KID-FRIENDLY Museums in D.C.

Although most D.C.-area museums offer at least a few exhibits that kids would enjoy,
several have exhibits that are designed specifically for children.

(NOTE: Museums or exhibits with a * next to them currently remain closed due to COVID-19.)
AGNOSTICPREACHERSKID LEON REED
At the museum’s “Play,
Work, Build” exhibit, kids
can create tiny creations
with smaller blocks and
massive structures with
giant foam blocks. A digital
interactive experience lets
them build with virtual
blocks — which make less
mess when kids knock them
down. $10 for adults; $7 for
ages 2 to 12.

SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
OF AMERICAN
HISTORY The Lemelson Center for
the Study of Invention and
Innovation at the Draper
Spark!Lab* offers STEAM
activities and experiments
for kids ages 6 to 12. For
children up to age 6,
Wegmans Wonderplace*
includes a pretend
construction area, a kitchen,
a farm and other hands-on
activities. Free.

enjoy your time together and they want to visit
again, that is a win! If they see one thing that
has an impact on them, learn something new,
or have a new idea about something, that is a
successful visit.”
Let your kids be your guides
Give your children a map of the museum and let
them be in charge of your route, but don’t get too
set on a specific order. “Museums are different
from books. You can explore them in multiple
ways,” says Maloney. “It’s OK to jump around.”
Get interactive
“Children learn really well through hands-on
experiences, which is why interactive exhibits
are so popular with families,” says Erdman.

While more and more museums are offering
hands-on and multimedia exhibits, some of
these features may be temporarily closed due to
COVID-19. But there are many ways to create
interaction yourself. Most museums allow you to
take photos or sketch with pencils. Younger kids
may enjoy playing “I Spy” or looking for specific
things, such as finding all the dogs in a painting.

“My kids and I will imagine we are furnishing
FLICKR SMITHSONIAN
NATIONAL MUSEUM
OF THE AMERICAN
INDIAN SMITHSONIAN
NATIONAL MUSEUM
OF NATURAL HISTORY
UNITED STATES
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
At Q?rius Jr.*, students in
Kids can build an iglu,
grades K-5 can practice their
explore an Amazonian
scientific inquiry skills as
stilt house, do Maya math
they interact with items from
and many other hands-on
the museum’s collection.

activities in the imagiNations
Kids will also enjoy seeing
Activity Center*.

the dinosaurs at the David
The STEM-based activities,
H. Koch Hall of Fossils, the
developed by a team of
mummies at “Eternal Life in
Native scientists, engineers
Ancient Egypt” and the live
and inventors, highlight
butterflies at the Butterfly
the impact of Native
Pavilion* (which requires a
innovations. Free.

separate paid ticket). Free.

Although many parts of
this museum may be too
difficult for young kids
to view, “Remember the
Children: Daniel’s Story”
is an interactive exhibit
designed for kids and their
families. It tells the story
of one family’s experiences
during the Holocaust
from the perspective of a
young boy. Free.

a house and pick the pieces that we want in
there, or make up stories about the things we
are seeing,” Erdman says.

Ask questions
Have your children think about how the objects
are presented, such as why certain pieces might
be grouped together or whether a painting
would look different in a different frame. Older
kids and teens can discuss how the museum
presents certain topics and what it’s leaving
out. Does the science museum discuss climate
change? Does a historic house talk about the
enslaved people that lived there?
Know your family’s limits
“There is something called ‘museum fatigue,’”
warns Maloney. “Tune in to everyone’s feelings
and know when to call it a day. It’s about the
quality of time you spend at the museum, not
the quantity.” Be sure to take plenty of breaks.

AFTER YOUR VISIT
Reflect Discuss what everyone learned and enjoyed.

Ask your kids if there’s anything they’re still
16 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2021
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
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NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM
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curious about or want to learn more about on Plan your next visit
Talk to your kids about which museum they’d
a future visit.

like to visit next, or what they’d like to see
during your next visit to the same museum.

Do more research
Visit the museum’s website, check out books
from the library or watch YouTube videos to And remember: Be present, be flexible
and enjoy your time together. “Visiting a
learn more about what you saw.

museum as a family is as much about the
time spent together as about what you see,”
Get creative
Use any photos you took or drawings your kids says Maloney. “I still remember visiting
created to make a collage, a scrapbook page or a museum with my grandma when I was a
little kid.” n
a pretend museum.

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With the health and well-being of our students the top priority,
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