Washington DC Top 20 Kid-Friendly Activities

Washington DC. Our Nation’s capital. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to live in the DC area until my daughter was born. Access to world-class museums, iconic monuments, memorials, and green spaces – many of them free – can make for a budget-friendly family vacation. The area is very kid-friendly, with several museums dedicated to children. Washington, DC has a lot to offer, and I’ll share my top 20 list of things to do with kids that are both educational and entertaining below.

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1. Washington Monument in the Heart of Washington DC

2 15th St NW, Washington DC 20024

After years of repairs due to significant earthquake damage, one of the Capital region’s most popular attractions reopened in 2019. Families enjoy taking the elevator all the way to the top and getting a bird’s eye view of the city.

• Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily (last tour time is 4:30 pm )
• FREE admission and can be retrieved same day starting at 8:45 am at the Washington Monument Lodge or they can be reserved online 24 hours up to 30 days in advance ($1 service charge)
• Closest metro: Federal Triangle or Smithsonian
• Metered street parking

2. White House Visitor Center

1450 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

The White House Visitor Center provides visitors with an inside look at the president’s iconic residence. Approximately 100 historical artifacts, interpretive panels, looping videos of photos and archival footage, and interactive elements for visitors of all ages are featured in the exhibit areas. Visitors can take a touchscreen tour of the White House, view over 90 artifacts from the White House collection, and watch the 14-minute film “White House: Reflections From Within.” Then, for the perfect souvenir, visit the White House Historical Association retail store.

• Admission is free but public tour requests must be submitted through a Member of Congress. These self-guided tours are generally available Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance.
• Closest metro: McPherson Square and Farragut West
• Metered street parking

3. US Capitol Visitor Center

First St NE, Washington DC 20515

The Capitol Visitor Center welcomes visitors from across the United States and around the world. I highly recommend making tours reservations. All tours are led by professional tour guides and visit the Crypt, the Rotunda and the National Statuary Hall. It does not include the Senate and House Galleries. The tour route is subject to change.

• Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mon-Fri except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Inauguration Day
• All tours, programs and activities are free of charge.
• Closest metro: Union Station, Capitol South or Federal Center SW
• Metered street parking

4. National Zoo

3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008

Set within Rock Creek Park, the zoo is home to 2700 animals and nearly 400 different species. Best-known residents are the giant pandas but you will also find elephants, great apes, birds, big cats, reptiles, and much more. Special programs throughout the year like “Boo at the Zoo” or “Zoolights” are highly popular among Washingtonian families.

• Hours: 8 am to 4 pm daily
• FREE admission but entry passes are required for all guests including infants.
• Closest metro: Cleveland Park or Woodley Park
• Parking is $30 or metered street parking

5. National Air and Space Museum and the Udvar-Hazy Center

600 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC, 20560

14390 Air and Space Museum, Chantilly VA,

Aspiring pilots and astronauts will thoroughly enjoy the National Air and Space Museum. The main building is on the National Mall and is home to several exhibitions, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium among other amenities. There is also another annex building near Washington Dulles International Airport. Thousands of air and space crafts of various historically significance are on display here. Chief among them: the Space Shuttle Discovery, the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and the Concorde.

• Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm every day except Christmas Day
• FREE admission to both buildings although timed-entry passes are required in Washington DC.
• Closest metro to the DC building: L’Enfant Plaza
• Metered street parking is available on the Mall. Parking is $15 at the Udvar-Hazy Center (free after 4 pm)

6. National Museum of Natural History

10th St & Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC 20560

This museum contains over 145 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts, making it the world’s largest natural history collection.

• Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm daily except Christmas Day
• FREE admission and no tickets are required
• Closest metro: Federal Triangle
• Limited metered street parking on the Mall

7. International Spy Museum

700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington DC 20024

The International Spy Museum moved to its present location in 2018 and got an upgrade. Part museum, part escape room, this immersive museum has several hands-on activities and programs about tradecraft and espionage. It holds the largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display

• Hours: 10 am to 6 pm weekdays and 9-7 on Sat and 9-8 on Sun
• Tickets start at $23.95 for adults and $15.95 for kids
• Closest metro: L’Enfant Plaza
• Metered street parking or garage parking available at L’Enfant Plaza Garage for $26

8. National Harbor, a Waterfront Destination in Washington DC

National Harbor, with views of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River, is a waterfront hub with it all: a carousel, Ferris wheel, kayak & paddle board rentals, public art display, shops, restaurants, and hotels. From May to September, Urban Pirates offers adventure on board a pirate ship complete with fully costumed pirates, a water cannon, and plenty of fun. Throughout the year, National Harbor hosts a number of events and festivals such as Christmas on the Potomac at the Gaylord resort. With so many kid-friendly activities, National Harbor is truly a wonderful destination for families.

• No metro nearby
• Paid parking available at 3 garages
• Additional metered street parking available

9. The Yards Park

355 Water St SE, Washington DC 20003

During the summer, this waterfront area hosts a variety of events ranging from family-friendly concerts to movie screenings. The fountains and canal basin are a big hit with kids. If you prefer an outing on the Anacostia River, there are SUP and kayak rentals nearby.

• Closest metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark
• Limited metered street parking
• Parking lots are available (between Yards Park and Nationals Ballpark) at a rate of $2 per hour for a maximum of 3 hours, then a daily rate charges apply

10. The Wharf of Washington DC

The Wharf is another waterfront destination. This remarkable mile-long stretch along the Potomac River comes alive with restaurants, shops, and various businesses, all complemented by magnificent views. There are a multitude of kid-friendly activities available from giant swings and splash fountain to boating/kayaking/paddle boarding. There is even a seasonal ice skating rink right on one of the piers with gorgeous waterfront views.

• Closest metro: Waterfront and L’Enfant Plaza
• Metered street parking
• Free SW Shuttle available between the Wharf and L’Enfant Plaza metro

11. National Children’s Museum

1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20004

The National Children’s Museum, located in downtown Washington, D.C., is a children’s museum and science center. It is designed to serve children and their families up to the age of 12 through interactive exhibits that explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Kids can play at the different stations such as Dream Machine, Engineers Games, Tinkerers Studio, Art + Tech…

• Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm everyday except Tuesday
• Tickets cost $15.95 for adults and kids 1+ (free under 1)
• Closest metro: Federal Triangle
• Limited metered street parking

12. National Geographic Museum

1145 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The National Geographic Museum is an ideal destination for curious people of all ages, with a wide range of changing exhibitions. Visitors from all over the world are welcome to come and experience National Geographic’s work through engaging, dynamic exhibitions that include everything from iconic photography and world-famous artifacts to interactive learning stations and behind-the-scenes stories.

• Hours: 10 am to 5 pm everyday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
• Tickets cost $20 for adults and $12 for kids (5-12)
• Closest metro: Farragut North and Farragut West
• Limited metered street parking

13. Artechouse of Washington DC

1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC

ARTECHOUSE, through innovative technology-driven exhibitions and experiences, broadens the possibilities of art and how we experience it. It brings together forward-thinking ideas, artists, and audiences to foster innovation and creativity at the intersection of art, science, and technology.

• Hours: open daily from 10 am to 10 pm
• Tickets must be purchased online and cost $25 per adult and $17 per child (4-15)
• Closest metro: Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza
• Very limited metered street parking

14. Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center

2700 F St NW, Washington DC 20566

The daily free show at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center is one of our favorite cultural programs in the Washington, DC area. Musical concerts, plays, ballets, and other dances, movie screenings among other things, are performed daily at 6 p.m. But the Kennedy Center is more than just a theater complex. Plan your own trip to this must-see memorial in Washington, D.C., and don’t forget to take one of the free tours of the different buildings.

• Hours: 10 am to midnight daily. Show is at 6 pm
• Free tickets available on a first-come first-serve basis
• Closest metro: Foggy Bottom/George Washington University/Kennedy Center
• Parking garage is $30 or extremely limited metered street parking

15. Imagination Stage, a Little Outside Washington DC

4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda MD 20814

Children theater providing fun, developmentally appropriate experiences through intimate, interactive shows.

• Box Office Hours: 10 am – 2 pm Mon-Fri and 12 pm – 4:30 pm Sat-Sun
• Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office
• Closest metro: Bethesda
• Metered street parking

16. United States Botanic Garden

100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC 20001

The U.S. Botanic Garden is a living museum that welcomes kids of all ages. Plants from all around the world are housed in this 29,000 square feet space. The Children’s Garden, located in the Conservatory, is a popular exploration space for both local families and visitors from around the country and the world. Open from Spring to Fall, kids learn to gently care for plants, dig in the dirt, use gardening tools and watering cans, and more!

• Conservatory Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily, closed Christmas Day
• Outdoor Gardens Hours: 7:30 am to 5 pm daily
• FREE admission
• Closest metro: Federal Center SW
• Metered street parking

17. Library of Congress

101 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20540

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, films and video, audio recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Young Readers Center & Programs Lab is specifically dedicated to children and teens. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, it provides visitors with the opportunity to participate in activities based on the Library’s collections.

• Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat
• FREE timed-entry tickets are required
• Closest metro: Capitol South
• Metered street parking

18. National Museum of African-American History

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a Smithsonian Institution museum located on the National Mall. The museum seeks to understand American history through the lens of the African American experience. Suitable for all ages.

• Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm Tue-Sun (opens at 12 pm on Mon)
• Free timed-entry tickets are required
• Closest metro: Federal Triangle and Smithsonian (Mall exit)
• Metered street parking

19. Planet Word

925 13th St., NW, Washington DC 20005

Planet Word is a voice-activated language arts museum. The museum bills itself as “the museum where language comes to life,” and it features interactive galleries and exhibits on topics such as the history of the English language, how children learn words, languages from around the world, humor, poetry, and how words are used in music and advertising.

• FREE admission ($15 donation suggested). Timed-entry passes are recommended to be booked online ahead of time. A limited number of same-day timed passes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Hours: 10 am to 5 pm Wed-Sun (until 6 pm on Saturday)
• Closest metro: McPherson Square or Metro Center
• Metered street parking

20. Washington DC Newest: Museum of Illusions

CityCenterDC, 927 H Street, NW, Washington DC

Having just recently opened its doors in November 2022, the Museum of Illusions features more than 50 unique visual and educational installations that will entertain, amaze, and stimulate visitors of all ages. MOI was created with two goals in mind: to educate and to entertain. Exhibits reveal the mechanics of mind-boggling illusions while also shocking the senses and playing with perception.

• Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Sun-Thu and close at 9 pm Fri and Sat
• Purchase tickets online. Cost $23.95 per adult and $18.95 per child (5-12)
• Closest metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown or Metro Center
• Metered street parking

There you go! I hope you visit these wonderful places next time you are in DC. If you are local or have already visited in the past, do you agree with this list? What would you add? Let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading!

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