The 21 best things to do with kids in DC

America's capital city is a fantastic destination to visit with children in tow. It's filled with kid-friendly museums, has an abundance of parks in which younger visitors can burn off excess energy, and a logical, pedestrian-friendly layout (let's not forget that DC was designed to showcase urban planning at its very best). 

Here are the best things to do with kids in DC.

Is Washington, DC, good for kids?

Washington, DC, America's first purpose-built city, is a dream to explore with younger visitors. It's flat with very few hills, and roads and sidewalks are wide, smooth and well-maintained, perfect for parents pushing strollers. 

Almost all of DC's top attractions are refreshingly accessible – every Smithsonian Museum has ramps, for example, and most museums and major landmarks will have family-friendly restrooms. Generally, you'll almost always be able to enter with strollers, although the White House, which has some of the tightest restrictions, is one of the few places where strollers are on the banned list. 

The large number of gardens and parks means there are endless places for kids to burn off excess energy – the National Mall, for example, has over 20,000 trees and numerous dedicated picnic areas with benches and tables. Thirsty kids (and their parents) are also in luck – most businesses, including restaurants, museums and galleries, will happily top up water bottles, and you'll find public water fountains throughout the city, including 47 on the National Mall alone.

A tactical approach to timing can transform your holiday. If you're visiting during August and September (the hottest months of the year), you'll want to avoid spending too much time outside in the late morning and early afternoon. Take advantage of the extended opening times offered by many museums – crowds tend to thin out after 5pm, and the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art are just a few of the institutions that run so-called "late nights."

1. Take in history at the National Museum of American History

Best for kids of all ages

The National Museum of American History is a must-visit for families with children of all ages. While the youngest visitors can enjoy the Wegmans Wonderplace in the museum's west wing – an engaging, hands-on play area perfect for babies and toddlers – the museum also offers a variety of interactive exhibits that appeal to older kids and teens.

Children can explore the “America on the Move” exhibit, which features historic trains, cars and even a Chicago Transit Authority train, giving them a sense of how transportation has evolved over the years. Another popular stop is the Spark!Lab, where kids aged 6 to 12 can conduct experiments and invent new gadgets.

2. Wander through Rock Creek Park

Best for kids of all ages

The beautiful Rock Creek Park north of the city center has 1,754 acres to explore and plenty of fantastic picnic spots (including several next to waterfalls). Toddlers will love the park's Discovery Room, filled with hands-on exhibits and children's books about wildlife, and many of the trails – including the Edge of the Woods Trail – have been designed with strollers and wheelchairs in mind.

3. Immerse yourself in nature at the US Botanic Garden

Best for kids of all ages

The US Botanic Garden, located near the US Capitol, is a lush and educational destination that is, best of all, free to visit. One of the highlights is the dedicated Children's Garden, where younger visitors can help staff care for the various plants. The Botanic Garden also offers a scavenger trail lined with rare plants – kids who spot certain species can get a passport book stamped.

4. Sail the Potomac on a river tour 

Best for kids of all ages

A riverboat tour is a great activity for kids, who can tick off the city's famous landmarks as they float along the Potomac. Capitol River Cruises offers a range of sailings, although their 45-minute scenic sightseeing cruise hits all the highlights. Tickets are priced around $25 for adults and $15 for children between 3 and 12. Kids under 3 are free.

5. Uncover Mount Vernon’s secrets

Best for tweens and teens 

Let's face it: teenagers and tweenagers are prone to occasional protestations of boredom, but we've got the perfect solution for anyone who starts to moan about being "museumed out." 

For a change of scenery, head across the water to the Mount Vernon estate, the former home of George and Martha Washington. You can check out the main house on guided tours, watch sparks fly in the blacksmith's shop, and stop by the estate's working farm (activities here include sheep-shearing lessons and the chance to pet the ridiculously cute Hog Island Sheep). Not only will you learn about the Washington family, but you'll also gain insights into the lives of people enslaved on the estate.

The estate is 15 miles south of Washington, DC. To get there, take the metro's Yellow Line to Huntington Station before hopping on the Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.

6. Embark on a secret adventure at the International Spy Museum

Best for kids and tweens

Wannabe James Bonds will love L'Enfant Plaza's International Spy Museum, which is filled with interactive exhibits, including ones that encourage them to take part in their very own undercover mission. Our only gripe is that this is one of the few museums that isn't admission-free. Entry fees vary according to the time of year, but children's tickets start at around $19, while adults' tickets start at around $29. Children aged under 6 visit for free.

7. Paddle across the Tidal Basin

Best for kids of all ages

Paddling across the Tidal Basin is a quintessential DC experience the whole family can enjoy. The 2-mile-long reservoir, wedged between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel, offers the best views of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. From the water, admire the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Washington Monument all from a crowd-free atmosphere.

You can hire a paddle boat for up to four people from $38 per hour on weekdays and $40 on weekends and holidays. But one note: Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

8. Soar at the National Air and Space Museum

Best for tweens and teens

One of the most popular of the Smithsonian’s free museums, especially for kids, is the National Air and Space Museum. From actual spacecraft to interactive displays, the entire family will be captivated by the history of aviation and space exploration. Don’t miss hands-on activities designed to engage curious minds, such as the flight simulators and the Thomas W. Haas We All Fly exhibit.

If you have time (and transportation), the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an extension of the museum, is home to thousands of aviation and space exploration artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery, the Concorde and the Enola Gay, the World War II plane that dropped the atomic bomb. It’s 28 miles west of DC near Dulles International Airport in Virginia and takes 40 to 50 minutes to reach by car.

9. Salute a former president at the Lincoln Memorial

Best for kids of all ages

Stand in awe of the monumental statue of Abraham Lincoln while soaking in the views of the Reflecting Pool and the National Mall. Resembling an ancient Greek temple, the monument is supported by 36 columns, each representing a state in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. 

Lincoln sits in a large chair and is framed by inscriptions of the Gettysburg Address and his second Inaugural Address etched into the marble. At night, the monument is illuminated, presenting a more solemn view.

10. Discover wildlife at the National Zoo

Best for young kids and tweens

With over 2,000 animals from around the globe, the Smithsonian’s free National Zoo is a major highlight for families visiting the District. Part of the Smithsonian Institution, families can see animals native to North America in the American Trail exhibit and watch the beloved pandas munching on bamboo in the Giant Panda Habitat.

For young kids, the Kids’ Farm petting zoo lets them meet and touch domesticated animals like cows and goats, while teens can be challenged in the Think Tank’s interactive exhibit that focuses on conservation.

11. Build and play at the National Building Museum

Best for toddlers and young kids

Ignite your child’s imagination at the National Building Museum, where architecture, design and play are visible in another interactive experience. One of DC’s most unique destinations, the museum houses the expansive Building Zone, a massive play area created for children under 6. They can be little architects, using soft blocks and miniature construction tools to build their own towers and bridges.

Exhibits like House & Home demonstrate how city planning impacts communities, and seasonal exhibitions often take place in the museum’s vast Great Hall, providing new things to see on return visits.

12. Engage young minds at the National Children’s Museum

Best for toddlers and young kids

Learning and adventure collide at the National Children’s Museum, which celebrates science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). One of the most popular exhibits is the Innovation Sandbox, where kids can experiment with wind, water and energy.

For kids with lots of energy to spare, let them climb into the clouds at the three-story Dream Machine climbing space.

13. Swear in as a junior park ranger

Best for young kids and tweens

If you’re looking for a way to connect kids with DC’s history and beauty, the National Park Service runs several sites across the city. These include all the big names (the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, and the Washington Monument) plus lesser known ones like Theodore Roosevelt Island. At all of them, kids can take part in the park service’s Junior Park Ranger program. Activity booklets inspire kids to explore and learn in order to complete the tasks. Upon competition, they take an oath to protect the parks and are awarded a Junior Ranger badge they can collect at any of the 400 parks across the country.

14. Cool off at DC’s splash parks

Best for toddlers and young kids

When the weather heats up in DC, families can head to the city’s splash parks for some refreshing fun. One of the best spots is The Yards Park in the Capitol Riverfront area, where kids can enjoy a large splash pool by day and brightly lit dancing fountains after dark. 

Nearby, Canal Park Fountains (also in the Capitol Riverfront area), features numerous fountains and splash pools with stepping-stone crossings.

15. Delve into democracy at the US Capitol building

Best for tweens and teens

One of the best things to do in DC is a family-friendly tour of the US Capitol. The tour takes you through the grand Capitol Rotunda, walks you through the National Statuary Hall and visits the Supreme Courtroom as kids learn the inner workings of Congress, from how bills become laws to day-to-day duties of lawmakers.

If you choose a tour that combines the Library of Congress, you’ll get to visit one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Located in the Thomas Jefferson Building, you can see the Main Reading Room, Jefferson’s personal collection of books and the Gutenberg Bible.

16. Unleash curiosity at the National Museum of Natural History

Best for kids of all ages

Young kids will be awestruck when they step into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, especially when they see the museum’s starring attractions – the towering dinosaur skeletons. 

In the Discovery Room, young explorers can touch real fossils, examine insects under a microscope, and hold ancient artifacts. Don’t miss the glittering Hope Diamond, the world’s most famous jewel, in the Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals

17. Soak in the views at National Harbor

Best for kids of all ages

Located just outside of Washington, DC, National Harbor has transformed into one of the area’s most lively and family-friendly places to visit. The waterfront destination offers a mix of entertainment, dining and views, especially from the Capital Wheel, a giant Ferris wheel that gives riders panoramic views of the DC skyline from 180 feet in the air. You can reach the DC area via water taxis.

18. Catch a game at Nationals Park

Best for kids of all ages

Take in the excitement of America’s favorite pastime by catching a Washington Nationals game at Nationals Park. Located in the vibrant Navy Yard, the stadium features a family fun area where young kids can test their pitching speed and meet the Nationals’ mascot, Screech.

19. Walk the halls of the White House

Best for tweens and teens

If you’re lucky enough to visit the inside of the White House, your family will enjoy the ultimate DC tour as you walk the hallowed halls of the East Wing, including the Green Room, State Dining Room, and East Room. Visits are free, but to request a tour, you must go through your Member of Congress up to 90 days in advance of your trip (a minimum of 21 days).

20. Stroll along the National Mall

Best for kids of all ages

The National Mall stretches from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, and is unlike any mall you or your kids have ever seen. Often referred to as “America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall is a sprawling green space filled with monuments, memorials and museums. Crane your necks at the towering Washington Monument, bow your heads at the World War II Memorial, and celebrate with the city throughout the year with its variety of festivals and events held here.

21. Get creative at the National Gallery of Art

Best for young kids, tweens and teens

The National Gallery of Art offers a surprisingly kid-friendly experience with its diverse collection of classic and modern masterpieces. The East Building features contemporary art filled with bold colors and abstract forms, while the West Building houses famous works by artists like Van Gogh and Monet.

The museum also features special offerings for children, including the NGAkids Art Zone app, an interactive space where kids can experiment with creating digital art, and family guides that help make exploring the galleries more engaging. Kids can stretch their legs while admiring larger-than-life sculptures in an outdoor setting.

Planning tips

• Don't underestimate how accessible DC's transport network is – the city's bus and metro system are refreshingly easy to navigate and incredibly accessible. All train stations have ramps, elevators and extra-wide ticket gates designed with strollers and wheelchairs in mind. 

• If you're visiting a museum or historic space, always ask what kid-friendly programs and events are taking place, as well as what kid-friendly freebies are available.

• Whether it's a museum, gallery or landmark, always book in advance if tickets are required, even if tickets are free – you get guaranteed entry and save time.

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