Best Things to Do in DC with Kids: 4 Amazing Museums for Families

Washington, DC is an incredible destination for families, offering a perfect mix of history, culture, and hands-on fun for kids of all ages. Whether you’re exploring world-famous museums, discovering interactive exhibits, or enjoying outdoor adventures, the nation’s capital is packed with fun experiences for the whole family.

On our recent visit, we had a blast exploring some of the best things to do in DC with kids. In addition to some that may be familiar, I’ve also included some lesser-known spots that, in my opinion, should be a part of your family’s itinerary. These places offer unique and interactive experiences that make Washington, DC a city of endless opportunities.

National Children’s Museum

The National Childrens Museum is the perfect spot to burn off energy while exploring STEAM-based exhibits through hands-on play, and it’s one of the best things to do in DC with kids! It’s an ideal stop before a long flight or road trip, giving kids a chance to move, climb, and explore.

Here are some of the Top Exhibits & Activities:

• Dream Machine: A three-story climbing structure with slides and tunnels—tons of fun, but we found it a little tricky to keep eyes on our kids.
• Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Perfect for younger kids with pretend play stations and the neighborhood trolley.
• Paw Patrol Adventure Bay: Interactive missions that let kids become part of the Paw Patrol team.
• Tinkerers Studio: Hands-on building and engineering experiments to spark creativity.

My kids loved this museum. Our youngest didn’t want to leave the Daniel Tiger room. He also enjoyed experimenting with light and shadows, and playing with the tubes that sucked up pom-poms. Our older son was drawn to the Paw Patrol section and enjoyed making paper airplanes.

For parents, it can be a bit chaotic. Be aware that dream slide climbing structure made me especially anxious because it’s difficult to keep track of your kids as they climb, and the exit is near the building’s main doors. It felt like a security concern since, even with three adults watching two kids, we struggled to keep them in sight.

Information to Help Plan Your Visit

• Open times: Open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm; closed on Tuesday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
• Address: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
• Tickets: Admission to the museum, which includes access to STEAM-focused exhibits and programs, requires tickets: $18.95 per person for adults and children aged 1 and older, free for children under 1 and members.

National Building Museum

The National Building Museum is all about architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning, and we came here for our little LEGO® lovers, specifically for the “Brick City” exhibit. This incredible exhibit showcases the world’s most iconic architecture, brought to life through meticulously crafted LEGO® builds. My boys couldn’t get enough of the interactive building areas, creating their own imaginative cities and leaving their mark on the expansive “graffiti wall”. Whether you’re crafting a futuristic skyscraper or just stacking blocks for fun, there’s something magical about stepping into the role of an architect—even for the adults.

While the kids build, adults can take in the LEGO® displays of colorful streetscapes from Cartagena, Colombia, festive scenes from Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and intricate temples from places like India and Mexico. The exhibit even captures the magic of castles from medieval Japan and the glittering modern skyline of Las Vegas. Our whole family loved pointing out familiar buildings, like the Roman Colosseum that we had just seen a few months prior in Italy, and the Empire State Building that we’ve seen many times in nearby New York City.

Downstairs, the kids also enjoyed “Building Stories,” the first national exhibition that brings the magic of architecture, engineering, and design to life through the pages of beloved children’s books. Perfect for families with kids in grades K-3, this hands-on experience encourages creativity and curiosity as young minds explore the world of construction and design. The exhibit also included take home notebooks and pencils for the kids to write their own stories.

The Building Readers Club is the exhibition’s main educational initiative, developed in partnership with the DC Public Library and DC Public Library Foundation. This free program helps families dive deeper into the worlds of architecture, engineering, construction, and design through carefully selected children’s books.

As for me, I enjoyed the “House and Home” exhibit, which brought back so many memories, with objects and photographs that reminded me of my childhood home and my grandparents’ cozy spaces as they were in the 1980s and 90s. This exhibit weaves together stories of American home life, showcasing how technology, culture, and traditions have shaped what it means to feel at home. It’s a thoughtful and nostalgic look into how we live in our homes and one of the best things to do in DC with kids.

Information to Help Plan Your Visit

• Open times: Open Thursday – Monday, 10 am to 4 pm
• Address: 401 F Street NW
• Tickets: $10 Adult, $7 Youth and Seniors

The Butterfly Pavilion at the National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History is the world’s most visited natural history museum, inviting families to explore the wonders of our planet and its incredible history. The museum is free to enter, but the Butterfly Pavilion requires a separate admission fee.

The Butterfly Pavilion at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a magical, immersive experience that brings visitors up close to some of nature’s most delicate and fascinating creatures. This lush, climate-controlled exhibit is home to hundreds of butterflies from around the world, including species from North America, Central and South America, Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia.

As you walk through the Pavilion, you’ll find yourself surrounded by butterflies fluttering freely among tropical plants and flowers. The space is kept at a warm 80 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity to mimic the natural environments these butterflies thrive in. If you’re lucky, one may even land on you, offering a truly up-close encounter.

For families with young children, strollers are not permitted inside the Pavilion, but kids are welcome to explore on foot or be carried. The exhibit is wheelchair accessible.

Information to Help Plan Your Visit to the Butterfly Pavilion

• Open times: Sunday – Thursday from 10:15 am to 4:45 pm
• Address: 1000 Madison Drive NW
• Tickets: $8 for adults (13-59), $7 for seniors (60+), and $7 for children (2-12). Admission is free on Tuesdays. All sales are final with no refunds or exchanges. Tickets to the butterfly pavilion are available ONLY on-site at the Butterfly Pavilion Ticket Desk.

The International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum in Washington, DC is an exciting, interactive experience that brings the world of espionage to life. Unlike traditional museums, this one fully immerses visitors in the covert world of spies, offering hands-on activities, real-life spy artifacts, and thrilling undercover missions. It’s a must-visit for anyone fascinated by espionage, secret codes, and the daring operations of spies throughout history.

One of the highlights of the museum is its interactive missions, where visitors assume a cover identity, test their memory, and complete various challenges just like real spies. Kids (and adults!) can try their hand at codebreaking, laser dodging, and disguises, making it a thrilling experience from start to finish. The museum also houses an impressive collection of gadgets used by spies, including tiny hidden cameras, microdots, and even a lipstick pistol.

While the museum is highly engaging for all ages, it’s best suited for kids ages 9 and up due to the complexity of some exhibits and the immersive nature of the experience. Younger children might find some of the missions too challenging or the historical content less engaging. Because of this, we decided to skip it on our recent family trip, but we’re definitely planning a return visit when they’re older. Read more about if this would be the right spot for your kids under 9 here.

For families with older kids or anyone who loves mysteries, espionage, or history, the International Spy Museum is one of the best things to do in DC with kids. It’s an action-packed adventure filled with surprises, making visitors feel like real secret agents from the moment they walk in. If you’re looking for an exciting and unique activity in DC, this museum should definitely be on your list!

_{Photos courtesy of the International Spy Museum}

Information to Help Plan Your Visit

• Open times change through the year, but you can confirm the current schedule here.
• Address: 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW
• Tickets: Admission to the International Spy Museum costs $35.99 for adults (13-64), $23.27 for youth (7-12), and is free for children 6 and under. Seniors (65+), military personnel, law enforcement, and college students (with ID) receive a discounted rate of $32.81.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of amazing things to do in DC with kids! The city’s mix of educational attractions, iconic sights, and engaging activities make it a perfect trip for any family. We’ll cherish the memories we made on this trip and can’t wait to return to explore even more of what DC has to offer in the future. If you’re planning your own visit, be sure to check out the The Best Washington, DC Restaurants for Families and Washington, DC Cherry Blossoms: Experiencing the Magic of Spring in the Capital.

Feel free to email me or send a message on Instagram if you need further advice—I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you travel!