Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC
Washington DC has 41 kid-tested activities for families across museums, parks, zoos, restaurants, and outdoor adventures. Every listing includes age ratings (infants through teens), stroller access, cost estimates for a family of 4, and real parent tips you won't find anywhere else.
By Kit, KidPaths editor
Covers 71 cities. Reads a lot of parent reviews.
Washington DC family activity overview
Washington DC is one of the best family travel destinations in the US.
From world-class museums to outdoor adventures, there's something for kids of every age. Our guide helps you find exactly what works for your family. The KidPaths guide for Washington DC currently includes 41 KidPaths-vetted activities, including 16 free options, 30 indoor or mixed-weather picks, 20 outdoor or partly outdoor picks, 27 stroller-friendly stops.
Use it to balance one anchor outing with a backup plan, especially when weather, naps, or meal timing start driving the day. Start with Magic Ground, The Magic Tree Box, Wegmans Wonderplace if you want a quick scan of the strongest local picks, then use the filters below for age fit, stroller access, cost, and rainy-day backup options.
Top kid-friendly places in Washington DC
Plan Washington DC by age, weather, and budget
Jump straight to the pages parents search for most, with only indexable KidPaths listings linked here.
Washington DC with kids: common questions
What are the best free things to do with kids in Washington DC?
Washington DC has 16 free family activities. Top picks: Small Mammal House, Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center, The Magic Tree Box, United States Botanic Garden, United States National Arboretum. See all free activities at kidpaths.com/washington-dc.
What can we do with kids on a rainy day in Washington DC?
Washington DC has 29 rainy-day options. Top indoor picks: Great Big Game Show DC, The Escape Game DC (Penn Quarter), Escape the Room DC (Penn Quarter), Hyper Kidz Alexandria, Hyper Kidz Rockville.
What are the best activities for toddlers in Washington DC?
33 activities in Washington DC are rated for toddlers (ages 1 to 3). Parent favorites: Hyper Kidz Alexandria, Hyper Kidz Rockville, Little Ivies DC, Small Mammal House, Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center.
Which Washington DC attractions are stroller-friendly?
27 of 41 activities in Washington DC are fully stroller-friendly. KidPaths rates stroller access as yes, limited, or no for every listing.
What are fun things to do with teens in Washington DC?
16 activities in Washington DC are rated for teens (ages 13 to 17). Top picks: Great Big Game Show DC, The Escape Game DC (Penn Quarter), Escape the Room DC (Penn Quarter), Elephant Trails, Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience - Washington DC.
How much do family activities cost in Washington DC?
KidPaths tracks family-of-4 cost estimates for 41 activities in Washington DC. 16 are completely free. Each listing shows the real cost for a family of four, not just per-person pricing.
Parks & PlaygroundsMagic Ground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Tours & ExperiencesFreeThe Magic Tree Box
Ages: Best for ages 1-12
MuseumsFreeWegmans Wonderplace
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
Tours & ExperiencesFreeUnited States Botanic Garden
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
EntertainmentLittle Ivies DC
Ages: Best for ages 1-6
EntertainmentGreat Big Game Show DC
Ages: Best for ages 6 and up
Tours & ExperiencesThe Escape Game DC (Penn Quarter)
Ages: Best for ages 10 and up
EntertainmentBubble Planet: An Immersive Experience - Washington DC
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
EntertainmentEscape the Room DC (Penn Quarter)
Ages: Best for ages 10 and up
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeChildren's Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
Tours & ExperiencesFreeUnited States National Arboretum
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Tours & ExperiencesMaryland Science Center
Ages: Best for ages 3-13
Tours & ExperiencesChildren's Science Center Lab
Ages: Best for ages 4-12
Tours & ExperiencesGlen Echo Park Aquarium
Ages: Best for ages 3-12
Tours & ExperiencesNational Aquarium
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
Zoos & AquariumsFreeAmazonia
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Tours & ExperiencesNOVA Wild
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
ShoppingFreeSmall Mammal House
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeJerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Zoos & AquariumsFreeGreat Cats Exhibit/Lion and Tiger Hill
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
Outdoor AdventuresFreeElephant Trails
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
Zoos & AquariumsFreeGreat Ape House
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
Tours & ExperiencesMeadowlark Botanical Gardens
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Tours & ExperiencesFreeSmithsonian Pollinator Garden
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Parks & PlaygroundsHyper Kidz Alexandria
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Parks & PlaygroundsJunior Playland
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Parks & PlaygroundsUrban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
EntertainmentGet Air Trampoline Park
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
Parks & PlaygroundsFlight Adventure Park Springfield
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
EntertainmentFUNBOX Bounce & Party Center
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Parks & PlaygroundsSuper, Awesome & Amazing
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
Parks & PlaygroundsScramble Parkour
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
Parks & PlaygroundsScramble Alexandria
Ages: Best for ages 2 and up
Parks & PlaygroundsRecess Play Center
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
EntertainmentOff Limitz Adventure Park
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
Parks & PlaygroundsHyper Kidz Rockville
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Parks & PlaygroundsFreePlayground At Marion Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeEast Potomac Park Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-12
Tours & ExperiencesPartially FreeStead Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-14
Tours & ExperiencesFreeTurtle Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-9
Parks & PlaygroundsFreePlayground at 9th & Penn
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
Browse by Age
Common Questions About Washington DC with Kids
- What are the best free things to do with kids in Washington DC?
- Washington DC has 16 free family activities. Top picks: Small Mammal House, Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center, The Magic Tree Box, United States Botanic Garden, United States National Arboretum. See all free activities at kidpaths.com/washington-dc.
- What can we do with kids on a rainy day in Washington DC?
- Washington DC has 29 rainy-day options. Top indoor picks: Great Big Game Show DC, The Escape Game DC (Penn Quarter), Escape the Room DC (Penn Quarter), Hyper Kidz Alexandria, Hyper Kidz Rockville.
- What are the best activities for toddlers in Washington DC?
- 33 activities in Washington DC are rated for toddlers (ages 1 to 3). Parent favorites: Hyper Kidz Alexandria, Hyper Kidz Rockville, Little Ivies DC, Small Mammal House, Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center.
- Which Washington DC attractions are stroller-friendly?
- 27 of 41 activities in Washington DC are fully stroller-friendly. KidPaths rates stroller access as yes, limited, or no for every listing.
- What are fun things to do with teens in Washington DC?
- 16 activities in Washington DC are rated for teens (ages 13 to 17). Top picks: Great Big Game Show DC, The Escape Game DC (Penn Quarter), Escape the Room DC (Penn Quarter), Elephant Trails, Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience - Washington DC.
- How much do family activities cost in Washington DC?
- KidPaths tracks family-of-4 cost estimates for 41 activities in Washington DC. 16 are completely free. Each listing shows the real cost for a family of four, not just per-person pricing.
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