The outdoor fun continues into August with Arlington County Parks and Recreation! We’ve got a calendar full of FREE programming for all ages in our parks. Let’s get together in a safe, socially distanced way to stay active! Below is a list of fun, outdoor things to do near you. You can check out the full list of free in-person programs and register here (registration is required based on the Governor’s Guidelines; no walk-ups allowed.) If you aren’t comfortable venturing out, check out our virtual programming.
Free Summer Evening Family Fun and Game form 6-8 p.m. Register adults and youth.
Nature Hike
All are welcome on this paved-surfaces hike! This scenic walk begins at Long Branch Nature Center, does not have steep inclines and is a great way for individuals of all abilities to get out into nature. Register adults and youth.
- Sat., Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
- Sat., Aug. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
- Sat., Aug. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
CF Smith Walking Tour
Walk the grounds of Fort CF Smith and learn about its history on Sat., Aug 8 at 10 a.m. Register adults and youth.
Crystal Campfire
Join us for a Crystal Campfire on Sat., Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at Long Branch Nature Center! Let's learn, tell stories and have fun. We’ve got the fire and sticks; bring your own s'mores supplies! Register adults and youth.
Free Play Day
Kids six and older can explore and discover on their own during this supervised and guided, but unstructured, playtime at the creek on Sun., Aug 9 at 2 p.m. at Gulf Branch Nature Center! Register adults and youth.
Terrific Turtles Campfire
Join us for our Terrific Turtles Campfire Sun., Aug. 9 from 7-8 p.m. at Gulf Branch Nature Center! Let's learn, tell stories and have fun. We’ve got the fire and sticks; bring your own s'mores supplies! Register adults and youth.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Learn the differences and similarities between reptiles and amphibians and find out the adaptations these cold-blooded animals have that allowed them to remain unchanged for years on Tues., Aug. 11 from 11-11:30 a.m. at Long Branch Nature center! Register adults and youth.
Community Arts Outdoors: Flying Objects!
Join us on Wed., Aug. 12, 11 a.m. at Fort Ethan Allen Park we will be making paper airplanes and flying objects! This is an all-ages program. Register adults and youth.
Family Kickball
Kickball Anyone? Bring the family for a game of kickball at Carver Park from 6-7:30 p.m. Register adults and youth.
- Thurs., Aug. 13
- Thurs., Aug. 20
- Thurs., Aug. 27
Civil War Discoveries
Kids can learn about the Civil War at Fort CF Smith Sat., Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. with hands-on activities. Register adults and youth.
Cool Creek Critter
Kids 7 and older will learn about who lives in the creek and then explore the creek for yourself on Sat., Aug. 15 at 4 p.m. at Barcroft Park! Register adults and youth.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Learn the differences and similarities between reptiles and amphibians and find out the adaptations these cold-blooded animals have that allowed them to remain unchanged for years on Sat., Aug. 15 from 12-12:30 p.m. at Long Branch Nature Center! Register adults and youth.
Summer Singers Campfire
Join us for our Summer Singers Campfire! On Sat., Aug. 15 from 7-8 p.m. at Gulf Branch Nature Center, let's learn, tell stories and have fun. We’ve got the fire and sticks; bring your own s'mores supplies! Register adults and youth.
Creek Hike
Join us Sun., Aug 16 from 1-2 p.m. for a hike along and in the creek. We’ll look for crystals and fossils and maybe find some crawdads, water striders, or other aquatic life. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center. Register adults and youth.
Community Arts Outdoors: Spatter Painting
Join us on Wed., Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. at Bon Air Park, we will be doing splatter paintings! This is an all-ages program. Register adults and youth.
Fort Ethan Allen Walking Tour
Walk the grounds of Fort Ethan Allen for the 158th anniversary week of the Second Battle of Bull Run on Sat., Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. at Ft. Ethan Allen Park. We will learn about the fort's role as Washington feared for an attack that never came. Register adults and youth.
Beautiful Bats Campfire
Let's learn, tell stories and have fun at the Beautiful Bats Campfire Sat., Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at Gulf Branch Nature Center. We’ve got the fire and sticks; bring your own s'mores supplies! Register adults and youth.
Mobile Creation Day
On Sun., Aug. 23 from 10-11 a.m., come to Gulf Branch Nature Center and help us construct a mobile for the center by folding and creating paper animals! Register adults and youth.
Bug Hunt!
Join a naturalist for a bug hunt around Gulf Branch Nature Center on Thurs., Aug. 27 from 10-11 a.m. We'll look around the pond, under leaf litter and turn over logs in search of bugs. Register adults and youth.
History Hike: The Skirmish at Ball's Crossroads
On August 27, 1861. Union and Confederate soldiers clashed near the border of Arlington and Falls Church in a brief but deadly encounter. Join us Thurs., Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at Bluemont Park for the 159th anniversary of the skirmish as we hike in the footsteps of the Union advance. Register adults and youth.
Summer Farewell Campfire
Join us for our Summer Farewell Campfire! Sat., Aug. 29 from 7-8 p.m. at Long Branch Nature Center let's learn, tell stories and have fun. We’ve got the fire and sticks; bring your own s'mores supplies! Register adults and youth.
