Running low on ideas of what to do with your kids this summer? Luckily for you, I have some of the coolest
options in my back pocket. As a Baltimore and Washington DC Newborn and Family Photographer,
we are often asked about local places for kids to play.
Check out some of our favorite fun things to do in Baltimore this summer with your kids!
Fun Things to Do in Baltimore This Summer With Your Kids
National Aquarium
The National Aquarium is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire the conservation
of the world’s aquatic treasures. Opened in 1981, this is one of the nation’s top three aquariums
and features thousands of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. In addition to what
you see in the aquarium, the team has rescued, rehabilitated, and released hundreds of marine
mammals and endangered sea turtles throughout the mid-Atlantic region behind the scenes too.
While there, you will be able to explore award-winning exhibits such as the Australian River, the
rainforest, Amazon River Forest, Australia: Wild Extremes, Blacktip Reef, Dolphin Discovery,
Jellies Invasion, and Living Seashore, Marylin: Mountains at the Sea, and North Atlantic to the
Pacific. Don’t miss the dolphin exhibit – you can get up close and personal with a bottlenose dolphin!
There are even aquarium sleepovers for the whole family (ages 8 and up).
Plus, adults can dive in the Atlantic Coral Reef for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Tickets start at $39.95 for adults, $29.95 for children ages 3 to 11, and $34.95 for
seniors. If you plan on visiting more than once, be sure to check out a family membership option!
The cost of the membership may be barely more than a 1 time visit and will pay for itself
quickly if your little ones love to learn about ocean life.
Maryland Science Center
Open since 1797, the Maryland Academy of Sciences is Maryland’s oldest scientific institution
and one of the oldest in the entire nation. Near the end of World War II, the Academy relocated
to the third floor of the Enoch Pratt Library. Still, space limitations were severe, and a new home
in Baltimore was definitely needed. A colossal renovation created a space for the Maryland Science Center
with an IMAX theater, a gallery with exhibits, dinosaurs, earth science halls, and more!
You can expect to pay around $27 for adult admission or $32 with an IMAX ticket, $20 for child
admission and $25 with IMAX, and $25 for senior admission and $30 with an IMAX ticket – but
be on the lookout for Groupon and Certifikid deals which often offer deals on admission for less!
The center features different exhibits, including the following:
● Dinosaur Mysteries
● Kids Room
● Life Beyond Earth
● SpaceLink
● Math in Nature
● Newton’s Alley
● Power Up
● Science Aglow
● SciLab
● The Shed
● Davis Planetarium
Location: 601 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Hours: Monday –Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Patterson Park
Patterson Park is a great park to visit for those warm summer evenings when the kids need
to get some energy out. Not only does the park offer ample open space for your little ones to run
and jump and explore – but you can also take advantage of all the other awesome activities and
excursions the park offers, including:
● The pool
● Boat lake
● Pavilions
● Playground
● Dog park
● Observatory
● Community gardens
If your family loves picnics, there are plenty of areas to sit in that provide wonderful scenery and
ample space to set up a picnic blanket and maybe even kick around a soccer ball or two. The summer
season also offers many free Sunday night music concerts that are also child friendly! So pack up a
picnic dinner and hit the park with the kids.
BMore Licks
If you’re hitting Patterson Park with the kids, be sure to stop at Bmore Licks before
heading home for a sweet treat! It’s the perfect way to cool off from the summer heat. Their flagship
location is right next to the park, located at 2437 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224. Summer
Hours are 2pm – 9pm Monday thru Friday, and 12pm – 9pm on Saturdays and Sundays. With over
30 constantly rotating flavors of ice cream, everyone is sure to find their favorite. This ice
cream parlor also offers gluten free, vegan and dairy free options for those with dietary restrictions.
Select from hard ice cream, soft serve, sundaes, milkshakes, flurries, and even ice cream tacos! They
even offer pup cups for your furry family members too.
Be sure to snap a photo in front of their amazing ice cream mural wall and tag them on Facebook or Instagram!
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a an amazing stop to add to your list if you are baseball fans!
With plenty of food and drink options you won’t need to worry about the kids (or you) getting
hangry during a game. There truly aren’t any bad seats at this stadium – so don’t worry about
springing for the expensive seats unless you want to splurge! There are plenty of covered seating
options as well if you are hitting the park for a midday game and want to stay out of the sun with
your little ones. Tickets prices can be as low as $12/seat, and you can also take advantage of the
Kids Cheer Free program! Kids Cheer Free allows fans ages nine and younger to attend games at
Oriole Park at Camden Yards free of charge. For each regularly-priced individual game Upper Deck
ticket purchased, adults can add up to two additional free Upper Deck tickets valid for use only by
children age nine and under (subject to availability).
If you have little ones with you who need to get their wiggles out after a few innings in the bleachers
– be sure to hit The HI-CHEW Kids Corner located near Gate C! It features entertainment
and concessions located in and around the area for younger fans. Popular activities include
“The Bird House,” an interactive treehouse activity center and jungle gym. There is also a moon bounce,
skee-ball, Orioles throwing inflatable, and larger-than-life Oriole Bird bobbleheads. Ballpark concessions
favorites include fresh-popped popcorn, soft pretzels, hot dogs, french fries, chicken tenders, ice cream,
cotton candy, funnel cake and assorted beverages including lemonade. The area has seating and
televisions to view the game.
Enoch Pratt Library
With locations all over Baltimore City, visiting the Enoch Pratt Library is an awesome way to beat the
heat and keep the kids entertained this summer! There are over 20 locations, which makes it
easy to find a branch near you. In addition to all the amazing literature housed within their walls,
the library branches host many free activities all summer long for children of all ages! From toddlers to
teenagers (and yes even adults!), there is something for every age. Interactive story times, movie
nights, craft hours, computer classes, book clubs, creature encounters and more all help make
this library a lot more fun than the dusty stacks we remember from our youths. Most branches open at 10am,
and admission and activities are FREE! Be sure to check out their monthly activity calendars for events that
may interest you.
Things to Do in Baltimore
If you and your family are looking for something to fill the summer days, be sure to add some of these
fun activities to your must do list! Since Baltimore is full of hidden gems, you’ll be sure to find something
to do that is void of large crowds and gives your family the space and time to enjoy the fun. Check out
these awesome things to do in Baltimore!
For more Baltimore area content, click on the blog links below!
