What are the best things to do with kids in Washington DC, DC?

Some of the top-rated family activities in Washington DC, DC include Outdoor Aquatic Center, Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, The Escape Game Tysons, J&N Home And Garden Solutions, Great Falls. We have 176 curated activities with ratings, age recommendations, and parent tips.

What are free things to do with kids in Washington DC, DC?

There are 81 free things to do with kids in Washington DC, DC, including Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Gallery of Art, Clemyjontri Park, Planet Word, Tidal Basin, and more.

What are indoor activities for kids in Washington DC, DC?

Washington DC, DC offers a variety of indoor activities for kids including museums, indoor play areas, and entertainment centers. Browse our full guide for details.

Family Activities Guide

Things To Do With Kids in Washington DC, DC

Discover 176 family-friendly activities, venues, and restaurants in Washington DC.

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Annandale(11)Bowie(11)College Park(10)Falls Church(11)Gaithersburg(11)Herndon(12)McLean(11)Potomac(11)Reston(12)Rockville(11)Silver Spring(12)Springfield(10)Takoma Park(10)Tysons(10)

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The Escape Game Tysons amusement center in Tysons, VA

🎮 Entertainment

Photo: The Escape Game Tysons

The Escape Game Tysons

★5.0(204)$$10 mi · Tysons

The Escape Game Tysons offers immersive, family-friendly escape room adventures that turn your crew into a team of problem-solvers racing against the clock. With a perfect 5-star rating from over 200 families, these themed challenges are expertly designed to engage both kids and adults, making it an ideal bonding experience where everyone contributes to cracking codes, finding clues, and ultimately escaping the room together.

🕑 1.5-2 hours total (including check-in, briefing, 60-minute game, and post-game photos)

🌳 Park

Photo: Fox M.D.

Great Falls

★4.9(190)Free14 mi · Potomac

Great Falls offers one of the most spectacular natural wonders near Washington, D.C., where families can witness the powerful Potomac River cascading over dramatic rocky ledges. Kids will be mesmerized by the thundering waterfalls viewable from multiple overlooks, while the family-friendly trails and ranger-led programs make it an educational outdoor adventure that combines jaw-dropping scenery with hands-on nature learning.

🕑 2-4 hours

🎨 Museum

Photo: Clelia Ceballos

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

★4.8(56,997)Free

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is an absolute must-visit for families in DC, offering world-class exhibits completely free of charge. Kids are mesmerized by the towering dinosaur skeletons, the legendary Hope Diamond, and interactive experiences like the Butterfly Pavilion and hands-on Insect Zoo where they can actually touch live insects.

🕑 3-4 hours to see the highlights, or a full day for families who want to explore everything in depth

🎨 Museum

Photo: Jo King

National Gallery of Art

★4.8(19,998)Free

The National Gallery of Art offers world-class masterpieces without the admission fee, making it perfect for introducing kids to art without pressure. The museum features outstanding family programs, hands-on art activities, and a beloved Sculpture Garden with a splash fountain where kids can cool off after exploring the galleries.

🕑 2-4 hours depending on age and interest level

🧗 Adventure

Photo: Andres Garcia

Great Falls Park

★4.8(13,573)$14 mi · McLean

Great Falls Park offers families an awe-inspiring natural spectacle where the Potomac River plunges over dramatic rocky cascades. With multiple scenic overlooks perfect for little legs, easy-to-moderate hiking trails, and plenty of space for picnicking, it's an ideal spot to introduce kids to the beauty of nature without venturing too far from the DC metro area.

🕑 2-4 hours

Brookside Gardens botanical garden in Silver Spring, MD

⭐ Activity

Photo: Jared Mousteiko

Brookside Gardens

★4.8(5,910)Free11 mi · Silver Spring

Brookside Gardens offers 50 acres of stroller-friendly exploration with something magical for every season. Kids delight in the whimsical Children's Garden with interactive features, the seasonal Butterfly Garden (summer months), and the fairytale-like conservatory filled with tropical plants year-round.

🕑 2-3 hours

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens botanical garden in McLean, VA

⭐ Activity

Photo: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

★4.8(4,245)$14 mi · McLean

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens offers 95 acres of beautifully maintained gardens and nature trails that provide the perfect setting for families to explore, play, and connect with nature. With wide walking paths ideal for strollers, seasonal displays that change throughout the year, and native wildflower areas that attract butterflies and birds, it's a peaceful escape from screens where kids can run, learn, and discover.

🕑 1.5-3 hours depending on your pace and children's interest level

🛝 Playground

Photo: Hyper Kidz Ashburn

Hyper Kidz Ashburn

★4.8(4,063)$$24 mi · Reston

Hyper Kidz Ashburn is an energetic indoor playground paradise where kids can bounce, climb, and slide their hearts out regardless of weather. With massive inflatables, challenging obstacle courses, and separate play zones for different age groups, this climate-controlled facility ensures safe, active fun for toddlers and older kids alike,earning it an impressive 4.8-star rating from thousands of families.

🕑 2-3 hours

Clemyjontri Park park in Washington DC, DC

🛝 Playground

Photo: Clemyjontri Park

Clemyjontri Park

★4.8(2,674)Free

Clemyjontri Park is a pioneering inclusive playground in McLean, Virginia where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. This beautifully designed park features rainbow-colored play structures, a vintage-style carousel, and a trackless train that are fully accessible to children with physical disabilities, making it a joyful destination where every child can participate.

🕑 2-3 hours

🎨 Museum

Photo: Planet Word

Planet Word

★4.8(2,312)Free

Planet Word is an innovative, completely free museum that brings language to life through cutting-edge voice-activated technology and hands-on exhibits. Located in a beautifully restored historic building, this one-of-a-kind museum lets kids sing karaoke to see how words are formed, crack jokes to light up a comedy wall, and even step inside a speaking willow tree, making it a memorable educational experience that feels more like play than learning.

🕑 2-3 hours

Riverbend Park Visitor's Center park in McLean, VA

🌿 Nature

Photo: WrldTrvlr85

Riverbend Park Visitor's Center

★4.8(1,388)Free14 mi · McLean

Riverbend Park Visitor's Center offers families an immersive nature experience along the scenic Potomac River. With its combination of hands-on exhibits, kayak and canoe rentals, well-marked hiking trails, and ranger-led educational programs, it's an ideal spot for kids to explore the outdoors while learning about local wildlife and ecosystems.

🕑 3-4 hours for a full visit including boating or hiking, or 1-2 hours for just the nature center and short trail walk

🎭 Theater

Photo: A. Smouse

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

★4.8(1,126)$7 mi · Silver Spring

Step into a beautifully restored 1938 Art Deco gem that offers so much more than typical movie theater fare. The AFI Silver Theatre specializes in family-friendly classics, animated favorites, and special children's programming that introduces kids to the magic of cinema in a stunning historic setting with state-of-the-art projection and sound.

🕑 2-3 hours including the film, concessions, and exploring the lobby