22 Things To Do in DC With Kids

The United States Capitol is one of the most symbolically & historically important buildings in the United States of America. Additionally, it's one of the most architecturally intricate buildings that will fascinate you and the kids. As home to our nation's lawmakers, this is an important tour to take with your kids, as one day they'll remember this trip when they're sitting in their U.S. Government class or running for office themselves.

While Great Waves Waterpark is a full-blown waterpark, it’s perfect for both older and tiny kids to have a great time. The older kids will enjoy speed slides and an enormous wave pool, and the tiny tots can run around Minnow Bay. This area boasts a splash pad with many water features (dump buckets, water tables, twisted pipes), a waterfall and much more like batting cages, wave pool, food and cabanas. It’s the perfect place to cool off in the summer heat, especially at reasonable daily rates.

Our Special Harbor, an interactive and imaginative Chesapeake Bay-themed spray park, will impress everyone in the family. This sprayground boasts a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, & a misting lighthouse and sunflower. There is also a beach area that's not as busy with softer bubblers and water tables. Oh, and we can't forget the computerized water maze and dumping crab basket!

Wheaton Regional Park is a children's dream playground outside of the busy city! Children of all ages will love the playgrounds suitable for younger and older kids, various nature hikes, fishing ponds, children's gardens with tropical plants, carousel, little train and so much more. There are also picnic tables and grassy areas, so be sure to bring a blanket to eat on. Some visitors have said that you might even spot flying squirrels after sunset - whoa! As if this isn't good enough, parents have even commented on how clean the bathrooms are here. Now that's a relief!

Come discover the history of street cars and how they helped build the communities where they were established at this museum full of educational displays and real, full-sized street cars from around the world. Kids love that admission here includes unlimited rides through the woods surrounding the museum on real, working trolleys. Be sure to check the museum calendar to find out about special events, like Holly TrolleyFest when you can catch Santa riding the rails.

The 800-acre Great Falls Park is an absolute stunner! If you love hiking and the outdoors, round up the family, bicycles, a picnic lunch and head on over to Great Falls Park. Take a scenic hike to one of the clifftops with dramatic views, check out the museum exhibits with hands-on activities for kids, or take a bike ride along the tow path and boardwalk over the river. While this is a hiker's paradise, there are hiking paths good for people of all ages and experience. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes and a camera.

Bring your kids out to Frying Pan Farm Park to let them experience what farm life was like in the 1920s to 1950s. This park offers the perfect combination of nature and cultural activities that your kids will enjoy. As part of the park, Kidwell Farm, demonstrates a working farm from this time period and houses many animals, like cows and horses that the kids will love seeing. Additionally, they have a covered picnic area for a nice lunch, grass fields, playgrounds, and an old country store with games and snacks. This is such a unique experience for all.