10 Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC

If you’re planning a trip with children, the little ones will be delighted by all the attractions and activities there are to see and do in Washington DC, but many of them are sure to be enjoyed by adults too.

When planning a trip to Washington DC with children, the most important thing is to consider the places of interest 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 is a truly enriching experience for young and old alike. It is characterised by its interactive nature and offers the public a broad overview of the structure of the White House and its real significance for all American citizens.

As the residence of almost every president who has led the country, the White House has a great deal to show, and that is precisely what the White House Visitors Centre is all about. Inside, you’ll be truly fascinated by everything there is to discover; it’s also a great fun experience for children, whilst they learn a little more about the country’s history.

The Visitors’ Centre is constantly updating its cultural programme, as well as the range of activities on offer for the public’s enjoyment. Younger visitors will have the chance 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.
• Opening hours: 11:00–16:00, Wednesday to Sunday. Closed to the public on public holidays.

Right in the heart of Washington DC, you’ll find the National Museum of Natural History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, which aims to recreate and explain various areas of knowledge about the planet to visitors.

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

Organisation of the exhibitions

• African savannah elephant: Located on the ground floor. Both you and the children will be able to learn about the lives of these mammals, their relationship with humans and their status as an endangered species.
• African Voices: An area on the ground floor. You’ll find information on the lifestyle, customs and culture of African peoples.
• Bone Room: Located on the second floor. Here you can learn about the differences and similarities between 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 on your visit. Children always find it fascinating and entertaining to learn that we are a species with a history stretching back 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.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 17.00

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 lifetime and, above all, his service to the country. It’s also one of the city’s top 10 monuments.

But if it’s a monument for reflection, why take the children? 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 summer, is to take the little ones on a peaceful yet entertaining boat trip around the monument. Booking a cruise with lunch, for example, can be a really special experience for them; they’ll get to see all the city’s must-see sights and learn about its history in the most fun way possible.

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

Buying tickets to watch an NBA basketball match in Washington is undoubtedly one of those experiences they’ll remember for a lifetime. You’ll experience first-hand the intensity and excitement in the stadium, see the basketball stars of the world’s best league play live, and enjoy the atmosphere as a family. A brilliant plan!

Another option could be to book tickets for a Washington Nationals baseball match, another of the most famous national sports among Americans. It will probably be the first time your little ones set foot in a baseball stadium, and they’re sure to love soaking up the atmosphere of the game and doing typical things like watching the match whilst eating hot dogs or popcorn.

Sightseeing with children can sometimes be a bit tricky: they get tired of walking, have very fixed mealtimes, and may find long walks a bit of a slog, so the easiest option might be to book a sightseeing tour by tram. The tour lasts around 90 minutes, has hop-on-hop-off stops and 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 around 6 hours, comes with a tour guide and, if you book between 1 April and 15 October, also includes a cruise on the Potomac River. Fancy it?

The National Air and Space Museum is the world’s largest exhibition of aeronautical and space artefacts, as well as being on the list of the best museums in Washington DC.

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

Among the most impressive attractions you can see in this museum is the aeroplane Amelia Earhart used to break two of her most incredible records in the air. Also on display is the first aeroplane used to usher in the age of aviation and the third orbiter to fly in space. The museum also offers highly entertaining activities for children, such as the 360° Virtual Reality flight.

Practical information

• Location: 655 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC.
• Price: Free.
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 17:30.

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 is a place where you can see language from a different perspective and discover fascinating facts about different languages. The main aim of this museum is to highlight the way in which language defines an entire civilisation.

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

Layout of the museum

On the first floor, in one of the areas, you can discover first-hand how words have changed your life in unimaginable ways. In another section, you can uncover the secrets behind advertising and even try your hand at writing your own advert.

As you head up to the second floor, you’ll find further fascinating sections to continue exploring the role of language in human civilisation. Some of these sections include:

• Lend Me Your Ears: A place where both children and adults can read a speech using a teleprompter.
• Worlds of Words: A virtual painting space where children can let their imaginations run wild whilst painting the whole room in vibrant colours.
• Library: A magical place where all the books come to life and become interactive. If you look closely, you can find secret, hidden passageways within the library hall.

Practical information

• Location: 925 13th Street NW, Washington DC.
• Price: Free.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00.

The International Spy Museum is open to the public every day from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. It is a fascinating place where children 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 through the ages.

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

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

Practical information

• Location: 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
• Price: From €27.
• Opening hours: Daily from 9:00 to 19:00.

Traveller 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’ banknotes. But in addition to this, the office is responsible for producing a wide range of the nation’s security documents, from Treasury securities to official invitations.

A visit to this place is fascinating and an experience no child visiting Washington DC should miss. Inside the building, you and the children will have the chance to see how banknotes are made, as the public reception area overlooks the production hall.

Entry is free, and you can enter the museum from 9:00 am, but to get your ticket in time, you’ll need to go to the ticket office to book it, as tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and the ticket office opens at 8:00 am. 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.
• Opening hours: From 9:00

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 branches of the famous Madame Tussauds museum, where you can see various well-known faces from the worlds of entertainment, politics and sport.

It’s a five-storey building with a layout that allows you to wander through different themed areas. One of the areas that will catch your eye the most is the one dedicated to astronauts. Here you can have your photo taken with figures such as Neil Armstrong, as well as learning a bit more about the history of the space race and the latest developments.

An area you won’t want to miss—and which children will love—is the one dedicated to US presidents. From Lincoln to Donald Trump himself, including of course other figures such as J.F. Kennedy and Barack Obama.

Practical information

• Location: 1001 F St. NW, Downtown, Washington DC.
• Price: From €20 to €30.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00. Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00.

Traveller Tip

You can buy e-tickets and avoid long queues when you arrive.

It is 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 children. The most interesting thing about this garden is that, as it is a living exhibition, it is constantly changing and therefore offers a new experience with every visit. The space is divided into different areas showcasing plants from all over the world.

Practical information

• Location: 100 Maryland Ave SW
• Price: Free.
• Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 to 17:00.

The star attraction of any trip to Washington with children, as you might expect, is the Children’s Museum.

It is a space for exploration where little ones can let their imaginations run wild and feel free to ask questions, play and experiment with everything they see. It is located on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The museum is a space that blends the arts, science and technology. The experience is completely interactive and, although designed for family fun, it is the youngest members of the family who, once they step inside, will never want to leave.

The various activities spark children’s curiosity and encourage them to keep exploring, learning and discovering more every day. What’s more, they are constantly introducing new activities so that no two visits are ever the same. Tickets are limited, so you’ll need to book in advance to ensure you can bring the little ones.

Practical Information

• Location: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
• Price: From €20.
• Opening hours: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, with two sessions per day.