Anonymous wrote:We had a great time at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore a few weeks ago. Granted, it's not indoors, but winter hasn't been too awful this year. It's easy to get around (no big hills) and my 3 year old had a great time seeing so many animals up close. Admission prices are half in Jan. and Feb. what they are in the summer.

Tell me more! I know the National Zoo is kind of lame, but we go all the time because it's close and free. Is the Maryland zoo enough better to be worth the drive and the admission? What's especially special there?

My little one always loved the Botanical Gardens, next to the Capitol. Water features, "jungle", misty environments, hands-on section...

If you get a decent day, you could pair the Botanical Garden with the National Gallery. Not the galleries, per se, but the Cascade Cafe underground between them. Have a (spendy, mediocre) lunch, stare at the waterfall window, run up and down the sparkle-light tunnel, peruse the kids' side of the gift shop. It's about 3 blocks from the Gardens to the National Gallery, so easy to do with a stroller.

College park aviation museum is the best for those ages.

We had a great time at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore a few weeks ago. Granted, it's not indoors, but winter hasn't been too awful this year. It's easy to get around (no big hills) and my 3 year old had a great time seeing so many animals up close. Admission prices are half in Jan. and Feb. what they are in the summer.

B & O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. You can sit in real trains, run around, and they have toy trains, blocks, etc too. Very toddler friendly.

Also, NMNH, as others have said. Nature centers are nice, too. The bottom floor of NMAH has a kids' block area plus trains, cars, etc.

The PP saying babies shouldn't go to museums is silly. You are never too young.

I don't think 3 and 1 are young for the children's museum at all.

I also have a 3 and 1 year old and we love going to children's museums. We've taken my older one to several since he was 1yo and he has loved them all. It is unfortunate that DC doesn't really have a real children's museum. DS has been to the baltimore one when he was 2 and loved it. they have a room with a ball pit, books and baby/toddler toys. i think it would be very appropriate for your kids.

If the Building Museum still has the Lego exhibit and you can go when the gift shop is open, I would say it's worth the trip.

Another option - instead of just one museum, how about museum hopping? Go to Spark Lab in the lower level of the American History Museum - soft play area for the little one while your older one can do all kinds of fun stuff. then go to The Natural History Museum and just see the Insect Zoo. Most babies and toddlers love looking at bugs! And they would love the butterfly pavillion too. then take them to the interactive section at the Air and Space. forgot what it's called, but it's very hands-on. If you have time, go to the Botanical garden and visit the Children's garden. And maybe peak in at the American Indian Museum to see if they have some dances going on or some toy exhibits that the kids can play with.

You could do all of this without spending a dime. Gawd, I love DC.

We went this morning to the natural history museum and it is great, but for two kids you'd probably be better with two parents.

I would not drive in for the Building Zone. I think your local gymboree is probably better than that. I mean - it's great for those of us downtown b/c I'm not going to drive to the burbs for a gymboree type place, but literally it is a big space with some giant blocks, a bunch of play cars and trucks, a couple of other "stations" and a play house structure. That's it. It's kind of dingy. And the 45 minute thing is annoying.

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?

We went there a few weeks ago--also in Alexandria. We got there at 10 and got tickets to the kid zone (or whatever) at 11. So we had an hour to play in the atrium and build stuff with all the crap they have lying around. (The one year old should enjoy that.) We left at noon, grabbed lunch, and then headed home for nap time. It was a good way to spend the morning.

National Building Museum, hands down.

Port Discovery has been great for our twins from ages 10 to 18 months. There's a "tot trails" room where kids can just run around and play. The 3 year old isn't too old for it, the 1 year old isn't too young.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:air and space museum in dc-free and they can run around and see large planes etc and leave easily

The Udvar Hazy and Air&Space were so boring for my kids (ages 3 and 1). Do other people's kids really enjoy these places? Sure, it's wide open, but it's not like a free play place to run around (as PPs mention) since there are a lot of people there. You can't touch or climb the planes. The kids have no appreciation for the a historical aspect and, frankly, there is really nothing interesting for them to do there.

Some kids like looking at the planes. And they had a Cessna for kids to sit in and drive. We also did one of the low key simulators. Ours are a little older though, I wouldn't do that with a 1 year old. We also went up the observation tower to watch the planes - they enjoyed that.

Anonymous wrote:air and space museum in dc-free and they can run around and see large planes etc and leave easily

The Udvar Hazy and Air&Space were so boring for my kids (ages 3 and 1). Do other people's kids really enjoy these places? Sure, it's wide open, but it's not like a free play place to run around (as PPs mention) since there are a lot of people there. You can't touch or climb the planes. The kids have no appreciation for the a historical aspect and, frankly, there is really nothing interesting for them to do there.