Ultimate Guide of Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids

Have you wondered when it’s the “right” time to take your children to the nation’s capital? When will they take away the most from the experience? Will they be able to enjoy all of the museums and understand the history? One of the most attractive things about Washington DC with kids is that many sites are free! That means you won’t feel so torn about leaving when it’s nap time or everyone gets bored. Hey, why not come back later or save it for your next trip to DC?

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Most of the Smithsonian museums and major monuments are centrally located along The Mall, which heads west away from the Capitol Building. It’s easy to walk between the sights, take a tour bus, ride a boat, use the metro, or even borrow a bike. Just be sure to bring your comfortable walking shoes!

Plus, Washington, D.C. is fairly simple to navigate due to the numerous monuments throughout the city. Using them as navigation points is helpful if you’re ever lost.

Whether you’re interested in seeing the capital’s most iconic monuments up close or plan to spend your time touring all the top-notch museums, you’ll find the whole place full of family-friendly activities.

Want to know more? Here’s my guide on Washington DC with kids.

How to Plan a Kid-Friendly Trip to Washington DC

You can easily get overwhelmed when planning a visit to Washington DC with kids. There’s so much to do, how do you even know where to begin? Start with a plan! I suggest talking to your family and finding out what each of you is most excited about seeing.

The National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian National Zoo, and the National Museum of Natural History are always big hits with kids.

Also, think about staying central to the National Mall, Downtown, and Capitol Hill. This way you’ll have easy access to all the major museums, monuments, and parks without spending too much time on transportation.

Consider the ages of your kids. Younger kids might love the National Children’s Museum and the carousel on the National Mall. Older kids may enjoy the International Spy Museum and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Look into free activities, too. Many museums and attractions in DC are free, so take advantage of that!

Plan for breaks. Exploring DC involves a lot of walking, and little legs can get tired! Schedule some downtime at the Tidal Basin or the Georgetown Waterfront Park.

Check the weather. Many activities are outdoors, so be ready for hot summers and chilly winters. Bring water bottles, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

Also, be sure to book everything at least a few weeks in advance if possible. This means reserving your hotel room early and booking any tours with plenty of notice (DC is a very popular destination all year round).

How you get there is up to you, but I also recommend using public transportation when you can. The Metro is convenient and user-friendly, and you don’t want to have to deal with traffic or parking in Washington DC!

Best Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids

National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is a must-visit museum visiting Washington DC with kids. This place definitely ranks high on our list. From the minute we walked in, there were “oohs” and “aahs” from everyone (adults included).

Numerous planes hang from the ceiling, spacecraft are within easy reach, and jets are right there. It was like the kids had died and gone to air and space heaven!

The National Air and Space Museum has the Wright Brothers’ plane, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, an Apollo lunar module, and many more artifacts that were key in the development of air and space exploration technology.

The museum does a wonderful job of explaining the who, why, and how of America’s air and space history. There are demonstrations throughout the museum, as well as an IMAX theater and planetarium. Afterward, the kids enjoyed the astronaut ice cream from the museum gift shop.

Museum of American History

Another free Smithsonian museum is the National Museum of American History. The whole family will find something to entertain them here since the museum houses everything from Dorothy’s red slippers to the Star-Spangled Banner.

There are rooms dedicated to the ball gowns of the first ladies, different forms of transportation, and odds and ends of American history. The museum is fairly simple to navigate and provides a fun history lesson for everyone.

For little kids (0-6 years) there’s Wegmans Wonderplace, a STEAM-themed children’s play area. And for kids 6-12 years, there’s the Spark!Lab, where families can enjoy hands-on STEAM workshops where they’ll do science experience or create art. Both programs run Wednesday through Sunday or check the museum’s events calendar for special programs.

It’s easy to spend half a day here and still have plenty of time to visit another attraction!

International Spy Museum

If you’re excited by the history of espionage, this is the perfect museum for you. The International Spy Museum is not free, so if your children are little or can’t read, save yourself the money. And if you’re visiting Washington DC with teens, this museum is a must.

The ISM has tons of interactive exhibits. Our kids loved adopting a false identity and pretending to be spies! The gadgets were intriguing and the details of each one were fascinating. We spent 3 hours here and the kids would have stayed longer if we would have let them.

National Museum of Natural History

If the Hope Diamond, a giant African elephant, mummies, and dinosaurs interest your kids, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is for you. In addition to these fabulous exhibits, this free museum also has a butterfly garden (there is a fee for this), an insect zoo, and a hands-on discovery room for kids.

It’s considered one of the best hands-on museums in Washington DC for kids. They can learn about the natural world through interactive displays and larger-than-life models. The mineral hall and the dinosaur hall are two of the most popular spots in the museum, and they’re both beautifully done.

There’s also a huge exhibit on technology where the kids can learn about phones through the years.

Once again, Smithsonian puts together a natural history museum that entertains adults and children alike! If you decide to go, plan on spending at least half a day here for the best experience.

National Children’s Museum

Very close to the White House is what might be considered an essential stop for families with young children, the National Children’s Museum. The epicenter of hands-on activities, it’s perfect for kids ages 0 to 12 years.

This entire place is packed with beautiful, high-quality exhibits on every topic, from art and science to world cultures and movement! For infants and toddlers, you know they’ll be safe playing in the two separate movement zones. There are also quiet rooms, nursing rooms, stroller parking, and a great cafe on the second floor.

For older kids, the sky’s the limit. Take them to the Bubble Room (which is exactly what it sounds like!) for a science experiment, or the Dream Machine where they can test their balance in a 3-story ropes and tunnels course. Play on an immersive VR set or dance to all kinds of music in the Dance Party Pod!

National Postal Museum

A great way to spend an hour is at the National Postal Museum, which happens to be right next to Union Station. Plus, it’s one of the many free things to do in Washington DC with kids. You can learn about the history of the USPS, from the days of the Pony Express to today.

What makes this a great place for visitors of all ages are the fun and educational exhibits. You can see full-sized wagons, mail trucks, and even planes. There’s an active post office, you’ll learn about the journey a letter makes, and you can even design your own stamps.

Kids are encouraged to engage with exhibits here, and because of that, they’ll never forget it!

Climb the Old Post Office Clock Tower

Not a fan of crowds? An excellent alternative to the view of the city from the Washington Monument is from the Old Post Office Clock Tower, now part of the Waldorf Astoria. Take in sweeping views of the city from its 280-foot-high clock tower overlooking all of the big hitters, from the Washington Monument to the Capitol Building.

There’s also a small museum around the back that’s worth stopping at to learn about the building. Reservations aren’t needed and tours run every 5 minutes. If you want to do this, go during the week to avoid waiting in line (only 25 people go up at one time). Keep in mind that you’ll have to go through security.

National Archives

Don’t pass up the chance to visit the National Archives. There’s so much history in this one building, it’s hard to truly comprehend it! The Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution are all on display in this museum, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in DC.

Admission is free, but lines always seem long. Save time by booking ahead online and skipping the line. Inside the museum, there are many other exhibits, and a couple of hours should be plenty of time for kids. No photography or video is allowed and be sure to check out the gift shop, they have some really unique souvenirs!

Capitol Building

This is another tour that requires some planning but is well worth the effort for a tour of the Capitol. Admission to the building is free but pre-book your tour online for admission. Be sure to allow for extra time for security.

The history of the building is fascinating, and the tour guides are excellent. To visit the galleries of the House or Senate it is necessary to secure a gallery pass from a Representative or Senator ahead of time. Who knows, you may even get lucky and see a famous member of Congress strolling past your tour group!

White House Tour

To see inside the White House it is necessary to make a tour request through a local member of Congress. Requests can be made up to 6 months in advance and tours are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

During the spring or fall, check out the White House garden tours. They don’t include a visit inside the house, but the garden is simply beautiful.

Night Tour of Monuments

Washington, D.C. is stunning at night. There are so many different ways to see the monuments during the day, but nothing beats seeing their majestical beauty in the moonlight.

We enjoyed seeing the sights on the water, but you can see them by bus as well. Book a tour and hit the town at dusk. Spectacular!

United States Botanic Garden

When the weather’s nice in Washington DC, you want to take advantage of it! A great way is to head outdoors at the US Botanic Garden. This free garden is absolutely beautiful. It’s free to visit but check the website before you visit. Different parts of the grounds are open at various times, and hours change depending on the time of year.

You can walk through different indoor and outdoor ecosystems, admire pretty fountains, and see fun art installations made with organic materials. Be sure to visit the stunning glass and iron conservatory, which hosts different exhibits every season.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

When you just need to take it easy and let the kids play, the perfect place might be the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden. While you could visit the museum itself, this park is much easier, and it’s a great way to spend an hour.

If you’re visiting Washington DC with kids during the warmer months, the garden is a blast for kids. They can run around on the grass between massive contemporary art sculptures from artists around the world.

There are benches and shade trees, as well as a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating near the fountain. In the winter, the fountain transforms into a skating rink.

The National Mall

Whether everyone needs a break from all the museums, or you can’t get in all the sights, one of the best things to do in Washington DC with kids is walking around the National Mall. This vast green space is perfect for letting the kids run around and burn off some energy.

Take in sweeping views of the Washington Memorial and stroll by the Tidal Basin, which is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season. As you walk, you’ll come across some of the most famous national monuments, like the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Yards Park

Washington DC has plenty of museums, but what about the great outdoors? Yards Park sits on the Anacostia River and is one of the best places in DC to find outdoorsy things to do for all ages.

There are dancing fountains for young ones to splash in, kayaks and canoes for rent, and seasonal events like movies on the lawn or concerts. Be sure to build some time into your schedule for this stop if you’re visiting during the summer!

Georgetown Waterfront Park

If you find yourself in Georgetown (where you’ll find some of the best eateries in DC), head to the Georgetown Waterfront Park. You can watch the ducks or enjoy the sunset over the Potomac River here.

Just a short walk away, grab something to eat from Georgetown Cupcake and have a picnic in the grass. Or come here for an evening walk after dinner at one of the restaurants at Washington Harbour.

Where to Eat in Washington DC with Kids

While you’re in DC with family, take advantage of the amazing food scene! During the day, you might want to keep cash on you and pick something up from the food trucks that line the National Mall.

You can always head to a museum cafe in a pinch. But please take my recommendations and add some of these best places to eat in Washington DC to your schedule!

Old Ebbitt Grill

This historical restaurant located near the White House has a great vibe, centrally located, with fantastic food and service.

There are plenty of televisions for watching games (and entertaining the kids) and cheering on the local teams.

The kids enjoyed burgers and mac and cheese while we enjoyed pasta and crab cakes. There are a bunch of solid menu choices and they are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Oyamel

Oyamel is a great authentic Mexican food spot not far from the National Archives. Think Mexican tapas and tacos. You can order some to share with the kids. Mom and Dad would enjoy the margaritas and local beer after a long day of exploring the city.

Founding Farmers

Located in Washington Harbour, this was quite possibly one of my favorite restaurants. Founding Farmers prides itself on serving food fresh from the farm. Their menu clearly states their dishes that are vegetarian-friendly, vegan, or contain nuts and all of their dishes are kid-friendly.

We went for breakfast and the chicken and waffles were to die for, as was the stuffed french toast, and wait for it…the beignets! Those were definitely worth the wait. I kind of wish I was there right now, yum.

Lauriol Plaza

Lauriol Plaza was recommended by one of my friends from DC. Located in the Adams/Morgan area, this restaurant is a bit more convenient for those staying near the Dupont Circle area. It has indoor and outdoor seating, which is wonderful on good weather days.

They serve a unique mix of Tex-Mex and South American cuisine. Everything was reasonably priced, the service was decent, and the food was better than expected. If you’ve never had maduros (sweet plantains) try them as an appetizer. The frozen margaritas were definitely worth the calories. The place is loud and crowded, but when you have kids, that’s what you want.

It is easy to be overwhelmed when planning a visit to Washington, D.C. with kids. This list of attractions is only the tip of the iceberg, and there are many more we have yet to discover. There is something for everyone, regardless of age, and there are more attractions than you could ever imagine.

On your first trip to Washington DC, be sure to plan ahead, reserve your hotel room early, and book tours as needed. A trip to our nation’s capital gives you monuments and museums, parks and politics, but most importantly, it gives you an appreciation for the history of our great nation.