Where Loudoun kids find their thing

Pour-paint and resin projects kids can do with zero art skills, at Northern Virginia's first Hawaii Fluid Art studio. Kids can even design their own tumbler.

• Ages 6+
• No skills needed
• Birthday parties
• Summer camp
• Weekend hours

• Parking

  Free lot at Loudoun Station.

• Arrive

  Closed Mondays. Summer camp runs Tue–Fri 10 am–1 pm; register by May 15 for $25 off.

• What it costs

  Kids fluid art class $35, kids tumbler $45, kids birthday events $65.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

Real art teachers, small capped classes from age 4, and parties where the mess stays at the studio. Every kid goes home with a finished piece.

• Ages 3–12
• Parent & me
• Free trial
• Parties

• Parking

  Free on-site parking with a stroller-friendly entrance.

• Arrive

  Weekend party slots fill fast; a deposit holds the date. Free trial class first.

• What it costs

  About $95 for a 4-week parent & child series; $118 for a full-day clay camp.

• Crowds

  Small groups with capped class sizes.

Paint-your-own pottery from age 3, a kids & teens clay workshop, and a private party room where every guest's piece is the party favor.

• Ages 3+
• Walk-ins weekdays
• Parties
• Summer camps 5–15

• Parking

  Parking on site.

• Arrive

  Weekdays walk-in friendly; book weekends a couple of days ahead. Pickup 7–10 days.

• What it costs

  Kids & teens pinch-pot workshop $97 (Nov 22, 3:30–5:30 pm); party prices by call.

• Crowds

  Seating is limited, so reserve or arrive early.

Loudoun Symphony's youth program takes players from 2nd grade through four orchestras, from Prelude Strings up to a full Philharmonic. A Best of Loudoun 2026 music instruction finalist.

• Grades 2–12
• Audition required
• Financial aid

• Parking

  Parking on site.

• Arrive

  Auditions run in late August and again in spring.

• What it costs

  Season tuition: $550 Prelude, $600 String, $725 Symphonic, $775 Philharmonic.

• Crowds

  Openings vary by instrument and orchestra.

The triple winner of Best of Loudoun 2026: performing arts group, music instruction and summer camp. Choirs start in 1st grade, with no audition needed through 6th.

• Grades 1–12
• No audition gr 1–6
• Monday rehearsals
• Sibling discount

• Parking

  Parking on site.

• Arrive

  Season runs Sept to April; rehearsals mostly Monday evenings at Willard MS, Aldie.

• What it costs

  Ask about tuition; 10% off each extra sibling, and financial aid is available.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

Belt-based coding and robotics classes, plus a summer lineup from Roblox and Minecraft to Python drones and VEX battle bots. Classrooms have gaming PCs, 3D printers and drones.

• Ages 6–18
• Robotics
• Drones
• Holiday camps

• Parking

  Ample unreserved surface lot at University Commerce Center (Building B).

• Arrive

  Weekdays by appointment, Sat 10 am–4 pm. Summer camps run weekly.

• What it costs

  Start with the free trial class; ask about program and camp prices.

• Crowds

  Appointment-based, so no crowds. After-school slots fill first; book ahead.

Kids learn to code by building their own video games, starting at 5 in JR. The first session is free, and a Parents' Night Out takes ages 5 to 14.

• Ages 5–14
• Game building
• Parents' Night Out
• Camps

• Parking

  Free shopping-center lot at Ashburn Village Center.

• Arrive

  Weekday afternoons and Saturday midday. Call for class times.

• What it costs

  First session is free; ask about rates.

• Crowds

  Appointment-based, so no crowds. After-school slots fill first; book ahead.

Parents and kids sculpt chocolate side by side with The Conche's chocolatiers, and teens can do a 3-day Young Chefs camp. Dessert counts as homework here.

• All ages with parent
• Summer camp
• Weekend classes

• Parking

  Village at Leesburg: parking garages and lots.

• Arrive

  Classes are scheduled dates with online pre-registration (Eventbrite).

• What it costs

  Restaurant runs about $100+ a person; ask about class prices.

• Crowds

  Busiest 6–8 pm Saturdays; weekend lunch (11 am–2 pm) is calmer.

Ashburn's ballet-first studio, with classes from age 2, Saturday-morning preschool slots and its own company, Ballet Theatre of Ashburn.

• Ages 2+
• Saturday classes
• Ballet, tap, hip-hop
• Musical theater 7+

• Parking

  Business-park lot at Ashburn Technology Park on Red Rum Dr.

• Arrive

  Call 703-723-8089 to ask which classes have openings.

• What it costs

  Tuition varies by program; current rates are on their site or by phone.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

Best of Loudoun's top youth dance studio two years running (2025, 2026), with five sprung-floor studios off Route 28. The kids' Nutcracker is Dec 5.

• Kids, teens & adults
• Free trial
• Recreational & competitive
• Saturday classes

• Parking

  Shared lot with the neighboring businesses.

• Arrive

  Book a free trial online first. Weekday classes from 3:30 pm; closed Sundays.

• What it costs

  Free trial class. Nutcracker tickets $35 (Dec 5). Ask about tuition.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

South Riding's dance studio since the 1980s, for ages 2 to 18, with a 2025 Best of Loudoun winning instructor. Baby Ballerina is where the littlest dancers start.

• Ages 2–18
• Free trial
• Preschool classes
• Summer camp
• Saturday classes

• Parking

  Free lot at South Riding Professional Center.

• Arrive

  Book a free trial online. Classes start in September; the recital is in June.

• What it costs

  Free trial class; tuition is on their website.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

The western outpost of Loudoun readers' 2025 favorite dance studio, so Purcellville kids get the same training without the Route 7 drive.

• All ages
• Boys welcome
• Performance team

• Parking

  Free lot at The Shoppes at Main & Maple

• Arrive

  New students get one free trial class once fall classes start. Email to book it.

• What it costs

  Call the Purcellville studio (540-338-2382) for rates.

• Crowds

  Many classes fill before the session begins, so register early.

Teaching Loudoun ballet since 1977, from 18-month Rising Stars to two Nutcracker runs a year. Loudoun readers' runner-up for favorite dance studio in 2025 and 2026.

• From 18 months
• Boys welcome
• Nutcracker
• Since 1977

• Parking

  Free lot at Tollhouse Center

• Arrive

  Nutcracker: Dec 5–6 (Weinberg) and Dec 18–20 (Loudoun Valley HS). Closed Sundays.

• What it costs

  Tuition varies by program; current rates are on their site or by phone.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

A free little museum in downtown Leesburg with interactive local-history exhibits, plus family days featuring fife and drum, living history and hands-on activities.

• Free
• Weekends only
• Elementary age+
• Family days

• Parking

  Public garage next door is free on weekends; 2-hour meters on Loudoun St.

• Arrive

  Open Fri to Sun 10 am to 4 pm only; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

• What it costs

  Free admission.

• Crowds

  No published busy times; weekday afternoons are usually calm.

A music school built around bands, not just scales: Rock n Roll classes from age 1, Join a Band from 7, and live gigs at local venues, plus a Battle of the Bands.

• Ages 1+
• Band program
• Parties
• Summer camps

• Parking

  Free lot at Lansdowne Town Center

• Arrive

  Weekdays noon–9 pm, Saturdays 9–3; Sundays by appointment only.

• What it costs

  Tuition varies by program; current rates are on their site or by phone.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

Founder Wayne Estes was Loudoun Now readers' runner-up music teacher in 2025 and 2026. 25+ degreed faculty teach every age, and kids get 20+ recitals a year to play in.

• All ages
• Private lessons
• Recitals
• Saturday lessons

• Parking

  Shared lot with the neighboring businesses.

• Arrive

  Lessons weekdays 1–9 pm and Sat 9–2. Start with the Get Started form or a call.

• What it costs

  Tuition varies by program; current rates are on their site or by phone.

• Crowds

  Most visits run 30 min to 1.5 hr; 25+ teachers spread out the schedule.

Western Loudoun's only music store, a Best of Loudoun 2026 winner, and home of Liz Oliver, Loudoun Now readers' favorite music teacher of 2026. Students play a showcase twice a year.

• Private lessons
• Instrument rentals
• Student showcases
• Saturday hours

• Parking

  Parking on site.

• Arrive

  Store open Mon to Fri 11 to 7, Sat 11 to 5, closed Sun. Lessons line 540-333-2271.

• What it costs

  Tuition varies by program; current rates are on their site or by phone.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

Western and Carnatic music under one roof: piano, guitar, violin, drums, Bollywood and Indian vocals, plus a big annual charity show kids get to perform in.

• Ages 4+
• Indian & Western
• Performances
• Online option

• Parking

  Free parking next to the building (Ashburn Technology Park, 44190 Waxpool Rd).

• Arrive

  Book a trial class through the site's contact form before enrolling.

• What it costs

  Summer camp about $350/week, 9 am–4 pm; $50/week deposit holds a spot.

• Crowds

  Class-based, so no crowds to beat. Popular class times fill first, so book early.

Loudoun readers' favorite performing arts center in 2025 and runner-up in 2026, with kids' puppet shows and family art days in the middle of Franklin Park.

Pair it with: Franklin Park, right outside: a playground, trails and, in summer, the barnyard splash pad.

• Ages 3+
• Puppet shows
• Free art days

• Parking

  Free parking in Franklin Park.

• Arrive

  Box office weekdays 9–5; doors open 60 minutes before each show.

• What it costs

  Freedom Art Days are free for ages 3+.

• Crowds

  Visits run 20 min to 4 hours, depending on the show.