From movie theaters to indoor play centers and immersive experiences, there are plenty of options for kid-friendly fun to keep young ones entertained while parents shop for the perfect gifts. Whether it’s bouncing off the walls at a trampoline park, solving puzzles in an escape room, or enjoying a kid-friendly movie, these destinations offer opportunities for the kids to play while you tackle your holiday gift list.
Ballston Quarter
Junior Playland
Junior Playland offers walk-in open-play fun for kids ages 1 to 10 in a 3,500-square-foot, candy-themed indoor playground. Junior Playland: 4238 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 1295, Arlington, $16 on weekdays, $20 on weekends or holidays, with two adults included per family; additional adults are $5 each
Regal Cinemas
Movies are always a great entertainment choice. This month, Regal Ballston Quarter offers these family-friendly movies: Wicked, Moana 2, Flow, My Neighbor Totoro, The Polar Express, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Regal Ballston Quarter: 671 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington
The Crossing Clarendon
Bond’s Escape Room
Bond’s Escape Room specializes in mission-based puzzles with technology and immersive storytelling, making it a must-visit for young fans of escape rooms. Bond’s Escape Room: 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Ste. 910, Arlington, $34 per person
Dulles Town Center
Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese is a timeless family entertainment destination that offers a wide variety of arcade games and a newly added Trampoline Zone. Chuck E. Cheese Sterling: 21025 Dulles Town Cir., Sterling
The Great Xcape
Whether you’re solving puzzles in a haunted mansion or deciphering clues in a secret laboratory, these escape rooms will transport your kids to another world. The Great Xcape: 21100 Dulles Town Cir. Ste. 234, Sterling, $30–$40
Regal Cinemas
This month’s family-friendly movie selection at Regal Dulles Town Center includes Wicked, Moana 2, My Neighbor Totoro, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Regal Dulles Town Center: 21100 Dulles Town Cir., Ste. 203, Sterling
Fair Oaks
Children’s Science Center
December 14, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Children in first through fifth grade can enjoy hands-on STEM activities in their favorite winter pajamas at the Kids’ Night Out PJ Party at the Children’s Science Center. Build hovercrafts, experiment at the Experiment Bar, or meet animals at the Bio Zone. It’s a parent-free night of fun. Children’s Science Center: 11948L Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, $40
Dave & Buster’s
The arcade features a variety of games for all ages, including racing, air hockey, and shooters. With half price games on Wednesdays, Dave & Buster’s is the place to be for kid-friendly fun. Dave & Buster’s: 11958U Fair Oaks Shopping Ctr., Fairfax
Luv 2 Play
Luv 2 Play offers a 12,000 square foot indoor playground with three levels of fun, including crawl tubes, slides, a dedicated toddler area, redemption games, kiddie rides, and a full-service café with pizza and other treats. Luv 2 Play: 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, $13–$17
Manassas Mall
AC Fun Factory
Experience an hour of wild fun in the Splatter Paint Room. You’ll be provided with a full-body jumpsuit, goggles, gloves, and six paint colors to create your masterpiece on a 16×20 canvas. AC Fun Factory: 8300 Sudley Rd., Manassas, $40
Billy Beez
Billy Beez is an indoor play park with more than 1,000 feet of fun. Featuring slides, a ball pit, tunnels, swings, a tot-sized town, basketball, soccer, and arcade games, there’s something for everyone. Plus, grab a bite at the on-site cafe. Billy Beez: 8300 Sudley Rd., Ste. 107, Manassas, $14–$17
Dill Dinkers Pickleball
Dill Dinkers offers pickleball lessons for kids ages 8–12 on Mondays. Led by PPR-certified pros, these hour-long sessions focus on building pickleball skills, hand-eye coordination, and agility through exciting games and drills, whether your child is new to the game or looking to improve their skills. Dill Dinkers: 8300 Sudley Rd., Ste. A4, Manassas, $20
Potomac Mills
Round1
Round1 is a one-stop entertainment hub with a wide range of activities including bowling, Japanese-exclusive arcade games, billiards, karaoke, ping pong, darts, and more. Round1 Bowling & Arcade: 2700 Potomac Mills Cir., Unit 882, Woodbridge
Healthy Fun One Adventure Park
The park features a variety of attractions, including a high-ropes course, warped walls, trampoline dodgeball, a ninja warrior course, and a massive inflatable bounce house. Healthy Fun One Adventure Park: 2700 Potomac Mills Cir., Unit 711, Woodbridge, $25–$35
AMC
This month’s family-friendly movie selection at AMC Potomac Mills includes Wicked, Moana 2, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, Elf, The Polar Express, and Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas. AMC Potomac Mills 18: 2700 Potomac Mills Cir., Ste. 886, Woodbridge
Reston Town Center
Ice Skating
The rink offers more than 500 pairs of skates in various sizes. Beginners can start with double-bladed, flat-edge skates to walk across the ice before gliding into single-bladed skates when ready. 1818 Discovery St., Reston: $9–$11 admission, $7 skate rental
LOOK Dine-In Cinema
With a chef-inspired menu and family-friendly films like Moana 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, LOOK ensures a memorable outing for the kids while you shop. LOOK Dine-In Cinema: 11940 Market St., Reston
Springfield Town Center
Dave & Buster’s
The arcade features a variety of games for all ages, including racing, air hockey, and shooters. With half price games on Wednesdays, Dave & Buster’s is the place to be for entertainment. Dave & Buster’s: 6655 Springfield Mall Rd., Springfield
Lego Discovery Center
Explore zones like DUPLO Park, where small builders can play and learn, and Building Adventure, where creativity runs wild. Other highlights include Mini World, featuring LEGO builds made from more than 1.5 million bricks, and the Imagination Express, an exciting train ride through an oversized LEGO world. Create custom minifigures, enjoy 4D movies, and enjoy a meal at the LEGO Cafe. Lego Discovery Center: 6563 Springfield Mall, Ste. 12004, Springfield, starting at $26
Regal Cinemas
This month’s family-friendly movies at Regal Springfield Town Center include Wicked, Moana 2, Flow, The Polar Express, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Regal Springfield Town Center: 6859 Springfield Mall, Springfield
Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center
Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse combines food, drinks, and films in one place. The theater showcases a variety of films, from indie hits to blockbusters, with special menus. This month’s family-friendly films include Moana 2, Wicked, Mufasa: The Lion King, Elf, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, and A Christmas Story. Alamo Drafthouse: 15200 Potomac Town Pl., Unit 100, Woodbridge
Muse Paintbar
Muse provides painting experiences for all ages with their Family Day painting events, where you put characters like The Grinch on canvas. Muse Paintbar: 14901 Potomac Town Pl., Unit 140, Woodbridge, $35
Ice Skating
Drop the kids off at the ice rink while you shop. Stonebridge Ice Rink: River Rock Way & Bridge View Drive, Woodbridge, $9–$10 admission, $6 skate rental
Tysons Corner Center
AMC
Movies are always a great entertainment choice. This month’s family-friendly movies at AMC Tysons Corner include Wicked, Moana 2, The Polar Express, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. AMC Tysons Corner: 7850e Tysons Corner Ctr., McLean
Tysons Galleria
Bowlero
Bowlero Tysons Corner has 36 bowling lanes and an arcade. It’s the perfect spot for your kids to release some pent-up winter energy. Bowlero Tysons Corner: 2001 International Dr., Ste. 1695G, McLean
CMX
CMX combines entertainment, reclining leather chairs, and in-theatre dining. This month, your kids can catch Wicked and Moana 2. CMX CinéBistro Tysons Galleria: 1651 International Dr., Ste. U1700, McLean
Village at Shirlington
AMC
Movies are always a great entertainment choice. This month’s family-friendly offerings at AMC Shirlington include Wicked and Moana 2. AMC Shirlington 7: 2772 S. Randolph St., Arlington
Spotsylvania Towne Centre
EVO
The movie theatre features bowling lanes and an arcade for added fun. This month’s family-friendly offerings include Moana 2, Wicked, and My Neighbor Totoro. EVO Entertainment + EVX – Fredericksburg: 51 Towne Centre Blvd., Fredericksburg
Central Park
Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese is a timeless family entertainment destination offering a wide variety of arcade games. Chuck E. Cheese Fredericksburg: 1280 Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg
Fun Land
Experience the indoor spinning coaster or get dizzy on a modern twist on bumper cars. Test your skills with laser tag or rock-climbing walls. For some lighter fun, enjoy mini bowling or multi-level go-karts. With batting cages and golf, there’s something for everyone. Dive into the arcade, compete in prize games, or brave the ropes course. Fun Land of Fredericksburg: 1351 Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg
Regal Cinemas
Movies are always a great entertainment choice. This month’s Regal Fredericksburg family-friendly movies include Wicked, Moana 2, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, My Neighbor Totoro, The Polar Express, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Regal Fredericksburg: 3301 Plank Rd., Fredericksburg
Sky Zone
Sky Zone is the home of wall-to-wall aerial action, offering an exciting trampoline park for the kiddos. Sky Zone Fredericksburg: 1410 Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg, $27–$40
Feature image courtesy Children’s Science Center
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