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There are only so many monuments and historic sites you can visit before the kids start to crack! But fear not, Washington D.C. offers families some beautiful parks for the kids to enjoy. So while the adults can kick off their shows and enjoy a quiet read, the children can run wild in Washington D.C.'s vast open spaces. Grass stains--sorry, after thought.
If the weather is good a picnic in the park can be a cost effective lunch option that kids will adore. No table manners or strict rules just yummy finger foods and plenty of fresh air.
For parents researching a Washington DC trip with children, may we recommend a popular option in our Washington, DC for Families Travel Guide. It's packed with attractions, activities, special insider advice, what to pack, hotels and tons more--it's worth the download!
How About Some Roller Skating... Anacostia Park, with over 1200 acres is one of Washington, D.C.‘s largest and most important recreation areas. Included in Anacostia Park is Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Marsh. Hundreds of acres are available for ballfields, picnicking, basketball, tennis, and the Anacostia Park Pavilion has some 3300 square feet of space for roller skating and special events...
A Living Legacy Tribute to the Constitution... Constitution Gardens is a living legacy to the founding of the republic as well as an oasis in the midst of a city landscape. The 50 acres of the park were originally beneath the Potomac River! A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging project at the turn of century created the land that became Potomac Park. The Gardens were dedicated in May of 1976 as a living legacy American Revolution Bicentennial tribute...
A Refuge from Suburbia... Nestled atop the wooded hills of Turkey Run Park are three picnic areas. Picnic areas include tables, trash cans, and restroom facilities. There are no shelters. Turkey Run Park contains over 700 acres of mostly forested land. Visitors to the park, which is administered by the George Washington Memorial Parkway, discover a quiet refuge from suburbia containing shaded picnic areas, access to miles of hiking trails - including the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and a surprisingly diverse community of plants and animals...
Great for Reflecting... Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. It offers visitors an opportunity to reflect and soothe their spirits through the beauty of nature. Fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and the ebb and flow of Rock Creek emanate the delicate aura of the forest. Our country’s history abounds within the park. Visitors walk in the footsteps of Piscataway Indians, the Old Stone House attests to a time when Washington, D.C. was a new capital, Peirce Mill reminds us how a new technology aided the economic growth of the nation, and Civil War remnants divulge stories of unrest. Ultimately, the establishment of Rock Creek Park in 1890, “...for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States” served as an inspiration for the creation of future National Parks...
Ice Rink and Nature Center... Lincoln Park was slow to develop, and, in fact, was used for years as a dumping ground. During the Civil War, it was the site of Lincoln Hospital, named after the President, and among the places visited by Walt Whitman, who made rounds to comfort the injured and dying soldiers. The name apparently stuck and, in 1867, Congress authorized it to be called Lincoln Square as a memorial to the martyred leader, the first site to bear his name...
Explore the Falls... Great Falls Park, a site that is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, is an 800 acre park located along the Potomac River 14 miles upriver from Washington D.C. The park is known for two things, its scenic beauty at the head of Potomac River fall line and the historic Patowmack Canal. Many people consider the Great Falls of the Potomac to be the most spectacular natural landmark in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Here, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge...
Budding Junior Ranger... President‘s Park has six permanent exhibits relating to the White House including the First Families, Symbols & Images, White House Architecture, White House Interiors, Working White House and Ceremonies and Celebrations. A variety of exhibits change frequently during the year. They can be viewed at the White House Visitor Center daily. For Kids Visitors, students and teachers: activities taking place in President’s Park include: interpretive presentations by rangers, nature walks, guided tours, exhibits and films to engage the public’s interest in the Park’s cultural history. Children can have fun and earn awards in the Junior Ranger programs. Education pages are designed to help all students and teachers interested in their natural and cultural heritage. White House Tours Public tours...
Other kid-friendly museums in Washington DC include:
Fort Dupont Park
Fort Hunt Park
Glen Echo Park
Meridian Hill Park
Frederick Dougless National Park
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