The days are long but the years are short when it comes to raising kids. And with so many things to do in DC (and near DC) with kids, it can be hard for families to decide exactly how to spend their time in and near the nation's capital. 

To help you make the most of your precious family time, we've compiled a list of the top 100 things to do in DC with kids before they grow up. In a city bursting with museums (many of them free), parks and playgrounds, play spaces, and cultural events and festivals, you'll certainly never get bored. Get out, explore, and see just how many activities you can cross off our bucket list before childhood whizzes by.

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Here are some of the best places to visit and things to do in DC and the surrounding areas (in no particular order):

1. Monuments and Memorials

Get up close to all of the monuments and memorials, then visit them again at night for a whole different experience! FREE

2. National Mall 

Take a bike ride around the National Mall, then stop to fly a kite. FREE

3. National Air and Space Museum

See historic airplanes, including one Amelia Earhart flew, at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. FREE

4. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 

Head to the Air and Space Museum's outpost in Chantilly to see the Space Shuttle Discovery or a Star Wars X-wing Starfighter. FREE

5. The White House

Write your member of Congress to score tickets for a self-guided tour of the White House. FREE

6. Mount Vernon

Go back in time to experience what life was like at George Washington's beloved home.

7. National Zoo

Get up close to giant pandas, lions, and many other animals at DC's Zoo: the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. FREE ($30 for parking)

8. Arlington National Cemetery

Visit presidents' graves, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Volunteer to lay wreaths in December. FREE

9. Cherry Blossoms

Head to the Tidal Basin in the spring for an explosion of pink during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. FREE

10. National Museum of African American History & Culture

Explore the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture. FREE

11. International Spy Museum

Let loose your inner James Bond at the International Spy Museum.

12. Rock Creek Park

Explore Rock Creek Park, an oasis in the middle of DC. FREE

13. Fourth of July Fireworks

"Oooh" and "aaah" over the annual Fourth of July fireworks at the National Mall. FREE

14. United States Botanic Garden

Immerse yourself in nature at the United States Botanic Garden. FREE

15. Washington Monument

Ride an elevator to the top of the Washington Monument—which reopened to the public on July 14, 2021—for a bird's eye view of DC. 

Catch a Washington Nationals ball game! Photo by the author

16. Nationals Park

Root, root, root for the Washington Nationals at this family-friendly baseball stadium. Be sure to sign your kids up for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club.

17. National Portrait Gallery

See the country's only full collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House at Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. FREE

18. U.S. Capitol

The Capitol building is still closed for tours due to COVID, but you can take a virtual tour while you wait. FREE

19. National Museum of the American Indian

Explore an Amazonian stilt house, build a giant igloo, and do other hands-on activities at the imagiNATIONS Activity Center (currently closed due to COVID) at Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. FREE 

20. National Museum of American History

See gowns worn by First Ladies, the American flag that inspired the national anthem, and so much more at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. FREE

21. Bureau of Engraving and Printing

See how money is made at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. FREE

Having fun at Clemyjontri Park. Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Virginia

22. Clemyjontri Park

Spend the afternoon at this fully accessible playground in McLean, Virginia. FREE

23. Gravelly Point Park

Lie on a blanket at this Arlington, Virginia park to see planes flying right above your head as they land at and take off from Reagan National Airport. FREE

24. National Postal Museum

Climb aboard a stagecoach and a modern mail truck at Smithsonian's National Postal Museum. FREE

25. Fruit Picking

Pick apples or berries at one of many Maryland and Virginia farms. 

26. Ted's Bulletin

Enjoy a homemade pop tart, called a Ted's Tart, at one of six area locations of Ted's Bulletin. 

27. The Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center hosts many shows geared toward young audiences, as well as rotating exhibits.

28. White House Easter Egg Roll

Enter the online lottery to try to score tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll. It's not an easy feat! FREE

29. Great Falls Park

Watch the Potomac River build up speed and plummet down Great Falls, a breathtaking waterfall in this national park in McLean, Virginia. 

30. District Wharf

Play bocce, search for historical markers, and watch boats drift by at District Wharf. FREE

31. National Museum of Natural History

Marvel at the massive dinosaur fossils at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. FREE

32. Peterson's Ice Cream Depot

Indulge in delicious homemade ice cream and play outdoor games at Peterson's Ice Cream Depot in historic Clifton, Virginia.

33. National Children's Museum

Play, learn, and explore at the National Children's Museum, which opened in February 2020. (Currently closed due to COVID)

34. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Bring teens to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for a sobering look at the Holocaust. FREE

35. MedStar Capitals Iceplex

Go ice skating at the Washington Capitals' practice facility in Arlington, Virginia. In non-COVID times, you can even watch the team practice!

36. Chessie's BIG Backyard

Play on a fully accessible Chesapeake Bay-themed playground, ride a carousel, and explore a 2,160-square-foot children's trail—complete with a sound garden,and spinning rocks—at Chessie's BIG Backyard in Franconia, Virginia. FREE

37. Our Special Harbor Spray Park

Enjoy spray features, bubblers, water tables, and more at  Our Special Harbor Spray Park, or another of the local water playgrounds. FREE

38. Tour the Embassies

Participate in the Around the World Embassy Tour to visit international embassy buildings and experience the music, dancing, food, and culture of other countries. FREE

39. Leesburg Animal Park 

Pet and feed all sorts of animals at Leesburg Animal Park in Virginia.

40. National Menorah

Take part in the lighting of the National Menorah on the White House Ellipse. FREE

41. National Archives

See the founding documents, including the Constitution, at the National Archives Museum. FREE

Swim for free at the outdoor Langdon Park Pool. Photo courtesy of DC Department of Parks and Recreation

42. Swim for Free

Learn to swim or just cool off at these free public swimming pools in DC. FREE

43. Burke Lake Park

Ride a train and carousel, play a round of mini golf, and do countless other activities at this nearly 900-acre park in Fairfax Station, Virginia. 

44. Ford's Theatre

Visit the theatre where Abraham Lincoln was shot, a national historic site. You can also see a live show! 

45. Watkins Regional Park

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Wizard of Oz-themed playground at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. FREE

46. National Harbor

Soar 180 feet above the Potomac River on the Capital Wheel, ride a carousel, and do other fun activities at this waterfront area in Maryland. 

47. Wolf Trap

Catch an open-air performance at Wolf Trap's Children's-Theatre-in-the-Woods in Vienna, Virginia. 

Enjoy thrill rides at Six Flags or a swim at its water park, Hurricane Harbor! Photo courtesy the theme park

48. Six Flags America

Satisfy your inner thrill seeker at this theme park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Or splash your way through Hurricane Harbor's many slides and pools.

49. Roer's Zoofari

Take a self-drive safari through Roer's Zoofari in Reston, Virginia to see llamas, deer, bison, and more. 

50. George Washington Memorial Parkway

Take a scenic drive, bike ride, or walk along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. FREE

51. National Gallery of Art

Develop your kids' appreciation of art, from classical to postmodern, at the National Gallery of Art. FREE

52. Huntley Meadows Park

Stroll along the half-mile boardwalk through rich wetlands at Alexandria, Virginia's Huntley Meadows Park. You may spot turtles, frogs, blue herons, beavers, and more! FREE

53. Planet Word

Explore the world of words at the Planet Word museum, which opened in October 2020.

54. National Building Museum

Get creative at PLAY WORK BUILD at the National Building Museum.

55. The Nutcracker

Seeing the Washington Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre is an unforgettable experience in itself. Meeting the dancers at Family Day, or having tea with the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy at the Willard InterContinental Hotel's Nutcracker Tea Party, is downright magical. 

56. Super, Awesome & Amazing

Climb structures, conquer a ninja obstacle course, splash at a water park, and more at this 30,000-square-foot indoor play place at the St. James Sports Complex in Springfield, Virginia. 

57. Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole

Glide along the lazy river or sail down water slides at this Old West-themed water park in Reston, Virginia. 

58. Frying Pan Farm Park

Meet farm animals, go on a wagon ride, and take a farmhouse tour at Kidwell Farm, a working 1930s farm in Herndon, Virginia's Frying Pan Farm Park. FREE

Ride the antique Glen Echo Park's Dentzel Carousel! Photo by David Stuck

59. Dentzel Carousel 

Go for a whirl on this 1921 carousel in Glen Echo Park, one of only 135 functioning antique carousels in the country. 

60. National Museum of the United States Army

See Army vehicles, weapons, and more at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, which opened November 2020. FREE

61. Theodore Roosevelt Island

Hike, see wildlife, and picnic at this more than 90-acre park. FREE

62. Recycled Tire Playground

Play on structures made of recycled tires at Seneca Creek State Park in Annapolis, Maryland. 

63. National Portrait Gallery

See the country's only full collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House at Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. FREE

64. Scramble

Discover secret passageways, tunnels, slides, and more at the two Virginia locations of Scramble, a European-style indoor play space. The Falls Church location opened July 2021; the other is in Alexandria. It's one of our favorite local play spaces near DC.

65. Discovery Theater

Catch a kid-friendly performance at Smithsonian's Discovery Theater.

Swim or hike at the Leesylvania State Park.

66. Leesylvania State Park

Build sandcastles on the sandy beach at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge, Virginia. 

67. Christmas on the Potomac

Build gingerbread houses, see ice sculptures, meet Santa, and lots more at this Christmas wonderland at National Harbor's Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. 

68. Boomerang Pirate Cruise

Ahoy! Sail the Potomac on a pirate ship. 

69. Canal Park

Splash in the dancing fountains in summer, ice skate in winter, and enjoy performances and events at this park along the Capitol Riverfront. 

70. Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Immerse yourself in various cultures at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival each July. FREE

71. KID Museum

Transform your kids into builders and creators at Bethesda, Maryland's KID Museum. 

72. Clark's Elioak Farm

Pet farm animals, stroll through an enchanted forest, ride a pony, and more at this Ellicott City, Maryland farm. 

73. National Law Enforcement Museum

Experience the life of a law-enforcement officer at the National Law Enforcement Museum.

74. Children's Science Center

Perform science experiments at the Children's Science Center in Fairfax, Virginia. 

75. Library of Congress

Visit the largest library in the world. FREE

76. National Book Festival

Celebrate books at the Library of Congress's annual National Book Festival. FREE

77. Brookside Gardens

Delight in nature at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland.

78. Yards Park

Cool off in the Canal Basin and the dancing water fountains at Capitol Riverfront's Yards Park.

79. Northern Virginia Christmas Lights

See how many of the Northern Virginia houses listed on Holly's Tacky Christmas Lights you can visit each holiday season, or enjoy another of the magical displays of Christmas lights near DC!

80. President Lincoln's Cottage

Visit the home Abraham Lincoln lived in for more than a quarter of his presidency. 

81. National Aquarium

Get up close with more than 20,000 aquatic animals at Baltimore's National Aquarium. Stay the day to explore the rest of the Inner Harbor.

Pick a pumpkin and enjoy more falltime activities at DC-area farms, such as Clark's Elioak Farm. Photo courtesy the farm

82. Pumpkin Picking

Head to one of the many pumpkin patches near DC in October.

83. East Potomac Mini Golf

Try for a hole-in-one on the oldest continually operating miniature golf course in the country, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

84. Lake Anna State Park

Take a day trip to Lake Anna State Park to swim in one of Virginia's most popular lakes and lounge on the beachfront. 

85. Gunston Hall

Tour the Lorton, Virginia home of Founding Father George Mason. 

86. Museum of the Bible

Enjoy tons of interactive features at the Museum of the Bible. 

87. Go Camping

Pitch your tent under the stars at one of these nearby campgrounds.

88. Dumbarton House

Get a feel for 19th-century Colonial America at Dumbarton House in Georgetown. 

89. Patapsco Valley State Park

Take a dip in the Patapsco River at this 16,000-acre park.

90. Port Discovery Children's Museum

Let your imagination run wild at this Baltimore children's museum. 

91. Winter Walk of Lights

Take a half-mile stroll through the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia during the holidays to see dazzling light displays, some of which are synced to music. Roast s'mores and sip hot chocolate at the end.

92. Cox Farms

Hit up the Cox Farms Fall Festival in Centreville, Virginia for a corn maze, giant slides, a hayride, and tons of other fall fun. 

93. Hirshhorn Scultpure Garden

Meander through Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. FREE

94. Dulles Golf Center 

Play a round of mini golf or take a swing in the batting cages at Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park in Virginia. 

95. Torpedo Factory Arts Center

Take a stroll through the nation's biggest collection of working artists' open studios under one roof in Alexandria, Virginia. FREE

96. Ashburn Park

Frolic on a gem of a playground at Ashburn Park in Virginia. FREE

97. Manassas National Battlefield Park

Visit a Civil War battlefield in Manassas, Virginia. FREE

Learn and play the day away at the Maryland Science Center. Photo courtesy the museum

98. Maryland Science Center

Get hands on at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore. 

99. Snow Tubing

Take a day trip to go snow tubing at a resort near DC. 

100. The Family Drive In Theatre

Watch a movie from the comfort of your car at this classic drive-in in Stephens City, Virginia, about 90 minutes from DC.

And if this isn't enough fun things to do in DC, and its surrounding metro areas, don't miss our always packed daily events calendar.

An earlier version of this article first published in 2018 with reporting by Christine Mooney.