National Building Musuem Exhibit for Kids - Opinions?

[Anonymous]

We were thinking of taking our kids down the childrens' exhibits at the National Building Musuem. They are 7 and 10. If you've been there with your kids, can you please share your opinions?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Lego?
My then 6 year old loved it (the 1 year old loved it too, except that she toppled a few of the towers in the DIY area - mortification!).

Apart from that, the main floor had wooden construction planks the day we came, and we built towers out of that - one of them was about 5ft before it toppled...

[Anonymous]

The legos are gone, and have been replaced with piles of oddly-shaped foam things. Not at all good for building, and much less fun than the legos were.

Your kids are too old for the playroom ("Building Zone"), which is too bad. Little kids love it; mine, at 5, is just beginning to age out.

There have been good exhibits, such as the architectural models one I saw over the summer. I don't know if it's still there, but it was neat.

All in all, it's a nice place to take a little kid on a cold or rainy day, to run around the massive central space and to spend an hour in the playroom. As far as a museum goes, I think your kids would enjoy some of the free Mall museums more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The legos are gone, and have been replaced with piles of oddly-shaped foam things. Not at all good for building, and much less fun than the legos were.

Your kids are too old for the playroom ("Building Zone"), which is too bad. Little kids love it; mine, at 5, is just beginning to age out.

There have been good exhibits, such as the architectural models one I saw over the summer. I don't know if it's still there, but it was neat.

All in all, it's a nice place to take a little kid on a cold or rainy day, to run around the massive central space and to spend an hour in the playroom. As far as a museum goes, I think your kids would enjoy some of the free Mall museums more.

How's the blue oddly shaped building things for 2-4 year olds? I was hoping to take kids next week.

[Anonymous]

If you ask me, it's not worth the trip. My just turned 2 yr old liked it, the 4 yr old would have been bored except he had his friend with him so they were kidding around with each other. It seems only interesting for the 3 and under crowd. It's pretty boring. I was disapppointed.

[Anonymous]

There's supposed to be a fab mini-golf course in the building, designed by architects, but long lines for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's supposed to be a fab mini-golf course in the building, designed by architects, but long lines for it.

I believe that was a temporary exhibit that closed at the end of the summer.

[Anonymous]

It's called play. live. learn. or something like that. My three year old LOVES it. He's not even old enough to build anythign too complex so I definitely think it woudl be fun for older children and we see a lot of older kids there when we go (we are members). For seven and ten year olds, not sure. The seven year old would probably love it. 10 may be a little old.

In addition to all the different types of blocks to play with tehy have a video display that forms blocks from the silhouettes of whoever is standing in front of it which is fun to play with for a while.

[Anonymous]

Anyone been recently? Is it worth it for a 7 year old? And is it hard to find street parking?

[Anonymous]

The Building Museum is literally across the street from the F Street entrance to the Judiciary Square Metro station. You can see the building as you come up the escalator.

[Anonymous]

Our family went last summer and as a pp said it's for 3 and under. Our 6 year old didn't enjoy it too much.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to figure out why everyone says its so great for kids. I must have missed something. Building zone was boring for my 4 yr old .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were thinking of taking our kids down the childrens' exhibits at the National Building Musuem. They are 7 and 10. If you've been there with your kids, can you please share your opinions?

Thanks!

Ou children loved the National Building museum from toddler to about age 12. They have great "Tool Kits". We also enjoyed the Engineering Days, the Lego exhibit (I don't know if it is still there). Its gift shop had some really great things I couldn't find elsewhere.

http://www.nbm.org/families-kids/everyday-activities/

[Anonymous]

DD was recently their on a field trip. She seemed to love it.

[Anonymous]

I believe this summer they are creating a huge maze in the Great Hall. They've got great stuff for all ages. Just check out the website before you go to see what's up right now.