The best DMV extracurricular activities for kids range from ballet in Alexandria to Taekwondo in Germantown to knife skills in Arlington. Below are 25 programs across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia, most of them Washington Parent Picks winners or finalists, organized by category with locations and age ranges so you can find the right fit fast.
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Extracurriculars are a great way to help your child develop new skills, make friends and stay active.
- The details: Every child is unique, so take time to find the right program for them.
- The more you know: While some programs are located outside DC proper, they are often close to the district’s borders and accessible by metro.
DMV extracurricular activities: performing arts and dance
Washington, DC
Musicfully
With in-home and virtual private music lessons, Musicfully instructors can help your student achieve mastery in a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, violin, drums, flute, cello, clarinet and more. Musicfully was also a 2025 Washington Parent Picks finalist.
- Location: In-home and virtual lessons
- Age range: 4 and up, adult lessons available
The Theatre Lab
An opportunity for your student to take part in a full scale production or simply develop their core stage skills, the Theatre Lab offers several programs that help kids develop their performing arts skills. Additionally the “Life Stories” program teaches students to share their own thoughts and feelings about the world through personal stories and stage production.
- Location: 900 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC
- Age range: 8-16
Virginia
Tiny Dancers
Nurturing a creative environment to help young ones find their place on the stage, Tiny Dancers helps new students develop their skills. Classes offered for ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and musical theater. They were a winner of Washington Parent Picks best arts camp.
- Location: 621 S. Washington St., Alexandria
- Age range: 3-12
Virginia National Ballet
With classes in ballet, tap and contemporary dance for all ages, the Virginia National Ballet is the best place to help your beginner find their feet or an experienced dancer improve their skills. This program was named Washington Parent Picks’ best dance program.
- Location: 8104 Flannery Court, Manassas
- Age range: 2-18
Dance Academy of Virginia
With locations in Del Ray and McLean, Dance Academy of Virginia helps students develop the intellect and physical skill of an experienced dancer. Dance Academy of Virginia provides a gentle hand to guide dancers to their best and was a Washington Parent Picks finalist.
- Location: 6723 Whittier Ave., McLean and 2402 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
- Age range: 2-18
Encore Stage and Studio
Supporting young people’s independence, Encore Stage and Studio provides kids with the guidance they need to be true creatives and connect with their communities. This program was a finalist for Washington Parent Picks best performing arts classes.
- Location: 3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington
- Age range: 5-15
Acting For Young People
With after school classes and showcase performances throughout the year, Acting for Young People can help your child find their voice. This program was a finalist for Washington Parent Picks best performing arts classes.
- Location: 4260 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
- Age range: 5-18
Mason Community Arts Academy
With music, visual arts, film and performance programs, this arts program at George Mason University supports young artists in all their endeavors and helps them develop lifelong skills. This program was named Washington Parent Picks best visual arts class.
- Location: 4260 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
- Age range: 4 and up, adult classes available
Maryland
Imagination Stage
At Imagination Stage, young kids have a chance to act out their favorite stories while learning about music and acting. For older children, the Theater for Change Program explores social issues through art and performance, offering them an opportunity to make a difference.
- Location: 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda
- Age range: 6 and up
Where can kids play sports in the DMV?
Washington, DC
Mystics Youth Basketball Game Day Clinics
Give your young hoops fan a taste of the pros with the Washington Mystics’ Game Day Clinics. Kids get a two-hour skills clinic right on the CareFirst Arena game court, followed by a ticket to that night’s Mystics game, an early-access peek at team warm-ups and a take-home T-shirt. It’s a fun, hands-on way for kids to build basketball fundamentals while soaking up some WNBA magic, and they were named a 2025 Washington Parent Picks finalist.
- Location: 1100 Oak Drive SE, Washington, DC
- Age range: 6-14
Go Play Youth Sports for All
Children deserve to play and explore different sports, but that can be difficult in a cramped city space. But in 2018, the Go Play team established fields and play spaces for children across the city to support productive recreation. Today, they offer programs in a variety of unique sports including golf, trapeze, aerobics and more.
- Location: Vary based on program, many based at The Fields at RFK Campus
- Age range: 5-13
Maryland
OneKick Martial Arts
Help kids develop their focus, agility and coordination through safe and structured Taekwondo classes at OneKick. Focused on developing skills for self-defense, competition and fitness, OneKick creates strong kids, mentally and physically. This program won Washington Parent Picks best sports and recreation camp.
- Location: 8311 Leaman Farm Road, Germantown, MD; 55 Kentlands Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD; 364 Pickett St., Alexandria, VA
- Age range: 4 and up, adult classes available
Ness Skills and Drills
An elite basketball training program, Ness Skills and Drills teaches students to set goals, follow plans and master their skills. Winner of Washington Parent Picks best basketball program.
- Location: Various locations in the DMV based on program; contact the organization for more details
- Age range: 8-16
Cabin John Ice Rink
With public skating sessions, figure skating and hockey classes, Cabin John Ice Rink is the perfect place to become a talented skater and cool off after school this fall and winter. They’re also the winner of Washington Parent Picks best hockey and skating program.
- Location: 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville
- Age range: 2 and up, adult programs available
Montgomery Soccer Inc.
A soccer program for every stage of skill and life, Montgomery Soccer Inc. uses soccer as an opportunity to connect kids to each other and to broader life lessons. This program is perfect for little ones still finding their feet and older kids trying for varsity teams. This program won Washington Parent Picks best soccer program.
- Location: 651 Great Falls Road, Rockville
- Age range: 4 and up, adult programs available
Virginia
Fitwize 4 Kids
With a holistic approach to fitness, Fitwize 4 Kids offers circuit training, cardio and agility, boxing, balance and core classes that help kids develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. This organization was named Washington Parent Picks best gym and recreation venue.
- Location: 21720 Red Rum Drive, Suite 112, Ashburn
- Age range: 4-14
Cardinal Fencing Academy
A unique and impressive skill, fencing classes for ages 6 and up teach healthy competition and help them make new friends. This group was a finalist for Washington Parent Picks best sports and recreation camp.
- Location: 45980 Center Oak Plaza, Suite 140, Sterling
- Age range: 6 and up
Have a middle schooler or high schooler who has aged out of these? Our guide to the best teen activities in the DC area covers programs built for older kids.
Where can kids take cooking classes in the DMV?
Virginia
Tiny Chefs
Tiny Chefs create an opportunity to teach your kids a vital life skill and have fun as a family. With virtual and in person class options as well as parties and events, Tiny Chefs is a great way to make family dinners fun. This program was named Washington Parent Picks best cooking class.
- Location: 6100 Franconia Road, Suite D, Alexandria
- Age range: 4-12
Cookology Culinary School
With classes at different skill levels for all ages, Cookology teaches kids fine motor skills and helps expand their palates. When they start learning professional level knife skills, your child may become a better cook than you are. They were a finalist for Washington Parent Picks best cooking class.
- Location: 4238 Wilson Blvd., third floor, Suite 3110, Arlington
- Age range: 3-18
Romp n’ Roll
At the courses offered at this kids gym, little ones have a chance to learn to prepare simple and tasty treats for themselves without putting the burden (or the cleaning up) on parents. This group was a finalist for Washington Parent Picks best cooking classes.
- Location: 9600-B Main St., Fairfax
- Age range: 3-5
Where can I find tutoring in the DMV?
Before you commit to a weekly tutoring schedule, check your district’s calendar. The Public Schools calendar lists first days, holidays, and break weeks for the 2026 to 2027 school year.
DC
Higher Achievement
While a lot of pressure is put on high school students to do well academically, foundations built in middle school can help kids succeed. Higher Achievement helps middle school students complete difficult assignments, develop social emotional skills and apply to prestigious high schools.
- Location: 3178 8th Street NE, additional locations across DC
- Age range: 11-14
Virginia
Georgetown Learning Center
Targeted toward classroom and test success, Georgetown Learning Center can help struggling students regain their confidence and gain new academic opportunities. They were a finalist for Washington Parent Picks best tutoring service.
- Location: 148 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 203, McLean
- Age range: 5-18
Maryland
Avatar Learning Center
This award winning STEM program will help your child expand their knowledge in even the hardest subjects. The online tutoring service offers flexible scheduling and means of study to accommodate every learner. Washington Parent Picks named this program the best tutoring service in the DMV in 2025.
- Location: 36 Maryland Ave., Rockville
- Age range: 5-18
Plan the rest of your DMV school year
Once you have picked a program, build it around the calendar so registration, breaks and holidays do not collide. Find every key date here:
Stevie Rosenfeld is a journalism and environmental studies student at American University who has reported for American Way of Life Magazine and D.C. Witness. She writes about education, family life and things to do across the DMV.
