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Kids up to 12 enjoy free admission, hands-on STEM carts, Big Bird planetarium, story time, and child-height interactives, with family restrooms and staff guidance keeping things easy.
Recommended visit duration: 3-5 hours
👉 See FULL guide to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
Children up to 12 can hold insects, join Q?rius Jr., see mammal dioramas, and attend story playdates; free entry, elevators, and family restrooms aid parents, but ticketless entry causes queues.
Recommended visit duration: 3–5 hours
👉 See FULL guide to Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
Junior Ranger booklets, scavenger hunts, child-friendly Smithsonian exhibits and lawns to run make it engaging for under-12s; bathrooms with changers exist but walks are long and no playgrounds.
Recommended visit duration: 0.5–1 day
👉 See FULL guide to National Mall (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
School-age children can handle the one-hour guided tour, role-play in the Democracy Lab, and watch Congress from the gallery; strollers, changing tables, and a café help, but security lines can drag.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
👉 See FULL guide to United States Capitol (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
Junior Ranger booklets, scavenger hunts, and open lawns turn the memorial into an educational puzzle, yet climbable stairs and long walks may tire kids and there is no play gear.
Recommended visit duration: 1–2 hours
👉 See FULL guide to Lincoln Memorial (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
Kids gain a dedicated Young Readers Center, craft tables, and summer Family Days, but strict no-touch rules and quiet halls may shorten attention spans after an hour.
Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours
👉 See FULL guide to Library of Congress (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
Kids enjoy fast elevator, touch exhibits, Junior Ranger quest, and big lawns, but crowds, no food stands, and the stroller ban inside mean breaks and gear juggling for parents.
Recommended visit duration: 1–2 hours
👉 See FULL guide to Washington Monument (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
School-age children enjoy the Capitol’s hands-on Democracy Lab and Botanic Garden butterflies, while nearby playgrounds give energy outlets, but security lines require patience.
Recommended visit duration: 3-5 hours
👉 See FULL guide to Capitol Hill (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
Kids up to 12 earn Junior Ranger badges, read huge wall quotes, and burn energy on the flat 2-mile loop; yet there is no playground or cafeteria, so bring snacks and plan bathroom breaks.
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
👉 See FULL guide to Thomas Jefferson Memorial (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities
School-age children can earn Junior Ranger badges, follow a scavenger trail, and watch a short film, but paused house tours and strict security screening may test patience after about an hour.
Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours
👉 See FULL guide to The White House (with kids)10 BEST nearby Activities