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Top Ten Toddler to Teen Hot Spots
by Jill Swartwout, Contributing Editor
Many people think of a visit to Washington DC as being geared toward adults with all of the history, sight seeing, and culture and for the most part, it is. When kids hear about what there is to do on a family trip to DC, they tend to hear blah, blah, blah, and think...boring!
But wait! Hidden among all of the seemingly adult attractions and sights are some very fun places for children. And guess what parents, they're educational as well. Shh! So, if you want to avoid sounding like a broken record by saying, "don't touch that," numerous times while being shadowed by a stern looking security guard, be sure check out these great kid friendly places.
National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History has a Discovery Room with activities for people of all ages and is the place to go to get free timed-entry tickets. As you wait for your assigned entry time to roll around, be sure to visit the Dinosaur Hall, Sea Life Hall, and the O. Orkin Insect Zoo.
Air and Space Museum
Take your kids into outer space by visiting the planetarium and various planes and spaceships that are there to explore. Also, taking them to the IMAX theater will be a movie experience like none other.
National Museum of History
Have a kid that likes to get their hands on things? Visit the first floor of the National Museum of History. where there are exhibits packed with many buttons to push and displays to touch. Don't plan on visiting the Hands-On Science Center and Hands-On History Room if you have children under 12. These displays have age limits and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Capitol Children's Museum
To be perfectly honest the Capitol Children's Museum is not exactly in the best of neighborhoods and it does not have the glitzy appeal of the Smithsonian museums, but every exhibit you find in this museum is sure to be packed with all kinds of educational hands on activities for young children to interact with.
Old Post Office Pavilion
This is not what it sounds like because if it were just an old post office I doubt it would be very interesting for kids. Instead, this old pavilion built in 1899 building has been retired and renovated into a nice new shopping mall and with various eateries. There is an elevator that takes you to the top of the clock tower which offers a view of DC that is almost as good as the one you can get at the top of the Washington Monument. The good thing about this view is that you don't usually have to fight through a crowd to get to it. If you happen to hear a ringing sound, it is likely the 10 Congress Bells chiming just one floor below.
Washington Dolls' House and Toy Museum
Here you can see many tiny houses and electric trains that will surely fascinate visitors of all ages. The only downfall to this museum is that as tempting as it may be, you cannot touch the toys and displays.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Even the youngest of children know what money is and that it is something that people want. If your child understands just that or more than that, they will likely be interested in seeing money being made. The best place about this place of money is that you can get free same-day tickets at the kiosk out front.
National Zoological Park
Here is another free attraction that is for animal lovers of all ages. You can see animals of all kinds from all over the world here. Among them is a rare Panda and the creatures of the Amazon Rain Forest housed in the Amazonian exhibit.
Lincoln Memorial
This is a great place to take a walk to and get rid of some of that energy that can build up in young ones. Children tend to be in awe of this huge statue of Lincoln with his gentle, calming face. If you walk a little further, the Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials are nearby and you can find lots of ducks that love to be fed at the Reflecting Pool.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
At first glance, this memorial seems to be a place for adults, but you don't realize how fun it can be for kids to be to interact with the statues that depict World War II and the depression and to gaze at the mesmerizing waterfalls of the newest memorial in Potomac Park..
Click HERE for 13 More Free Things to do In Washington, rounding out our 25 Freebies.
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