D.C. attractions good for young kids

[Anonymous]

We will be taking kids aged 3.5 and 6.5 to Baltimore and D.C. around Memorial Day for 5-6 days. What are some of the museums or attractions to not miss, and also, which ones to skip for not so patient, very active and boisterous boys? I've only visited D.C. once myself as a short trip.

[Anonymous]

The zoo, the Natural History Museum are IMO the DC must-sees with little kids. They'll probably like riding the metro. In Baltimore, Port Discovery Children's Museum and, if they like trains as much as my boy did at that age, the B&O Train Museum.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much! I'll look into all of those.

[Anonymous]

Little boys who like transportation machines and spacecraft do enjoy the National Air and Space Museum. But only for a couple hours maximum.

You may need to reserve free tickets in advance since the museum is very popular.

Just walking around the monuments can be fun if the weather is good. If you pack a mini frisbee, there would some open green spaces where the kids could run around.

Plan to eat in a museum cafeteria if possible. Near the National Mall there are not a lot of child-friendly, easy to find places. There are food trucks but no good places to sit.

[Anonymous]

The Baltimore Aquarium is great if you've never been to a big aquarium. But it does get crowded.

For hipster families, perhaps look into the American Visionary Art museum. It's one of the most unusual art museums I've ever been to and lots of stuff looks like a kid would make it. For the right family, it might be mindblowingly amazing. For the wrong family, maybe even upsetting.

[Anonymous]

If you’re willing to plan 30 days ahead, get tickets to go up the Washington monument.

[Anonymous]

My kids loved the maryland science center, walking a round the tidal basin on a nice day (active), dc zoo, natural history, air and space

[Anonymous]

Postal Museum is very underrated -- right next to Union Station (which is the easiest way to get from DC to Baltimore).

Also can go up the old Post Office tower instead of the Washington Monument if you want (very close to American History museum, which is also great).

[Anonymous]

Check out this website: https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/

[Anonymous]

College Park Aviation Museum

[Anonymous]

American Indian /museum and American History have kids sections

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:College Park Aviation Museum

I love this museum but it’s small and off the beaten path.

I would say: air and space for sure, maybe the Hirschhorn depending on what’s on display. But it’s great for running in a circle and the sculpture garden and the little brick garden just to the West.

It also depends on whether you’re trying to kind of entertain kids between adult sight seeing, or teach them about government, or what.

Like if you’re visiting family and don’t really care about the official DC stuff, it might be worth driving out to Udvar Hazy near Dulles (the big air and space museum). It’s far away but HUGE and absolutely delightful for boys that age imo.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! These are all great suggestions. I really appreciate it.

We will have 3ish days to do whatever we please, and then 2 days to work around events with other adults (JHU graduation) We'll look at the locations where we need to be on the latter two days, and try to craft an itinerary with a mix of "educational/civic related" things with the more generic kid attractions so my older has a little beginner's exposure to the govt stuff.

[Anonymous]

My kids have loved the Natural History museum from 2-8 years old. It's not my favorite, but they are really into it.

[Anonymous]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the National Children’s museum. If I even approach downtown DC I am hounded by my child to go there he loves it so much. A lot more fun for kids than any of the other options