Get of dose of art (and spring!) at the National Gallery
Monday – Have an art museum adventure National Gallery of Art. The East Building is full of contemporary works with bold colors and captivating designs. The new(ish) Outliers and the American Vanguard is full of interesting pieces, and be sure to stop in the Alexander Calder room on the 4th floor, where mobiles of all shapes and sizes will dazzle kiddos. The West Building houses more classical works, including many by the masters. There is also a Sally Mann exhibit currently on view. Hours are 10am – 5:30pm. Admission is free.
Tuesday – Go to another but very different museum on the Mall, the National Museum of Natural History. One of DC’s most tried and true for kids, there are exhibits to indulge all kinds of interests. Gawk at the beasts in the Hall of Mammals, hold live creatures in the Insect Zoo, check out marine life in Sant Ocean Hall, learn about early humans and see what you’d look like as a Neanderthal, get hands on in Q?rius (or Q?rius Jr. for little ones Tues – Fri). KFDC Tip: On Tuesdays, you can get free entry to the Butterfly Pavilion, and I recommend getting tickets for it when you arrive, since entry is timed, and yours may not begin right away. Admission to the museum is free, the Butterfly Pavilion is $7.50/adult, $6/child (other days). Museum hours are 10am – 5:30pm, Q?rius hours are 2-5pm.
(NOTE: The National Building Museum was originally recommended for Tuesday, but it is closed this particular day for a private event. It’s a great place to go on another day, though!)
Wednesday – Celebrate spring with a Cherry Blossom Dream! The real flowers may not be blooming yet, but a digital blossom experience at ARTECHOUSE makes up for it. Stunning imagery and fun interactives will delight all ages. Hours are 10am – 5pm for kids, and admission is $15/adult, $8/child. I recommended reserving tickets in advance.
Thursday – Take the kids to play at Montrose and Dumbarton Oaks Parks in Georgetown. Frolic on the playground and sprawling fields and do some light hiking on the trails. Both are fun, easy places to enjoy a sunny day with little ones (and big ones, for that matter). Admission at both locales is free. Plan to grab a bite at one of the many nearby eateries on M Street or Wisconsin Ave. If you want to make a longer day of it, visit the just reopened Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, too. Located right next to Montrose, they are lovely to roam. Hours there are 2-6pm Tuesday – Sunday, and admission is $10/adult, $5/child.
Later on, from 4-5:15pm, join an open studio to get a preview of spring classes at Red Panda Art in Chevy Chase. Kids ages 2-8 can enjoy exploratory stations and art invitations. Dress in clothes that don’t mind a mess and be ready to create! Admission is $25.
Friday – Go to the Glen Echo Aquarium to discover the Chesapeake Bay through hands-on exhibits and adventure areas designed with kids in mind. Touch aquatic animals, play on a pirate ship, and explore through all kinds of fun activities. On Fridays, enjoy Story Time (11:30am), too! Hours are 11am – 4pm. Admission is $5 on Friday ($6 on Saturday & Sunday).
In the afternoon, take older kids to the Newseum for a special program with student journalists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. In the lead-up to the March for Our Lives on Saturday, the teens will recount their experiences witnessing and reporting on the February 14, 2018, shooting that killed 17 of their fellow students and teachers. Margaret Brennan, moderator of CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” will lead the discussion.
