Teen Activities in Washington DC

21 teen-friendly things to do in Washington DC for ages 13 to 17. Age fit, costs, and logistics for parents.

Highest rated: Great Big Game Show DC, Beat The Bomb DC, National Museum of African American History and Culture. 6 listings are free. 19 listings work for rainy days. Qualified listings include stroller access, cost estimates, and practical planning tips.

How to use this teen list

Use the notes below to match the outing to age, weather, cost, and how much energy your family has. KidPaths is currently tracking 21 indexable picks for this page in Washington DC, with details for cost, age fit, stroller access, weather backup, and parent logistics.

Quick fit

4 for infants, 14 for toddlers, 20 for little kids, 21 for big kids.

Weather and access

19 indoor or mixed-weather picks. 6 outdoor or partly outdoor picks. 11 stroller-friendly stops. 19 rainy-day backups.

Cost scan

6 free picks. 13 paid picks. Open the cards for family-of-4 cost notes and savings tips when we have them.

Top Picks

Great Big Game Show DC
#1

Great Big Game Show DC

5 stars

Great Big Game Show DC puts families inside an actual live game show, think family-friendly challenges, buzzers, score boards, and a host running the

Best for ages 6 and upIndoorApproximately $80-120 for a family of 4: tickets typically run $20-30/person
Beat The Bomb DC
#2

Beat The Bomb DC

4.9 stars

Teams race through video-game rooms, solve physical and mental challenges and try to stop a paint, foam or slime blast. Free mission photos and videos

Ages 8-16 for the widest choice; children 6-7 may use the Slime Mission or Arcade Bomb Battle with required adult supervision.IndoorFrom $79
National Museum of African American History and Culture
#3

National Museum of African American History and Culture

4.8 stars

Children encounter music, sports, clothing, vehicles, art, famous objects, and stories of real people. Family programs add read-alouds, crafts, moveme

Ages 7-17 for the fullest visit. Special NMAAHC Kids programs can work well for ages 3-10, while adults should guide children through difficult history.FreeIndoor$0 admission for a family of four, but every adult and child needs a free timed-entry pass
Georgetown Waterfront Park
#4

Georgetown Waterfront Park

4.7 stars

Children can follow the turns of the labyrinth, watch the fountain, count boats and rowers, look for birds, picnic on the river steps, and cover groun

All ages; strongest for ages 2-12 when paired with walking, fountain viewing, a picnic, or river watching.FreeOutdoor$0 for park admission
Elephant Trails
#5

Elephant Trails

4.7 stars

Elephant Trails at the National Zoo is one of the more thoughtfully designed elephant habitats on the East Coast, giving the Asian elephant herd genui

Best for ages 2 and upFreeIndoor & OutdoorFree with National Zoo entry
Great Big Game Show DCEntertainment

Great Big Game Show DC

5.0(2,504)

Ages: Best for ages 6 and up

IndoorRainy Day
Beat The Bomb DCEntertainment

Beat The Bomb DC

4.9(11,698)

Ages: Ages 8 to 16 for the widest choice; children 6-7 may use the Slime Mission or Arcade Bomb Battle with required adult supervision.

IndoorRainy Day
National Museum of African American History and CultureMuseumsFree

National Museum of African American History and Culture

4.8(30,842)

Ages: Ages 7 to 17 for the fullest visit. Special NMAAHC Kids programs can work well for ages 3 to 10, while adults should guide children through difficult history.

IndoorStroller-FriendlyRainy Day
Georgetown Waterfront ParkParks & PlaygroundsFree

Georgetown Waterfront Park

4.7(7,606)

Ages: All ages; strongest for ages 2 to 12 when paired with walking, fountain viewing, a picnic, or river watching.

OutdoorStroller-Friendly
Elephant TrailsOutdoor AdventuresFree

Elephant Trails

4.7(393)

Ages: Best for ages 2 and up

Indoor/OutdoorStroller-FriendlyRainy Day
Great Cats Exhibit/Lion and Tiger HillZoos & AquariumsFree

Great Cats Exhibit/Lion and Tiger Hill

4.6(425)

Ages: Best for ages 2 and up

OutdoorStroller-Friendly
Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience - Washington DCEntertainment

Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience - Washington DC

4.6(2,363)

Ages: Best for ages 2 and up

IndoorRainy Day
National Air and Space MuseumMuseumsFree

National Air and Space Museum

4.6(48,839)

Ages: Ages 5 to 15; preschoolers enjoy the large aircraft, while readers gain more from the history and science

IndoorStroller-FriendlyRainy Day
National AquariumTours & Experiences

National Aquarium

4.6(32,972)

Ages: Best for ages 2 and up

IndoorStroller-FriendlyRainy Day
International Spy MuseumMuseums

International Spy Museum

4.4(17,988)

Ages: Ages 9 to 17; younger children are welcome but need more adult help

IndoorRainy Day
National Building MuseumMuseumsPartially Free

National Building Museum

4.4(4,365)

Ages: Ages 5 to 10, especially children in grades K-3

IndoorStroller-FriendlyRainy Day
Stead ParkTours & ExperiencesPartially Free

Stead Park

4.4(304)

Ages: Best for ages 2 to 14

Indoor/OutdoorStroller-FriendlyRainy Day

Common Questions

What are the best activities for teens (ages 13 to 17) in Washington DC?
Washington DC has 21 activities rated for teens (ages 13 to 17). Top picks: Great Big Game Show DC, Beat The Bomb DC, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Georgetown Waterfront Park, Elephant Trails.
Are there free teen activities in Washington DC?
Yes. 6 of the 21 teen-friendly activities in Washington DC are completely free, including National Museum of African American History and Culture, Georgetown Waterfront Park, Elephant Trails.
What indoor activities are good for teens (ages 13 to 17) in Washington DC?
19 indoor or rainy-day activities in Washington DC are suitable for teens (ages 13 to 17). Best rated: Great Big Game Show DC, Beat The Bomb DC, National Museum of African American History and Culture.

More Ways to Browse

Washington DC weekend picks, in your inbox

Get one short, practical Washington DC outing idea each week, plus age fit, cost notes, and rainy-day backups.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Planning a longer drive? Build a kid-friendly road trip →