Familiy Activites in the DC Area

Updated on February 04, 2012
M.D. asks from Washington, DC
5 answers

Okay, I know there have been a lot of V-day questions...but my husband and I are still trying to decide what to do. It's a family day for us (well probably celebrate on the 17th or 18th this year) and need to find something creative.

In past years we have done Disney on Ice, Build-a-Bear with the Justin Bieber movie opening, always dinner out.

Can someone give me anything different to do in DC that maybe we haven't done yet and would be great for families? (We have done a couple museums, but want to do t he rest of the outside stuff when it's not so cold. We've done duck tours of he city...been to the aquarium, zoo, etc.)

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So What Happened?

We LOVE National Harbor - actually we stay there a few times a year for long weekends. We're hoping our resort opens up for Easter weekend this year.

I think Port Discovery is for little ones...mine are 8, 6, and 4...very close to 5. Do you know? Would the older kids like it?

I had not thought of the Spy Museum or the Newseum...how fun!! We will definitely check those out :). Thanks!!

@ Cheryl - I'll let you know what we end up doing!!

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Here are some ideas. Thoughts on why the Spy Museum and Newseum are not for younger kids are at the end.

At the D.C. museums, there are hidden things just for kids but you have to know they're there! Have you tried: The "Spark Lab" at the American History Museum? This is a special room with stuff to build, adults helping kids do experiments, etc. Kids love it. It has specific hours it's open and they're not all the same as the museum hours so check first. Also at American History is "Invention at Play" for kids, a hands-on invention-themed area very close to the Spark Lab. The Natural History museum also has a kids' room, hidden away so you have to ask for it, that is a quiet place for lots of hands-on stuff - kids can pull out boxes of fossils etc. and look at things under microscopes and so on. Again, hours are limited and it's not open every hour that the museum is, so check its hours before you go.

Baltimore has a wonderful science museum with tons of dinosaur displays and last time we were there, kids could help "dig" a dinosaur. The museum is near the Inner Harbor area and very kid-friendly.

In Baltimore, the Walters art museum has kids' packs for exploring its collections (these direct kids to certain artworks and give them activities to do); I believe the kids' packs are available on weekends between certain hours--as always: Check first! They do have a limited number of packs so get there when they open if you do this.

You say you've been to "the aquarium" but which one? Both? Have you tried the "National Aquarium" that's in the basement of the Commerce Dept. building? It's very small but therefore doable and has some cool things-- the world's friendliest octopus, for one. And it's much less crazed than the overcrowded but admittedly terrific aquarium in Baltimore.

If you want something really special, see if Imagination Stage in Bethesda has a show on that weekend. It's professional kids' theatre -- adult performers specializing in shows for kids. Fantastic stage, fantastic shows, well worth the short drive (and there is a huge, super cheap garage right next to the theatre). Or see if the Smithsonian's own kids' theatre (in its Ripley Building basement) has a show on. Another fun place is Glen Echo Park's puppet theatre or the Adventure Theatre for kids, also at Glen Echo Park. Theatre is the best!

I know others suggested them, but I think the Spy Museum and Newseum both are not really appropriate for kids the ages of your kids, especially the two younger ones. I've been to both several times, but with my daughter who is 11.The younger kids just will not understand most of what's being talked about at the Spy Museum (its promotional materials make it look cool and kid-friendly but its exhibits mostly are about real and serious spy stuff-- but do kids really get the Cold War, for instance?) My daughter loves it but she is much older than your kids....The Newseum I definitely would not recommend for kids until they are maybe 9 and up at least; there are a lot of current-events history displays that are beyond younger kids, and some exhibits feature news photography that can be graphically violent. Both the Newseum and the Spy Museum are expensive, too, so it's a waste if you pay a lot for a family of five and the younger ones get bored and then you adults can't enjoy the exhibits either. Both museums are great but not for younger kids.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Have you considered the National Harbor? I know the Gaylord hotel there was hosting the Madagascar on Ice which has an indoor ice slide though I am not sure if it is still open or not. They also have a pretty decent market there on Saturdays and I have even seen a movie on the waterfront there. Check this site out: http://www.nationalharbor.com/intro.htm
Enjoy!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

What about Port Discovery in Baltimore?. Or you can take them to the Newseum or Spy Museum. Or you could go to the College Park Aviation museum for part of your day. Or up to Ft. Frederick (might be too cold...). Or what about the Air and Space Annex in Dulles? They have the Enterprise and the Enola Gay.

1 mom found this helpful

P.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi my 111 yr old wasnt bored at Port Discovery, going on the weekend? They are having parking and etrance specials Tues and Thurs, check out their website... Also There's an archeaology muesum(free) and the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria and a great place to see the cute twinkling lights and tons of restaurants to chose from, also in Old Town George Washington Masonic Memorial across from King St Metro Staion. Oh i know too many fun things check out www.our-kids.com dc area too for fun family indoor activites etc.
Have fun !!
p

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Rachel:

Have you done the Spy Museum? That would be fun!!! I know it's not free - but it would be rockin' cool!!

The Newsuem is fun too. Kids seeing how news used to be done...

You can come to our house too!! Heck we could even meet on the Mall and fly kites!! It probably won't be snowing that day!! With our "winter" being as mellow as it has been!! (famous last words!!)

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