The pocket park at 2nd & Longfellow can be a great place to get some fresh air with kids.

by Cesse Ip

Like many out there with small children, you may have been feeling like you’re falling endlessly in an abyss of despair as you figure out how to entertain kids while also trying to minimize everyone’s exposure to COVID-19.

Both of my kids (age 1 and 3) get an obscene amount of screen time during the week while I try to feign some semblance of productive telework. But especially on the weekends I want to get them out of the house and have some fun.

Here are some of the things we have been doing or want to do within the neighborhood for day trips, organized by distance from your house (ok, or at least from mine).

1. Go on a rock hunt. I save egg cartons and we go out exploring our block looking for rocks. The rules of the game are each rock must be different from the others you have already collected.

2. Paint the rocks. After a diverse group of rocks have been collected, find an area outside for the kids to paint the rocks. Similar to how each rock had to be different than the others, each rock must be decorated in a different manner – color, design, etc. It’s a great way to be creative.

3. Keep the friendships going, from a distance. Walk to your friends’ houses and leave them special messages in chalk.

Share fun messages with friends with sidewalk chalk.

4. Scooter/bike/walk in Sherman or Grant Circle. Plenty of open space to go around the Circles and keep your social distance while getting sun and fresh air!

5. Picnics! Play and have a picnic at one of the many “pocket” parks in Petworth. Our favorite is at 2nd and Longfellow and features a hopscotch-like design and numbered fish. Warning, this one has very little shade. Another great one is at 3rd and Ingraham, and features more shade. Others include 13th and Emerson with turtles to climb on, and Petworth Meditation Garden at 13th and Quincy.

6. Explore Rock Creek Park and its many trails. Soapstone Valley is great for kids that like to climb rocks, but if you have a little one, best to bring a hiking backpack or carrier.

There are so many things to see at Rock Creek Park, from trails to the Nature Center, horses and more.

7. Head to Carter Barron to kick around balls or try to fly a kite at the fields. Another great location to get fresh air and have social distancing.

8. Practice those bike-riding skills at Carter Barron.

9. Find the horses. Walk around and catch a glimpse of the horses at Rock Creek Park.

10. Visit Tregaron Conservancy to check out the bullfrogs and explore the trails.

11. The Zoo! Book a time at the Smithsonian Zoo and make an educational outing fun.

12. Visit Roer’s Zoofari and feed llamas from your car.

Park at 3rd and Ingraham can be a fun, small place to hang out.

13. Pick your own fruit at one of the many nearby orchards. Butler’s Orchard is popular, but a few weeks ago my family visited Larriland Farms and really enjoyed it.

14. Go hunting for shark teeth at Purse State Park. Shark teeth!

15. Hike to Cunningham Falls.

There’s so many other options out there to get outside, from the National Mall to Great Falls, to simple walks around the block.

What are some of your ideas? Share in the comments below or on Facebook!