10 Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC

If you're planning a trip with kids, they'll be thrilled by all the attractions and activities there are to see and do in Washington, D.C, but many of them are sure to be enjoyed by adults as well.

When planning a trip to Washington, D.C with kids, the most important thing is to keep in mind the places they'd like to visit. DC offers you the chance to take the little ones to places you wouldn’t have imagined within this solemn city.

It’s a truly enriching experience for both adults and children. It’s known for being interactive and giving visitors a broad overview of the White House’s structure and its real significance for all American citizens.

As the home of nearly every president who has led the country, the White House has a lot to offer, and that’s exactly what the White House Visitor Center is all about. Inside, you’ll be truly fascinated by everything you’ll discover; it’s also a very fun experience for children, who’ll learn a little more about the country’s history at the same time.

The Visitor Center is constantly updating its cultural calendar and the range of activities offered for the public’s enjoyment. Younger visitors will have the opportunity to listen to some of the letters that American children have written to the various presidents who have lived in the White House.

Practical Information

• Location: 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Closed to the public on holidays.

Right in the heart of Washington, D.C, you’ll find the National Museum of Natural History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, which aims to recreate and explain various aspects of our planet’s natural history to visitors.

If you decide to book a guided tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C, you’ll have the opportunity to see around 140 million natural specimens and cultural artifacts from around the world.

Organization of the Exhibits

• African Savanna Elephant: Located on the first floor. Both you and the children will be able to learn about the lives of these mammals, their relationship with humans, and their status among endangered species.
• African Voices: An area located on the first floor. You’ll find information about the lifestyle, customs, and culture of African peoples.
• Bone Hall: Located on the second floor. Here you can learn about the differences and similarities among all vertebrate animals. It’s a fun experience for the little ones.
• Hall of Human Origins: This is perhaps one of the most interesting exhibits you’ll see during your visit. Children always find it fascinating and fun to learn that we are a species with a history spanning several million years, so they’ll love hearing stories about human survival. It’s located on the first floor.

Practical Information

• Location: 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The Jefferson Memorial is a magical place designed for reflection.

It’s a place that invites you to take a closer look at all the achievements Thomas Jefferson made during his life and, above all, his service to the country. It’s also one of the top 10 monuments in the city.

But if it’s a monument for reflection, why bring the kids? The most interesting thing about this place is that it offers activities for the whole family. One of the most interesting things to do in Washington, especially in the summer, is to take the little ones on a peaceful yet entertaining boat ride around the monument. Booking a cruise with lunch, for example, can be a truly special experience for them; they’ll get to see all the city’s must-see spots and learn about its history in the most fun way possible.

You can even rent kayaks at the Tidal Basin to make the experience even more fun for them. If you’re someone who prefers fun but not overly risky activities, this is perfect because the route is safe enough to enjoy this activity with children.

Without a doubt, one of the experiences they’ll remember for a lifetime is buying tickets to watch an NBA basketball game in Washington. You’ll experience firsthand the intensity and excitement in the arena, see the basketball stars of the world’s best league play live, and enjoy the atmosphere as a family. A great plan!

Another option is to book tickets for a Washington Nationals baseball game, another of the most popular national sports among Americans. It will likely be your kids’ first time stepping foot in a baseball stadium, and they’re sure to love soaking up the game and doing classic things like watching the game while munching on hot dogs or popcorn.

Sightseeing with kids can sometimes be a bit tricky: they get tired of walking, have strict mealtime schedules, and may find long walks tedious, so the easiest option might be to book a sightseeing tour by tram. The tour lasts about 90 minutes, features hop-on/hop-off stops, and includes a professional guide. They’re sure to have fun hopping on one of these!

And another very similar option is to book a sightseeing bus tour that lasts about 6 hours, includes a tour guide, and—if you book between April 1 and October 15—also includes a cruise on the Potomac River. Are you up for it?

The National Air and Space Museum is the world’s largest exhibition of aeronautical and space artifacts, and it’s also on the list of the best museums in Washington, D.C.

Its main location houses so many important aviation artifacts that it was necessary to open a second location in Virginia. In DC, it is located on the iconic National Mall.

Among the most impressive attractions you’ll see at this museum is the plane Amelia Earhart used to break two of her most incredible records in the air. Also on display is the first plane used to usher in the era of aviation and the third orbiter to fly in space. In addition, the museum offers fun activities for children, such as the 360° Virtual Reality flight.

Practical Information

• Location: 655 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

The Planet Word Museum opens its doors to offer a magical experience for the whole family. It is the first interactive, voice-activated museum. It’s a place where you can see language from a different perspective and learn incredible facts about different languages. The museum’s main goal is to highlight how language defines an entire civilization.

Planeta Palabra offers truly interesting and fun activities for adults and children, where the focus is always the same: language. There are three floors filled with interesting sections and areas to explore, where children can let their imaginations run wild by participating in each of the activities available at the museum.

Layout of the museum’s areas

On the first floor, in one of the sections, you’ll learn firsthand how words have changed your life in unimaginable ways. In another section, you’ll discover the secrets behind advertising and even try writing your own ad.

As you head up to the second floor, you’ll find other interesting sections to continue exploring the role of language in human civilization. Some of the sections include:

• Lend Me Your Ears: A place where both children and you can read a speech using a teleprompter.
• Worlds of Words: A virtual painting space where children can let their imaginations run wild as they paint the entire room with vibrant colors.
• Library: A magical place where all the books come to life and become interactive. If you pay close attention, you can discover secret, hidden passages within the library hall.

Practical Information

• Location: 925 13th Street NW, Washington, DC.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The International Spy Museum is open to the public daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It’s a fascinating place where kids and adults alike will not only have endless fun carrying out their own spy missions but will also learn about the history of this fascinating world throughout time.

The entire area is divided into sections where you can explore various facts and artifacts related to the world of international espionage. Some of the exhibits are permanent, and the best part is that you’ll be actively engaged throughout your visit thanks to the museum’s interactive system. The museum regularly presents temporary exhibitions that delve a little deeper into relevant events showing how espionage has been woven into popular history.

These types of exhibitions ensure that every time you visit or bring your children, they’ll see something new. The event calendar is always available on their website.

Practical Information

• Location: 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
• Price: Starting at 27 euros.
• Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Traveler Tip

The museum has limited capacity, so I recommend buying your ticket online.

The Treasury Building is the office responsible for printing the United States’ currency. But beyond that, this office is also responsible for producing a wide range of the nation’s security documents, from Treasury securities to official invitations.

A visit to this place is more than just interesting—it’s an experience no child visiting Washington, D.C. should miss. Inside the facility, you and the children will have the opportunity to see how banknotes are made, as the public reception area overlooks the production room.

Admission is free, and you can enter the museum starting at 9:00 a.m., but to get your ticket on time, you’ll need to go to the ticket counter to reserve one, as tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and the ticket counter opens at 8:00 a.m. If you’d like a private tour, you can contact the government office directly and request a group visit well in advance.

Practical Information

• Location: 301 14th Street SW, Washington, DC.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Starting at 9:00 AM

It’s an incredible place for the whole family to enjoy, and the little ones will love this visit to the wax museum. This is one of the locations of the famous Madame Tussauds museum, where you can see various well-known figures from the worlds of entertainment, politics, and sports.

It’s a five-story building with a layout that lets you explore different themed areas. One of the areas that will catch your eye the most is the one dedicated to astronauts. There, you can take photos with figures like Neil Armstrong, as well as learn a bit more about the history of the space race and the latest updates.

An area you won’t want to miss—and that kids will love—is the one dedicated to U.S. presidents. From Lincoln to Donald Trump himself, including, of course, other figures like J.F. Kennedy and Barack Obama.

Practical Information

• Location: 1001 F St. NW, Downtown, Washington, D.C.
• Price: From 20 to 30 euros.
• Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Traveler Tip

You can purchase e-tickets and skip the long lines when you arrive.

It’s one of the most historic botanical gardens in North America. Without a doubt, the United States Botanic Garden is a must-visit if you’re in Washington with kids. The most interesting thing about this garden is that, since it’s a living exhibition, it’s always changing, offering you a new experience with every visit. The space is divided into different areas showcasing plants from around the world.

Practical Information

• Location: 100 Maryland Ave SW
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The highlight of any trip to Washington with kids, as you’d expect, is the Children’s Museum.

It’s a space for exploration where little ones can spark their imagination and feel free to ask questions, play, and experiment with everything they see. It’s located on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The museum is a space that blends the arts, science, and technology. The experience is completely interactive, and although it’s designed for family fun, it’s the youngest members of the family who, once they step inside, won’t want to leave.

The various activities spark children’s curiosity and encourage them to keep exploring, learning, and discovering more every day. Plus, they’re constantly introducing new activities so that your visits are never the same as the last. Tickets are limited, so you’ll need to book in advance to bring the little ones.

Practical Information

• Location: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
• Price: Starting at 20 euros.
• Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM with two sessions per day.