15 Best Museums in DC for Kids (With lots of FREE options )
Below you can find a list of the best Museums for Kids in DC. We have included lots of free museums in DC as well as those with an entry fee.
Best Museums for Kids in DC
It’s no secret that Washington, DC has no shortage of kid-friendly museums. If you and the rest of your family enjoy going to museums and devouring information, DC is the place to go. In fact DC is one of the best places for a family holiday in the US. Find below a list of 15 museums in DC for kids.
*Please note that information is correct at publish date, and we try to update the post when possible. Please do check websites as costs may change over time.
10 Free Museums in DC for Kids
A list of the best free museums in DC that are kid friendly. These museums in DC for kids are great to visit for the whole family.
1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
On the top of our list of free museums in DC for kids is the Smithsonian National Museum of National History. In this museum, children of all ages can engage in an interactive learning environment called Q?irius and Q?irius jr that offer science experiments, handling of collection objects and microscopes, and meeting scientists.
On Tuesdays, the Butterfly Pavilion is free. Families can enjoy this small tropical sanctuary where butterflies fly freely and often land on people. Around the corner from the Butterfly Pavilion, children can have the opportunity to touch a Madagascar hissing cockroach and a Tobacco Hornworm caterpillar among others, and witness a tarantula feeding.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/
2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
In this kid friendly museum in DC, families are greeted with incredible larger-than-life displays of space travel and aviation as they enter. The entire structure is filled with fun activities for kids. Look through a real telescope, climb in an aircraft, engage in story times, or watch a show in the Planetarium.
A specific exhibit How Things Fly is filled with discovery stations that encourage kids to engage in science experimentation concerning flight. This popular free museum in DC is a definite must when visiting the nation’s capital.
There are two Air and Space Museums. This one in Washington, DC, and the other – the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center – is located near Dulles Airport in Virginia, which is a 1 ½-hour travel via Metrorail from the DC location. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is also free and kid-friendly and offers many hands-on activities for children such as an observation tower, simulators, and story times. It also exhibits incredible displays of aircraft such as a Concorde, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, and the Space Shuttle Discovery, which was the third Space Shuttle to fly in space.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://airandspace.si.edu/
3. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Another great free museum in DC, built in 2016. This latest Smithsonian museum as its moniker is dedicated solely on the history, culture, and life of African Americans. The exhibits are enthralling, informative, and detailed. It is a must-see museum for children and adults alike to cultivate understanding and tolerance.
Explore More! Is an interactive area located on the 2nd floor of the building. This includes The Arc, Search for the São José, Follow the Green Book, Join the Step Show, and Google 3D interactive. Additionally, the Robert Frederick Smith Explore Your Family History Center allows visitors to delve into family history digital archives and genealogical databases.
Because this museum is still rather new, advance timed passes are required on the weekends, and during peak season every day.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://nmaahc.si.edu/
4. Smithsonian National Museum of American History
This free museum for kids in DC takes visitors through the rich, dynamic, and complex American history with remarkable exhibits, astounding research, and fun hands-on activities.
There are three hands-on sections geared specifically for children: Object Project, Wegmans Wonderplace, and Spark!Lab. Object Project features innovative everyday things that visitors can touch and handle, and learn their significance and place in history.
The Wegmans Wonderplace is full of toys and activities designed with 0 to 6 years old in mind. And lastly, the Spark!Lab. A space specifically for 6 to 12 years old, Spark!Lab encourages young visitors to create, experiment, and invent. Activities include science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and art. This museum in DC for kids is truly fascinating, educational, and fun for families.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://americanhistory.si.edu/
5. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Seeking to inspire, empower, educate, and foster better understanding of the Native peoples, this free museum in DC is one that all families must visit when exploring the District.
Boasting an expansive collection of artifacts representing over 12,000 years of history of Native American culture, this museum is truly delightful for visitors of all ages. There’s an incredible interactive area, the imagiNATIONS Activity Center where young visitors can discover inventions by Native tribes such as snowshoes and skateboards.
There’s also basket-weaving, tipi-building, playing with authentic percussion instruments, and discovering a traditional Native home. Don’t forget on Sundays, there’s Hok-noth-da for Families storytelling activities.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://americanindian.si.edu/
6. Holocaust Museum
The Holocaust museum in DC is every bit as powerful as it is moving. The exhibits take visitors through the origin, the consequences, and the aftermath of the evil that is the Nazi party, as well as the inexplicable sufferings of the Jews during World War II.
*Though the museum has no age restrictions, parents need to be aware that there are many photographs, historical artifacts, and video footages of the inhumanity that the Jews were subjected to that may be terrifying for young children. The most younger children-friendly perhaps is the Hall of Remembrance where visitors can light a candle for the victims, and Daniel’s Story which presents the Holocaust through a child’s eyes.
If you haven’t already spent the whole day at the Holocaust museum, next door is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It offers a quick 40-minute tour of how money is made. I’m sure the children will find that pretty cool!
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: Appropriate for children accompanied by an adult*
More information: https://www.ushmm.org/
7. U.S. Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden is a living plant museum that showcases the cultural, economic, aesthetic, therapeutic, and ecological value of plants to humans and the world’s fragile ecosystems. This is a great option if you are looking for a fun museum in DC for kids. And best of all it is free!
Among the daily activities is a scavenger hunt that will surely entertain kids for hours as they run and identify plants all throughout the building and get their passports stamped. In the Children’s Garden, kids can play, dig, pump water, care for plants, and assist in planting flowers.
During Christmas season, the Botanic Garden feature Season’s Greenings, a holiday show that showcase poinsettias, large indoor trees, plant-based models of DC monuments, and a train display.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://www.usbg.gov/
8. National Gallery of Art
Other than admiring world-famous paintings, sculptures, and other works of art, art-lovers young and old can be dazzled by the incredibly beautiful interior of this museum.
And if that’s not all, The National Gallery of Art offers visitors a myriad of workshops with an interactive guide, seasonal concerts on Sundays from autumn to spring, Drop-in Art Making in the Education Studio, public tours, special exhibitions, tours in foreign languages, revered films and lectures, Art Investigators program and Stories in Art for ages 4-7, family workshops, and Teen Programs. Lastly, experience the Sculpture Garden that features sculptures from the Gallery’s collection, beautiful trees, and a fountain that serves as an ice rink in the winter.
On Friday evenings during the summer, relax and enjoy some jazz in Jazz in the Garden featuring different musicians.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://www.nga.gov
9. National Postal Museum
Perhaps one of the most underrated museums for kids in DC is the National Postal Museum. This museum is very kid-friendly, even offering an itinerary that include 10 fun things to do with kids such as: creating their own personal stamp, making a stamp collection, watching how stamps were made, writing a postcard and mailing it, walking through a forest in colonial America, hopping behind the wheel of a semi-truck, sorting packages, and riding in a stagecoach among others.
This museum for kids in DC makes something as mundane as stamps into something very interesting and exciting. Families are in for a treat as they learn about the value of snail mail, postage, and stamps.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/
10. Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Last on our list of free museums in DC for kids is the Renwick Gallery. This museum is a thrilling branch of the American Art Museum dedicated to American contemporary and innovative craft makers.
The large-scale exhibits are simply breathtaking and awe-inspiring even to the youngest of visitors. The art in this museum is not traditionally displayed behind glass, rather lifelike and 3-dimensional with vivid colors leaving visitors captivated and speechless.
Though the museum is not stroller-friendly, it is still worth it to bring children along. Park your stroller by the 17th street entrance, whip out your baby carrier, and get ready to be blown away.
Admissions: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://americanart.si.edu/visit/renwick
More Museums for Kids in DC
Below you can find some other interesting museums for kids in DC that have an entry fee. We do try to update this post however, please make sure to check the website for updated costs.
11. International Spy Museum
Captivating and intriguing, the International Spy Museum in DC offers interactive exhibits, outstanding spy artifacts and research, and first-person narratives from real spies and top intelligence officers.
Explore the world of espionage and discover the spy gadgets as your whole family traverse in this state-of-the-art museum. There are not only countless hands-on sections all throughout the building, but you and your whole family can test your spy skills in an Undercover Mission. This is an experience that’s surely one for the books and a great museum for kids in DC to visit.
Admissions:
Ages 13-64: $24.95, Ages 7-12: $14.95, Ages 6 and under: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://www.spymuseum.org/
12. National Geographic Museum
Another interesting museum in DC for kids is The National Geographic Museum. Features include exhibits by National Geographic photographers and the research by international scientists. The exhibits are powerful, engaging, interesting, and extraordinary.
There are interactive learning stations as well as behind-the-scenes stories. Visitors can admire world-famous artifacts and iconic photographs. In addition to the permanent exhibition, check out the museum’s website to see the current temporary exhibition.
The museum also hosts Nat Geo Nights on the third Thursday of every month. Visitors enjoy happy hours with live stories from Nat Geo Explorers, interactive activities, trivia, lively music, delicious food and drink specials.
Admissions:
Adults: $15, Children (Ages 5-12): $10, Ages 4 and under: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/events/visit/
13. Newseum
The Newseum is devoted entirely to the free press and the First Amendment and the important roles they play in the visitors’ lives. This museum is highly interactive with seven levels of galleries and theaters.
In this museum, kids can play in the NBC Interactive Newsroom, become a television reporter and journalist, and read from a teleprompter. There are interactive kiosks, challenges on media ethics, powerful exhibits such as the 9/11 and Berlin Wall permanent galleries, Pulitzer Prize photographs, and the pets of the U.S. presidents. Exceedingly informative and exciting, the vast collection of the importance of a free press in this museum will quickly become a family favorite destination.
Admissions:
Adults: $24.95, Children (Ages 7-18): $14.95, Ages 6 and under: FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://www.newseum.org/
14. National Building Museum
This museum in DC is all about engineering, architecture, and design. Visitors are engulfed with exhibitions, special events, and activities and programs geared specifically toward the history and impact of the building world.
A fantastic option if you are looking for a fun museum in DC for kids. Children ages 2 – 6 can enjoy The Building Zone, a hands-on space that introduces building and design to creative minds. Another interactive installation is the Play Work Build where kids can build endlessly using construction toys such as small and giant foam blocks, tinker toys, Lincoln Logs, and virtual blocks.
Check out their website for other fun programs such as Lego Architecture and Teen Night. If your child is obsessed with building, this museum hosts birthday parties and is a great spot for your budding architect or engineer!
Admissions:
Adults: $16, Children (Ages 3-17): $13
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://www.nbm.org/
15. National Law Enforcement Museum
The National Law Enforcement Museum in DC is devoted entirely to American law enforcement through educational installations, interactive exhibits, and profound programs. This kid friendly museum in DC boasts over 20,000 interesting and immersive artifacts that chronicle and visualize the history, the present, and future of law enforcement.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy several workshops such as a training simulator, Science Saturdays, Story Time, group tours, special performances, and other one-of a-kind activities in this state-of-the-art facility. For children aspiring to join law enforcement or those who simply want a police-themed birthday party, this museum offers to host birthday parties.
Admissions:
Adults: $21.95, Youth (Ages 6-11): $14.95, Children (ages 5 and under): FREE
Age requirement: All ages
More information: https://lawenforcementmuseum.org/
Tips for visiting Museums in DC with Kids
A few of these facilities require an admission fee, yet many are free to the public. However, spring and summer are the peak seasons in the District so some of the free museums for kids in DC require a timed entry pass – also free. It’s best to pick up these passes earlier in the day if you want to avoid long queues with your little ones. Other than free admission, many of these museums also offer free guided tours and accessible tours in American Sign Language or visitors who are blind or with low vision.
- All these kid-friendly museums are accessible via Metrorail and some walking, so put on some comfortable walking shoes.
- With children in the equation, it would be beneficial to bring a stroller, packed lunches and snacks, and lots of water.
- The museums do not allow food and drink inside, but often they allow you to bring them as long as you do not eat or drink inside the building.
- Depending on your child’s interests, be prepared to spend a whole day in just one museum. We suggest you visit the museum’s website to see if there’s an event coming up at the site. Many of these museums hold family-friendly events that incorporate cultural and artistic activities, dances, and performances.
We hope this list of free museums in DC for kids has been helpful for you on your trip to DC! If you have any other suggestions of museums in DC that you have visited please let us know in the comments.
Author: Regine Orme is a writer and mother of 3 young children based in DC. She traveled extensively before children, and now continues to do so with her family. They have been living in and exploring Washington, DC for the past 7 years.
