Hello,

We're new to the area, and wondering what inside tips the natives had for fun adventures for kids in Fairfax. I know how to Google, but it seems like this site is perfect for inside tips on cool spots for parents to take their younger children, like outdoors parks with swimming holes, hiking, etc. Thanks!

Cameron Run Great Waves water park.

If kids are very little, take them to Clemyjontri Park in McLean.

Great - thanks! Water Mine was great when we checked it out as well.

My kids have been to both. Water Mine gets more thumbs up from them.

National Zoo is good. Lots of au pairs bringing the kids there. So there's something for the kids to see and something for you too.

Depending on their ages, the kids might enjoy a trip to either Hidden Pond or Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Fairfax. Both are part of the park system with no admission fee. They are small 2-3 room air conditioned nature museums with live animals, some play areas and occasional special presentations by park rangers.

They work great for 3-7 year olds and/or older nature enthusiasts because the glass animal cages are on their level (low to floor) and there are interactive items and exhibits. Both have outdoor spaces, too - Hidden Oaks has a nice nature trail through the woods that encircles the center and Hidden Pond has a walk around the perimeter of a pond, plus a walkway through the woods.

Unique Thrift Store is a good place, too. It's a good display of the diverse cultures Fairfax has to offer. After that, maybe the area around the Home Depot in Annandale and then go for a stroll through Culmore.

grandma Wrote:
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> Depending on their ages, the kids might enjoy a
> trip to either Hidden Pond or Hidden Oaks Nature
> Center in Fairfax. Both are part of the park
> system with no admission fee. They are small 2-3
> room air conditioned nature museums with live
> animals, some play areas and occasional special
> presentations by park rangers.
>
> They work great for 3-7 year olds and/or older
> nature enthusiasts because the glass animal cages
> are on their level (low to floor) and there are
> interactive items and exhibits. Both have outdoor
> spaces, too - Hidden Oaks has a nice nature trail
> through the woods that encircles the center and
> Hidden Pond has a walk around the perimeter of a
> pond, plus a walkway through the woods.


Excellent - thank you.

Try Burke Lake. There is a carousel and a small train for the kiddies to ride.

Bring cash because the attractions are financed through an embezzlement scheme.

Suggestion Wrote:
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> Try Burke Lake. There is a carousel and a small
> train for the kiddies to ride.
>
> Bring cash because the attractions are financed
> through an embezzlement scheme.

Lol - thanks. Sounds awesome.

Kid's Activities Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Suggestion Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Try Burke Lake. There is a carousel and a small
> > train for the kiddies to ride.
> >
> > Bring cash because the attractions are financed
> > through an embezzlement scheme.
>
> Lol - thanks. Sounds awesome.


Also have mini golf and an ice cream there. No employees have been caught embezzling from these attractions....yet...

Hemlock Park looks awesome.

You should take them swimming up at Great Falls park.

our safe harbor splashpark

also check out: http://themeanestmomma.com/arlington-playgrounds-and-parks/

that link covers the greater NOVA area

Pirates cove at pohick bay.

Op. How did you hear about ffx underground so quickly ?

Stay away from chucky cheese.
Dave and busters instead, but watch out for all the adolescent grown ups

Mouse house Wrote:
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> Stay away from chucky cheese.
> Dave and busters instead, but watch out for all
> the adolescent grown ups


Is Chuck E Cheese as dirty as I've heard?

jFDNL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kid's Activities Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Suggestion Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Try Burke Lake. There is a carousel and a
> small
> > > train for the kiddies to ride.
> > >
> > > Bring cash because the attractions are
> financed
> > > through an embezzlement scheme.
> >
> > Lol - thanks. Sounds awesome.
>
>
> Also have mini golf and an ice cream there. No
> employees have been caught embezzling from these
> attractions....yet...

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/2257249.html

Yes chuck y cheese is a TB playground.
All the refugees kids Obama let in have it.

The parks at Anacostia.

Fatty McFat Wrote:
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> The parks at Anacostia.

Ahhh yes...memories of my youth.

We used to go down to Anacostia Park and poke the bodies with sticks, like in the "Stand By Me" movie. Those were the days. You can't put a price on that kind of happiness.

fart cutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fatty McFat Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The parks at Anacostia.
>
> Ahhh yes...memories of my youth.
>
> We used to go down to Anacostia Park and poke the
> bodies with sticks, like in the "Stand By Me"
> movie. Those were the days. You can't put a price
> on that kind of happiness.

I saw a body on the river bank way back while passing by RFK on the Orange line.