Family fun in DC | KidFriendly DC

Make your own art at the National Gallery of Art

Not only are we so lucky to have a wealth of world class museums right here in DC, many also offer special programs to explore them even more. Among them are sessions especially for kids that take place on a regular basis — monthly, bi-weekly, weekly, and a couple even more often. There are story times, art activities, and all kinds of opportunities to discover the museums’ collections and related topics in new, fun ways. So, if you’re looking for a weekday activity with little ones or something for the whole family on the weekend, there are a bunch of great options. Even better, just about all of them are free. Here are details… and be sure to bookmark, too!

Get inspired at the National Portrait Gallery

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Where: 8th & F Strets NW | Penn Quarter, DC

Portrait Gallery Art Studio
When: Most Saturdays & Sundays, 1-4pm
All ages are welcome to drop in and get creative. Explore a different artistic mediums while drawing inspiration from the Portrait Gallery’s collection and exhibitions. On select weekends, learn from a featured guest artist, who will lead specialized workshops and share their expertise in various artistic disciplines.

Portrait Gallery Kids
When: Select Mondays, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Children and families are invited to learn, play, and create at the Portrait Gallery!  Join educators to explore topics like colors, emotions, STEM, and history through art viewing, hands-on activities, music, and movement. This program is a fun way to engage with art and each other.

Explore! Family Space
When: Daily, 11:30am – 7pm
Admission: Free
It’s not a special program, but you can bring children to play and learn about portraiture in a sweet, little space just for them. Read more about the Explore! space here.

Say hello to fun at the Postal Museum

NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM
Where: 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE | National Mall, DC

Story Time
When: Friday, 10-11:30am
Admission: Free
Stamp your calendar for Story Time! Join the museum every Friday for a fresh story, a stroll through the Museum, hands-on postal play, and more. Together, explore mail and all the ways it connects us to people, places, and big ideas.

Explore natural history on a Play Date

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Where: 1000 Madison Drive | National Mall, DC

Playdate at NMNH
When: Select Tuesdays, 10:30am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Early learners and their caregivers are invited to explore elements of nature with museum educators, usually in the Q?rius activity space or the Explorer Theatre in the Sant Ocean Hall.

Tinker away in the Spark!Lab

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
Where: | National Mall, DC

Spark!Lab
When: Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
While this isn’t a special program, the activity center is a special space within the museum where kids ages 6-12 are invited to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment, and invent. STEM activities are integrated with art, museum, and creativity.

Wegmans Wonderplace
When: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Again, this is not a special program, but the space for children ages 0-6 is full of features that cater to curious young visitors, incorporating play and learning in the museum’s American history context. Read more about it in this KFDC post.

Take kiddos for storytime and more at the Hirshhorn

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM
Where: 7th & Independence SW | National Mall, DC

Storytime Studio
When: Wednesdays & Thursday (June-Aug), 10-11am
Admission: Free
Bring young artists for a creative experience that makes art come to life. Storytime Studio is a blend of play, movement, read-alouds, and art exploration designed especially for young children and their adult caregivers. Join Hirshhorn educators to experiment with play and art-making, immerse yourself in interactive read-alouds, and experience kid-friendly tours of art on view!

Open Studio
When: Fridays (July-Aug) & Saturdays, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Let your creativity run wild at the Hirshhorn’s all-day art-making adventure. Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive hands-on activities inspired by the museum’s collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality. Every session introduces a new theme and fresh perspective on art-making. Activities are designed to captivate everyone, from budding young artists to seasoned creators, allowing you to craft, create, and learn throughout the entire day.

Hear stories about air and space

NATIONAL AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Where: 6th & Independence SW | National Mall, DC

Story Time
When: Thursdays, 11am
Admission: Free
Bring little ones to hear a children’s story that’s related to air and space. Some sessions include hands-on activities and play time, too. Note that the same story is repeated throughout the month.

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
When: Thursdays & Sundays, 10:30am
Admission: Free, but tickets are required
Join Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from “Zhima Jie,” the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. They also journey to Zhima Jie to learn about the similarities in our view of the sky.Note that it’s always the same show, but kids can pop in now and then and maybe discover something they previously missed.

More Planetarium Shows
When: Daily, various times
Admission: Free with timed passes
There are even more shows that explore space and let visitors immerse in the stars happening throughout the day, so there is just about always something fascinating to see. Birth of Planet Earth, Faster Than Light, Moonbase: The Next Step, Oasis in Space, and The Sky Tonight are currently on the schedule.

How Things Fly
When: Ongoing, 10am – 5:30pm (starting July 1)
Admission: Free
While not a special program, this gallery in the museum is full of interactive displays and hands-on activities that engage and fascinate visitors o all ages

Udvar-Hazy hosts story time and more

UDVAR-HAZY CENTER
Where: 14390 Air & Space Museum Pkwy | Chantilly, VA
Admission: Free, but note that parking is $15

Story Time
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11am & 11:30am
Admission: Free
Bring little ones to hear a children’s story that’s related to air and space. Some sessions include hands-on activities and play time, too. Note that the same story is repeated throughout the month.

Observe the Sun
When: Fridays & Saturdays, from 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Every Friday and Saturday, there are opportunities to bserve the Sun safely using a filtered telescope.

Get crafty at a First Saturday

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Where: East Building, 4th & Constitution NW | National Mall, DC

First Saturday
When: First Saturday of the month, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The museum’s monthly program is a special day-long affair with multiple free programs for visitors of all ages. There is a morning story time for little ones, hands-on art projects, sometimes films especially for kids, a pop-up library, and activities centered around a new theme or exhibit each month.

Discover the art of Asia through museum kids’ programs

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART
Where: 1050 Independence Ave SW | National Mall, DC

Art & Me Workshops
When: Select Saturdays monthly, 11am – 12:30pm & 1-3:30pm
Admission: Free
At this program, explore works in the museum then return to the ImaginAsia studio to learn more through a hands-on activity. It often fills up, so sign up in advance!

Take kids to story time on Saturdays at the American Indian Museum!

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Where: 4th & Independence Ave SW | National Mall, DC

Story Time
When: Select Saturdays, 11-11:45am
Admission: Free
Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum’s Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. Recommended for ages 3-9.

Enjoy STEAM fun in a stunning space

NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM
Where: 401 F Street NW | Judiciary Square, DC

Building Readers Club
When: Select Saturdays, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
This program for kids is a guide to explore the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design found in the pages of children’s books.

STEAM Saturday
When: Second Saturday of the month
Admission: Free with museum admission ($7/child, $10/adult)
Join the museum for STEAM activities. that challenges kids to think creatively and experimentally using principles of design thinking and engineering. The program is targeted towards 2nd-8th graders and their caregivers.

Just Drop In!
When: Fourth Saturday of the month, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
These workshops offer the perfect opportunity to engage in a variety of building and craft activities inspired by the world we design and build.

Drop in for play at the Zoo — and visit the animals, too!

NATIONAL ZOO
Where: | Woodley Park, DC

Little Critters Nature Play
When: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 9:30am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Little zoogoers can drop in to explore animals and nature through creative, free-choice activity stations, water play, and story times. Designed for kids ages 0-8.

Daily Animal Demos
When: Daily, various times
Admission: Free
Get a front row seat to animal keepers working with animals in these daily demonstrations! Throughout the day, you can meet elephants, watch sloth bears slurp ants, see sea lions catch fish and more.

Explore the world of Shakespeare at the Folger

FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY
Where: 201 East Capitol St SE | Capitol Hill, DC
Admission: Free, registration required

Family Workshops
When: One Saturday each month
One Saturday each month, the Folger invites families to join a workshop about the world of Shakespeare and beyond! There’s a new theme each session There are two sessions available with recommended ages: 11:30am–12:30pm (ages 4-7) and 1–2pm (ages 8-14). Read more about the Folger in this KFDC post.

Family days in one of DC’s grandest spaces

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Where: Capitol Hill, DC

Family Day
When: One Saturday a month
Admission: Free with tickets
The Library of Congress hosts monthly Family Days with timely themes connected to the Library’s collections. During these special days, visitors of all ages can enjoy hands-on activities for budding researchers and explore exhibitions on display in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Read more about the Library of Congress in this KFDC post.

Art to explore indoors and out at the Kreeger

KREEGER MUSEUM
Where: 2401 Foxhall Road NW | Foxhall, DC

First Studio: Art, Story, and Workshop
When: Select Saturdays monthly, 10-11am
Admission: $10
Young artists ages 3-5 and an adult companion are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program focuses on a theme supported by a story, works of art from the collection, and a hands-on art-making experience. Read more about the Kreeger Museum in this KFDC post.

A new story and theme every month

CAPITAL JEWISH MUSEUM
Where: 575 3rd Street NW | Judiciary Square area, DC

Story Time at CJM
When: Monthly, second Thursday, 10-11am & Fourth Saturday, 3:30-4:30pm
Admission: Free
Playing is learning! Children and their caregivers are invited to join the museum for stories, songs, and exploratory play as a means of reinforcing early literacy skills. Each month features a different theme and book suited for children of all backgrounds as they learn about themselves and the world around them. Most appreciated by kids aged 5 and under.

Explore aviation through special programs

COLLEGE PARK AVIATION MUSEUM
Where: 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive | College Park, MD

Cub Corner
When: Third Saturday of the month, 10:30-11:30am
Admission: $5/adult, $2/child
Enjoy a short story and craft in the museum’s gallery. Designed for younger learners 5 & under.

Afternoon Aviators
When: Last Saturday of the month, 1-2pm
Explore a variety of STEM and aviation-themed sciences with a short lesson and hands-on activity. Ideal for learners ages 8-12.

You never know who’s watching at the International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum was pretty stealth about the transition to its new location at L’Enfant Plaza. The former venue in Penn Quarter closed at the start of 2019, then seemingly while we weren’t watching… poof! The beautiful, new building was complete and welcoming visitors in July.

Between summer travels then the start of school and a busy fall schedule, we didn’t make it there to check it out until a recent day off from school. But when we finally did visit, it made for a fun and, of course, intriguing outing for Sasha, her friend, and me for a few hours.

The new Spy Museum is much like the old one in that it showcases the fascinating world of espionage, and visitors discover it all on an “undercover mission.” What’s new and different is the breadth of the exhibits that extend to present times and generally cover much more. Not only is the state-of-the-art space twice as big as the old one, there are many more displays, multimedia installations, and interactives that are engaging for a wide range of ages.

Get a secret agent identity

Learn about spies from past times

Apparently, not all vodkas are what they seem…

Once you get your secret identity and watch a short video about being a secret agent, the museum is open to tour on your own throughout the 4th and 5th floors of the building. It starts on the 5th with “Stealing Secrets,” “Making Sense of Secrets,” and “Covert Operations.” There are large installations featuring several spies during different points in history. Exhibitions focus on tools of the trade and what it takes to be a good spy. Some of the updates include exhibits about the capture of Osama Bin Laden, a comparison of Kennedy and Krushchev, and stories about World War II operations. All of them include interactive elements that enhance the exhibits and let visitors put their spy skills to use.

Create a disguise

Craft secret messages

Be part of Operation Neptune Spear, the mission to kill Osama Bin Laden

On the 4th floor, exhibitions include “Spying that Shaped History” and “Uncertain World.” The former illustrates the impact of intelligence on history through a variety of exhibits including some that recreate spy locales from the past, a theater highlighting films about espionage, and underground operations to escape East Berlin. The latter explores modern responses to threats, from interrogation to surveillance, and how they should be handled. A whole exhibit about cyber security is part of this, including an “infinity room” reminded us all of Artechouse.

Watching vintage hidden camera footage (and videoing it on an iPhone)

Infinite cyber

Some of this might sound sophisticated for young museum-goers, but it’s presented in a way that makes it interesting for them with interactive elements like cracking codes, creating digital disguises, games that test their knowledge, and experiences that put them in spy situations. And, yes, they still can crawl through the air duct!

They air duct never gets old

The museum is recommended for ages 9 and up, but I saw children even younger enjoying the hands-on activities with the help of parents. When you go, be sure to exit via the stairway, not the elevator. With glass walls, the atrium-like space offers fantastic views and makes for nice photo ops.

The International Spy Museum is located at L’Enfant Plaza, just south of the Smithsonian Castle, in Southwest DC. Metro is probably the easiest way to get there — the L’Enfant Plaza stop is on the Blue/Orange and Yellow/Green lines. Hours are 10am – 6pm daily. Admission is $24.95/age 13+, $14.95/7-12, free for ages 6 and under. You can save $2 on adult admission when you purchase online.