Kids & Family in Washington, DC

25 places · 18 free · 16 indoor · Updated 2026-10-18

National Mall

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Hope Diamond and a T. rex, completely free

10th St & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560Daily 10am-5:30pm, extended to 7:30pm spring/summerindoorverified 2d ago
Free
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Actual Wright Flyer and Apollo 11 capsule, free

600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560Daily 10am-5:30pmindoorverified 2d ago
Free
Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Ruby slippers, Julia Child's kitchen, all free

1300 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560Daily 10am-5:30pm, extended to 7:30pm Mar-Sepindoorverified 2d ago
Free
Discovery Theater by Smithsonian Associates

Smithsonian's own kids theater, $6

1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560Show times vary, typically Tue-Fri 10am and 11:15amindoorAges 3–10verified 2d ago
$6
The Carousel on the National Mall

Just reopened in 2026 after 3-year restoration

900 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560Daily 10am-5pmoutdoorverified 2d ago
$6
National Gallery of Art

Underground walkway, wading fountain, ice rink, all free

6th & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565Daily 10am-5pmverified 2d ago
Free
National Archives Museum

The actual Declaration of Independence

701 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20408Daily 10am-5:30pm, closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25indoorverified 2d ago
Free
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hardest free ticket in DC, worth the effort

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560Daily 10am-5:30pmindoorAges 8+verified 2d ago
Free
Tidal Basin Paddle Boats

Pedal past the Jefferson Memorial for $38/hour

1501 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024Mar-Oct: Daily 10am-6pm (weather dependent)outdoorverified 2d ago
$38/hour

Woodley Park

Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

Giant pandas and 2,100 animals, totally free

3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008Mar 15-Sep 14: 8am-6pm; Sep 15-Mar 14: 8am-4pmverified 2d ago
Free

Penn Quarter

National Children's Museum

All hands-on, all for kids 0-12

1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004Wed-Mon 9:30am-4:30pm, closed TuesdaysindoorAges 0–12verified 2d ago
$18.95
National Building Museum

The Great Hall is free and spectacular

401 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001Mon, Thu-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Tue-Wedindoorverified 2d ago
$10
Planet Word Museum

Free museum where kids sing karaoke and write poetry

925 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005Mon, Wed-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, closed Tueindoorverified 2d ago
Free
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site

Actual assassination site, Booth's diary, free

511 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004Daily 9am-4:30pmindoorverified 2d ago
Free
National Theatre Saturday Morning Live

Free Saturday kids shows, no tickets needed

1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004Select Saturdays 9:30am and 11am, check scheduleindoorAges 4–10verified 2d ago
Free
DC Public Library - MLK Library

Whole children's floor, free daily programs

901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001Mon-Thu 9:30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9:30am-5:30pm, Sun 1-5pmindoorverified 2d ago
Free

Southwest Waterfront

International Spy Museum

Laser obstacle course and real spy history

700 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pmindoorAges 7+verified 2d ago
$32.95
East Potomac Park Mini Golf

Oldest operating mini golf in America, since 1931

972 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC 20024Daily 10am-8pmoutdoorverified 2d ago
$8

Navy Yard

The Yards Park

Free splash park with fountains, under a foot deep

355 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003Sunrise to 2 hours after sunsetoutdoorverified 2d ago
Free

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - Millennium Stage

Free show every night at 6pm, no tickets

2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566Daily at 6pm (Millennium Stage); building open 10am-9pmindoorverified 2d ago
Free

Northeast DC

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at U.S. National Arboretum

300+ bonsai trees and original Capitol columns, free

3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002Daily 10am-4pm; closed federal holidays Veterans Day through Presidents Dayverified 2d ago
Free
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Only national park for water plants, free

1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019Daily 8am-4pmoutdoorverified 2d ago
Free

Capitol Hill

Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Building

Largest library in the world, free to visit

101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sundaysindoorverified 2d ago
Free
Smithsonian National Postal Museum

Free, never crowded, kids sort mail and fly biplanes

2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002Daily 10am-5:30pm, closed Dec 25indoorverified 2d ago
Free

Glen Echo, MD (15 min from DC)

Glen Echo Park

1921 carousel still running, $2 a ride

7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812Grounds open daily dawn to dusk; carousel and theater hours varyverified 2d ago
Free

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