck State Park’s Bay View and Marsh View trails in Lorton. The trails are perfect for exploring the outdoors. Various locations
Do Something Spooky
Now that we’re officially in spooky season, there are plenty of scary and not-so-scary activities for kids. Whether it’s the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Halloween Scavenger Hunt or pumpkin picking at Temple Hall Farm to create the perfect jack-o’-lantern, there are lots of options for all the little ghosts and goblins in your life. If you want to venture several hours away, you could check out the nation’s most haunted trail. Meadowlark Botanical Garden: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna; Temple Hall Farm: 15855 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg
Go Apple Picking and Bake a Pie
Take the whole family to go apple picking. Maybe head out to Charlottesville for the day and pick apples at Carter Mountain Orchard. Check ahead of time because picking conditions change. 1435 Carters Mountain Trl., Charlottesville
Take a Snack Tour and Check Out Central Pennsylvania
Kids can learn how those potato chips in their lunches are made at a tour of Utz in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Or you could take a buggy ride and feed some baby farm animals in Lancaster. For the little ones, a trip to Dutch Wonderland can be an adventure. Another option: Be a lord or lady for a day at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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