Anonymous
Post 02/11/2012 12:05     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Anonymous wrote:OP here, i feel like I want to try out the building museum with the family. but is it a good idea to do the drive from VA just for that? or can you recommend something else to do nearby?


You get timed tickets into the play zone at the building museum, I think you go in at the top of the hour and they are 45 minutes. So if you arrive at 10:20 am, you still pay full price for each ticket and then you have to leave the play room by 10:45 am so they can clean it up for the 11:00 am entry time. Other than the play room, there isn't much else to do there. Kids usually have fun running around the atrium and you can wander around the rest of the museum, but I don't think there is much else that would keep your 3 year old interested (not sure if the lego exhibit is still there, but you have to pay extra for that too I think). Not sure there is anything else walking distance of interest to kids. You could drive to Union Station and eat at the food court after and look at the trains.
Anonymous
Post 02/11/2012 11:49     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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


Yes, because BABIES love to be pushed around in buggies for hours and see peoples asses. Because really, that's what they see.

I started taking my older son to museums when he was 3. I left my infant at home. I felt sorry for all those toddlers being dragged around the museum, holding onto a rope. Or the ones sitting in a buggie for hours. My youngest is 2 1/2, and I have yet to take him to a museum. He's not missing out on anything this young. And its far less stressful to take him to a place designed for toddlers, that isn't crowded, that has plenty of parking.

So, I'll revise my advice to the OP. Take your 3 year old. Not your 1 yr old. Or go to the many places that are suitable for BOTH ages.

Also, the building museum building zone is designed for 3+. Yes, it can be fun for toddlers as well. But it is not designed for a 1 yr old.


A lot of museums in this area are very toddler friendly. And no, you don't have to push them in a stroller the whole time. I used to bring 2 year old and an infant and then 3 year old and 1 year old to museums quite a bit. American History was our favorite. Unfortunately, it seems like the hands on rooms are temporarily closed, but the transportation exhibit is still a hit.

We went to the Air and Space in VA last weekend with a 4.5 and 2.5 year old. No stroller. They had a blast.
Anonymous
Post 02/11/2012 08:31     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Anonymous wrote:Playseum in Bethesda.

Air and Space Museum's campus in Chantilly, VA.

National Museum of American History - this was my favorite when they were those ages. We went to the transportation exhibit (trains, etc) then to the children's rooms (they're on the same floor).

I think the aquarium is fine for those ages. However, you'll want a carrier or something for your 1 year old. Strollers are not permitted.

I don't recommend Port Discovery on your own. Its easy for kids to get lost in there and its a bit overwhelming for little ones (they do have an area for younger kids though).


Just went and the entire West Wing is getting renovated. While the transportation exhibit is still open, the hands on innovation part is closed.

I agree about the Port Discovery - too overwhelming on your own.

What about Natural History?
Anonymous
Post 02/11/2012 08:21     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
OP here, i feel like I want to try out the building museum with the family. but is it a good idea to do the drive from VA just for that? or can you recommend something else to do nearby?
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 21:22     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Playseum in Bethesda.

Air and Space Museum's campus in Chantilly, VA.

National Museum of American History - this was my favorite when they were those ages. We went to the transportation exhibit (trains, etc) then to the children's rooms (they're on the same floor).

I think the aquarium is fine for those ages. However, you'll want a carrier or something for your 1 year old. Strollers are not permitted.

I don't recommend Port Discovery on your own. Its easy for kids to get lost in there and its a bit overwhelming for little ones (they do have an area for younger kids though).
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 21:18     Subject: Re:What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Port discovery is great for a 3 year old, you can totally skip the climbing structure, there is so much else to do.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 14:27     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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


Yes, because BABIES love to be pushed around in buggies for hours and see peoples asses. Because really, that's what they see.

I started taking my older son to museums when he was 3. I left my infant at home. I felt sorry for all those toddlers being dragged around the museum, holding onto a rope. Or the ones sitting in a buggie for hours. My youngest is 2 1/2, and I have yet to take him to a museum. He's not missing out on anything this young. And its far less stressful to take him to a place designed for toddlers, that isn't crowded, that has plenty of parking.

So, I'll revise my advice to the OP. Take your 3 year old. Not your 1 yr old. Or go to the many places that are suitable for BOTH ages.

Also, the building museum building zone is designed for 3+. Yes, it can be fun for toddlers as well. But it is not designed for a 1 yr old.


My two year old LOVES the building zone. We go fairly regularly. The building zone actually says recommended for TWO and older.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 14:13     Subject: Re:What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Yes, because BABIES love to be pushed around in buggies for hours and see peoples asses. Because really, that's what they see.


I don't know why, but this made me laugh so hard that I'm tearing up.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 14:05     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Anonymous wrote:After my second visit to the Phillips and the Corcoran with the kids I can recommend AGAINST going there, they are not stroller friendly and my preschooler was so excited she would "rush" the priceless paintings and give me (and the guards) a heart attack. She liked the outdoor sculptures the best. The Corcoran has the craziest elevator, you feel like you are in a heist movie.


Is this real?
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 13:53     Subject: Re:What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Anonymous wrote:Playseum in Bethesda is open.

Also college park aviation museum is great for those ages:
http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com/home.htm


Cool, they are doing Bricks 4 Kids there every 1st and 3rd Saturday!
Sorry to read that that Aerosquadron restaurant is closed...
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 13:45     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
After my second visit to the Phillips and the Corcoran with the kids I can recommend AGAINST going there, they are not stroller friendly and my preschooler was so excited she would "rush" the priceless paintings and give me (and the guards) a heart attack. She liked the outdoor sculptures the best. The Corcoran has the craziest elevator, you feel like you are in a heist movie.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 13:40     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
When it is not too cold out we like to visit the indoor exhibits at the Zoo.
The Family Room on Capitol Hill.
Second the National Building Museum playroom, it is great.
The National Aquarium is better for walking kids, but def. worth a trip and you can combine it with other attractions in Baltimore to make a great family weekend.
Jonah's Treehouse
One year olds are always a problem, you have to stay with them, sut with them etc. and it is hard if there is only one parent to bring the older kid and not lose them in the crowd.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 13:05     Subject: Re:What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Playseum in Bethesda is open.

Also college park aviation museum is great for those ages:
http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com/home.htm
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 12:34     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
Anonymous wrote:
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


Yes, because BABIES love to be pushed around in buggies for hours and see peoples asses. Because really, that's what they see.

I started taking my older son to museums when he was 3. I left my infant at home. I felt sorry for all those toddlers being dragged around the museum, holding onto a rope. Or the ones sitting in a buggie for hours. My youngest is 2 1/2, and I have yet to take him to a museum. He's not missing out on anything this young. And its far less stressful to take him to a place designed for toddlers, that isn't crowded, that has plenty of parking.

So, I'll revise my advice to the OP. Take your 3 year old. Not your 1 yr old. Or go to the many places that are suitable for BOTH ages.

Also, the building museum building zone is designed for 3+. Yes, it can be fun for toddlers as well. But it is not designed for a 1 yr old.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2012 12:23     Subject: What indoor museum or something of the sort do you recomend for a 3 and 1 year old?
air and space museum in dc-free and they can run around and see large planes etc and leave easily