Cold and rainy days make it hard for kids to burn off their energy and stretch their little legs—especially without spending some serious money. But if you stay at home, you'll all be bouncing off the walls and your house will be a mess. You need somewhere to play that's warm, dry, and—most important—FREE. 

Luckily, there are many free indoor activities in DC that allow kids to move, explore, and blow off steam. From play areas at free museums to free nature centers to free mall playgrounds, these free things to do indoors in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are all great cold and rainy-day activities for kids. 

Here are 27 free indoor things to do in DC with kids on cold and rainy days. For more family fun that won't break the bank, check out our guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids. It includes our ultimate list of 101 free things to do in DC with kids.

Here at Mommy Poppins, we love to share the best things to do with kids in the 16 regions we cover across the US. But we also love to travel, go on adventures, and help our readers discover the coolest places throughout the country and the world.

In 2025, our writers and editors visited some incredible destinations—and wrote about them for us! They traveled across the US, into Canada and Mexico, and all the way to Asia. And if you're looking for a truly bucket-list experience, check out our list of the top things to do on a Maldives vacation with kids—you'll be itching to save your money and book that trip ASAP!

Here are our favorite family vacation destinations of 2025, including fun cities, sunny beach vacays, gorgeous national parks, and awesome hotels and resorts. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more great places to visit with your family. And, join us in 2026 to see where we'll go next!

Don't feel like cooking this year? Here's where to eat on Christmas Day in DC. 

You've decked the halls, trimmed the trees, and bought the presents. Now it's time to plan your holiday dinner. If you've run out of steam, don't stress. There are several restaurants open on Christmas Day in DC and the surrounding areas that will give your family a memorable meal without all the cooking and cleanup.

Here are 14 family-friendly restaurants open on Christmas Day in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2025. Many of these restaurants are serving up special Christmas menus, and most are offering special pricing for children. Make reservations soon, as these restaurants open on Christmas are sure to fill up quickly!

For ideas on fun things to do with kids before or after your Christmas meal, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our roundup of what is open on Christmas Day near DC.