I took a spontaneous road trip with my kids to Washington DC and have all the details you need to make your trip to our nation’s capital amazing. Read on for my list of the best things to do in Washington DC with kids! I even added extra things that we didn’t get a chance to do but will definitely check out on our next visit.
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The Best Things To Do In Washington DC With Kids
Are you looking for ideas on what to do with kids in Washington DC? Look no further! I’ve been to DC with my kids, and without my kids for that matter, and I can tell you exactly what the best things are.
Some kids are really into history, or science. Maybe they love art or airplanes. Literally no matter what your kids love, you can find it in Washington DC.
I’m a huge fan of guided tours, no matter what city I’m in. What better way is there to really experience a city than with a local who knows what they’re talking about?
So in many of these sections I’ve added my #1 recommendation for a guided tour that would be perfect for exploring that area. But feel free to book other tours that you might find interesting. I always use either Viator or Get Your Guide when I take tours, as they’re highly reputable companies.
Wonder At The Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is first on my list for good reason. It’s open every single day except Christmas, and admission is free. There is a seemingly endless amount of exhibits and artifacts displayed (147 million to be precise!)
There are galleries full of interesting information, cultural displays, scientific research, amazing fossils, and so much more.
Kids and adults of all ages find this museum absolutely fascinating! Kids love seeing where The Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian movie was filmed too. I know mine did – we watch that movie all the time.
This is absolutely one of the best things to do in Washington DC with kids. It just might be my favorite museum of all time! But Washington DC has tons of other museums, spanning every subject imaginable, as well, so this is one of those things that are easily changed according to preference.
Private Guided Museum of Natural History Tour
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Pay Your Respects At Arlington National Cemetery
I have to mention the Arlington National Cemetery on my list of things to do in Washington DC with kids. It might not be first in your mind when you think of things to do with children, but people of all ages can enjoy this important location.
There are 639 acres of beautiful grounds honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Witnessing the elaborate ceremony of the Changing of the Guard impresses upon everyone the gravity of the role that these Sentinels have earned the privilege to take on.
You can explore thousands of notable graves, memorials, and monuments here, along with taking walking tours through the living tribute to our fallen heroes.
Guided ANC Tour + Changing of the Guard
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See The Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossom season in Washington DC will take your breath away with its beauty. Peak bloom time varies between mid-March to mid-April with an average peak bloom date of April 4.
The cherry blossom festival has numerous events to delight people of all ages including ceremonies, cultural experiences, kite making, restaurants, a parade, and more. You can take walking tours, bike tours, boat cruises, or explore the beauty on your own.
The sheer amount of cherry blossoms everywhere we looked blew us away. We were able to get some amazing pictures both of the scenery and of our kids enjoying it.
Note: The Cherry blossom season is very short-lived, so if you’re going to Washington DC any time other than late March – early April, there won’t be blossoms and the following tour won’t be available.
Guided Cherry Blossoms Tour
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Check Out Cool Statues
Washington DC has a plethora of sculptures and statues to marvel at. We like to play a “pose like a statue” game with the kids that keeps us all cracking up. My husband’s really good at that one.
They’re situated everywhere around the city, so you can simply see them as you’re walking around and exploring DC.
Statues and sculptures also allow us to get some education into a vacation while having fun. One of our favorites is a huge bronze climbable statue of Albert Einstein.
Visit War Memorials
There are endless monuments and memorials dotting the landscape of our nation’s capital. As a family with a long line of military service, we felt compelled to pay our respects at many of these memorials on our trip to Washington DC.
Our kids were fascinated to hear about family members who served, and to see the memorials of the wars those family members fought in. You can learn about the various wars, battles, and acts of service by visiting these individually on your own or by taking a guided monuments and memorials tour.
Full Day DC Monuments Tour
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Enjoy A Kite Festival
We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Washington during peak cherry blossom season. While we were there, there was an amazing kite festival taking place. It’s a free event for all, but there are kites for purchase if you need one. You can also bring your own, and you can even make one!
It’s a spectacular sight to see hundreds of kites in the air around the Washington Monument. There are even synchronized kite dances to delight everyone of any age!
Marvel At The Lincoln Memorial
Perhaps one of the most iconic sites in Washington DC is the Lincoln Memorial. Here, our 16th president is forever enshrined in an architectural masterpiece.
You can learn all about his legacy, the memorial itself, and the artists and architects who created it. It truly is a wonder to behold, and no trip to Washington DC would be complete without visiting it.
DC Guided Walking Tour
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More To Explore In Washington DC
We only had a couple days in Washington DC when we took our kids, so we didn’t get to see everything we would have liked. These next few spots are definitely on our must-see list for our next family trip to Washington DC!
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
If you or your kids love learning about and seeing different species of animals, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a must-visit. Admission is free but tickets do have to be reserved in advance.
The zoo’s mission is to “save species by using cutting-edge science, sharing knowledge and providing inspirational experiences for our guests.” With nearly 1800 animals representing more than 360 species, there is sure to be something here for everyone.
Some of the most loved exhibits include the Cheetah Conservation Station, the Reptile Discovery Center, and Amazonia.
International Spy Museum
Washington DC’s most interactive museum will delight all ages as you embark on secret missions as a spy. There are 17 different interactive activities at the International Spy Museum where you can test your own spy skills.
Learn about real secret agents and the creative folks who make the amazing gadgets that spies use and explore hundreds of real-life spy artifacts..
There is so much to see and do here, you for sure do not want to miss it. You can also purchase all sorts of cool spy-related games, books, apparel, and more in the museum shop.
Tickets cost between $16-$19 for youths and $24-$29 for adults. Prices increase as you get closer to your day, so we strongly recommend you purchase your tickets in advance.
National Museum of American History
With over 1.8 million objects, the National Museum of American History contains the greatest collection of American artifacts in the world. The various exhibitions explore American ideals, innovation, military conflicts, food, medicine, women, and so much more.
Wegman’s Wonderplace exhibition gives kids aged 0-6 a close-up view of museum artifacts. Draper SparkLab invites kids aged 6-12 to experiment and create within the themes of various artifacts in the museum.
There are also audio tours, food and theater programs, and dedicated staff members to keep everyone involved. The museum is free of charge and open every day of the year except Christmas.
Beauvoir Outdoor Playground
One of the most popular playgrounds in Washington DC is the Beauvoir Playground at the National Cathedral Elementary School. It’s open to the public from 5:30pm-dusk while school is in session, or dawn-dusk when school is closed.
This playground provides ample opportunities for kids to stretch their legs, get out energy, and foster creativity and curiosity while they explore and play.
United States Botanic Gardens
The oldest continuously operating botanical garden in the US, the United States Botanical Garden is committed to demonstrating the vast importance of plants of all kinds to the well-being of mankind.
Admission is free, and there are multiple extraordinary exhibits covering a wide variety of topics including food, sustainability, beauty, medicine, and more.
Gardens are both indoors and outdoors, and you can immerse yourself in jungle, desert, or primeval paradises. Kids will love the Children’s Garden where they can learn about a variety of plants, use watering cans and garden tools, and even use their senses of touch and smell to explore.
If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the corpse flower, a truly unique specimen that blooms for only a couple days and emits a nasty smell of rotting flesh.
Hiking Near Washington DC
If your family is outdoorsy, you’ve got to take the kids to one of the many wonderful hiking spots near Washington DC. DC is close to the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a perfect location for some outdoor exploration.
You could go a mere half hour away to the Great Falls Park, or the Billy Goat Trail. About an hour away is Sky Meadows State Park in Virginia. Any of these options would be a great experience when visiting Washington DC with kids.
Additional Helpful Articles And Resources
I love Washington DC. There’s just so much to see and do! Here are some more articles you might find useful as you plan your own trip to Washington DC.
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