Hey Happy Active Family DC!
A cold front is visiting us and we understand that you don’t always want to bundle up and face the elements. Here are a few of our favorite indoor activities in Washington DC to help you stay active, but also stay warm!! Have fun!
National Building Museum
https://www.nbm.org/exhibition/play-work-build/
Tickets required
No parking on-site, but the metro stop is right across the street.
Stop in to Play, Work, Build to have some hands-on fun with huge building blocks. There’s a small café on site to get a snack.
The National Zoo
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/zoo-map
Admission is free
While it’s always fun to stroll the paths of the National Zoo on a warm day, it’s actually also a good place to spend a cold or rainy day. Pop in and out of the buildings to warm up. We particularly like Amazonia and the Great Apes house, but maybe your child is more into reptiles or small mammals. Plus you can never go wrong with a visit to the Panda house. All of these exhibits are indoors! There is parking on site for a hefty fee ($25), but you can also take the metro (Cleveland Park stop) or bus to the zoo!
Badlands Play Space
Tickets are $5 for adults, $20 for children 3+, and $12.50 for toddlers under 3 years old
Described as a “nature-inspired play space” and offers 30,000 square feet of fun on a cold day!
Be sure to reserve your time in advance! There is a café on site if you need to refuel.
National Gallery of Art
https://www.nga.gov/index.html
Admission is free
The museum’s east wing houses a fabulous section of modern art that is so fun to visit with kids! Highlights include the Calder mobiles and the big blue rooster on the roof. Print out one of the museum’s family guides before you go (https://www.nga.gov/visit/tours-and-guides/family-guides.html) or pick up an audio tour (https://www.nga.gov/visit/tours-and-guides/kids-audio-tour-featured-selections.html ). There is a café on site. Check the website before you go because sometimes there are free concerts in the museum and it is such a treat!
National Botanic Garden
https://www.usbg.gov/kids-are-welcome-us-botanic-garden
Admission is free
Pick up one of these fun “passports” to give your visit some purpose and stroll among the plants!
Be sure to check out our website for other great indoor ideas! Email us at team@happyactivefamily.com with more of your ideas that you’d like to see featured.
Have a great day everyone!
