Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Playseum in Bethesda (7000 Wisconsin Ave.)
http://www.playseum.com/

Great Kids Village in Columbia, MD. It's huge, with at least 30 different "rooms" with various things to play with, all different.
http://www.greatkidsvillage.com/hours_directions.html

According to the website, it doesn't look like it is open right now -- it says they are looking for temporary space for Winter 2012 and that as of Sep 30the the Columbia location was closed. The website wasn't terribly clear, though.

It's closed.

McDonald's Play area. Done.

Also, Landmark Mall has that indoor play space. It's not spectacular, but...

I'd avoid Port Discovery in Baltimore, especially if it's just you with the two kids. The climbing thing they have is amazing, but would be way too hard to navigate with a 1 year old in tow.

Anonymous wrote:The Playseum in Bethesda (7000 Wisconsin Ave.)
http://www.playseum.com/

Great Kids Village in Columbia, MD. It's huge, with at least 30 different "rooms" with various things to play with, all different.
http://www.greatkidsvillage.com/hours_directions.html

According to the website, it doesn't look like it is open right now -- it says they are looking for temporary space for Winter 2012 and that as of Sep 30the the Columbia location was closed. The website wasn't terribly clear, though.

Anonymous wrote:3 and 1 are a little young for the museums. Check out the Chiquipin Rec soft playroom of King Street, Lee Rec soft playroom near Kingstowne, or My Gym, Gymboree, Little Gym, JW Tumbles... Or go to a pet store (SuperPetz in Annandale has a nurse shark).

There's nature centers all over - Hidden Pond in Springfield, Hidden Oak in Annandale, Gulf Branch in Arlington - they have indoor play areas. The Springfield one has aquariums with fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, plus puzzles and things to draw on. if you get there at feeding time, they'll let you feed a turtle. The one in Annandale is similiar, except it has a "treehouse" to climb and costumes to play with.

The Smithsonian has its own daycare, and the teachers take the babies and toddlers on museum outings every day.

NASM is always popular, NMAI has an exhibit about horses that my three year old really liked, Botanic Garden is a favorite, the Building Museum, American History has real train cars and trucks, and so on.

http://www.si.edu/Kids

My young kids love the Natural History Museum. The one year old may be a touch young but the three year old definitely isn't.

Thanks PPs, I have taken them to the soft play rooms, but I was looking for something to make a nice family outing. I will check out the places in MD.

Anonymous wrote:3 and 1 are a little young for the museums. Check out the Chiquipin Rec soft playroom of King Street, Lee Rec soft playroom near Kingstowne, or My Gym, Gymboree, Little Gym, JW Tumbles... Or go to a pet store (SuperPetz in Annandale has a nurse shark).

There's nature centers all over - Hidden Pond in Springfield, Hidden Oak in Annandale, Gulf Branch in Arlington - they have indoor play areas. The Springfield one has aquariums with fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, plus puzzles and things to draw on. if you get there at feeding time, they'll let you feed a turtle. The one in Annandale is similiar, except it has a "treehouse" to climb and costumes to play with.

The Building Museum has a room FOR this age. It is awesome.

3 and 1 are a little young for the museums. Check out the Chiquipin Rec soft playroom of King Street, Lee Rec soft playroom near Kingstowne, or My Gym, Gymboree, Little Gym, JW Tumbles... Or go to a pet store (SuperPetz in Annandale has a nurse shark).

There's nature centers all over - Hidden Pond in Springfield, Hidden Oak in Annandale, Gulf Branch in Arlington - they have indoor play areas. The Springfield one has aquariums with fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, plus puzzles and things to draw on. if you get there at feeding time, they'll let you feed a turtle. The one in Annandale is similiar, except it has a "treehouse" to climb and costumes to play with.

The Playseum in Bethesda (7000 Wisconsin Ave.)
http://www.playseum.com/

Great Kids Village in Columbia, MD. It's huge, with at least 30 different "rooms" with various things to play with, all different.
http://www.greatkidsvillage.com/hours_directions.html

In Baltimore or DC?

OP here , I just checked out Port Discovery website. And I got the feeling that its more for older kids, not for a 3 yr old or atleast not for my 3yr old. My DS is not the type to go climbing the treehouse on his own. He would probably feel more open to play in the baby section. Any other suggestions

Building Museum

port discovery in baltimore

I was thinking about going to the baltimore aquarium but most responded that it was ideal for ages 4 and up. I would like take both my kids out somewhere , something different but not sure where. We are in the Alexandria area and would mind a under an hour drive to someplace fun for both of them. We are trying to stay indoors due to the cold weather.

TIA