Washington, D.C., the United States capital, features renowned museums, famous memorials and iconic monuments, including The National Mall, the Capitol and the Jefferson Monument. If you are traveling with children, a good time to visit a museum is during weekday mornings because museums tend to be less crowded just after opening and children may be more attentive at the beginning of a day. The attention span of young children can be very short but several Washington, D. C. museums offer exhibitions and activities designed specifically for kids, including children as young as two years old.
A part of the largest museum complex and research organization in the world, the Natural History Museum is one of the 19 museums, nine research centers and the National Zoo of the Smithsonian Institution. Located at the intersection of 10th Street and Constitution Ave. NW, the museum offers special areas with interactive displays for children and school groups. The Insect Zoo, the Dinosaur Hall, the Butterfly Pavilion and the Discovery Room provide hands-on exhibits and education activities suitable for preschool kids as well as older children. Feeling the texture of a crocodile skin and playing make-believe while dressing up in clothes inspired by children's clothes from around the world are among the museum activities appropriate for toddlers. The museum is open every day of the year except December 25. Admission is free for all visitors and the regular museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Discovery Room section of the museum is closed Mondays and is reserved for school groups during the mornings but it is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 2:30 p.m. and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)
P.O. Box 37012 Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C. 20013
202-633-1000
mnh.si.edu
The unusual museum features a large collection of espionage artifacts and interactive exhibits. Activities suitable for toddlers include pretending to be an undercover spy or listening to stories of intrigue in the Briefing Room. Older children may also enjoy learning tools of the trade in the School for Spies. Special events and spy-themed tours geared toward children are listed on the online calendar available on the official website. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free for children under five years old.
International Spy Museum
800 F Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
202-393-7798
spymuseum.org
Adults and children alike can enjoy exploring the full-size airplanes and space ships as well as learning about the stars and galaxies far away in the aeronautical museum. The "I Spy in the Sky" activity guide is available on the official website and at the Museum's Welcome Desk. Based on the popular children's game, "I Spy with My Little Eye," the guide features illustrations of objects that can be found within the museum, such as wings, wheels, propellers. The "How Things Fly" exhibition features more than 50 interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, including several activities suitable for young children. The 45-minute "Flights of Fancy Story Time" is designed for children between two and five years old and includes an aeronautic story as well as hands-on activities and role play. The story time program is only available by reservations made by a school or youth group. The museum is open every day except on December 25 and admission is free. Regular museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extended hours offered during the summer.
National Air and Space Museum
National Mall Building
Independence Ave at 6th Street SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-2700
nasm.si.edu
