Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the DC Metro Area - 2019
2019's Best Places for Kids in the DC metro area!
Here are the Top 20 places to take kids in the D.C. Metro area, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do locally "out and about"! Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free!
The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute demonstrates leadership in animal care, science, education and sustainability. Always free of charge and open 364 days a year, the Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Today, the Zoo sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park and is home to 2,700 animals representing more than 390 species.
Old Greenbelt Theatre
The Old Greenbelt Theatre (or OGT) is an independent, member-supported, non-profit cinema that presents a carefully-curated selection of first-run movies, Hollywood classics, and foreign films. OGT provides notable (and often free!) programming for kids, including Storytime on Screen, OGT Kids screenings (family friendly films ranging from silent films, to cult classics, to ground-breaking animation), the School’s Out! Summer Series, School’s Out! Snow Days on every Prince George’s County snow day closure, and specialty educational workshops. OGT is currently renovating the adjacent building into a classroom to provide media arts-based camps, homeschooling programs, field trips, workshops and more!
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the DC Metro area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
National Museum of Natural History
The Museum is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs.
Clark's Elioak Farm
Clark's Elioak Farm is a petting farm in the heart of Howard County, Maryland. It is also the home of many attractions from The Enchanted Forest, Maryland's Storybook Park. The farm is open to visitors from April 1 through early November and features the chance to visit with farmyard animals, take wagon, pony and train rides and enjoy a day "down on the farm."
National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC) and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Chantilly, VA) display thousands of aviation and space artifacts, sharing the story of flight from early ballooning to recent advancements in space exploration. Education is a primary focus, with free activities including early childhood story times, family days, hands-on activities, science demonstrations, school group activities, daytime gazing in the Museum’s public observatory, and guided tours. Admission and public programs are free. There is a $15/car parking fee at the Udvar-Hazy Center (free for those arriving after 4:00 pm).
Maryland Renaissance Festival
The Maryland Renaissance festival starts the last weekend in August and runs 9 weekends. The first weekend kids 15 and younger are admitted FREE with an accompanying adult. The Festival is a 16th-century English village with 10 stages, a 3,000 seat jousting arena, 250 performers, 140 craft shops and 42 food and beverage emporiums.
College Park Aviation Museum
The College Park Aviation Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting aviation innovations at College Park Airport and in Prince George's County while fostering research, inventiveness, and lifelong curiosity about the history and science of flight.
Leesburg Animal Park
Leesburg Animal Park is a farm with fun experiences for the whole family. The farm features pony rides, wagon rides, barnyard babies, giant tortoises, camels, lemurs and much more on 21 acres of fun. Stop by the pond and feed the fish, or visit our barnyard animals in our new feeding and petting barn. Leesburg Animal Park also welcomes birthday parties and other group celebrations. They also have offsite programs such as Zoo-to-You and Learning Safari.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
The Zoo’s mission is to inspire and educate people to join with it in the active support and conservation of wildlife and wild places. The Zoo is committed to serving its communities by engaging people with the wonder of the living world through personal encounters that foster lifelong harmonious relationships with nature.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Take your family to a place where fun comes naturally, Williamsburg, Virginia, home to Busch Gardens® theme park and Water Country USA. Challenge one of Busch Gardens’ seven world-class coasters or discover family fun playing at Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™ and Land of the Dragons®. Water Country USA®, Virginia’s largest water park, is just three miles west of Busch Gardens and features state-of-the-art water rides and resort-style amenities. Guests are in for an epic journey on the park’s wildest family thrill slide, Colossal Curl™.
Cox Farms - Centreville VA
Your local tradition ... for generations. All the Cox Farms seasons are made possible by the enthusiastic, dedicated, high-energy Cox Farms team, most of whom are long-time members of the local community.
National Building Museum
The National Building Museum transforms understanding of the history and impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and design. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and special events, we welcome all ages to experience stories about the built world and its power to shape our lives, communities, and futures. The Museum resides in one of the most awe-inspiring places in Washington, D.C., with a soaring Great Hall, colossal 75-foot-tall Corinthian columns, and a 1,200-foot terra cotta frieze. Children learn to create buildings and places while focusing on teamwork and problem-solving skills. Homeschool programs accommodate ages 4–14 and a range of ability levels and learning styles.
Keegan Theatre
Keegan PLAY-RAH-KA offers both theatrical experiences for families and creative exploration that helps empower young people and emerging artists. Through classes, camps, and other types of creative, peer-to-peer events and activities, students discover their authentic voices and develop a fuller sense of self and community. The style and values of Keegan PLAY-RAH-KA align with those of The Keegan Theatre – both believe in the power of authentic storytelling and theatre as a means of exploring the human condition.
Children's Science Center Lab
The Children’s Science Center Lab is Northern Virginia’s first interactive museum where children, families and school groups can explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts through fun, engaging hands-on exhibits, activities and programs. In addition to four experience zones with changing exhibits and activities, the Lab includes a flex-space “Garage” for camps, classes, workshops, parties and mini expositions to showcase regional STEM talent in-action among area youth and families. The Children’s Science Center’s mission is to inspire a love of learning STEM by providing unique opportunities to explore and create. The Children’s Science Center is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Learn more at www.childsci.org.
King's Dominion Virginia
Virginia’s premier theme park is built for fun! Come to King’s Dominion for roller coasters, thrill rides, rides built for kids and shows featuring bands, circus acts and the Peanuts gang. Soak City waterpark is the coolest place to slide, splash, chill and dine. From summer thrills to the Halloween Haunt and WinterFest, King’s Dominion has unending, award-winning fun for the whole family.
Jumping Joeys
Kids are born to bounce at Jumping Joeys! From start to finish, Jumping Joeys prides itself on taking the hassle out of the party planning process. We offer an array of options to make your child's birthday party the ultimate event for you and your guests. The possibilities are endless, making every Jumping Joeys party customizable and unique. Northern Virginia's go-to gym for children's indoor play and birthday parties.
Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy - Glen Echo Maryland
Theater has the power to transform young people’s lives! Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC) cultivates new generations of artists and life-long audiences by creating memorable theatrical productions and experiences and by providing young people the highest quality training in musical theater and theater. Featuring live performances, classes, pre-professional training, summer programs and more!
B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum brings alive the adventure of railroading. This historic national landmark allows you to see, touch, hear and explore the most important railroad collection in America. Comprised of the oldest and most comprehensive collection of railroad history in the Western Hemisphere, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, Inc. is a unique cultural and educational asset for the city and the region. An unparalleled roster of the 19th and 20th century railroad equipment, original shop buildings, and surviving tracks at the historic Mt. Clare site provide an integrated resource to present virtually every aspect of American railroad development and its impact on our society, culture and economy.
Butler's Orchard
A family farm providing good, green fun and local produce for over 60 years. We offer 300 acres of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, a Farm Market, and special events throughout the year like hayrides, bonfires, Bunnyland, the Pumpkin festival, our holiday open house and much more. Hope to see you on the farm soon!
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Arts Education
Old Greenbelt TheatreThe Old Greenbelt Theatre (or OGT) is an independent, member-supported, non-profit cinema that presents a carefully-curated selection of first-run movies, Hollywood classics, and foreign films. OGT provides notable (and often free!) programming for kids, including Storytime on Screen, OGT Kids screenings (family friendly films ranging from silent films, to cult classics, to ground-breaking animation), the School’s Out! Summer Series, School’s Out! Snow Days on every Prince George’s County snow day closure, and specialty educational workshops. OGT is currently renovating the adjacent building into a classroom to provide media arts-based camps, homeschooling programs, field trips, workshops and more!
Favorite Sports/Physical Education
Volo City Kids FoundationThe mission of the Volo City Kids Foundation is to make play accessible to all kids across America. Our aim is to provide free sports programs to over 1 million children by 2030. Our free program is open to children of all genders and skill levels. We emphasize team play through the various youth sports we offer, and multi-generational community building by intentionally having adult volunteers serve as trained youth coaches. Additionally, we provide healthy post game snacks for each child. This season, every child will receive a free NIKE shirt and snacks from our official snack partner KIND bar. All equipment and materials are provided. Register your child for one of our FREE youth sports programs across D.C. by visiting our website: http://www.volocityfoundation.org/washington-dc/
