Family events in Dover, DE

First Friday in Downtown Milford offers an evening of music, great food, and local shops staying open late with specials from talented artisans. Complimentary face painting will be available as a community giveback, adding color and fun for all ages.

The Dover Hot Air Balloon Festival brings a sky-high celebration to Dover Motor Speedway, offering a family-friendly experience filled with vibrant sights and lively entertainment. Expect massive hot air balloons illuminating the venue, live music with a DJ, unique vendors, festival-style food, and a Kids Zone designed for all ages. Tethered rides in a real hot air balloon are available for $35, weather permitting, and can be purchased on site. Each evening builds to a grand finale featuring a hot air balloon glow and laser show, with music-synced balloon burns, giant glowing balloons, colorful lasers, and crowd countdowns that add to the excitement. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for a comfortable night under the stars. Tickets are limited. CORRECTION: Originally scheduled for July 10th, now rescheduled for August 7th.

This free event welcomes anyone interested in Pokemon to learn and play Pokemon TCG, Pokemon VCG, or Pokemon GO. Start with guidance, practice at your own pace, then face other players when you feel ready. The setting is family friendly and a place to connect with others who enjoy Pokemon. Outside food and drink are not permitted, and refreshments are available for purchase at The Lair’s snack bar. Calling ahead to reserve a seat is appreciated to help with the head count. Activities take place at The Lair, located just behind Red Bandana, and a public parking lot sits between The Lair and Park Place for easy access.

This festival features a judged show with appreciation awards, music, vendors, a yard sale, a car corral, food trucks, and activities for children. The first 100 people to register receive dash plaques, and attendees can look forward to door prizes. All proceeds benefit Delaware Hospice.

Guided tours of the Parson Thorne Mansion highlight ongoing restoration by the Milford Historical Society, the mansion’s long history, and stories of its notable former residents. After the tour, explore the grounds to see the Stayton House and the Clayton family cemetery.

A welcoming Pokémon club offers time to learn and play the card game, connect with fellow fans, and take part in themed crafts and activities. It is open to all ages, and no registration or prior experience is needed. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Tre Sorelle Dolce and Pursuit for Peace team up for an enchanting night of character mini golf featuring favorite princes, princesses, and superheroes on the course. Each ticket includes a round of mini golf, a keepsake ball, and a special sundae. A portion of the proceeds benefits Pursuit for Peace.

Milford School District is hosting an in-person kindergarten registration at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School. Children who will be 5 years old by August 31 are eligible for the upcoming school year. Translators will be available to assist in person. Families may also choose to complete registration online. If attending at Benjamin Banneker, please bring your child for a student screening.

Rising Kings & Queens Summer Program is a free experience for youth ages 5 to 17 in Milford at Shockley Hall Event Space. Designed as a youth development pipeline rather than a traditional camp, it builds strong readers and confident leaders while nurturing creativity, character, and self-belief. Participants engage in literacy enrichment, arts, etiquette, fitness, financial literacy, mentoring, and leadership activities in a safe and structured setting. Sessions are held Monday through Thursday, with options for early drop-off and late pick-up to support families. The season concludes with a celebratory barbecue and awards program recognizing every Rising King and Rising Queen. Space is limited, and families are encouraged to register early.

As part of Tween Thursday, tweens ages 8 to 12 will meet Liz Sholl from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, a forensic DNA analyst with the Division of Forensic Science. She will introduce the different areas within forensic science, then explain the basics of DNA and how it supports laboratory work. To put the concepts into practice, participants will work through a mock case, review data, and compare DNA profiles.