Fun Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC
Whatever the weather is doing, Washington DC has options. We track 77 places to take kids across the area, including museums & educational attractions (23), bounce & plays (14) and family entertainment centers (10).
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.
Indoor activities for kids in Washington DC
When it rains, or when it is simply too cold to be outside for long, there are 41 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. 11 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
Popular places in Washington DC
The Escape Game Washington DC offers immersive escape room adventures across two locations in Georgetown and Penn Quarter. Families and groups can choose from nine…
Located 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…
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The 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…
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A museum on George Washington University's campus in downtown Washington, D.C., dedicated to textiles and creative work from cultures worldwide, spanning from…
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A museum on the George Washington University campus in downtown Washington, D.C., displaying textile art and artefacts from around the world and throughout…
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National Children's Museum is an interactive play and learning space located in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, where children ages 0 to 12 explore…
Built 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…
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Common questions
What are the best things to do with kids in Washington DC?
We list 77 kid-friendly places in Washington DC, led by museums & educational attractions (23) and bounce & plays (14). Every listing shows hours, prices and what other parents thought.
What can you do with kids in Washington DC for free?
11 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 41 indoor places in Washington DC, including museums, indoor playgrounds and family entertainment centers.