With so many free museums, amazing parks and playgrounds, and more free things to do in the Washington, DC area, families don't need to spend money to have fun. Those free activities also include a variety of great nature centers in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC. These nature centers allow kids to get up close to animals, learn about the natural world, and develop a love for the great outdoors.

Here are 11 free nature centers near DC to explore with kids. Many of them offer fun extras such as planetariums, playgrounds, gardens, and hiking trails. 

Anyone who's ever taken their toddler to the playground when older children are there knows it can be stressful for the grown-ups, frustrating for the big kids, and downright dangerous for the littles. But bringing the under-5 set to a playground designed just for them (i.e. a tot lot or a toddler playground) allows for a safe, fun, and (mostly) stress-free day of play for everyone. Here are 12 tot lots and toddler playgrounds near DC that are perfect for new walkers and younger kids.

Most of these toddler playgrounds and tot lots near DC are part of larger parks that also have great play structures for older kids. So, if you've got children of different ages, everyone will have a fun and safe place to play.

For more playground fun, check out our lists of destination playgrounds near DC and DC-area playgrounds that received upgrades in the past two years.

These days, more and more families are embracing plant-based diets. That trend is evident in the multitude of DC vegan restaurants that have been popping up in the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. From Ethiopian to classic soul food to delectable treats, DC restaurants offer lots of tasty options for vegan and vegetarian food that kids would be happy to chow down on.

Here are 10 family-friendly DC vegan restaurants that prove vegan food can be not only healthy, but delicious as well. Whether your family is full-on vegan or you just want to incorporate more meatless foods into your diets, visit these spots to chow down on a delicious plant-based meal.

For more restaurant recommendations, check out our guide to kid-friendly DC restaurants.

Mini golf is the perfect springtime activity, and there are plenty of family-friendly mini golf courses near DC. But spring in the DC area can mean rainy days and unpredictable temps. Still, that doesn't have to ruin your putt-putt plans. Here are four places to play indoor mini golf near DC with kids. These indoor mini golf courses in the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia will give your family a unique, interactive, and often glow-in-the-dark activity to enjoy when the weather is not so nice.

For more indoor family fun on rainy or colder days this spring and all year long, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC.

When it comes to family vacations, it can be difficult to please everyone. The kids may be looking for adventure and fun, while the grown-ups seek to kick back and unwind. Or, everyone may need a little bit of both. These eight family-friendly spa resorts near DC may be just the ticket—they allow families to play and relax together.

At these spa resorts near DC, parents can head to the spa for a luxuriously relaxing experience or take part in their own fun with golf, tennis, sailing, and other pursuits. Kids can enjoy activities like water parks, game rooms, sports, and more. Several of these spa resorts also offer babysitting services so parents can head out for an evening of reconnection. Bonus: All of these family-friendly spa resorts are no further than a three-hour drive from Washington, DC, making relaxation closer than you think!

For more great places to stay on your next vacation, check out our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels guide. 

With so many museums, playgrounds, indoor play spaces, and other kid-friendly attractions in and near DC, it’s easy to spend entire weekends in town without getting bored. But there is so much history, natural beauty, and fun to be found within a few hours' drive of the city. If your family needs a change of scenery, take one of these 10 day trips from DC this spring before the sweltering humidity of summer kicks in.

These spring day trips from DC include a variety of locations, from charming towns and historic sites to gorgeous gardens and family-friendly farms. For even more ideas for weekend getaways or day trips from DC, check out our family travel guide. Once you've picked your destination, all you'll need are some fun car games, plenty of snacks, and some road trip essentials to keep the car ride Are we there yet?-free.

Got a young skater looking to work on their ollies, kickturns, or heelflips? There are plenty of skate parks near Washington, DC that welcome everyone from newbies to experienced skateboarders. Some of them are strictly skateboard parks, while others allow in-line skates, rollerblades, and/or bicycles as well. Most of these skate parks near DC require helmets (but even if they don't, your kiddo should totally wear one), and many require elbow pads and kneepads as well.

Here are 12 great skate parks near Washington, DC for kids and families. For even more outdoor fun, check out our lists of destination playgrounds in the DC area and great mini golf courses near DC.