FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2025
Media Contact: downtowndcbid@berlinrosen.com
Coming to life July 26 – 27, Kids World is a dynamic two-day experience designed for young children, teens and families. From educational activities and live performances to community resources and workouts, it’s a weekend full of creativity and family-friendly fun. Photos and videos from last year’s event are available here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 1, 2024) – Kids World is back and better than ever! The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), the place management organization that oversees 140 blocks of the downtown area, today announces the return of its free two-day celebration for young children, teens, and families taking over Franklin Park and “I Street” on July 26 and July 27.
Kids will transform downtown DC into an exciting playground of possibility with 35+ immersive activations that promote curiosity and creativity. From live performances and STEAM-inspired experiments to fitness challenges, crafts, and entrepreneurship pop-ups, there’s something for every young explorer to dive into.
Kids World is the only immersive experience in Washington, DC designed exclusively for children, featuring one-of-a-kind installations and a mix of new and returning programming. Highlights include ‘superheroes’ in costume, a bubble garden, and exciting new activities like Book Bike (the DC public library with pedal over and join us to share free books), baby yoga, a grand safari, and more.
“This year marks the third annual Kids World, and we’re proud to see it grow into a signature summer event for downtown DC,” said Gerren Price, President and CEO of the DowntownDC BID. “As the city’s only event designed specifically for our youngest residents and their families, Kids World reflects our commitment to creating inclusive public spaces and programming. Downtown DC really is a place for everyone, and we’re thankful for support from the city and community partners like Events DC for helping us bring energy and joy to our streets while supporting local businesses. We look forward to making it bigger and better each year.”The third annual Kids World is part of DowntownDC BID’s broader strategy to activate Franklin Park and invest in downtown’s public realm, paving the way for the district as the go-to place for families across the region to live, work and play. This year’s programming includes:
MAIN STAGE: Sing, dance, and jam out with kid-only performances. All of our ROCKSTAR performers are between 5 & 16 years of age.
SUPER WORKOUT: Train like a hero with your favorite crime-fighting friends, including Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and the Black Panther—cape not required! Stay to meet them and take pictures. In partnership with our friends from the Department of Parks & Recreation.
- Double Dutch & Jump Rope Jamboree Clinic: High-energy fun with twirls, skips, and double-dutch tricks for all ages! The performance and clinic are taught by our friends from JumpDC.
- Spinning Red Chairs: Whirl, twirl, and laugh out loud on these fun, spinning red top chairs!
- New this year:
- Mommy and Me Yoga: A family-friendly yoga session designed for parents and little ones to stretch, breathe, and bond together in a playful, supportive environment.
STORYLAND: The Cat in the Hat, Corduroy Bear, Curious George, and the Lorax will bring storytime to life with a pop-up bookstore and character meet-and-greets. New this year:
- Book Bike: The DC Public Library will pedal over on Sunday, July 27 and join us on its book ride to give out free books.
CREATIVITY AND DISCOVERY:
- Kool Krafty Kid Stuff: A charming take-home craft giveaway will be available, allowing kids to continue the creativity at home with their own DIY kit.
- Face Painting, Caricature Artist, Tattoo Artists: Get artsy with face paint, playful caricatures and cool (temporary!) tattoos—creative fun for every kiddo!
- New this year:
- Coloring Corner: A 6-foot collaborative coloring page will be displayed on the table, inviting children to join in the fun. Each child will receive a complimentary pack of crayons to bring the artwork to life.
BUBBLE GARDENS: A whimsical oversized garden will be filled with larger-than-life floral structures, giant hummingbirds and colorful mushrooms surrounded by thousands of real bubbles.
- Secret Garden Maze: A giant maze winds playfully through a wonderland of whimsical oversized flowers, a towering topiary snail, and a cheerful caterpillar. Gentle bursts of bubbles drift through the air, adding a touch of magic to every twist and turn.
- Bugging Out: A fun plastic bug giveaway.
- New this year:
- Grand Safari: My Reptile Guys join us for a one-hour show featuring 10 amazing reptiles.
- Things That Go Boom: Mad Science joins us to explore chemical reactions. Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color-changing experiments, balloon inflation, and, of course, some explosions!
- Spectacular Science: Fire & Ice: Mad Science thrills audiences with impressive science experiments. This activation includes foggy dry ice clouds and the chemistry of fire! Learn all about the science of magic, including a disappearing water trick and fun with air pressure. This activation covers a wide variety of science topics and is excellent for audiences of any age range.
TEDDY BEAR SOCIAL:
- Meet Francis and His Baby Sister Francesa: Say hello to everyone’s favorite bear siblings. Take pictures with our 20 and and 25-foot-tall bear mascots.
- Make Your Own Bear: Stuff, fluff, and create your very own fuzzy friend to take home!
CANDY ISLAND:
- Candy Island Giant Gingerbread House: Step into a sweet dream inside this life-sized gingerbread wonderland! Perfect for sweet photo moments and magical memories.
- Cotton Candy Collection: Enjoy free fluffy clouds of sugary cotton candy!
- New this year:
- Giant Gumball Machine: This whimsical, larger-than-life gumball machine is bursting with color and charm—turn the handle for a free sweet surprise!
- Lemonade & Fruit Punch Palooza: Sip, smile, and refresh with free fruity favorites bursting with flavor!
FAMILY FUN:
- Family Games on the Lawn: Laugh, play and make memories with classic lawn games for all ages!
- Trackless Train Rides: All aboard! Enjoy a charming free ride through the festival on our colorful trackless train!
- New this year:
- Kids World Gear is Here! Grab your official Kids World t-shirts and hats—available for purchase at the merch booth. The perfect souvenir to wear and share the fun.
- Game Truck: Hop inside the ultimate gaming zone on wheels—packed with fun and friendly competition!
LITTLE BITES BOULEVARD: Tasty treats await! Stroll down Little Bites Boulevard for our kid-friendly food trucks featuring snacks and sweet and savory bites for the whole family.
In 2023, the first-ever Kids World event garnered over 7,000 attendees over three days. The third annual Kids World in Franklin Park is part of the DowntownDC BID’s broader strategy to activate and invest in downtown’s public realm, which started with a recently completed renovation of Franklin Park, downtown DC’s largest green space. The Downtown Action Plan continues this work, identifying a set of targeted investments and a detailed roadmap for the re-imagination of downtown, including funding to support downtown retailers, new downtown programs, expansion of existing public safety efforts, and the creation of new housing.
Kids World is presented by Events DC and supported by major sponsors DC Public Library Foundation and Amazon.
All Kids World spaces and activities are free and open to the public. Select event activations have limited capacity and require pre-registration. To view the full schedule of events and to reserve your free pass, visit the website here.
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About DowntownDC BID
The DowntownDC BID was founded in 1997 as the city’s first private nonprofit place management organization where property owners agree to tax themselves to fund services that enhance people’s experiences in the neighborhood. The BID’s area includes 530 properties and is defined by Massachusetts Avenue on the north, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at Mount Vernon Square, to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west.