Visiting Washington, DC with kids

Washington, DC is a fantastic destination to visit with children in tow. The historic streets are filled with kid-friendly museums, there are an abundance of lush parks scattered around the city in which younger visitors can burn off excess energy, and the logical, pedestrian-friendly layout (let's not forget that DC was designed to showcase urban planning at its very best) is a dream when it comes to exploring on foot. Take the opportunity to tire them out before bedtime and (literally) run with it.

But with such a dizzying array of fun experiences, from titans of US history to modern delights, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This is everything you need to know about visiting Washington, DC with kids and having the trip of a lifetime.

The National Mall, large grassy park area downtown Washington DC with some people walking and the building of The Capitol in the background — The large expanse of park area at the National Mall with the Capitol Building in the background. bluestork/Shutterstock

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 run around and play – 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."

Hiking path in Rock Creek Park during Spring time in Washington DC — A hiking path through a wooded area in Rock Creek Park. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Best things to do in Washington, DC with babies and toddlers

Wander through Rock Creek Park

The beautiful Rock Creek Park north of the city center has 1754 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.

Build and play at the National Building Museum

Ignite your child’s imagination at the National Building Museum, where architecture, design and play are visible together as an interactive experience. One of DC’s most unique destinations, the museum houses the expansive Building Stories, a massive play area created for children under six. 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.

Cool off at DC’s splash parks

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.

Engage young minds at the National Children’s Museum

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 Weather Worlds, where kids can utilize green-screen technology to make it rain, create storms and throw bolts of lightning.

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

exhibition inside Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. that collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the United States — An exhibit in the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. bluestork/Shutterstock

Best things to do in Washington, DC with kids

Take in the past at the National Museum of American History

The National Museum of American History is a must-visit for 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.

The whole family 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.

Catch a game at Nationals Park

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.

Children playing inside the United States Botanic Garden. Kit Leong/Shutterstock

Immerse yourself in nature at the United States Botanic Garden

Located near the US Capitol, this 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.

Late afternoon view of Southwest Waterfront, with marinas and hotels in The Wharf entertainment district, along the Potomac River. (Washington Monument at left.) — Buildings and boats lining the shore of the Potomac River in Washington, DC. Ken Schulze/Shutterstock

Sail the Potomac on a river tour

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 US dollars for adults and $15 for children between 3 and 12. Kids under 3 travel for free.

A black and white giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC — A black and white giant panda eating bamboo at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. EQRoy/Shutterstock

Discover wildlife at the National Zoo

With over 2000 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 domesticated animals like cows and goats, while teens can be challenged in the Think Tank’s interactive exhibit that focuses on conservation.

Interior view of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Kit Leong/Shutterstock

Unleash curiosity at the National Museum of Natural History

Young kids will be awestruck when they step into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, especially when they see the museum’s star 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.

Paddle boats in the Tidal Basin at Washington D. C. with cherry blossoms. — Families paddleboating across the Tidal Basin. Julia Kim/EyeEm/Getty Images

Best things to do in Washington, DC with tweens and teenagers

Paddle across the Tidal Basin

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, the 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. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Washington, DC, USA February 26, 2020. The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. — Parts of a rocket on display a the National Air and Space Museum. LapaiIrKrapai/Shutterstock

Soar at the National Air and Space Museum

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.

Mount Vernon was the plantation house of George Washington, the first President of the United States, and his wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington — Exterior of the Mount Vernon estate, the former home of George Washington and his wife, Martha. Bob Pool/Shutterstock

Uncover Mount Vernon’s secrets

Let's face it: tweens and teenagers 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.

Exhibits of the International Spy Museum Washington — Exhibits at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Antares_NS/Shutterstock

Embark on a secret adventure at the International Spy Museum

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 in DC that isn't free. Entry fees vary according to the time of year, but children's tickets start at around US$19, while adults' tickets start at around US$29. Children aged under 6 visit for free.

Swear in as a junior park ranger

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.

Interior of Statuary Hall in the US Capitol building — Interior of the Statuary Hall in the US Capitol building. Artem Avetisyan/Shutterstock

Delve into democracy at the US Capitol building

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.

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.