Start the summer off with a long list of activities that won’t cost you a dime. Here are 85 free events to keep the kids, and you, from getting bored. From fairs and festivals to parades, there are plenty of events for all ages in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, D.C. area.
1 Wednesday
Ready 2 Read Story Time
Stories, songs, finger plays and more. Ages 2-3. Free. 10:15-10:45am. Prince George Public Library, Bowie Branch. 301-262-7000, pgcmls.info
Tinkergarten Trial Class
Kids develop and grow through outdoor play-based learning activities. 18 months-8. Reservations required. Free. 11am-12:30pm. Robinson Nature Center, Columbia. 240-330-9063, tkgtn.com/ici4r
Legos: Creative Club
Freestyle building. Legos provided. Ages 5-12. Free. 4:30- 5:30pm. Prince George County Public LIbrary, Glenarden Branch. 410-772-5477, pgcmls.info
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Sit dockside and watch 150 crews compete in races. Free. 6pm. Annapolis Harbor. 410-263-9279, annapolisyc.com
Paint Annapolis
June 1-June 12. Outdoor painting competition. Painters create works depicting Annapolis’s architecture and atmosphere. Free. See website for schedule. Venues throughout Annapolis. Mdfedart.com
2 Thursday
Mother Goose on the Loose
Nursery rhymes, songs, movement, puppets and story followed by playtime. Ages 3-36 months with adult. Free. 10-10:30am. Kent Island Library, Stevensville. 410-643-8161, qaclibrary.org
Annapolis Greek Festival
June 2-5. Family friendly. Greek dancers, cuisine, music and more. Free. Thurs., 4-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am-7pm. Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Annapolis. 410-573-2072, annapolisgreekfestival.org
3 Friday
WELLness Pop Up Shop
June 3-5. One stop shop for those determined to live a healthier lifestyle. Free. 9am-9pm. ArtFarm, Annapolis. 410-271-6091, wholehealthdesigns.com
Bookworm Storytime
Nature stories, puppets and crafts. No registration required. Free. 11-11:30am. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, Cockeysville. 410-887-1815, oregonridgenaturecenter.org
Magic: The Gathering Club
Cast spells and battle wizards in this fantasy card game. Bring your own cards or use those provided. All experience levels welcome. Ages 5-12. Free. 4:30-5:45pm. Prince George County Public Library, Hyattsville Branch. 301-985-4690, pgcmls.info
The Tragedy of Macbeth
June 3-4. Performed by the Shore Shakespeare company. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Free. 7pm. Wilmer Park, Chestertown. 410-690-3165, shoreshakespeare.com
Frederick Festival of the Arts
June 3-5. Over 110 artists from across the country, live entertainment, artist demonstrations, children’s activities, food and more. Free. Fri., 7-9pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., 11am-5pm. Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick. Frederickartscouncil.org
4 Saturday
Summer Stories on the Lawn
Bring a blanket or chairs and listen to stories on the lawn. Ages 2-6, but all are welcome. Free. 10-10:45am. Kent Island Library, Stevensville. 410-643-8161, qaclibrary.org
Child Car Seat Safety Inspection
Certified technicians perform car seat inspections and evaluations. Registration required. Free. 10am-1pm. Prince George County Public Library, Laurel Branch. 410-776-6790, pgcmls.info
Severn Strawberry Festival & Car Show
Music, food, moonbounce, car show, carnival style games and more. Free. 10am-2pm. Severn United Methodist Church, Severn. 410-551-7969, severnumc.com
Summer Reading Kick Off
Fitness trail, face painting, crafts, prizes, Wii games and more. Free. 10am-2pm. Howard County Library Miller Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org/classes-events
Linthicum Annual Strawberry Festival
Craft vendors, demonstrations, entertainment, live music and delicious strawberry treats. Free. 10am-4pm. Historic Benson-Hammond House, Linthicum. 410-626-1437, aachs.org
Strawberry Festival
Celebration of all things strawberry with crafts, demonstrations, children’s activities and more. Sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Historical Society. Free. 10am-4pm. Benson-Hammond House, Linthicum. aachs.org
Savage Fest Town Festival
Live music, magic, dancers, historic re-enactments, food, pony rides and more. Free. 10am-5:30pm. Baldwin Common and Carroll Baldwin Hall, Savage. SavageCommAssn@gmail.com, savagecommunityassociation.com
Dad and Me Ready 2 Read Story Time
Stories, songs, finger plays and more. Registration appreciated. Free. 10:30-11am. Prince George County Public Library, Laurel Branch. 410-776-6790, pgcmls.info
Bowiefest
Rides, performances, contests, food and drink, arts and crafts fair, business expo, local organizations and more. Free. 11am-6pm. Allen Pond Park, Bowie. Cityofbowie.org
Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival
A celebration of traditional arts, music, crafts and foods. Free. 11am-7pm. Creative Alliance, Baltimore. msac.org/folklife-festival
Community Family Day
Music, crafts, kid’s games and more. Free. Noon-4pm. Downs Park, Pasadena. facebook.com/FriendsOfDownsParkInc
Music in the Woods
Live music in the woods, vendors, food, campfire and s’mores. Free. 2pm. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, Cockeysville. usampm.com/event/Music-in-the-Woods-Festival/734313
Music on the Lawn
Live music, regional food and drink. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Free. 4-6pm. Captain Avery Museum, Shady Side. 410-867-4486, captainaverymjuseum.org
Astronomy Club
Discussions and night sky observations. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Free. 9pm. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard. 410-535-2730, jefpat.org
5 Sunday
Children’s Day on the Farm
Petting zoo, live entertainment, tractor parade, food, ox cart and pony rides and more. Free. 11am-5pm. Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8501, jefpat.org
First Sunday Arts Festival
Live entertainment, artists, food and more. Free. Noon-5pm. West and Calvert streets, Annapolis. 410-263-4012, firstsundayarts.com
Rock the Block Community Block Party
Street fair featuring family-friendly activities, musical performances, food and craft marketplace, and more. Free. 10am-3pm. Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC, Owings Mills. 410-559-3546, jcc.org/RocktheBlock
6 Monday
Crazy 8s Math Club
After-school club to help kids with math. Build stuff, run and jump, make music, make a mess and more. Ages 5-12. Free. 4-5pm. Prince George County Public Library, Bowie Branch. 410-262-7000, Pgcmls.info
Minecraft Challenge
Play minecraft at the library. All levels welcome. Ages 5-12. Free. 4-5pm. Prince George County Library, Bowie Branch. 301-850-0475, pgcmls.info
7 Tuesday
Bouncing Babies
Story time with rhymes, songs, bounces and social playtime. Ages birth-24 months, with adult. Free. 9:40-10:30am. Kent Island Library, Stevensville. 410-643-8161, qaclibrary.org
Boys Read
Led by a former NCAA Division 1 athlete. Read about sports, and gain skills to be successful in the classroom. Also play outside, healthy snacks and more. Boys ages 8-12. Free. 4-5pm. Prince Georges County Public Library, Glenarden Branch. 410-772-5477, pgcmls.info
8 Wednesday
Legos: Creative Club
Freestyle building. Legos will be provided. Ages 5-12. Free. 4:30-5:30 pm. Prince George County Public Library, Glenarden Branch. 410-772-5477, pgclms.org
Ballet at the Library
Connect the Dots Dance Company presents excerpts from “Sleeping Beauty.” Free. 6:30-7:30pm. Prince George County Public Library, Hyattsville Branch. 410-985-4690, pgclms.org
9 Thursday
On Your Mark, Get Set, Sidewalk Chalk
Decorate sidewalks. Trace hands, feet, draw faces, play chalk games, create pictures and more. Chalk provided. Free. 10am-5pm. Prince George’s County Public Library, Bowie Branch. 301-262-7000, pgcmls.info/website/branch/location/Bowie
Annapolis Design District Summer Block Party
Live music, food and cocktails. Free, some activities require a fee. 5:30-8:30pm. Corner of Edgewood Ave. and Virginia St., Annapolis. 410-263-4900, annapolisdesigndistrict.com
Summer Reading Kick-Off Party
Stories and songs then free time on an obstacle course set up just for the occasion. Free. 6:30-7:30pm. Northeast Community Center, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
10 Friday
Minecraft Free Play
Play Minecraft on the computers while the library is closed to other customers. Registration required. Free. 5:30-7:30pm. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach, 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
11 Saturday
World Oceans Day
Learn how you can do your part to protect the world’s oceans. Activities, crafts, games, demonstrations and more. Free. 10am-2pm. National Zoo, Washington, D.C, 202-633-4888, nationalzoo.si.edu
Story Time With Children’s Author Artie Bennet
Author of “The Butt Book,” “Poopendous!,” “Peter Panda Melts Down!,” and “Belches, Burps, and Farts – Oh My!,” will read all four books. Free. 10am-3pm. Talbot County Free Library, Easton. 410-822-1626, tcfl.org
ARTreach Festival
Community arts festival. Live music, hands-on arts activities, artist meet & greet, face painting, caricaturists and more. Free. 11am-4pm. Long Reach Village Center, Columbia. 410-313-2787, artreachhoco.org
HonFest
June 11-12. Live music, food, children’s activities and more. Free. Sat., 11am-10pm; Sun., noon-6pm. Hampden, Baltimore. Honfest.net
12 Sunday
State Circle Summer Festival
Old-fashioned street festival. Vendors, food, music and activities for the family. Free. 10am-5pm. State Circle, Annapolis. Shopmarylandavenue.com
Miniature Train Rides
Train ride on miniature trains through Leakin Park. Children must be able to sit and cannot be carried in arms, on lap or in carrier. Free, donations are accepted. 11am-3:30pm. Leakin Park, Baltimore. 410-448-0730, calslivesteam.org
Flag Day
U.S. Flags Displayed, beekeeping demonstrations, chance to explore the grounds of the historic farm and more. Free. 1-4pm. Hancock’s Resolution, Pasadena. 410-255-0454, historichancocksresolution.org
Nature Connections: Wild Edibles
Discover wild plants that are safe to eat. Free. 1-4pm. The Natural History Society, Baltimore. 410-882-5376, marylandnature.org/nature-connections
13 Monday
Tiny Tots: Nature and Music
Learn about the wildlife at the refuge through songs and rhyming. Registration is required. Free. 10:30-11:15am. National Wildlife Visitor Center, Laurel. 301 497-5760, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/PublicPrograms.html
Crazy 8s Math Club
After-school math club to get kids fired up about math. Build stuff, run and jump, make music and make a mess. Grades K-2. Free. 4-5pm. Prince George County Library, Bowie branch. 301-262-7000, pgcmls.info
Chinese-English Ready 2 Read Story Time
Children’s stories, songs, rhymes and other activities in Chinese and English. Ages 3-5. Free. 4-5pm. Prince George County Library, Greenbelt Branch. 301-262-5800, pgcmls.info
14 Tuesday
Here Comes Dad’s Special Day
Make special crafts for Father’s Day. Free. 9am. Annapolis Regional Library. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/events
Mother Goose on the Loose
Nursery rhymes, songs, movement, puppets and a story. 3-36 months with adult. Free. 10:30-11am. Centreville Library. 410-758-0980, qaclibrary.org
Flutterby Butterfly
Celebrate pollinators and discover the incredible life of the butterfly through stories, crafts and a hike. Registration is required. Ages 5-7. Free. 1-2:30pm. National Wildlife Visitor Center, Laurel. 301 497-5760, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/PublicPrograms.html
Awesome Airplanes
Explore the science of flight and make your own paper planes. Free. 6pm. Odenton Regional Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/events
15 Wednesday
End of School Year Celebration
Celebrate the end of the school year. Games, crafts and snacks. Teens. Free. 2:30-5:30pm. Maryland City at Russett Community Library, Laurel. 301-725-2390, aacpl.net/events
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Wednesdays weekly. Sit dockside and watch 150 crews compete in races. Free. 6pm. Annapolis Harbor. 410-263-9279, annapolisyc.com
16 Thursday
Minecraft Club
Compete in crazy building competitions. Space is limited. Registration requested. Free. 2pm. Deale Community Library. 410-222-1948, aacpl.net/events
Click next below for more free events in June
