Four Fun Things to Do With Kids in Maryland

One of my favorite ways to connect with my daughter is to get out of the house and explore a new place (or visit an old faithful). Sometimes we take an actual trip, like our overnight stay in Frostburg or our mother-daughter weekend in Berlin. Could you and your kiddos use a little adventure? Here are four fun things to do with kids in Maryland:

Dig for Fossils at Dinosaur Park

Yes, you really can dig for dinosaur fossils in Maryland!  Dinosaur Park in Laurel sits on land in Prince George’s County that has been a hot spot for dinosaur discoveries for hundreds of years! 

The park hosts public programs two Saturdays a month where visitors can join paleontologists in searching for fossils. Make sure you read this article before you go—it dives into everything you need to know before enjoying prehistoric play!

Surprise Them With a Playful Pit Stop

Here’s a great road trip tip: include a stop at a playground! Better yet, hit up a playground that also has public bathrooms. Check out this list of five playgrounds off major Maryland roads for inspiration. (Some of these impressive playgrounds are also easily accessible from the highway, such as Sophie & Madigan’s Playground in Frederick).

I remembered this list while driving back from Berlin, MD, with my daughter, and I surprised her with a stop at Sailwinds Park in Cambridge.

It was a chilly and windy November day, but my girl could have played there for hours. I enjoyed the views of the Choptank River and the clean bathrooms inside the visitor center!

Watch Planes Take off From a Playground

I have fond childhood memories of enjoying picnics while watching planes take off at a park near my home in Northern Virginia. Marylanders can enjoy the same experience at Thomas A. Dixon, Jr. Aircraft Observation Area in Glen Burnie.

Walk, bike, or scooter on the paved trails, play on the playground, and of course, watch the planes take off from BWI. If a portable restroom isn’t your thing, there’s a Starbucks only five minutes away. 

Enjoy Hours of Indoor Fun at Port Discovery

There are tons of things to do in Baltimore with kids (check out this mom’s trip to the National Aquarium and this dad’s account of traveling to Baltimore with another family). I recently took my daughter to Port Discovery after discovering (ha!) a recent day off from school aligned with the museum’s discounted Community Days calendar. Community Days include educational drop-in activities. On the day we went, we participated in a Black History Month-themed game where we matched Black inventors to their inventions. There are so many reasons to love this children’s museum—read more about it here—including the massive indoor slide!

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Feature Photo taken at Sophie and Madigan’s Playground in Frederick, Maryland. Credit: Laura Rennie