Things to do as a family in DC

Looking for exciting things to do as a family and create lasting memories for the kids?

Luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of fun things to do as a family, all within the DMV area, so you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Swingers, the crazy golf club

From May 12th, our Dupont Circle location opens up to under 21s every Sunday before 6pm for unforgettable family experiences. Fuel up on delicious slushies and an exclusive kids menu before heading to your tee off time on The Clocktower or The Waterwheel courses. 

Challenge your family to a game of mini golf to determine the ultimate golfing pro! If that’s not enough, we also have activity sheets available to keep the kids entertained. 

On top of all that, our mini golf courses are housed entirely indoors, so you can avoid the hassle of preparing for various weather conditions and messiness that outdoor activities can bring.

We even offer a Birthday Set, so your little ones can celebrate in style – they’ll definitely be the coolest kid in the class! The offering includes a round of crazy golf (recommended for ages 5+), unlimited soft drinks, delicious gourmet street food, dessert, and a party bag. 

National Air and Space Museum

Credit: Landmark Educational Tours

For space and airplane fans, the National Air and Space Museum is a no-brainer for a fun family day out. Explore the development of flight, from the Wright Brothers’ revolutionary invention to the out-of-this-world space shuttles that helped us get to the Moon. 

Visit the discovery stations for hands-on educational experiences, including how spacesuits keep astronauts safe, learning about the forces that are in motion during an aircraft’s flight, and how astronauts live and work in space (what they eat and how spacecrafts are adapted to help people exist in space).

Throughout the museum, you can explore real artifacts from space missions and aircraft innovation and interact with numerous exhibits, for a fun and educational family day out.

Dopamine Land

 Credit: Greyson Joralemon 

Dopamine Land is a multisensory immersive experience, based in Friendship Heights. After resounding success at the London and Madrid venues, the new opening in DC has been welcomed with open arms.

The Writer’s Block room provides a blank canvas across the entire room, so you and the family can draw and write whatever inspirational content that the experience compels you to. 

The Sensory Lab invites you to explore how touch, smell, sight, and taste can trigger your dopamine, providing a fun experience that you can get fully immersed in. 

Finish with a wind-down in the Decompression Room, a low-light, relaxing space full of billowing curtains and cozy seating providing a safe haven from the outside world.

Smithsonian Zoo

Credit: Smith Abramczyk 

Discover animals from around the world here in DC, at the Smithsonian Zoo. With over 2,200 animals across almost 400 species, you’re bound to run into your and your childrens’ favorites! 

From the cheetahs, zebras, and ostriches at the Africa Trail, to native animals like seals, bald eagles, and gray wolves found closer to home at the American Trail, you can watch lots of different animals and learn more about how they interact and where they came from. 

Better yet, admission is free, so you’ll get all of these educational experiences without having to pay a penny!

Beauvoir Outdoor Playground

If your kids are tired of the same old playgrounds, visit a playground made completely from natural materials – no plastic in sight! During the day, Beauvior is a school for kids pre-K up to third grade, however, Beauvoir’s outdoor playground is open to all outside school hours, including weekends. 

The playground was manufactured by Richter Spielgeräte GmbH, who believed it was important for children to play using all of their senses. With that in mind, here you can find many obstacles, including rope bridges, wooden turrets, and even a zipline!

The Yards Park

Credit: ASLA

The Yards Park is a fabulous location for a family stroll along the waterfront. Bring a picnic and some games for the ultimate family day out. During the summer, the kids can run through the dancing fountains at the entrance to the park – the perfect way to cool off and burn some energy in warmer weather.

International Spy Museum

Credit: Mommy Nearest

The International Spy Museum is bound to pique your children’s intrigue – definitely one for the Bond fans! 

While the International Spy Museum says that they’re geared more towards children aged 9 and up, they also break down the various exhibits around the museum that are suitable for younger children here. There’s even a special family highlights tour, so you can be on the lookout for various characters and objects around the museum.

Super, Awesome & Amazing

Credit: Impactus

The St James is home to Super, Awesome & Amazing, an activity center perfect for both adults and children. There are so many fun challenges for kids, including obstacle courses, climbing structures, and a waterpark! 

The waterpark has multiple slides, multidirectional sprayers, and giant buckets that dump water on those below at random intervals. The climbing and obstacle courses help adventurous kids with their strength and balance, while appealing to their competitive spirits.

With 30,000 square feet of fun, it’s a great way for the kids to blow off some steam, improve their coordination, and most importantly have some fun. There’s even a sensory night for those sensitive to loud noises and bright lights, and a toddler and parent program for the younger ones.

Food Tour

Credit: Connor Olson 

There are so many food options in DC, so why not explore them together with your family? DC Metro Food Tours provides an exploration of several neighborhoods touted for their food offerings, including Capitol Hill, Adams Morgan, and Dupont Circle (why not pop into Swingers Dupont Circle afterward!). These are perfect for the picky eaters in your family, as you can browse a range of different cuisines and choose from different options, so no one has to settle for just one dish.