The Best Kids Activities in DC

National Aquarium in Washington, D.C.

• The National Aquarium Institute provides an opportunity for children and adults to learn about aquatic animals and their habitats. The aquarium is home to more than 200 species of marine wildlife, including marine fish, invertebrates, alligators, amphibians and other animals. Children can have an intimate or personal experience.

  National Aquarium in Washington DC
  14th & Constitution Ave. NW
  Washington, DC 20230
  (202) 482-2825
  nationalaquarium.com

Indoor Playhouse

• The indoor playhouses provide a place for babies and children to have a hands-on learning and socialization experience, including music, drama, obstacle courses or other options. Several indoor playhouses exist in D.C. such as Jonah's Treehouse and The Family Room, including play and movement, Kindermusik, French story time and other opportunities.

  Jonah's Treehouse
  2121 Wisconsin Ave, C1 Level
  Washington, D.C. 20007
  (202) 298-6805
  jonahstreehouse.com

  The Family Room
  411 8th St. SE, 2nd Floor
  Washington, DC 20007
  (202) 640-1865
  thefamilyroomdc.com

National Zoo

• The National Zoo, also known as the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, provides hands-on experiences, including 2,000 different animals with approximately 400 numerous species. Among the exhibits the zoo offers is the kids' farm with alpacas, goats, donkeys, cows, rabbits, hogs and other barnyard animals.

  National Zoo
  3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
  Washington, DC 20008
  (202) 633-3038
  nationalzoo.si.edu

Story Time

• Washington, D.C., libraries provide participation in story time that introduces children to books, arts and crafts, rhymes, music and other activities. Story time is offered each week, and adults must stay on site and participate with their children.

Indoor Pools

• The D.C. area has many indoor pools to choose from, including the Washington DC Indoor Pools, which consists of seven pools open year-round, and the Wilson Aquatic Center, which provides lap lanes, leisure pools, a family changing area and a recreation room.

  Wilson Aquatic Center
  4551 Fort Drive, NW
  Washington, DC 20016
  (202) 730-0583

Children's Theater and Music

• Children's theatre's like the Avalon Theater, Discovery Theater and Georgetown Theatre Company provide live performances, including theater, puppets, dance, storytelling, musicals and other opportunities. Some programs, such as the young associates program at the Discovery Theater, provide a behind-the-scenes look into how the programs work.

  Avalon Theater
  5612 Connecticut Ave., NW
  Washington, DC 20015
  (202) 966-6000
  theavalon.org

  The Smithsonian Associates
  Discovery Theater
  P.O. Box 23293 Washington, DC 20026
  (202) 633-8700
  discoverytheater.com

  Georgetown Theatre Company
  3222 M St., NW.
  Washington, DC 20015
  georgetowntheater.org

Pottery

• Your child can express their creativity by painting the pottery at All Fired Up. It offer summer camps, as well as kids' birthday packages. The glazes used in the process are nontoxic and free of lead, making it safe for young children to participate.

  Pottery Painted by You
  3413 Connecticut Ave. NW
  Washington, DC
  (202) 363-9590
  allfiredupdc.com