We all know Washington, DC, is the capital of the United States, so of course it’s rich in historical facts.
But most kids really don’t care about that stuff.
However, that doesn’t mean they won’t love Washington, because we’ve found some amazing kid-friendly activities that will have your children loving DC.
D.C. Duck Tours – The first adventure for kids of all ages is the D.C. Ducks tour. This bus/boat amphibious vehicle will show your entire family around D.C. on land and water. You never have to change seats in this 2.5 ton GM truck with propellers and about 30 seats. Your captain will take you on the 1.5 hour tour while quizzing the kids on national monuments and other cool stops. But while this may seem like learning, the kids still love it. That’s because whoever can answer the questions right gets to quack at oncoming tourists and others walking the streets near the tour vehicle.
Spy Museum – When you first enter the International Spy Museum you’re greeted by a huge metal detector and shuffled into a room to watch a movie about espionage.
Then kids are given free reign over the entire facility with tons of interactive exhibits. They can crawl through the AC ductwork and spy on patrons in other areas of the building. There are even large silver flies on the walls which communicate encrypted data between the kids and Central Command.
Six Flags – Deep in the heart of DC is a completely uneducational 150 acres of fun and rides for kids. Six Flags America is the only theme park near the capital and it stays busy year round.
With over 100 rides, including The Wild One, an 85-year-old classic wooden rollercoaster, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family. Thomas Town, named for the famous tank engine is great for the under 6 crowd.
Glen Echo – The Glen Echo Park in historic D.C. is home to the world renowned Dentzel Carousel. You can get your picture taken on the carousel and share the memories with friends and family. More than just a park with a great ride, Glen Echo cultivates a love of the arts in children. The Adventure Theater has children’s plays like Go Dog Go and If You Give A Pig a Pancake every weekend. There’s also a Puppet Playhouse and Tiny Tots show. Admission to these theater shows is $5 and well worth the expense.
Kenilworth – This National Aquatic Garden is a 12-acre wonderland devoted to every aquatic plant and flower you can imagine. Kids will enjoy a game of I Spy as they try to spot all the native plants and birds that are scattered throughout the park. With an abundance of yellow irises, pickerelweeds, and rose shrubs, the scenery looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.
Wheaton Regional – This park boasts an exact replica of an 1863 train that takes families on tours through the park. There are also carousels, hiking trails, and playgrounds for kids to exhaust some restless energy. Nature programs throughout the year offer schools options for field trips as well.
Roosevelt Island – For the wildest adventure in Washington D.C., look no further than Roosevelt Island. Named after former President Theodore Roosevelt because of his love of the wild, this park doesn’t disappoint the naturist in all of us. The park is hidden away from the rest of the world, requiring a walk over a bridge from the George Washington Memorial Parkway just to reach it.
Have you been to Washington, DC, with your kids?
Share your favorite family activities in DC below!
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