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Best Attractions and Things To Do in DC that are Kid-Friendly

Wegmans Wonderplace is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History
Wegmans Wonderplace is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History
8/18/24 - By Jennifer Swope

It can be hard to narrow down the best things to do in DC with kids. As our nation's capital, the DC area is full of some of the best attractions in the world for families, including fantastic museums, breathtaking monuments, immersive experiences, and tours of government buildings. And the best part is, many of them are free!

Read on for our list of the best attractions and things to do in DC that are kid-friendly. If you want even more, check out these top attractions in DC, as well as our lists of free museums near DC and best museums for kids in the DC area. And don't forget to check our calendar often, as we're always adding more events and attractions.

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Pandas will return to the National Zoo by the end of 2024! Photo courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo
Pandas will return to the National Zoo by the end of 2024! Photo courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

Best Free, Kid-Friendly Attractions that Require a Ticket in DC

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s mission is to develop and produce United States currency notes, trusted worldwide. The general public is invited to tour BEP. The tour begins with an introductory film and continues with a real-time guided experience exploring currency production from an enclosed walkway suspended above the production floor. READ MORE

Ford's Theatre Tour

Ford’s Theatre explores the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and celebrates the American experience through theatre and education. READ MORE

National Air & Space Museum on the National Mall

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum maintains the world's largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts, encompassing all aspects of human flight, as well as related works of art and archival materials. It operates two landmark facilities that, together, welcome more than 8 million visitors a year, making it the most visited museum in the country. It also is home to the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies. READ MORE

National Archives Tour

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper. Many people know the National Archives as the keeper of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. But it also holds in trust for the public the records of ordinary citizens—for example, military records of the brave men and women who have fought for the United States, naturalization records of the immigrants whose dreams have shaped our nation, and even the canceled check from the purchase of Alaska. READ MORE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives, and how it helped us shape this nation. READ MORE

Smithsonian's National Zoo

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, DC’s Rock Creek Park and is home to more than 2,100 animals representing almost 400 different species. READ MORE

US Capitol & US Capitol Visitor Center Tour

US Capitol tours begin every 10 minutes until 3:20pm. All tours are led by a professional tour guide and visit the Crypt, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall. The tour does not include the Senate and House Galleries. The tour route is subject to change. READ MORE

Washington Monument Tour

The Washington Monument is iconic in the DC skyline and tourists line up daily to get a chance to go to the top. Timed-entry tickets are required. Tickets are released online 30 days in advance at 10am. For visitors who miss getting tickets for their selected day, a limited number of tickets are released for the next day's tickets. READ MORE

The White House Tour

Members of the public are invited to tour the White House. Public tour requests are scheduled through Members of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator. Constituents may reach their Member of Congress and Congressional Tour Coordinator through the US House of Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121, the US Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or online. READ MORE
Kids can get hands-on at Spark!Lab at the National Museum of American History. Photo by Hugh Talman
Kids can get hands-on at Spark!Lab at the National Museum of American History. Photo by Hugh Talman

Best Free Kid-Friendly Museum Exhibits and Play Areas in DC

Baseball: America's Home Run at the National Postal Museum

This special exhibit explores the surprising ways that baseball and postal history are deeply intertwined. It features historic objects that have never before been on public display, including game-used uniforms and bats, jackets, hats, and memorabilia. It's a must-visit for anyone who loves the game. READ MORE

imagiNATIONS Activity Center at National Museum of the American Indian

The imagiNATIONS Activity Center provides young visitors a space to explore Indigenous peoples and culture. Today, many Indigenous innovations and inventions are part of daily life for millions worldwide. Visitors can explore some of these ingenious adaptations through hands-on activities such as basket-weaving, building a giant igloo, arts and crafts, "walking" in snowshoes, and so much more. Kids can also explore a tipi, walk through a replica of an Amazonian stilt house, solve puzzles, and relax in the cozy reading area. READ MORE

Spark!Lab at the National Museum of American History

Create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment, invent. This is what children ages 6-12 can do at Spark!Lab at the National Museum of American History. Activities pair science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with art, history, and creativity. READ MORE

Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History

This 1,700-square-foot exhibit gives kids ages 0-6 a hands-on experience with elements taken from the adult exhibits, providing a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity. It features plenty of interactive elements, including a construction area, a climbing structure, a soft-play area for crawlers, a pretend farm and kitchen with play food and accessories, a mini portrait gallery, and more.  READ MORE
Be sure to bring train lovers to the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad Museum
Be sure to bring train lovers to the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad Museum

Best Kid-Friendly Museums in DC that Charge Admission

ArtecHouse DC

An innovative leader in the field of digital and experiential art, ARTECHOUSE expands the possibilities of art and how the public experiences it through cutting-edge technology-driven exhibitions and experiences.  READ MORE

B&O Railroad Museum

The B&O Railroad Museum possesses the oldest and most comprehensive American railroad collection in the world. Dating from the beginning of American railroading, the collection contains locomotives and rolling stock, historic buildings, and small objects that document the impact of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) on the growth and development of early railroading and cover almost every aspect of an industry that left a permanent mark on the folklore and culture of America. READ MORE

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is the historic home of America's first president, George Washington, just a short drive from Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virgnia. READ MORE

International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum (SPY) is an independent nonprofit museum which documents the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage. It holds the largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display. The Museum's mission is to create compelling exhibitions and other learning experiences that shed light on the shadow world of espionage and intelligence, educating and challenging visitors to engage critically with the complex world. READ MORE

Museum of Illusions DC

The Museum of Illusions Washington, DC is a one-of-a-kind edutainment destination where visitors can immerse themselves in in the wonderful world of illusions. Guests can enjoy more than 50 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that are designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. READ MORE

National Building Museum

The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world that is designed and built. It educates, entertains, and engages people about the built environment and challenges them to advocate for a sustainable and equitable future. READ MORE

National Children's Museum

The National Children’s Museum is a unique hybrid institution, combining learning elements found in a science center with children’s museum experiences. Through STEAM-focused exhibits and playful, in-person and virtual program offerings, the Museum sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for all learners. READ MORE
LEGO Discovery Center is a brick lover's dream. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
LEGO Discovery Center is a brick lover's dream. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Best Kid-Friendly Ticketed Experiences in DC

Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience

Washington, DC
Dopamine Land is a multisensory experience combining media, technology, and play in one place. Visitors travel through an interactive museum boasting multiple rooms and activities that provide something new and exciting at every corner. READ MORE

The Escape Game DC (Georgetown)

Washington, DC
In The Escape Game, players are immersed into interactive rooms where they have to follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete missions in under 60 minutes. Each escape game provides a unique hands-on experience, designed for families, friends, and anyone else looking for an elevated, unplugged adventure. READ MORE

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience (at Morven Park)

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience lets fans venture into an illuminated forest brought to life. Unicorns, Nifflers, and Hippogriffs are only some of the magical creatures guests come face-to-face with. The interactive, family-friendly experience also gives fans the opportunity to cast spells to illuminate the dark forest and try their hand at summoning a Patronus. In the depths of the Forbidden Forest, who knows what spellbinding surprises could be lurking between the trees?  READ MORE

LEGO Discovery Center in Washington, DC

Springfield, VA
DC's LEGO Discovery Center is the home of LEGO play, where visitors can create their own adventures with over two million bricks. LEGO Discovery Center comes equipped with 12 eye-catching zones dedicated to the planet's most famous building blocks. READ MORE

Monet: The Immersive Experience (at Rhode Island Center)

Washington, DC
Embark on an astonishing journey through the incomparable universe of Claude Monet, one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 19th century. Explore his life, his career, and his secrets like never before with the help of 360-degree digital projections and a unique virtual-reality experience. READ MORE

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures at Rhode Island Center

Washington, DC
Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is an exhibition that offers guests an unprecedented glance into Ancient Egypt. With hundreds of perfectly reconstructed objects, breathtaking decorations, and fascinating explanations, visitors can step right into the wonder of the most famous archaeological discovery site of the 20th century. Ready to travel to the era of the pharaohs? READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

National Museum of African American History & Culture
National Museum of the American Indian National Mall
International Spy Museum DC