Washington, D.C. is not only the political heart of the United States but also a city bursting with vibrant cultural, educational, and recreational activities—many of which are perfect for families! If you’re looking to escape the weather or simply enjoy some indoor fun, D.C. has plenty to offer. From world-class museums and creative play spaces to indoor sports and interactive exhibits, here’s your comprehensive guide to all the best indoor places to take kids in Washington, D.C.
Museums with Kid-Friendly Exhibits
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Explore the wonders of the natural world at this iconic museum. Kids will love the Dinosaur Hall, featuring life-sized skeletons, and the Hall of Mammals, where they can see their favorite animals up close. Don’t miss the Butterfly Pavilion, where they can walk among free-flying butterflies. - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Perfect for young aviators and astronauts, this museum offers interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and a planetarium. Children can learn about the history of flight, explore space through virtual reality experiences, and even touch a real moon rock! - Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Step back in time to explore America’s past. Highlights include the Spark!Lab, a hands-on invention space where kids can become inventors, and the Draper Spark!Lab, which encourages creativity and innovation. - International Spy Museum
For little detectives, the Spy Museum is a thrilling experience. Kids can learn about espionage, test their skills in interactive spy challenges, and see real-life spy gadgets. - National Children’s Museum
A blend of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) exhibits, this museum is designed specifically for young minds. Interactive exhibits like the Dream Machine and the Innovation Sandbox encourage learning through play. - National Geographic Museum
This museum offers rotating exhibits that often feature stunning photography, interactive displays, and hands-on activities. Kids can learn about wildlife, space, and world cultures. - United States Botanic Garden
While primarily known for its outdoor gardens, the Conservatory offers a warm, humid escape with lush greenery, a children’s garden, and educational exhibits about plant life. It’s a fantastic spot for kids to learn about nature while staying indoors. - National Gallery of Art – East Building
While not specifically for children, the East Building’s modern art collection is vibrant and colorful, making it accessible for younger viewers. They also offer family workshops and programs to help kids engage with art creatively. Kids will also love the lit-up moving walkway. - The National Postal Museum
A Smithsonian Institution that is under visited will keep your child busy, especially the older ones. There are many hands-on exhibits as well as replica mail cars and mail carrying planes hanging from the ceiling. Visitors can create their own stamp designs, sort through the Museum’s collection and create their own stamp collection based on the topics that interest them at touchscreen tables and kids can pretend they are mail-clerks and try to toss packages into their proper bin. Union Station is located next door so you can take the Metro (red line or stop by Union Station to admire the architecture or grab lunch. - Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Located in the heart of the Nation’s Capital, the BEP’s Washington, DC Tour & Visitor Center is a great place to learn all about U.S. paper currency. You can see millions of dollars bring printed as you walk along the gallery overlooking the production floor. The free 40-minute experience includes an introductory film and gallery tour of the production process. The visitor center includes exhibits and currency products for sale. - The National Capital Trolley Museum
This museum is not very large but will have the attention of those train enthusiasts in your family. Summer is the perfect time to go as they have family programs throughout; storytelling, crafts and videos featuring trolley cartoons. They have a model train, a working trolley kids can take rides on (rides are unlimited with paid ticket), silent films displaying trolley life, and a large area full of old street cars. - Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Choose your own adventure with a day full of play, exploration, and family-friendly fun at Port Discovery. Featuring hands-on experiences, interactive exhibits, and entertaining programs all designed to spark imaginations and help children and adults connect, discover, and learn through play. - U.S Capitol Tour
The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tours begin every 10 minutes until 3:20 p.m. All tours are led by our professional tour guides and visit the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall.
Indoor Play Spaces and Activity Centers
- Be With Me Playseum
A unique children’s play museum where kids can role-play in different themed rooms, from a grocery store to a dentist’s office. The Playseum encourages imaginative play and is designed for children up to age 9. - Scramble
An indoor play facility in Alexandria, Virginia, Scramble offers a massive play structure, a mini-soccer field, and even a separate toddler zone. This European-style play space is designed to encourage active, imaginative play. - Magic Ground
A unique children’s entertainment center and indoor playground design to create a fun, educational, and memorable experience for both children and their parents. Urban parents and children will find a place to spend valuable family time, play safely, eat healthy, and also relax while your children play and participate in activities especially designed to stimulate their development.
Creative Spaces and Art Activities
- Red Panda Art Studio
They offer classes, camps and day-off workshops designed to engage children’s creativity, enhance their imagination, and explore their artistic abilities – with an overall focus on having fun and collaborating with peers. They provide different activities and materials to keep them engaged and interested, and allow more time to explore in depth when desired. - The Loft Collective
An art studio for children and families, located in Takoma Park, MD, just at the edge of Washington DC. They offer classes that focus on making as a conduit for making meaning and making connections. With an eye on public art and a diverse group of artists, they choose projects and stories that explore the power of art to amplify voices, shift mindsets, and impact change. - District Dabble Lab
District DabbleLab is a space that seeks to inspire imagination, develop skills, spark curiosity, and promote creativity. - All Fired Up
Another fantastic pottery painting studio, All Fired Up offers a variety of ceramic pieces to paint, from figurines to plates. They also host workshops and birthday parties. - Kids Create Art Studio
This art studio offers a range of art classes and workshops for kids, including painting, drawing, and sculpture. It’s a great way to nurture creativity in a structured environment. - ArtJamz
An art playdate or a time to go get messy. Each child gets their own canvas to paint and keep, an easel, smock, and unlimited access to a huge selection of art materials. Glitter, stencils, palettes, and other materials are sure to excite and inspire any young artist. Parents can get their own easel and canvas or grab a drink at the bar and hang out in the artists lounge while the kiddos unleash their inner artists. Multiple locations in the DMV.
Indoor Sports and Recreation
- Lucky Strike Bowling
This upscale bowling alley located in Chinatown is perfect for a family outing. They offer kid-friendly lanes, bumpers, and even lightweight balls for younger children. - Pinstripes Bowling
The Georgetown & Bethesda locations offers a unique variety of entertainment and events every day of the week. Enjoy our made-from-scratch Italian-American cuisine during Saturday & Sunday Brunch with the family, happy hour after work, or a night of bowling and bocce. - Swingers Putt-Putt
Swingers Dupont Circle takes crazy golf from the 1920’s British seaside, Tanqueray infused plus-fours, adds DC’s best street food, banging beats and sticks it in Dupont Circle. Game on… - Beat the Bomb
Beat the Bomb players pull on hazmat suits, helmets, and face shields and move through a series of high-tech rooms while cracking codes and navigating laser mazes. If you don’t succeed, you get blasted! Children must be at least 8 years old to participate, and kids 10 and up can play on their own. - My Gym Potomac
Whether you’re looking for a fantastic Parent and Me program or high-energy classes for big kids – you’ve come to the right place! The Guest Experience includes Unlimited Classes and Open Gym sessions for one week! - Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
Another trampoline park that offers fun for all ages. Sky Zone has toddler time during the week, Sky Jam (16 and older) and they offer birthday parties. - Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center
An amazing aquatic center in Tenleytown that offers an Olympic size indoor lap pool and kiddie pool that is open year round, seven days a week. Kiddie pool includes basketball hoops, a wade in area and buckets that dump water. Free to DC residents. - Five Iron Golf
A mix of indoor golf and entertainment. State-of-the-art simulators and world-class instruction meet premium events and amenities plus delectable food and cocktail menus. Five Iron is fostering a dynamic, engaging, and fun atmosphere for golf enthusiasts and party-goers alike. They also offer children’s birthday parties. - DC Improv Comedy Club – Family Shows
While most shows are for adults, DC Improv occasionally hosts family-friendly comedy shows and improv workshops, which can be a fun and unique indoor experience for older kids. - The Escape Game
9 escape rooms for all skill levels. - ZavaZone
This indoor adventure park, located just outside D.C., offers trampolines, climbing walls, zip lines, and ropes courses. It’s an ideal spot for energetic kids looking to burn off some energy. - Monster Mini Golf
Monster Mini Golf is an exciting indoor monster themed glow in the dark 18 hole miniature golf course that offers a host of fun activities at every turn. This is not your average mini golf course! Whether you’re visiting for the first time, or the hundredth, you feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf among a scary but cool monster décor with custom and animated props at every turn. - Shadowland Laser Tag
An indoor laser tag facility featuring a large, multi-level arena filled with glowing walls, fog, music, and special effects that create an immersive gaming environment. The venue is designed to resemble a futuristic labyrinth with plenty of nooks, crannies, and hiding spots, making it an ideal setting for strategy-based play. - HyperKidz
Themed zones for kids ages 0-13. Other attractions include an interactive LED dance floor, laser light show, interactive screen games, bubble machine, glow-in-the-dark play, a concession stand, souvenir stand, and giant lite brite boards. Various locations in the DMV. - Laugh Out Loud Stations Mega Fun Center
CRAZY FUN Rides and AMAZING attractions all in one place to develop LOL Stations as the Best Indoor Theme Park and Birthday Party Place in the Washington metropolitan area, where the entire family can play together!! LaserTag, Challenge Course, Tumbler, Bumper Cars, Ball Blaster, Bouncers, 4-Level Playground, Himalaya, and much more!! Purchase a package or pay for single games. - Silver Stars Gymnastics
Offering classes, birthday parties and open gym (you do not have to be enrolled in classes). - Climb Zone
Indoor rock climbing with individual walls, each with a theme. There are a few bounce houses, an area for kids 3 and under to play in, video games and a small cafe. You can have a birthday party here too. Put your harness on and climb aboard your favorite art whether it be Mt. Rushmore or the Alice in Wonderland themed wall, you’ll have a great time. - Play N’ Learn: The Playground Superstore
Spend up to 2 hours at Play N’ Learn’s indoor playground in Columbia, MD. Your children are welcome to come play on swing sets, basketball goals, trampolines, air hockey and foosball tables in the 6,000 sq ft facility. The facility, which features safe rubber flooring throughout, is best suited to entertain ages 2-8. However, they do have baby swings to accommodate the little guys.
Science and Discovery Centers
- KID Museum
Located in Bethesda, Maryland, KID Museum offers hands-on activities focused on science, technology, and creativity. Kids can engage in maker activities, robotics, and other STEM-related workshops. - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Q?rius
A unique discovery room designed for older kids and teens, Q?rius offers a hands-on learning environment where kids can touch real fossils, use microscopes, and explore various scientific fields. - Planet Word
This unique museum dedicated to language and words offers interactive exhibits that are perfect for older kids and teens. They can participate in word games, explore the history of languages, and even record their own stories. - Maryland Science Center
In addition to all of the great hands-on science exhibits MSC has a Kids Room designed for children ages 0-8. Highlights include large water play area, undersea world with periscope and submarine theme and pneumatic messaging system, streetscape, and giant pinscreen. The museum also has an IMAX and Planetarium. - imagiNATIONS Activity Center at The National Museum of the American Indian
The interactive, family-friendly imagiNATIONS Activity Center provides young visitors a lively space with a wide variety of learning experiences. The cultural and scientific knowledge of Indigenous peoples reflects a tradition driven by innovation that is both unique and universal. Today many of their innovations and inventions are part of daily life for millions worldwide. Visitors to the center may explore some of these ingenious adaptations through a variety of play-based interactives. - Wegman’s Wonderplace at The National Museum of American History
Wegmans Wonderplace is the first exhibition on the National Mall designed for children 0 to 6. This 1,700-square-foot interactive space provides the youngest historians with age-appropriate activities and experiences. - Glen Echo Park Aquarium
The Glen Echo Park Aquarium is a Chesapeake Bay Discovery Center in historic Glen Echo Park. Their mission is to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed through education, in order to encourage stewardship and conservation. The Aquarium features live animal exhibits, static and interactive displays, activities, a live touch tank, a giant sand pit, a submarine, and a pirate ship in a tree, all designed to help our visitors learn about our nation’s largest estuary!
Family Friendly Theaters
- Smithsonian Discovery Theatre
- The Kennedy Center & The REACH
- The National Theatre
- Imagination Stage
- Adventure Theatre
- The Puppet Co
- Black Rock Center for the Arts
- Strathmore Backyard Theater for Children
- Creative Cauldron
- Classika Theatre
- Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
Nature Centers with Indoor Exhibits
- Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
This center features exhibits about the local wildlife and history of Rock Creek Park, as well as a small planetarium offering shows on the weekends. - Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Visitor Center
While the aquatic gardens are primarily an outdoor attraction, the visitor center offers educational displays and activities for kids to learn about wetland ecosystems. - Smithsonian’s National Zoo – Small Mammal House and Reptile Discovery Center
While the zoo is an outdoor experience, don’t miss the indoor exhibits like the Small Mammal House and the Reptile Discovery Center, which provide close-up views of fascinating creatures.
