Where to take toddler out in this heat in the DC area?
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Anonymous
Any suggestions where I could drive my toddler out in this heat? She wakes up from her nap around 2:30pm and goes to bed at night around 8pm. In the afternoon, we usually have some fruits/ snack at home, play together for a while, read some books, then go out to parks, playground etc.. With this heat, am done with all these home activities but it's still 4pm! Dad is also on work travel travel till the end of the week, so no help coming at 6pm! Am out of ideas! Please suggest any outings in or around DC or activities to do at home
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Anonymous
| Is there a local pool? If you live in Mo Co, the pool or the splash park. Downtown Silver Spring has a little splash park. |
Anonymous
| Library, indoor play area at Tyson's, mobu kids |
Anonymous
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We love splashgrounds too. Not sure where you are but my recommendations are a little VA-centric - I am sure the other areas have similar options.
You could search out the shadiest playground you know - Providence is a great one in Fairfax City - still maybe too much at 100 degrees, but ok at about 90. Also, some of the malls have little inside play areas that are free. They can get crowded in this heat, but might not be too bad mid-week and might be worth it anyway. We've been to the one at Fair Oaks Mall. Another option would be a local bookstore or toystore with a great train table. Oh - and the kids room at the Building Museum is fun and Metro accessible. |
Anonymous
| OP here. This is so helpful, thanks! We live in foggy bottom by the way, but I can drive her anywhere at around 4pm, it's not rush hour. |
Anonymous
| Building Musuem ahs a fun kids area. |
Anonymous
| I'd go out in the morning while it's not so hot and stay home after nap time - even after your fun activities, you could snuggle and watch cartoons or, if you have a lawn, put on the sprinkler. |
Anonymous
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Spray parks at Turtle Park (Van ness and 45th) and Petworth (8th and Taylor), The Yards Park in SE. Public pools - in your case I recommend Francis pool at 25th & N, or the indoor pool at Wilson, which have zero entry pools. Our local pool at Arkansas between Upshur and Allison Street has a nice big baby pool.
Indoor fun! National Building Museum, Playseum on 8th St SE (Barracks Row), museums (watch out for parking rush hour restrictions), a trip to Pentagon City Mall food court and a walk around - there is a coin operated carousel on the 3rd floor near Stride Rite. How about an afternoon class once a week, like gymnastics, martial arts, or swim class at an indoor pool? |
Anonymous
Agree -- Definitely good for future reference. At that age, I wore the heck out of my son in the early mornings at a playground or park or indoor play area. As much exercise as we both could handle when it was still tolerable outside. That made it easier to sit inside in the afternoons and do other things, like building blocks, etc. |
Anonymous
| The Wilson Aquatic Center is metro accesible (Tenleytown on the red line). It's a great place to take kids on miserably hot days like this. mommyftw.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-taking-your-toddler-to-the-wilson-aquatic-center/ |
Anonymous
| You Didn't say your child's age, but maybe a movie at the Amc in Georgetown? |
Anonymous
| Soft play room at Chinquapin rec center in Alexandria. It's great for late afternoon/early evening. |
Anonymous
Great place but call to be sure they don't have a bday party going on. National Portrait Gallery has a great indoor space that feels like you are outdoors and there is a cafe there. |
Anonymous
| You can take your kid to the Rose park nearby during early morning hours. It's not too hot there because of the shade from the trees. |
Anonymous
| ikea |