Looking for something fun to do to keep the kids busy during the dark days of January without blowing the budget? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of fun events for the family all month long that are totally free.
1 Friday
Post-It Doodles
Doodle on a Post-It and leave it in the library’s teen area. Free. 9am-5pm. Glen Burnie Regional Library, Glen Burnie. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net/location/Glenburnie
First Free Friday
Visit the museum for free. 5-9pm. Spaceflight America Museum and Science Center, Prince Frederick. spaceflightamericamuseum.org
2 Saturday
Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Story Time
Story time and activities. Free. 11am. Barnes and Noble, Annapolis. 410-573-1115, barnesandnoble.com
All Together Now
Stories, songs and activities for children and adults to enjoy together. All ages. Free. 11:30am. Howard County Library System Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org/locations/central-branch
3 Sunday
Free January Community Day & Makerspace
Create what you want during this drop-in program. Free. Noon-5pm. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. nmwa.org
Free Family Sundays
Hands-on art workshops, gallery tours and more. Free. 2pm. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. artbma.org
4 Monday
Monday Morning Movies & More
A movie and a story. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
Creepy Crawlers Preschool Class
Learn how to identify common evergreen trees and discover the function of pine cones. Free. 10-11:15am. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Grasonville. 410-827-6694, bayrestoration.org
Healthy Kids
Explore simple health concepts inspired by children’s literature. Ages 3-5 with adult. Free. 10:15am. Howard County Library: Miller Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations/miller-branch
5 Tuesday
Classics with a Craft
The story of the three little pigs, along with a story souvenir. Ages 3-5. Free. 1:30pm. Howard County Library: East Columbia Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7700, hclibrary.org/locations/east-columbia-branch
Family Fun Night
Tuesdays. Activities for the whole family. Free. 6-7pm. Edgewater Community Library, Edgewater. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
6 Wednesday
Free Demo Class
Movement and music class. Birth-second graders. Free. 10:30-11:05am. United Church of Christ in Annapolis, Annapolis. movengroove.net
Toys! Toys! Toys!
Stories, songs, and a craft about all your favorite toys! Free. 3:30pm. Brooklyn Park Community Library, Baltimore. 410-222-6260, aacpl.net/location/brooklynpark
7 Thursday
Family Story Time
Stories, songs, rhymes and movement activities. Free. 7pm. Maryland City at Russett Community Library, Laurel. 301-725-2390, aacpl.net/location/marylandcity
8 Friday
Art and Story Time
Fridays. Books, flannel board stories, puppets and more. Ages 2-5. Free with $4 admission. 10:30-11:30am. Chesapeake Children’s Museum, Annapolis. theccm.org
Fun with French
Learn a little French through books, music, and a craft. Ages 8-10. Free. 4pm. Howard County Library East Columbia Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7700, hclibrary.org/locations/east-columbia-branch
Minecraft Free Play
Play Minecraft while the library is closed to other customers. Registration required. Free. 5:30-7pm. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
G.E.A.R.: Glamour Night
Learn the basics of applying makeup and other cosmetics. Ages 10-17. Free with M-NCPPC Youth ID. 7-9pm. Deerfield Run Elementary School Community Center, Laurel. 301-552-1093, pgparks.com
9 Saturday
Three Kings Day Celebration
Traditional Latino cultural party also known as Epiphany or the 12 Days of Christmas. Face painting, music, gifts and more. Free. 10am-1pm. Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center, Hyattsville. 301-408-4328
Family Story Time
Short stories, songs, crafts and more. Birth to 5 years. Free. 10-10:45am. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
Black History Month Exhibition
Jan. 9-Feb. 28. Exhibit celebrates African American heritage. Free. 10am-5pm. Montpelier Arts Center, Laurel. arts.pgparks.com
Islamic Arts Family Festival
Traditional music, children’s activities, dance and more. Free. 11am-4pm. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. thewalters.org
‘Ice Age’
Watch “Ice Age,” rated PG. Free. 1-3pm. Severn Community Library, Severn. 410-222-6280, aacpl.net/location/severn
10 Sunday
2016 NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo
Jan 9-10. Sports activities for kids, mascots, giveaways, health checks and more. Free. Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., 9am-4pm. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. nbcwashington.com
11 Monday
Go Figure
Explore early math concepts inspired by children’s literature and everyday activities. Ages 3-5. Registration required. Free. 11:30am. Howard County Library Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org/locations/central-branch
12 Tuesday
Time Traveling Kids Story Time
Stories and activities teach pre-K children about the past. Registration required. Free. 10-11am. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8501, jefpat.org
Family Fun Night
Legos, game nights, crafts and more. A different event each Tuesday. Call library for details. Free. 6-7pm. Edgewater Community Library, Edgewater. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
Bookclub: How to Train Your Dragon
A special book club for elementary school students with discussions, games and crafts. Ages 5-11. Free. 5pm. Annapolis Regional Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/Annapolis
13 Wednesday
Otto the Auto
Otto the Auto, a 3-foot-tall remote control car, returns for a special safety lesson for young children. Ages 5 and under. Free. 9:30am. Annapolis Regional Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/annapolis
Sing, Sign and Play
Songs, books and signs. Ages birth-5. Free. 10:30am. South Bowie Branch Library, Bowie. 301-850-0475, pgcmls.info/website/branch/location/SouthBowie
Just for Me
Independent class that teaches creative expression, listening comprehension and early reading skills. Ages 3-5. Free. 2pm. Howard County Library Miler Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/locations/miller-branch
14 Thursday
Lego Mania
Story time followed by Lego building session. HOW SHOULD I CHANGE THIS? Kindergarten to fifth grade. Legos supplied by library. Free. 6:30-7:30pm. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
Movie Time: ‘Frozen’
Watch “Frozen,” rated PG. Free. 6:30pm. Brooklyn Park Community Library, Baltimore. 410-222-6260, aacpl.net/location/brooklynpark
Click next below for more free events in January.
