Traveling to Washington, DC?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in Washington, DC.Looking to discover some off-the-beaten-path attractions in Washington DC? We’ve got you covered with fun and free activities in DC with kids, toddlers and babies. Those with school-age children can take full advantage of this amazing educational opportunity to bring American history to life in a fun and exciting way!
One of the great things about visiting the DC area is also one of the challenging things about visiting the DC area—the variety and abundance of attractions. When you’re planning your stay, the options can seem overwhelming. There are over 70 museums alone—17 in just the Smithsonian Institution! When you consider the national monuments, zoos, gardens, parks…there’s a lot to see and do in Washington DC
14 fun and free attractions in Washington DC for kids.
To help narrow your options, we’re sharing 14 fun and free activities in DC to do with toddlers and kids. If your family is traveling to the DC area, these sights will be sure to please you and your little ones. For parents of young kids, none of the free attractions on this list require a major time commitment.
1. National Air and Space Museum
Kids can touch an actual lunar rock at this free Smithsonian museum on the National Mall. There are loads of hands-on activities to keep your little ones engaged and kids love staring at all the airplanes, missiles, rockets, and spaceships. You’ll love learning about aviation history, making these some fun and free activities in DC for the whole family. It is required to pass through security to enter the National Air and Space Museum so consider packing light.
2. National Postal Museum
Admission is always free at the National Postal Museum where you and your kids will learn about the history of the postal system from colonial times to the present. The museum offers a number of hands-on exhibits where kids can sort packages, design stamps, and climb on board a stagecoach. The museum isn’t huge, so you can see it all in one visit. Consider packing light to move more quickly through security.
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3. DC Public Library
The DC Public Library system offers a variety of storytime events every day excluding Sundays. From birth through preschool, and beyond, there’s a storytime for every kid and family including bilingual Spanish storytime and Pajama storytime. With locations all around DC, there’s bound to be a storytime nearby. These free activities in Washington DC are a great way to entertain the whole family.
4. Dacha Beer Garden
Located 1.5 miles north of the National Mall, and conveniently on the Greenbelt metro line, Dacha Beer Garden is popular with kids and parents. Don’t believe us? Just check out the hashtag #kidsofdacha! DC area Quality Provider Julia Rackliffe recommends the outdoor beer garden for visitors seeking local experiences, “Not your typical kid place—but it’s a great outdoor space for adults and kids to enjoy.” While you sip on one of Dacha’s carefully selected craft beers, local meads, ciders, craft cocktails, or wines, your kids can get some fresh air.
5. Glen Echo Park
Admission and parking at Glen Echo Park are free—can’t beat that! Located along the Potomac River, kiddos can stretch their legs at the playground. Other attractions requiring admission include two award-winning children’s theaters, an aquarium, drop-in art classes for kids 10 and under, and the historic Dentzel Carousel built in 1921.
6. National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden
One of the best places to take a break from the museums on the National Mall in any season is The National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden. It is located between the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and has a small café that serves sandwiches. During the winter, the café also sells warm drinks to the people skating at the ice rink in the middle of the garden. Speaking of ice skating, go ice skating while you are there!
7. Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium Show
More fun and free activities in Washington DC can be found at Rock Creek Park. Rock Creek Park is one of the hidden gems in Washington DC. Begin your day at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, where families can learn about the many trails at the park. Walk, bike, or get in some horseback riding right in the middle of DC. Check out the nature center’s animals and exhibits.
Do you have a bird lover in the family? Bring your binoculars and go birding. You can find a checklist on the website of the many species of birds in the park and go on a bird hunt. Become a Junior Ranger at Rock Creek Park and pick up a junior ranger booklet! There are two books available—a basic Junior Ranger book designed for ages 5-8, and an Advanced Junior Ranger book designed for ages 9-12+. Enjoy a ranger-led program before completing an activity booklet and taking the pledge to become a Junior Ranger.
The Rock Creek Park Nature Center has the only planetarium in the National Park System, and the planetarium programs have more fun and free activities in DC! Free tickets to each planetarium show may be picked up at the Nature Center front desk beginning one-half hour before the start of the show.
In the months of April through November, evening stargazing sessions occur one Saturday a month. During this special program, called Exploring the Sky, telescopes are set up at Military Field, off of Military Road, NW. The program is managed in conjunction with the National Capital Astronomers.
8. Bike the National Mall
Touring the National Mall is great, but it can be a lot of walking for little legs. Bring your own bikes for an easy and fun way to enjoy these free activities in Washington DC. If riding bikes sounds amazing, but bringing your own bikes sounds impossible, consider joining a bike tour! This is a great way to see a lot of monuments without getting blisters on your feet. Check out Bike and Roll Washington DC and get bikes for the whole family! All guided tours include a professional guide, bottled water, a snack, and a helmet. Learn about the sites, history, and stories behind the National Mall and surrounding area by bike! How fun!
9. The National Archives
See the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and other important documents and walk through the museum. You may even find a few folks walking around “in character” pretending to be famous explorers. Admission to the National Archives is FREE, but entry lines can be an hour-long during peak season. (Peak season in Washington DC is roughly March through July.)
The museum “highly” recommends reserving a timed entry or guided tour ticket online before the day of your visit. Reserved tickets cost $1.00 per person. Are you a military family? Military families can enter on the Eastside and skip the line!
10. Natural Museum of American History
Learn all about the history of the United States! This museum is not only home to the original Stars & Stripes, George Washington’s uniform, and President Lincoln’s hat, but it also houses things like Dorothy’s red slippers, Muhammed Ali’s boxing gloves, Bert & Ernie, and the dresses worn by the First Ladies.
Grab your printable highlights guide, be sure to bring a fully charged camera/phone, and get ready to see some of the most interesting pieces of American history.
11. Go to the Top of the Washington Monument
Seeing the Washington Monument is a great sight to see! You can take this experience to the next level by going to the top of it! Take the elevator up 500 feet to the observation deck of the Washington Monument where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Washington, DC. Tickets are free, but you may want to reserve them online.
12. The US Botanic Garden
The US Botanic Garden is a favorite spot in DC to visit year-round! It has both indoor and outdoor gardens as well as a children’s garden. The children’s garden offers a mini bamboo forest for kids to duck inside and hide, a water hand pump with watering cans to water the plants all around, and various plants and flowers. Of all the fun and free activities in DC, this will likely be a highlight for your family!
13. Take a Scenic Boat Cruise on the Potomac River
The Potomac River makes its way from Washington DC, past the Mount Vernon estate. Take a sightseeing cruise of the Potomac to view Mount Vernon as river travelers would have seen it during Washington’s time. There are 45-minute narrated cruises that leave from the Wharf from mid-March through fall.
Tip: Potomac River cruises are often free on special weekends and holidays like Presidents Day, on a first-come, first-served basis.
14. George Washington’s Estate in Mount Vernon Virginia
George Washington’s Mount Vernon is a perfect day trip from Washington DC. The restored Mansion and outbuildings, a museum and education center, and a plethora of activities make it a worthwhile visit.
The most popular activity at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the Mansion tour. Tours cover all of the main rooms on the first and second floors, including the rooms where the Washington family lived and entertained many important guests. Take a photo with the First Family, rendered in bronze just inside the center, before you head out. Re-enactors in period dress are often on hand to answer questions and tell you more about what life was like at Mount Vernon. There is also a one-hour guided Slave Life Tour.
Summary
Washington DC is a top destination for many families. With some of the best monuments, museums, and parks in the country, there’s always something to do. We hope this list of fun and free activities in DC helps narrow your search results. What are your favorite free activities in DC? Let us know in the comments below!
Traveling to Washington, DC?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in Washington, DC.
Kathy is a freelance writer, an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip and the mother of a very active one-year-old boy. When she’s not changing diapers, developing engaging content for clients, or helping families travel with little ones, she enjoys reading, gardening, yoga, and naps.
Great article but the picture used for the Smithsonian’s American History Museum is actually the Natural History Museum.
Good catch! The image has been updated. :)
This article is great!