Tag Archive for: summer fun

Top 10: Summer Fun for Baltimore Families (updated for 2024)

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Looking for summer fun for Baltimore families?

We are so excited that summer is upon us! Baltimore is a hot spot for summer fun to do with your children.

See what we did there? ;-)

Doulas of Baltimore is here to share with you 5 great outdoor activities to do with the whole family. And we’ve got 5 great indoor suggestions to do on those days when you want to cool down. Here we go:

 

Poster for Summer Sounds concert series

1. Summer Sounds at the Square

Baltimore families love this concert series at Belvedere Square in north Baltimore City. Food, music, and lots of kid-friendly activities! There are four Friday evening concerts this summer – Mambo Combo on June 21, July 19, August 23, and September 13.

flicksfromthehill

2. Flicks from the Hill

American Visionary Art Museum hosts “Flicks from the Hill” every Thursday night this July. This summer features old classics and new ones too – Field of Dreams, The Princess and the Frog, Young Frankenstein, and Raiders of the Lost Ark! There are food trucks and pre-film activities. Plus the museum is open to enjoy for free from 5-9pm on flick nights!

wtmd

3. WTMD First Thursday Concerts

If it’s more live music you’re craving, head downtown to WTMD’s First Thursday Concert series! WTMD hosts live family friendly concerts on the first Thursday of the month at Canton Waterfront Park, all summer long. Bring a picnic and enjoy!

westshorepark

4. Waterfront Parks around the Inner Harbor

Downtown features several waterfront parks around the Inner Harbor. West Shore Park features a great law and “splash pad” for the kids to enjoy. There are free waterfront wellness classes, too!

 

zoo5. The Maryland Zoo 

You can never go wrong with a visit to the zoo. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is a delight! There is much to learn about the animals, the park, and the many ways the zoo participates in conservations efforts. This summer the Zoo is hosting a Summer Solstice Twilight Stroll – bring the whole family for an evening walk or bring your little ones for Toddler Mornings!

 

And if you or the kids have had enough of the Baltimore heat…head inside to these great locations!

 

6. The Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum is a fun and educational place for the little ones! Rooms full of armor, mummies and Egyptian artifacts, and much more. Don’t miss the Chamber of Wonders – hours could be spent there alone!

aquarium

7. National Aquarium

The aquarium is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day! It’s a bigger investment than many of our favorites. And so worth it if you can make a day of it! Pop in for a showing of Shark: A 4D Experience to meet some of the world’s strangest sharks up close. From the reefs of Australia, up to the beautifully updated upland rainforest, and down the dark ramp with sharks – let’s just say everyone will sleep well at the end of the day! 

enochpratt

8. Enoch Pratt Free Public Library

With locations across the city, in addition to the gorgeous downtown main branch, Baltimore’s free public libraries also offers special events including computer basics, chess, and parent/child reading groups. Join them for Summer Break Baltimore, a fun and free reading program to encourage literacy all summer long!

9. Maryland Science Center at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

Great for a day trip (you can even head right over to the West Shore Park for some splashing when you’re done!). The Science Center also offers tons of fun summer programs! 

b&o

10. B&O Railroad Museum

Last but certainly not least with the preschool set – A historic museum that includes kid zones and train rides! Fun for everyone!

What do you recommend for summer fun for Baltimore families??

For more suggestions, check out our Baltimore Summer Bucket List from a few years ago!

Summer in Baltimore Family Bucket List

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For many Baltimore families, the arrival of summer in Maryland means tons of sun & fun!  

However, adding a baby to your warm-weather adventures can seem overwhelming. Keeping up with naps and feeding, monitoring sun exposure, and all the extra ‘stuff’ you’re suddenly hauling everywhere can make exiting your home feel more like a chore and less like an enriching experience.

Never fear! Having a baby doesn’t mean you have to skip all the amazing things Baltimore has to offer this summer. You might even find out that watching your little one take in the world around them in new ways is the very best part of each outing. Check out our Summer in Baltimore Family Bucket List! And when you’re done then head over here for tips on how to get out of the house with a baby without hauling everything (and the kitchen sink).

Attend a Summer Festival

Various dates

Baltimore is booming with festivals this summer! Whether you’re looking to enrich yourself in heritage and culture, check out the local flavors, or get some shopping in- there’s a festival for you. Come and enjoy the sights, then leave when baby has had enough. Baltimore Pride, Cherry Hill Art & Music, Baltimore Washington One Caribbean Carnival, and AFRAM are a few of our favorites!

Relax at the Movies

Thursdays in July | 9:00 PM | Federal Hill Park

Going to see a movie is one thing new parents usually remove from their repertoire fairly quickly. Summer in Baltimore means outdoor movie nights, opening a world of possibilities to families! Flicks on the Hill is put on by the American Visionary Art Museum and is FREE to the public. Plan to arrive a little early and bring your own blanket. Movie choices range from the classics like Raiders of the Lost Ark to family favorites like The Princess and
the Frog, so there’s something for everyone! Plus visit the museum for free from 5-9pm!

Visit a Museum

Various

One of the biggest benefits of living in a city as diverse as Baltimore is the variety of museums available to us! When you’re ready to get inside out of the heat (or rain as it so often happens), visiting a museum is a great idea for all ages. Try wearing your baby in a carrier and leaving the stroller at home for this one – you’ll navigate the exhibits more easily and keep curious fingers safely away from anything not meant for exploring! Bonus: Most Baltimore area museums are free admission for the under-two crowd! Check out the Baltimore Museum of Art and grab brunch at Gertrude’s while you’re there, take a ride on a streetcar at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, or enjoy drop-in art sessions at the Walters Art Museum.

Bask on the Beach

All summer | 8:00 AM – Sunset | Gunpowder Falls State Park: Hammerman Area

One thing Marylanders do well is the beach!  While our beloved OC is a favorite for many, the long drive and busy nature of this beach can make it a no-go for families with babies. Get your fix of sun & sand by visiting a state park this summer instead! Hammerman beach is a beautiful strip of sand on the Chesapeake.

You’ll have to leave Baltimore for this one, but the drive to this treasure off of Route 40 is under an hour. Easy parking and large bathroom/shower facilities are both located mere steps from the actual beach, making this an easy day trip even if you’re hauling a lot of beach necessities along. Grab a snowball at the snack bar or pack a picnic and eat in the (ample) shaded picnic areas. Early mornings and weekdays are often the least busiest times to visit this beach, but weekends feature a shop with paddleboards and kayaks for rent. Kids in car seats are always free admission!

No matter what you decide to do this season, get out and about in and around Baltimore and have fun! Getting into the habit of bringing baby along for activities sets you up for a lifetime of memory making. Little ones may not always remember the things we do at this age, but you’ll never regret the time spent together.