CertifiKID Exclusive! Family-Friendly Government Shutdown FREEBIES for Federal Workers

When a community comes together, incredible things happen. That's exactly what we experienced this week when CertifiKID reached out to our community of local business partners to ask them to help the furloughed moms, dads, and caregivers in our area impacted by the federal government shutdown.

Thanks to their incredible generosity, we are able to offer this exclusive list of family-friendly government shutdown freebies for federal workers. From indoor skydiving at iFLY to bowling at Lucky Strike to glow-in-the-dark Monster Mini Golf to playtime for little ones at My Gym and much more, our hope is that families affected by the furlough are able to get out of the house and enjoy some quality time together without worrying about $$. After all, that's what CertifiKID is all about!

Please check back often, as new offers will be added as we receive them.

iFLY (Montgomery, Loudoun & Baltimore): 50% off First Time Flyer Packages (2 flights, 4 flights, 5 flights & Friends/Family Package) for federal employees and their families. Valid Monday - Friday only at iFLY's Montgomery, Loudoun and Baltimore locations. Must present your federal government ID and mention CertifiKID to receive the deal. Deal ends when the partial government shutdown ends.

Lucky Strike (Washington, D.C. & Bethesda): Free game of bowling and shoe rental from Open to 6 p.m., available only for walk-ins, only available for employee that shows badge, not available for events or parties. Valid until the shutdown ends. Must show Federal ID Badge.

National Law Enforcement Museum (Washington, D.C.): The NLEM is OPEN during the shutdown and is offering free admission for all furloughed federal government employees with valid federal government ID.

Goldfish Swim School (Reston, Falls Church, Alexandria): Free family swim for an adult and children during the government shut down on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. at Goldfish Swim School's Reston, Falls Church and Alexandria, Virginia locations. Please present valid government ID.

Monkey Joe's (Dulles/Sterling): Free weekday admission and free Tropicana juice pouch for children of government workers. Valid Monday - Friday while the shutdown is in effect at Dulles location only. Show valid ID and mention CertifiKID.

Monster Mini Golf (Columbia, MD): Free Mini Golf for up to 4 people valid Monday - Thursday until the shutdown ends. Mention CertifiKID and present government ID for each golfer.

Children's Science Center (Fairfax, VA): Thanks to the generosity of their STEM Starter Fund Donors, the Children's Science Center is offering furloughed federal employees, contractors and family members of their household free admission to the Lab "until further notice." Furloughed employees and contractors must show their federal ID or badge at the Guest Services Desk. 

My Gym (Bethesda & Potomac): My Gym's Bethesda and Potomac, MD locations are offering furloughed employees two special offers: (1) 50% off Open Gym during advertised Open Gym times. Just show up with valid government ID and mention CertifiKID! Grown-ups must accompany children on the gym floor and must wear socks. (2) 50% off a Drop-In Class. Must call ahead to schedule and reserve a spot in desired class - mention CertifiKID. Bring valid government ID to your class.

My Gym (Annapolis, Crofton, Columbia, Kentlands): One free class for federal employees. Please call, email or sign up for an age-appropriate class on the My Gym website at least 24 hours in advance. Show valid ID and mention CertifiKID at check-in. Valid at Annapolis, Crofton, Columbia and Kentlands locations only.

Playseum Bethesda: Free admission for all government workers affected by the shut down with valid ID.

Pump it Up (Elkridge, Lanham-Bowie, Waldorf):  One free Open Jump Session at Pump it Up's Elkridge, Lanham-Bowie and Waldorf, Maryland locations for federal employees. Limited to one admission per day, one free session per person. Valid until the shutdown ends. Mention CertifiKID and show valid government ID. Check the Pump It Up calendar for all available Open Jump times.

Rebounderz (Sterling, VA): Buy one jump ticket, get one free. Valid Monday - Friday (excludes weekends) on a walk-in basis until the shutdown ends. Limited tickets available. May be subject to a wait due to high occupancy (please call ahead for wait time). To redeem: Mention CertifiKID and show your valid federal ID.

Ultrazone (Sterling, Falls Church, Timonium, Baltimore): Buy one laser tag game, get one free. Valid Monday - Friday (excludes weekends) on a walk-in basis until the shutdown ends. Limited tickets available. May be subject to a wait due to high occupancy (please call ahead for wait time). Valid at Ultrazone Loudoun (Sterling), Ultrazone Bailey's X-Roads (Falls Church), Ultrazone: Red Zone Adventures (Timonium), and Ultrazone Eastpoint Mall (Baltimore). To redeem: Mention CertifiKID and show your valid federal ID.

Shadowland Laser Adventures (Alexandria, VA / Columbia, MD): Shadowland is offering furloughed employees two special offers: (1) Buy one round of glow-in-the-dark mini golf, get one free in the Dark Tower course (2) Discounts on Arcade Power Cards: $3 for $5 Power Cards; $6 for $10 Power Cards for use in the Mega Redemption Arcades. Valid at Shadowland's Alexandria and Columbia locations only. Bring your valid federal ID and mention CertifiKID.

ShadowLand Laser Adventures (Gaithersburg, Frederick, and Chantilly VA): Buy one laser adventure experience, get one free. Valid Monday - Thursday and Friday until 5 p.m. (excludes weekends) on a walk-in basis until the shutdown ends. Limited tickets available. Valid at Shadowland's Gaithersburg, Frederick, and Chantilly locations only. Bring your valid federal ID and mention CertifiKID.

Kid Junction (Chantilly, VA): $3 off regular admissions for federal employees (3 kids maximum) with coupon code: 3Thank2019. Must present valid federal ID.

Sport Bounce of Loudoun (Ashburn, VA): 50% off Weekday Bounce session, valid Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. & Friday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., includes one free juice box per child. Offer is valid until the shutdown ends. Must mention CertifiKID and show your government ID.

ZavaZone (Rockville, MD & Sterling, VA): Purchase one hour of play time and add additional hours for FREE with a valid federal government ID. Valid at both ZavaZone locations while the shutdown continues during the following days/times: Monday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Thursday/Friday 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Rockville) & 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (Sterling); Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Magic Ground (Washington, D.C.): Magic Ground is offering furloughed employees two special offers: (1) Discount Weekday Play Passes: 50% off Weekday One Hour (regularly $10) and Weekday One Day Unlimited (regularly $15) play passes (2) Free kids meal OR $5 off any item at the restaurant. Please present your valid federal employee ID and mention CertifiKID.

Haymarket Iceplex: Half-price Public Skate (regularly $7) and free skate rental (regularly $3) for government employees and up to three family members. Valid during scheduled Public Skating sessions only. Must show government ID.

Kiddie Crusoe (Lutherville/Timonium, MD): Free weekday admission pass valid Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Limited to one free admission per family, valid until the shutdown ends. Must show your active government ID and mention CertifiKID.

All Fired Up (Washington, D.C. & Bethesda): 10% off pottery painting for furloughed employees, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at All Fired Up's Washington, D.C. (Cleveland Park) and Bethesda locations. Bring valid federal ID and mention CertifiKID.

Amazing Art Studio (Gaithersburg, MD): 20% off any walk-in, do-it-yourself art project with valid government ID. 

Jurassic Golf (Bel Air, MD): $2 off Blacklight Mini Golf at Jurassic Golf with valid government ID. Discount is valid for each player in the party. Mention CertifiKID.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym (Sterling, VA): 50% off general admission for federal government employees (3 kids maximum). Valid Monday - Friday during Open Play hours while the government shutdown is in effect. To redeem: Mention CertifiKID and present valid federal ID.

Coal Fire Pizza (Dulles Landing / Sterling, VA): 25% off your check with valid federal government or contractor ID.

Glen Echo Park (Glen Echo, MD): Free activities and discounts for furloughed federal government workers during the shutdown. Click HERE to view weekly schedule. Show government ID at the door.

The Swellness Center (Columbia, MD): Two for one open play admission for siblings. Show your valid federal government ID and mention CertifiKID.

Additional available freebies and deals for federal workers during the government shutdown are listed below.

Food and Restaurant Deals

&Pizza:  Free pizza for government workers from 3 p.m. - 5 pm. each day of the shutdown with a valid government ID and $5 pizza for contractors. 

America Eats Tavern:  One of renowned chef and humanitarian, José Andrés', restaurants, America Eats Tavern in Georgetown is offering free sandwiches to furloughed workers from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily until the shutdown ends.

Baked by Yael:  Located across from the National Zoo, Baked by Yael is offering both federal employees and contractors free coffee for the duration of the shutdown, while supplies last, and free cakepop making classes. They are also offering a free bagel sandwich or small soup each weekday to essential Zoo employees who must stay at work to keep the animals safe, while supplies last.

Beefsteak:  Free Beefsteak Burger from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. daily through the end of the furlough with a government ID.

District Doughnut:  Free cup of Compass Coffee with any purchase.

Gregory's Coffee:  Free 12-ounce coffee with a government ID at all four D.C. locations.

Jaleo:  Free Flauta de Jamon Serrano (Spanish sandwich) from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. daily at all D.C. area locations with government ID.

Oyamel:  Free sandwich for federal employees between 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. daily.

Pizzeria Paradiso (all locations): Meal for two Shutdown Special for federal workers and government contractors: A meal Pick any two appetizers and a 12" pizza for $30. Valid until the shutdown is over with valid federal ID or business card (for contractors).

Taco Bamba:  Free traditional taco at Taco Bamba's Chinatown location only with a government ID.

Zaytinya:  Free Chicken Schwarma from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. daily with a government ID through the end of the furlough.

Entertainment Deals

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema:  Free movies for federal employees throughout the month of January, Mondays through Thursdays only, at Ashburn, Woodbridge, Charlottesville and Winchester locations. Present a valid federal ID at the box office.

Alexandria Historic Sites:  Free Key to the City Museum pass for both local and federal government workers, which include free admission to the following sites: the Alexandria Black History Museum, Alexandria's History Museum at the Lyceum, Carlyle House Historic Park, Freedom House Museum, Friendship Firehouse Museum, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, George Washington Masonic National Memorial Observation Deck, Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum PLUS 40% discount coupon for George Washington's Mount Vernon. 

American University Athletics:  Two free tickets to home athletic events for federal government workers with valid federal government ID, including men's and women's basketball and wrestling. 

B&O Railroad Museum (Baltimore):  One complimentary admission with valid federal ID.

Balance Gym:  Federal employees can workout free between 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday with a valid government ID.

CAMPspace (Hyattsville, MD): Free co-working space, including free WiFi and unlimited Mocha Box Coffee. You must pre-register and use code GOVTFREE, and have proof you are furloughed.

CYCLED!:  Free class at CYCLED!'s Takoma Park, D.C. or Silver Spring locations. Visit CYCLEDstudios.com and use promo code SweatItOut@CYCLED! to register.

George Mason University Basketball: Free tickets to men's and women's basketball games for federal employees for the duration of the furlough. Offer may be redeemed only on the day of the game at the EagleBank Arena box office and is limited to two tickets maximum, based on availability.

George Washington University Basketball:  Free tickets to all men's and women's basketball games with government ID or by calling 202-994-GWTIX.

Georgetown University Basketball:  Free tickets to select men's and women's basketball games for federal employees during the shutdown. 

Howard University Athletics:  Free tickets to both men's and women's athletics events during the government shutdown. Present government ID at the box office on game day. 

Lincoln's Cottage:  Free admission during the shutdown for federal employees. Tickets are first come, first serve. You must call ahead to reserve your tickets. Make sure to bring government ID when checking in.

Mad Fox Brewing Company:  20% off food for federal workers and contractors with valid ID for the duration of the shutdown.

Montgomery Parks:  Discount admission to select Montgomery Parks sites for federal government employees, including

• 50% off skating at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena (for federal employee plus three family members).
• 50% off bucket of balls at South Germantown Driving Range.
• 50% off a Spot Time court fee at Wheaton Indoor Tennis and Pauline Betz Addie Tennis.
• 25% off permits and rentals during the furlough. 

Newseum:  Free admission to federal employees for the duration of the shutdown by showing badge in person at the admissions desk. Everyone else can receive 15% off general admission tickets purchased online.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum (Baltimore):  Free admission with valid government ID for groups of four, valid Wednesday - Sunday throughout the shutdown.

Woodrow Wilson House:  Free admission with federal ID or badge Tuesdays through Sundays during the shutdown.

Find even more affordable family fun by checking out our Washington, D.C. deals and coupons and Baltimore deals and coupons. 

Tags: Federal Government Shutdown Freebies Deals Furlough Family-Friendly

CertifiKID was founded by a mom with a passion for helping parents provide the best experiences for their children on a budget. From outings to adventures, classes to camps, theater to sporting events, amusement parks to getaways, CertifiKID provides the best family-friendly experiences at unbeatable prices. Sign up for family-friendly deals in your area and start saving!