Washington DC
Fun Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC
Whatever the weather is doing, Washington DC has options. We track 161 places to take kids across the area, including museums and educational attractions (24), family entertainment centers (17) and ice skating rinks (15).
Find kid-friendly places to play, learn and explore in and around Washington DC. Browse by category below, or jump to a few popular spots families visit.
Last updated 22 September 2026. Hours and prices come from each business.
Indoor activities for kids in Washington DC
When it rains, or when it is simply too cold to be outside for long, there are 53 indoor places to choose from. Museums and indoor playgrounds are the usual answer, and both work at short notice.
Free things to do with kids in Washington DC
A good share of what is on this page costs nothing. 8 of the places we list are free to visit, which makes a short trip perfectly reasonable when attention spans are short.
Best places by age in Washington DC
Splash pads, wading pools and indoor play areas suit toddlers, because they are shallow, close by and easy to leave early. Older children get more out of the hands-on museums and the bigger play structures.
Browse by category in Washington DC
18 categories, 161 places. Counts change as businesses add listings.
Popular places in Washington DC
8 of 161, ordered by distance from Washington DC.
Swingers Crazy Golf
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Accepts NARMLocated in a spectacular 1908 landmark building just a few blocks from the White House at the corner of New York Avenue and 13th Street, the National Museum of…
The Phillips Collection
Accepts NARMThe Phillips Collection is America’s first museum of modern art. Founded in 1921 by Duncan Phillips, the museum has a permanent collection of over 6,000 works of…
International Arts & Artists Hillyer Arts Space
Accepts NARMHillyer Arts Space is a contemporary art gallery in Washington, DC, run by the nonprofit International Arts & Artists. It hosts rotating solo and group exhibitions…
The George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum
Accepts ROAMAccepts NARMA museum on the George Washington University campus in downtown Washington, D.C., displaying textile art and artefacts from around the world and throughout…
National Children’s Museum
The National Children's Museum sits inside the Ronald Reagan Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, a few blocks from the National Mall, which makes it an easy stop to…
Puttery
Puttery DC is an indoor mini golf venue in Penn Quarter at 800 F St NW, offering three themed nine-hole courses called the Art Museum, the Conservatory, and the…
Dumbarton House
Accepts NARMBuilt in 1799, Dumbarton House provides a unique view of life in early Washington D.C. Open to the public since 1932, this Federal period estate is the oldest…
Nearby cities
The closest other places we cover.
Common questions
What are the best things to do with kids in Washington DC?
We list 161 kid-friendly places in Washington DC, led by museums and educational attractions (24) and family entertainment centers (17). Every listing shows hours, prices and what other parents thought.
What can you do with kids in Washington DC for free?
8 of the places we list in Washington DC are free to visit, including playgrounds, splash pads and several outdoor spaces.
Where can you take kids in Washington DC when it is raining?
There are 53 indoor places in Washington DC, including museums, indoor playgrounds and family entertainment centers.