Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 : Children’s Attractions

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  1. National Air and Space Museum

    Kids’
    dreams are founded on and inspired by these ravishing soaring devices
    and spectacular rockets, while their parents and grandparents can
    reminisce over the early days of aviation and see how far we’ve come.
    End the visit by treating children to a scoop of the freeze-dried ice
    cream.




    National Air and Space Museum

  2. National Zoological Park

    The
    animals in Washington, D.C.’s zoo are housed in large, recreated
    natural habitats and are close enough to be clearly observed. Sea lion
    demonstrations never fail to delight. The Kids’ Farm is an educational,
    interactive, outdoor exhibit, where children can touch and learn about
    farmyard animals .




    National Zoological Park

  3. National Geographic Society Explorers’ Hall

    These
    first-class exhibits explore the major domains of society, including
    foreign cultures, nature, archaeology, and superb photography. The hall
    is at the forefront of designing and constructing interactive and
    immersive displays to involve visitors in their fascinating subject
    matter. Kids need little direction here – they take to the explorations
    and activities enthusiastically, sometimes with a more immediate grasp
    than adults. The well-stocked shop complements the exhibitions.

    • 17th & M Sts NW

    • Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm Sun; closed Dec 25

    • Dis. access

    • Free

  4. Verizon Sports Center

    Children
    love the energetic events here. The Ringling Brothers Barnum &
    Bailey Circus performs here, along with touring ice skating
    spectaculars, professional wrestling, hockey games and many top-name pop
    and rock acts. The food is better than usual at an arena and,
    naturally, is geared toward kids .

  5. National Building Museum

    This
    interesting museum runs regular programs for families, where children
    and parents can learn about various methods of construction,
    architecture, and design. Together, families can build edible houses,
    learn about different construction materials, or solve a city’s
    transport problem. The permanent and visiting exhibitions will also
    appeal.




    National Building Museum

  6. National Aquarium

    The
    star attraction for children here is the 2pm feedings: sharks on
    Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, piranha on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
    Sundays, and alligators on Fridays. The aquarium houses about 300
    specimens in its glass tanks, and provides easy-to-understand
    informative material about freshwater habitats and the oceans and the
    marine life they support. Inquisitive little visitors always surround
    the touch tank. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and
    children’s questions are handled with aplomb .




    Turtle, National Aquarium

  7. Discovery Creek Children’s Museum

    This
    outdoor-oriented center for children aged between one and eleven years
    provides wonderfully engrossing activities that bring to life aspects of
    local nature, science, arts, and history. The museum has five locations
    in the D.C. area, including the only surviving one-room schoolhouse and
    the historic stables in the beautiful Glen Echo Park. Daily programs
    for children are always popular with Washingtonians.

    • 7300 MacArthur Blvd

    • Call 202 488 0627 for opening times

    • Closed major hols

    • Adm

  8. National Museum of Natural History

    There
    is plenty here for young visitors, in particular the Insect Zoo
    featuring live specimens of giant hissing cockroaches and large
    leaf-cutter ants, and the Dinosaur Hall which contains a cast of a nest
    of dinosaur eggs and reconstructions of dinosaur skeletons. The new,
    interactive Hall of Mammals features 274 taxidermied exhibits from a
    variety of environments. For another hands-on experience, the Discovery
    Room allows children (and adults!) to hold objects like crocodile heads
    and elephant tusks.

    • Constitution Ave & 10th St, NW

    • Open 10am–5:30pm daily; Closed Dec 25

    • Dis. access

    • Free

  9. Smithsonian Carousel

    In
    front of the Arts and Industries Building at the Smithsonian is a
    delightful authentic carousel with brilliantly painted hand-carved
    animals. It only operates in good weather, but don’t miss this bit of
    old-world fun if you have the chance. It also makes a refreshing break
    for kids beginning to tire of the surrounding museums.

    • 900 Jefferson Drive SW

    • Open 10am–5pm daily; Closed Dec 25

    • Adm

  10. Rock Creek Park Nature Center

    The short nature trail here is only 1-mile (1.5-km) long so it is easily negotiated by children. Many native species can be
    spotted en route, including foxes, racoons and deer. There is also a
    small planetarium. A number of activities that appeal to children,
    including arts and crafts workshops, are scheduled throughout the year.
    On a sunny day, this is also a great place to bring a picnic, and enjoy
    one of the city’s truly natural environments. In other parts of the park
    there are also tennis courts and horse riding trails.

    • 5200 Glover Rd NW

    • Open 9am–5pm Wed–Sun

    • Free