DC Indoor Pools | KidFriendly DC

The great, big jumping pillow at Great Country Farms

Monday – I’m making a couple of repeat suggestions from the weekend, and with good reason — the dazzling hues and wonderful weather of autumn probably won’t last much longer, and these pursuits are great ways to take advantage of both. First, enjoy a natural oasis right in the city at the National Arboretum. Go for nature walks through the woods, bike along the winding roads, romp in open green spaces, picnic in the Grove of State Trees. Open 8am – 5pm, admission is free. Second, if you’re up for day trip, head out to Great Country Farms for Punkin’ Chunkin’ and then some. You won’t mind the hour-plus drive with a landscape encompassing fall’s full color spectrum on display along the way. And the farm has attractions to keep little ones occupied for hours — a giant jumping pillow, slides, animals, a cow train and hay rides, and more. Don’t forget to bring your jack-o-lantern for a smashing good time! Admission is $10/adults, $8/children. Concessions are available at extra cost in the Roosteraunt.

Tuesday – Bounce on over to the Prince George’s Sport and Learning Complex for open play in the Gymnastics Center. Kids can jump, swing, and slide into a big foam pit; spring on trampolines; climb rope ladders, walk balance beams, roll around on soft mats, and more. The hour-long session begins at 11:30am. Admission is $6/child.

Wednesday – It doesn’t have to be summertime to go for a swim, so suit up and plunge in at one of DC’s public aquatic centers. Find out where they are here, and be sure to call ahead for open swim times, as they might vary by venue.

Thursday – Enjoy “Flights of Fancy” – Stories for Children, the Air & Space Museum’s free program that includes a reading of a flight or space-themed book and a hands-on activity. During this session, hear Looking Down by Steven Jenkins at 11am in the Looking at Earth gallery on the first floor.

Friday – Sing along, support a cause, and save a buck at this week’s Boogie Babes shows! Bring in any gently used children’s item and take $1 off admission. Donations will go to Destination Abricots, an organization supporting orphaned and disadvantaged children in the small community of Abricots, Haiti. Mr. Knick Knack will perform at 10:30am at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. (There is also a Thursday show — John Henry, the Guitar Playing Man will play Eastern Market’s North Hall at 10:30am). Admission is $4/child with the discount.

The Building Zone at the National Building Museum is a great rainy day play option for little ones

Note: This list has been updated. Find a bigger, better version here.

Looking for activities for the kids on a foul-weather day? Here are some ideas…

1. Let them burn some energy at an indoor gym. This is a good list to get you started.

2. Take in a show at Glen Echo Park — see what’s currently on stages at The Puppet Co. and Adventure Theatre.

3. Head to the National Building Museum for some play time in the Building Zone or other activities in the Great Hall. (Note: linked post contains info about past events, as well as a description of what’s currently there).

4. Check out your local library.

5. Catch an IMAX like Born to Be Wild 3D or one of several other great films currently playing at the Smithsonian IMAX Theaters. See the Smithsonian website for details.

6. Visit a Smithsonian museum on the National Mall (or elsewhere in the city). They are free, fantastic places to stay dry.

7. Take a tour of Tudor Place, and be sure to check the calendar for special events.

8. See an exhibit or a few at the National Geographic Museum.

9. Go ice skating at the Kettler Iceplex, in College Park, or at Cabin John Ice Rink.

10. Shake your thang with the Boogie Babes. They bring children’s musicians to Eastern Market every Thursday morning and to the Atlas Performing Arts Center on Fridays.

11. Let imaginations run wild with pretend play at the Playseum. Locations are in Capitol Hill and Bethesda.

12. Explore space at a planetarium. The Albert Einstein Planetarium at the Air & Space is open every day. The Rock Creek Park Planetarium has free shows on weekends and Wednesdays at 4pm. And the David M. Brown Planetarium is in Arlington, though open only during the school year.

13. Jump in at an indoor pool. (Note: DC DPR closes aquatic centers if there is thunder).

14. Romp in the play area and ride the Express Train at Tysons Corner Center.

15. Wing it at the College Park Aviation Museum.

16. Paint some pottery at Color Me Mine, All Fired Up, or Clay Cafe.

17. Rock out at a Jammin’ Java kids show.

18. Get in touch with nature at the U.S. Botanic Garden, where many of the plant collections make you feel like you’re not just outdoors, but in a whole other region altogether.

19. Nuture the next 007 at the International Spy Museum. (Best for about ages 6 and up.)

20. Go below the surface, literally and figuratively, at the National Aquarium in DC, located in the lower level of the Department of Commerce Building.

21. Have a blast at Port Discovery in Baltimore.

22. And speaking of Baltimore and aquariums, the National Aquarium in Fells Point gets its own spot on this list.

23. As does the Maryland Science Center, also on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Visit the new traveling bug exhibit along with a host of cool permanent collections.

24. Deliver on fun at the National Postal Museum, where lots of interactive exhibits and an easy-to-explore space make it a perfect outing for little ones.

25. Watch a movie screening especially for kids or parents with brand new ones. Read about special movie series in the area.

26. Explore imagiNATIONS, the family activity center at that National Museum of the American Indian.

27. Enjoy Theatre for the Very Young, the new program for little audiences at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

28. Get your game on at Labyrinth, the Capitol Hill shop specializing in games and puzzles for all ages. Demo a few at tables set up in back for just that purpose.

29. Experience the outdoors inside at a nature center. Find one near you with the help of The Natural Capital blog.

30. Frolic in the new 1,200-square-foot play area at Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Va. (And while you’re there, do a little outlet shopping, too!)