This gift guide will probably look familiar, and that’s because you’ve likely seen it before — a version of it, anyway. Over the 10 years I’ve been sharing it, the general ideas haven’t changed very much (nor has most of this intro, for that matter). While the specifics are always updated, the overall concepts have remained pretty consistent. That’s because these recommendations are meant to reflect the spirit of KidFriendly DC — of adventure, discovery, local culture, and family time — and these ideas do just that. (Plus, I think they’re really good suggestions! 🙂 )
For the second year, I’ll be extending this gift guide. Along with this list of all DC-inspired recommendations, look out for separate curated guides for specific groups of giftees. For now, though, I’m sharing some things our family has really enjoyed around the area (or have heard are really good) and think would make fantastic presents for a variety of people. This also gives me a chance to highlight local places and businesses offering unique experiences and products as well as people and organizations that are doing great things. And then there are ideas that are simply fun and enriching and showcase the incredible, dynamic city that is Washington, DC. None of these recommendations are sponsored; they’re just experiences, places, adventures, and products that I truly like and think you and yours might, too. Happy gifting!
Live entertainment is a great gift for any age
There’s so much great live entertainment coming to local stages soon, that would make fantastic presents for kids and adults. KFDC Tip: Before you buy, check for ticket deals here as you may be able to get discounts to some productions. Here are recommendations for shows coming up in the next several months and even a few running during the holiday season.
* Disney’s Frozen at Olney Theatre (find discount)
* & Juliet at the Kennedy Center (find discount)
* Life of Pi at the Kennedy Center (find discount)
* Riverdance at the Kennedy Center (find discount)
* John Oliver at the Kennedy Center
* Dragons Love Tacos at Adventure Theatre
* Charlotte’s Web at Adventure Theatre
* Petite Rouge at Imagination Stage (find discount)
* Paw Patrol Live at EagleBank Arena
* The Simon & Garfunkel Story at National Theatre
* Tina – The Tina Turner Museum at National Theatre
* Shucked at National Theatre
* Sister Act at Ford’s Theatre
* Death on the Nile at Arena Stage (find discount)
* A Wrinkle in Time at Arena Stage (find discount)
* Waitress at Olney Theatre (find discount)
* Frankenstein by Shakespeare Theatre Company
* Mary J. Blige at Capital One Arena
* Jason Isbell at Warner Theatre
* Sesame Street Live at Warner Theatre
* In the Heights at Signature Theatre (find discount)
* Shakira at Nationals Park
* The 9:30 Club is legendary and welcomes all ages to most shows (think teen gift!)
* The Anthem has a great line-up of concerts, too (again, teen gift!)
* For holiday season shows, look here
* You can also give a gift certificate or membership to one of the venues mentioned above!
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Give a gift voucher for ice skating at Washington Harbour
For the people, young and old, in your life who like active thrills or challenges, a gift card or season pass for one of these action-packed pursuits is strongly recommended.
* A season pass or vouchers for a local ice skating rink will delight peops who like to glide.
* Got climbers in your crew? Get them a gift card for climbing sessions or membership at ClimbZone in Laurel, Bouldering Project in Eckington, or Sport Rock Climbing Centers .
* Kraken, which opened last year, offers pickleball, roller skating, axe throwing, a rage room — and gift certificates!
* For winter fun, how about an Epic Pass? It grants access to ski resorts all around the country, including several within driving distance of DC.
* And for when it warms up, there are several great ropes courses in the area, with something suitable for every age. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is our favorite, and their annual Holiday Sale begins soon.
* REI has all kinds of local classes and events for those who like outdoor recreation.
* A gift card for a paddling excursion is also good one for when it’s back in season.
* Capital City Circus School has classes in flying trapeze, static trapeze, silks, juggling trampoline, and more. Read more about it here (from when it was Trapeze School NY).
* iFLY Loudoun offers a one-of-a-kind exhilarating opportunity to experience sky diving without stepping foot in (or out of) an airplane. Read more about it here. (Post is about my experience, but my kids have done it, too!)
* TopGolf, with area locations at National Harbor and Germantown, is a fun place to practice driving balls from their hitting bays.
* The St. James has Super, Awesome, & Amazing fun at its activity center and indoor waterpark. Read about it here.
* A sightseeing boat tour is a cool way to get a new view of DC — and have some fun on the water.
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Littles will love a day at the LEGO Discovery Center (Photo: Emily Moise)
DC is known for its many free attractions, but there are some places and experiences that require admission. So, make a visit to one something special by giving it as a gift. Here are some to check out that are worth the splurgy entry fee:
* A day of Lego play at the LEGO Discovery Center will thrill young builders. Read about it here.
* The immersive experience Disney Encanto x CAMP is returning to Tysons through early January. Read about it here.
* Swingers offers indoor mini golf plus food, drinks, and a fun vibe (and family time on Sundays).
* A Sleepover at the National Archives is like a real-life Night at the Museum.
* Clue them in with a Watson Adventures scavenger hunt. Read about it here.
* The International Spy Museum is as interactive as it is intriguing. Read about it here.
* The Museum of Illusions will blow their minds. Read about it here.
* An adventure at Escape the Room is a perfect present for puzzle solvers.
* Cat people will love Crumbs and Whiskers, the cat cafe where they can cuddle with kitties and enjoy a coffee.
* Pinstripes takes bowling & bocce up a notch with good dining, to boot. Read about it here.
* The Mansion on O Street is easily one of the neatest places in DC…a self-guided tour and secret door hunt is practically guaranteed to delight any giftee. Read about it here.
* Exhibits at ARTECHOUSE are unique, immersive, and fun to experience. Read about one here.
* For cinema lovers, dinner (or lunch) and a movie at The Alamo would make their day (or night). Read about it here.
* Give adults a day of relaxation at Balian Springs Spa in Alexandria.
* Or fo those who are into beer, a City Brew Tour.
* There are many awesome attractions in Baltimore that would be great to gift.
* Several holiday light displays run into January.
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A family membership to the National Building Museum is great for the whole crew
Membership really does have its benefits! You can get first dibs on tickets to events and shows, exclusive access to special offerings, and/or free admission to places, perfect for those who have favorite spots they frequent often. Here are some local attractions with membership options that would make for excellent gifts:
* National Building Museum memberships get you all into exhibits and some programs free of charge, members-only birthday parties, advanced camp registration, preview invites, and more. (Starts at $90/year for families).
* At the National Children’s Museum, get a year of free admission, invites to special programs, members-only hours, & 10% off in the gift shop. (Starts at $225 for families.) Read more about the museum and get a glimpse here.
* Make someone a Smithsonian Associate to get them special benefits, access, and discounts for all kinds of Smithsonian programs. (Starts at $50.)
* Sign kids up for their favorite sports team fan club that offers all kinds of fun benefits, for low cost or even free. A few of our local pro sports team have them: Nats, Spirit, Caps.
* For adults who enjoy performing arts, Kennedy Center membership gets them ticket priority, special event invites, and discounts on parking, dining, and the gift shop. (Starts at $75.)
* Teen gift? Gym membership! They all seem to be joining these days (at my gym, anyway). I highly recommend OneLife Fitness (formerly Sport & Health and Results before that). Of course, this can be a gift for an adult, too.
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An instrumental gift from the International School of Music
Has your child expressed interest in a particular activity? Give them a boost by getting them into a class! Here are some recommendations.
* Give the gift of music with lessons from the International School of Music.
* Kids can kick it withDC Way’s soccer offerings.
* Let them act up with performing arts classes from Adventure Theatre or Imagination Stage.
* Chess, anyone? Check (out) Magnus Chess Academy.
* Sign them up for STEM style after school fun at KID Museum.
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Sports fan gift? Done!
The gift of sports is no-brainer for those who love them. Our local sports teams, pro and college, have experiences (ie, games) and merch that fans will cheer about when they receive them. Here are links for all of them, and note that some are offering special holiday packages, too!
* Washington Nationals (Holiday Packs | Merch)
* Washington Capitals (Tickets | Merch)
* Washington Mystics (Tickets | Merch)
* Washington Wizards (Tickets | Merch)
* Washington Commanders (Tickets | Merch)
* Washington Spirit (Tickets | Merch)
* University of Maryland Terrapins
* George Washington University Colonials
* Catholic University Cardinals
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ENTER THROUGH THE MUSEUM GIFT SHOP
The National Museum of Natural History has three shops, one of them especially for kids
We have some pretty amazing museums in our city, and many of their gift shops — that are also online — echo the impressive collections with items that are an extension of their programs. It’s not just prints of paintings you see; you can buy books, puzzles, accessories, gadgets, games, housewares, and lots of children’s items that are artistic, clever, and innovative. Just about all of the Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo have wonderful gift shops. And I highly recommend browsing the shops of some of the other museums in town — I’ve purchased gifts over the years at all of these.
* National Museum of Women in the Arts
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Books galore and more gifty items at Solid State Books
Shop for unique gifts and support independent businesses around the city. Here are some of our go-tos for gift shopping close to home.
* Book it to one of these local, independent shops to find good reads for your giftees: Solid State Books on H Street NE, East City Book Shop on Capitol Hill, Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle, Hurray for Books in Old Town Alexandria, Loyalty Bookstore in Petworth and Silver Spring, Politics & Prose at Union Market, The Wharf, and Northwest, and Capitol Hill Books, a legendary used books shop.
* Labyrinth Game Shop on Capitol Hill is the place to go for the best board games and puzzles.
* Steadfast Supply, located in the Navy Yard, is a great store to shop for maker-made and DC-inspired gifts.
* The Pretzel Bakery is our hands down neighborhood fave for savory & sweet treats — locations on Capitol Hill & in Bethesda.
* Check the above bookstores for Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, DC Scavenger, and Unique Eats & Eateries of Washington, DC by local author, JoAnn Hill — all are fantastic books, the first filled with intriguing stories and interesting facts about the city, the second using clever clues to help you explore DC, and the third a guide to some great dining spots that you likely aren’t yet aware of.
* Give foodies a gift card for a local restaurant. Some we love: Pastis, Caruso’s Grocery, O-ku, The Bazaar, Villa Yara, Moon Rabbit.
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Capture them (and their hearts) with this gift
How about a gift that includes your whole gang? Present them (and yourself!) with a family portrait session. And like the last many years, I’m recommending just the right photographer for it. As mentioned in previous gift guides, I have adored Darcy Troutman’s photos forever, starting with her former blog, No Monsters in My Bed. But over the last several years, she’s launched her own photography business capturing families and weddings, helping people make and preserve memories. Her style is unique and the photos gorgeous, but her real-life, let-the-moment-seize-you approach to her work is what really makes it special. Also, she’s hilarious and sweet and really comfortable to be around, the ideal personality for the job. Plus, her photos will not only capture this time in your lives, they’ll make for great gifts for extended family throughout the year, too.
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If there’s someone in your life who wants an update to their home, but needs some guidance going about it, gift them the help of an expert. Margaret Carroll is an architect and design consultant extraordinaire and, full disclosure, a really great friend of mine. But that just means I know first hand that she has a keen eye for style and the sharpest aesthetic of anyone I know, from the perfectly picked tile in her bathrooms (and in mine!) to the pretty booties on her feet. Her own home was even featured in Bethesda Magazine!
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Osgemeos: Endless Story at the Hirshhorn is fun, funky, and totally FREE
Of course, not all gifts have to come with a hefty price tag. There are so many magical yet still inexpensive experiences to be had in the DC area, some without even spending a dime. You can creatively package them up — perhaps a big, fun card with a photo — and promise a visit. Some suggestions:
* A visit to the Hirshhorn to see the wonderfully vibrant Osgemeos: Endless Story exhibit.
* A wander through the delightful Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, free from November to March.
* A day at the National Zoo.
* A tour of the art, indoors & out, at Glenstone for tweens and older.
* A fossil hunting adventure at the Purse Area in Nanjemoy, MD.
* A bird’s eye view of DC from the Old Post Office Tower.
* A Rock Creek Park outing to visit the Nature Center, Planetarium, & Peirce Mill.
* A cool exploration of history at Fort Washington.
* A visit to Planet Word, the fantastic, language-focused museum downtown.
* A trip out to the Udvar-Hazy Center, the Chantilly annex of the Air & Space Museum.
* A day of play at Clemyjontri.
* A picnic and play in the Youth Garden at the National Arboretum.
* A bike ride along the Anacostia River Trail or another great area route.
* A family game of disc golf at a local course.
* Find inspo for even more here and here!
* Perhaps the best gift of all is quality time with the people in our lives, so be sure to take advantage of it during the season. The 2024 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season Around DC is full of ideas for doing just that. Happy Holidays!
