The Best Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids
Family-friendly Washington, ranked: the dinosaur-filled Natural History Museum, immersive experiences, an escape room, and a magic show that keep younger travellers happy between the monuments.
Available
6 options
Avg. rating
4.7 - 10,660 reviews
From
$41 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Washington DC with Kids: what to know before booking
Family-friendly Washington, ranked: the dinosaur-filled Natural History Museum, immersive experiences, an escape room, and a magic show that keep younger travellers happy between the monuments.
- Availability
- 6 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $41 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 10,660 traveler reviews.
- Location
- National Mall museums plus immersive and show venues across central DC
- Best time
- Right at museum opening beats both the crowds and tired kids by mid-afternoon
- Ticket note
- Date- and session-specific for shows and immersive experiences; the museums are free but some need a timed pass
Washington DC with Kids in Washington DC
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Everything you should know before you book
Washington is an easy city with children: the Smithsonian museums are free, the Mall is one big open green, and there's a surprising amount of hands-on fun beyond the marble. This list ranks the family favourites by review score — the dinosaur and gem halls of the Natural History Museum, the immersive Bubble Planet, an escape room, and a close-up magic and mind-reading show.
Lead with the Natural History Museum and book the ticketed experiences ahead. The museum's dinosaur fossils and the Hope Diamond are the reliable crowd-pleasers, and entry is free — but the immersive and show-based experiences sell dated tickets that fill on weekends and school holidays. The Mall's open lawns and the carousel out front are a free reset between paid stops.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in Washington DC with young children?
The Natural History Museum (dinosaurs and the Hope Diamond) is the free favourite, and the immersive Bubble Planet, an escape room, and a close-up magic and mind-reading show add hands-on fun. The Mall's lawns are a free run-around between stops.
Is Washington DC good for a family trip?
Very — it's walkable, safe, and packed with free museums and open green space, with paid family experiences a short Metro ride apart.
Are tickets cheaper if I book the family experiences online?
Usually, and booking ahead guarantees a session on busy weekends and school holidays when the immersive and show venues sell out.