Know Before You Go: Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods

May 29, 2025

For many families in the greater Washington, DC area, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap is a summer tradition. But even the most seasoned Children’s Theatre-goers can use a few reminders to make their experience the best it can be.

Here are some tips to know before you go:

Pack the essentials.

Although the Children’s Theatre stage is located mostly in the shade, it still gets warm in the early hours of the day, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen and don’t forget to carry bug spray to keep the creepy, crawly critters at bay. Food is not allowed in the seating area, but if your child needs a snack, you can head to the non-seating areas. Pro tip: Park staff keep a cooler of water and a first aid kit on hand at the theater, in case you need it! If it rained recently, make sure to pack a towel to cover your bench.

Check for weather updates.

Children’s Theatre is located outdoors and is susceptible to inclement weather. In the event of a cancellation, patrons will receive an email notification, and their tickets will be refunded automatically. Pro tip: Wolf Trap makes decisions on weather-related cancellations by 9:30 AM on the day of the performance. When in doubt, check Wolf Trap’s social media accounts before heading to the Park.

Get there early, know where you’re going, and wear your walking shoes.

Seating at Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods is open, so if you want to be front and center, get there when the gate opens at 10 AM. Parking is free and available on “Gil’s Hill”; be ready for a short walk down a hill (on a paved path) to reach the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods area. Bathrooms are located at the top and the bottom of the hill, across the Meadow from the kiosk. Cart assistance is available for those with mobility needs–consult a Park Ranger or Wolf Trap staff. Pro tip: Wolf Trap sends an email reminder the day before each performance. For the most accurate directions, use the GPS coordinates included in the e-mail or consult the directions on our website.

Stay and play after the show.

Between Jr. Ranger Days, tours, and lawn games, there is always something to do at the Park. Maximize your time at the park, pack a picnic and stay and play! Download a copy of the child-friendly trail map on Wolf Trap’s website ahead of time and plan a scavenger hunt through nature! Pro tip: Keep an eye out for Jr. Ranger Days. Stop by the kiosk to pick up an activity pack. Once completed, your children will receive their Jr. Ranger badge!

Plan ahead and save!

Want to do something different for your child’s birthday or find a new field trip location for your summer camp? Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods offers discounts for groups of 10 or more. Individual ticket buyers can buy tickets to three or more shows and save $2 off every ticket. Pro tip: Groups of 50+ save even more!

What’s new?

Wolf Trap is continuing to update its grounds and facilities to make the Park more accessible to all patrons. For Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, that includes a new all-weather paved pathway that makes it easier to traverse between bathroom facilities and the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods kiosk and bridges.

For the full schedule of summer performances, consult wolftrap.org/woods. We hope to see you in the Woods this summer!