Take a dip at Raging Waters or one of New Jersey's other terrific water parks. Photo by David Howarth
40 Things To Do in New Jersey Before School Starts
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for New Jersey Kids
Cascade down the lazy river at Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Kip Dawkins
41 Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer: Summer Fun Guide
An area of Hooks Creek Lake is sectioned off for swimming. Photo courtesy of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Best Swimming Lakes in New Jersey You Need To Discover
Visit Crystal Springs Family Water Resort and spend the day swimming and splashing. Photo courtesy of the resort
Best Swimming Pools with Day Passes in New Jersey
The Funplex's rides will please little thrill-seekers.
The Funplex Amusement Park and Water Park Guide: Family Fun in East Hanover and Mt. Laurel
Ocean Oasis water park is among New Jersey's best outdoor water parks.
Best Outdoor Water Parks in New Jersey for Family Fun
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Get ready for beach treasure hunts this summer in Lavallette. Photo courtesy of Enjoy Lavallette
105 Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids
The Wildwoods boasts 5 miles of beautiful, free beaches. Photo courtesy of Wildwoods
Best Free Beaches on the Jersey Shore for Families
GUIDE
Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide
All aboard for family fun at A Day Out With Thomas. Photo courtesy of Delaware River Railroad Excursions
21 Best Things To Do in New Jersey August 2023 with Kids
Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
100 Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids Before They Grow Up
Floating through the water at Morey's Piers is a great way to beat the heat this summer. Photo by David Howarth
Heat Wave Hot List: 27 Cool Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids
Totally Tubular Aqua Park offers 5,000 square feet of wet-and-wild fun in Ocean City.
Inflatable Water Parks in New Jersey
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for New Jersey Kids
Make a splash at a Jersey Shore waterpark, like Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers.. Photo by Kip Dawkins
70 Things To Do at the Jersey Shore with Kids
GUIDE
New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide
Hop on a ride at Morey's Piers. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Great Amusement Parks in New Jersey for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Long Branch Beach, NJ. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Best Jersey Shore Beaches for Families: Sandy Hook to Cape May
Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
40 Indoor Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids
The Steel Pier Amusement Park is a family-friendly destination in Atlantic City.
Visiting the Steel Pier with Kids: Guide to this Jersey Shore Amusement Park
The accessible playground at Watsessing Park is a dream come true for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
Best Playgrounds in New Jersey: 12 That Are Worth the Drive
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Free Indoor Play Spots in New Jersey for Kids
Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
  VIDEO
Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 16 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit
New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Free Fun Things to Do with NJ Kids
At Tenafly Nature Center Camp, kids experience the natural world. Photo courtesy of the nature center
Most Affordable Summer Camps in New Jersey for Kids
The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
Themed Restaurants in New Jersey for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions
Allow yourself to get drawn into the mesmerizing art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
Indoor Activities for Kids: 40 Ways to Spend a Rainy Day in NJ
Guests experience the safari at Six Flags Great Adventure from the privacy and safety of their own vehicles. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids
Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
Top Attractions in New Jersey: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Drive-In Movie Theaters Near DC, Plus More Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

You'll love the retro feel of the Family Drive-in Theatre. Photo courtesy of the theatre on Facebook
You'll love the retro feel of the Family Drive-in Theatre. Photo courtesy of the theatre on Facebook
5/13/22 - By Drew Kristofik

Watching a movie is a fun family activity no matter where and when you do it. But watching a movie outdoors on a warm summer evening? That's downright magical.

While drive-in movie theaters were all the rage in the past (and made a temporary resurgence in the first two years of the pandemic), few remain in the DC area. The ones that do are worth a visit. We've listed four drive-in movie theaters near DC below, along with some of our top picks for outdoor movies under the stars. Pack a picnic, load up the car, and get ready to cozy up for a drive-in or outdoor movie night with the kids.

For more fun al fresco this spring and summer, check out our spring fun guide and our summer activities guide for DC kids. And of course, we are constantly adding more fun things to do to our DC events calendar!

Bengies Drive-in Theatre features the biggest movie-theater screen in the US. Photo courtesy of the theatre, Facebook
Bengies Drive-in Theatre features the biggest movie-theater screen in the US. Photo courtesy of the theatre, Facebook

Drive-in Movie Theaters Near DC

Union Market Drive-in

Washington, DC - every 2nd Friday, fromMay - October
The drive-in at Union Market screens a different movie on the first and third Friday of each month from April to July. Picnicking is allowed, and food from local vendors is available for purchase. READ MORE

Starlight Cinema

Centreville, VA - Saturdays in August
Families can enjoy free drive-in movies and a children's show every Saturday night in August as part of Fairfax County's Summer Entertainment Series. READ MORE

Bengies Drive-in Theatre

Middle River, MD - Daily
Bengies is mixing things up this summer, showing some older films and taking audience requests. There's something to see nightly on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and double features are always on.  READ MORE

Family Drive-in Theatre

Stephens City, VA - Wednesdays - Sundays
The Family Drive-in is a bit of a hike, but if you're longing for an old-school drive-in experience, it does not disappoint! Films are screened every day except Monday and Tuesday, and double-feature tix are just a dollar extra. READ MORE
Catch a family-friendly flick along the Potomac River at Movies on the Potomac. Photo courtesy of National Harbor DC on Facebook
Catch a family-friendly flick along the Potomac River at Movies on the Potomac. Photo courtesy of National Harbor DC on Facebook

Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids Near DC

Sunday Family Movies on the Potomac

National Harbor, MD - Sundays from May - September
Enjoy a free family-friendly movie every Sunday all spring and summer at National Harbor. Bring your own blanket or chairs and watch on the big screen at the plaza starting at 6pm. READ MORE

Movies Under the Moon

Fairfax, VA - every 2nd Friday from June - September
Van Dyck Park hosts a free outdoor movie night every second Friday of the month. Bring a blanket and a picnic and wind down under a big screen. READ MORE

Movies Around the City

Bowie, MD - Fridays, May 13 and June 17; Saturday, May 21
On three dates in May and June, the city of Bowie shows a free, family-friendly movie outdoors at dusk. Bring your own food and chairs or blankets.  READ MORE

Films in the Park

Fairfax, VA - Thursdays from June - August
Mosaic District hosts Films in the Park every Thursday evening at 7pm on the lawn of Strawberry Park. Most of these movies are kid-friendly! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik's early career editing teen magazines somehow morphed into a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a very long sojourn at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick online and then Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com local. She was a founding member of the WebbyAward winning GoCityKids, has written for Family Fun Magazine, Vanity Fair, and New York, and her novel for middle schoolers, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. She strives to keep the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar packed and accurate, and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Drew Kristofik:
Read more articles by Drew Kristofik.