Things to do with kids in Alexandria: free library story times, the nature center's live animals, playgrounds on the river, the Potomac Yard fountain and indoor pools.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from the Alexandria Library, the city’s nature center, parks, aquatics and events pages, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Many of the best things for children in Alexandria are free: library story times at four branches, the nature center’s live animals in the West End, playgrounds by the Potomac and the fountain at Potomac Yard Park. City recreation centers add parties, camps and parents’ nights out through the year.

Who to call

  • City programs and registration: 703-746-5414 (TTY 703-838-4902)
  • Nature center: 703-746-5559
  • City services: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311

Story times

Alexandria Library runs free programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Its schedule lists:

  • Baby Time, ages 0-14 months, at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Free tickets required.
  • Storytime in the Reading Garden and Playtime!, ages 0-5 with an adult, outdoors in the Reading Garden at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
  • Family Storytime at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road.
  • Bilingual Storytime and Baby and Toddler Time at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library.
  • 1s and 2s Time and a Weekly Kids Play Date for ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Days and times change by season; the library’s events page has the current calendar.

Nature and animals

The Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave., is free. Children can meet live animals, see exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Dora Kelley Nature Park, and join the Animal Brunch feeding at 11 a.m. Thursdays and the Animal Meet and Greet at 11 a.m. Fridays. Trails run through the surrounding woods. The center also runs nature camps and Scout programs (nature center page).

Playgrounds and parks

City parks with playgrounds include:

Park Address Also there
Potomac Yard Park 2501 Potomac Ave. Two playgrounds and the interactive fountain
Jones Point Park 1 Jones Point Drive Waterfront, fishing, fields, trail, restrooms and a historic site; open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Windmill Hill Park 501 S. Union St. Waterfront, volleyball
Fort Ward Park 4301 W. Braddock Road Civil War fort and museum, picnic shelter
Four Mile Run Park 3700 Commonwealth Ave. Fields and trail

Most parks are open sunrise to sunset. Our parks and trails guide has the full list.

Splash pad and pools

  • Potomac Yard Park fountain: 36 jets, free, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, then 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until about mid-October. No lifeguard; adults must watch children 12 and under.
  • Indoor pools, year-round: Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility, 3210 King St. (703-746-5441), and Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility, 3795 W. Braddock Road (703-746-5479). The Alexandria Swim Academy teaches lessons from 6 months up.
  • Outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend; see our summer camps and pools guide.

Rainy days

  • Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., free, open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: more than 80 artists’ studios to wander, and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum inside, which holds family workshops such as the Dec. 5 ship biscuit ornaments.
  • City museums with family programs include Fort Ward, the Lyceum (a free family holiday magic show Sunday, Nov. 29) and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (gingerbread decorating Dec. 6).
  • Library branches and the nature center, above.

City recreation events

The recreation department’s calendar is full of family events. Coming up:

  • Family Holiday Magic Show, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Lyceum. Free, ages 5-12; bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Fund for Alexandria’s Child.
  • Family Winter Holiday Fun with Santa, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Ave.
  • Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave.
  • Parents Night Out, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Mount Vernon Recreation Center.

More are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page and the city calendar.

Just outside the city

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, about eight miles south of Old Town, holds family days through the year, including trick-or-treating on Halloween and Christmas Illuminations with fireworks in December (Mount Vernon calendar).

What this means for you

  • For babies and toddlers, start with a library story time; it is free and indoors.
  • On hot days, Potomac Yard’s fountain is free and open into the evening.
  • City camps for spring break and summer register early; see our spring break and summer camps pages.

Related guides: free things to do, parks and trails and schools.

Frequently asked questions

Are there free story times in Alexandria?

Yes. Alexandria Library runs free story times and baby and toddler programs at its branches, including Storytime in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library, Family Storytime at Burke, Bilingual Storytime at Barrett and Baby Time at Duncan. Some, like Baby Time, need a free ticket.

Is the Alexandria nature center free?

Yes. The Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave., has free admission, live animals and exhibits on Dora Kelley Nature Park. Animals are fed at 11 a.m. Thursdays and there is a meet and greet at 11 a.m. Fridays.

Where is the splash pad in Alexandria?

The interactive fountain at Potomac Yard Park, 2501 Potomac Ave., between two playgrounds. It is free and runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, then 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until about mid-October.

What can kids do on a rainy day in Alexandria?

Try the free Torpedo Factory Art Center (open daily), the nature center, a library story time, or the indoor pools at Chinquapin and Minnie Howard.