1) National Zoo
One of the most kid-friendly places to visit in Washington, DC is the National
Zoo where you can see 435 different species of animals. The National Zoo is
set within the beautiful Rock Creek National Park and is a part of the
Smithsonian Institution. Admission is FREE!
2) National Museum of Natural History
Examine a wide variety of artifacts including an 80-foot dinosaur skeleton, an
enormous prehistoric white shark, and a 45-and-a-half carat jewel a known
as the Hope Diamond. The Discovery Room is a great hands-on display for
young children. Feel the skin of a crocodile, examine the jaws and teeth of
different animals or try on clothes from around the globe.
3) National Air & Space Museum
NASM displays the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. Visit
here and learn about the history, science, and technology of aviation and
space flight. There are IMAX films and planetarium shows several times a
day. Children marvel at the lifesize exhibits.
4) Discovery Theater
The Smithsonian's Discovery Theater, located in the Ripley Center on the
National Mall, is a live theater geared towards children. Classic stories and
folktales are told through puppet shows, storytellers, dancers, actors,
musicians, and mimes. All shows are Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. and
11:30 a.m.
5) Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Watch real money being printed! Tours are every 15 minutes, Monday
through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
6) Washington Monument
Take the elevator to the top of the memorial to George Washington, our
nation's first president, and see a wonderful view of Washington DC. Kids
love to see the city from a bird’s eye view.
7) Wolf Trap Farm Park
Wolf Trap Foundation and the National Park Service present 70
performances from late June through early August at the Children's Theatre-
in-the-Woods in Vienna, Virginia. Family-friendly performances, including
music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and theater are held at 10 am and 11:15
am, Tuesdays through Saturdays.
8) Glen Echo Park
This wonderful park in Bethesda, Maryland offers year-round activities in
dance, theater, and the arts for the adults and children. There are concerts,
demonstrations, workshops, and festivals. The antique Dentzel carousel
delights children May through September. Enjoy a puppet show at the
Puppet Co. or a children’s theatrical performance at Adventure Theatre. At
Discovery Creek Children's Museum, explore nature, history, and the arts
through innovative educational programs and exhibits.
9) Six Flags America
Six Flags America offers a full day of fun just 30 minutes from downtown
Washington, DC. This theme park features more than 100 rides, shows and
the area's largest water park. The park is open April through October.
10) Imagination Stage
Imagination Stage offers year-round productions of modern and classic plays
and classes in drama, acting, dance musical theatre, and filmmaking for
children of all ages.
11) Strathmore Hall Arts Center
Music center with special children's events including afternoon teas, art
exhibits, chamber music concerts, outdoor concerts and more.
12) Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo
Up-close exhibits make this 30-acre zoo in Thurmont, Maryland great for
small children. Main exhibits include a Golden Tiger, African Lion family,
Grizzly Bear, Parrot Aviary, and Venomous Animal exhibit. You can hand-feed
goats, sheep, donkeys, and ducks in the petting area
13) Montgomery County’s Nature Centers
Four Nature Centers provide kids with lots of hands-on opportunities to
explore our environment. Year-round naturalist guided programs will give you
insight into the Capital Region’s natural habitat.
14) Reston Zoo
This thirty-acre zoo in the heart of Fairfax County, VA, is great for small
children. Get "up close and personal" with the animals and feed them too!
See alligators, camels, reptiles, zebras, antelope, bison, ostrich, and lots
more.
15) National Postal Museum
This Smithsonian museum features engaging exhibits about sending,
receiving and delivering mail. Explore the history of the postage stamp and
marvel over thousands of stamps and postal artifacts.
