Arlington's locals and visitors looking to escape the pull of their couches and streaming services have a handful of free options to keep themselves, their families, and even their pets engaged this week, courtesy of The American Dream City's latest community offerings. From creative crafts to animal-friendly fun, there's no shortage of zero-cost activities for the January blues, as per the City of Arlington.
The week kicks off with Lego Free Play at the Ron Wright Lake Arlington Branch Library. Kids (and let's be honest, Lego-loving adults) can get their hands on the iconic plastic bricks on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 4 – 5:30 p.m. It's a drop-in affair, meaning you can rock up whenever you like during the event to build something, grand, petite, or whatever your brain can whip up.
Thursday ushers in a chance to get a bit crafty with the basics of cross stitch at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. From 6 – 8 p.m. on Jan. 8, attendees can learn all the stitches they'll need to start their own textile masterpieces, no prior thread-work experience necessary. Revel in the simple joys of needle and thread, and who knows, you might just sew your way to some new decor for your pad.
For those with a penchant for storytime or just an appreciation of fuzzy creatures preparing for a long winter's nap, River Legacy Nature Center is hosting a "Storytime: Hibernation" event in collaboration with Arlington Public Library. It starts at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, and includes an amble through the great outdoors post-storytime. Make sure to RSVP for this interesting blend of education and family fun.
Don't forget your four-legged friends, because on Jan. 10 from 9 – 11 a.m., the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot opens its gates for Canines & Coffee. It's a chance for dogs, and their owners, to mix and mingle in the fresh air while enjoying some local brew courtesy of pop-ups from Downtown Arlington coffee shops. And if coffee isn't your jam, perhaps the sight of frolicking pups will be.
Rounding out the week of freebies is a bit of a dotty affair—Pointillism takes the stage on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a class from 2 – 4 p.m. at the same library that's doing the cross stitch event. Learn the meticulous art of painting with dots, and take home your very own piece of Pointillism art, assuming you don't dot yourself into a trance first.
