These family-friendly summer bucket list activities are perfect for kids. Try eating one of the tallest ice cream cones in Northern Virginia, catch a drive-in movie, or cool off at a local waterpark.
Try eating one of the tallest ice cream cones in Northern Virginia
Known for their towering soft serve cones, Nathan’s Dairy Bar in Manassas is a great place to stop by on a hot evening. They’re open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. They also have pup cups, so bringing along your furry friend to cool off is welcome. 8948 Mathis Ave., Manassas
Become a Junior Ranger
Children ages 5 to 12 can complete a self-guided course of study on Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane to earn a Junior Ranger badge. The activity book can be downloaded here or picked up at the park’s Visitors Center. The book is full of activities about birds, leaves, animals, and other flora and fauna in the park. 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane
Enjoy some outdoor theater
Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, an 800-seat amphitheater, offers storytelling, performances, concerts, puppet shows, and more. Shows through mid-August can be found here. In addition to the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, Wolf Trap offers Young at Arts, a program where select shows for one adult ticket gets one complimentary youth ticket for those ages 17 and under at the Filene Center. The next round in the program features Riverdance. 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna
Head to a county fair
Northern Virginia is home to some amazing county fairs. A particularly noteworthy one to put on your summer bucket list is the Loudoun County Fair, which runs from July 21 through July 25. In addition to rides and fair food like funnel cakes and popcorn, there will be a pig scramble, a Power Wheel derby, cow pie bingo, and more. 17558 Dry Mill Rd., Leesburg
See a drive-in movie
When it comes to drive-ins, there’s a certain nostalgic factor that harkens back to simpler times. Fairfax’s Starlight Cinema series at Sully Historic Site will show family-friendly movies on August 1 and August 8. First up is Tangled, followed by Zootopia 2. 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly
Dance at an outdoor concert
Put on your dancing shoes and head to a family-friendly outdoor concert like One Loudoun’s Kids Concert Series. Now through August 31, popular children’s band Rocknoceros plays original hits every Monday on the plaza. 20626 Easthampton Plz., Ashburn
Spend a rainy day at an arcade
Make the most of a rainy summer day by adding a stop at Fun Land in Fredericksburg or Fairfax to your bucket list. With more than 100 arcade games, Go-Karts, and laser tag, bad weather ends up being less of a disappointment and more of an opportunity. For the summer, Fun Land is offering a “Beat the Heat” deal where if you arrive before noon, an all-day, unlimited pass is $19.95. The park opens at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 5111 Westfields Blvd., Centreville;1351 Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg
Sip on fresh-squeezed lemonade
There’s just something about sipping on a tart, ice cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. Add a stop at EatLoco Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to visit Lemon Face Shakers. The stand not only has traditional lemonade, but mixes things up with flavors like strawberry limeade.44505 Atwater Dr., Ashburn
Visit a new playground
The warm weather season is a great time to explore your neighborhood. Add visiting a new playground to your summer bucket list like Strawberry Park Playground. It opened in September 2025 and features plenty of slides, a colorful mural, outdoor drums, a balance beam, and lots of sensory-friendly spaces. 2911 District Ave., Fairfax
Cool off at a local waterpark
Virginia summers can get stiflingly hot, so adding a family-friendly waterpark like The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole to your summer bucket list can make for a perfect day to cool off. There is something for all ages, from tall slides to sprays for little ones, and a lazy river too. The Water Mine does tend to get crowded on weekends and holidays, so it’s recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Feature image of The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority
