# Kid-friendly places in Washington DC

28 listed places in Washington DC: 21 playgrounds and things to do, 4 restaurants and 3 hotels. Each lists high chairs, changing tables, kids' menus and wheelchair access where known.

Last updated 2026-10-01, from the newest confirmation among these places.

## Narrower lists

- [Kid-friendly restaurants in Washington DC](https://ourplayday.com/places/in/washington-dc/restaurants) (4)
- [Family-friendly hotels in Washington DC](https://ourplayday.com/places/in/washington-dc/hotels) (3)
- [Playgrounds and things to do with kids in Washington DC](https://ourplayday.com/places/in/washington-dc/playgrounds) (21)
- [Wheelchair and stroller accessible places in Washington DC](https://ourplayday.com/places/in/washington-dc/wheelchair-accessible) (3)
- [Parks and playgrounds with restrooms in Washington DC](https://ourplayday.com/places/in/washington-dc/with-restrooms) (3)
- [Free things to do with kids in Washington DC](https://ourplayday.com/places/in/washington-dc/free-to-visit) (12)

## Places

1. [Rosedale Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/rosedale-playground-washington-dc) (playground, Washington DC). The play structures are modelled on city landmarks, so kids get to climb the sights they have been looking at all day.
2. [Anacostia Park Pirate Ship Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/anacostia-park-pirate-ship-playground-washington-dc) (playground, Washington DC). A pirate-ship climber by the river at the Nicholson Street end. Another play structure in the park is closed, so head for this one.
3. [Capitol Hill Hotel](https://ourplayday.com/places/capitol-hill-hotel-washington-dc) (hotel, Washington DC). Every room has a kitchen, so snacks, breakfast and quiet evenings in are easy.
4. [Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History](https://ourplayday.com/places/smithsonian-national-museum-of-natural-history-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Dinosaur skeletons, animal halls, minerals and ocean displays under one roof, so each kid finds a room they want to stay in.
5. [Friendship Turtle Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/friendship-turtle-park-playground-washington-dc) (playground, Washington DC). The climbing equipment is turtle-themed, so small kids get something to pretend with while they climb.
6. [Georgetown Waterfront Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/georgetown-waterfront-park-washington-dc) (park, Washington DC). A labyrinth set into the ground and wide paths along the river, so kids can trace the maze and then run.
7. [Kimpton George Hotel](https://ourplayday.com/places/kimpton-george-hotel-washington-dc) (hotel, Washington DC). Loaner cribs, baby baths and swings at the front desk, so you can pack less. Ask ahead, there are only a few.
8. [Swampoodle Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/swampoodle-park-playground-washington-dc) (playground, Washington DC). A tall Wallholla climbing tower packed into a small city park. The tower is what school-age kids head for.
9. [Turkey Thicket Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/turkey-thicket-playground-washington-dc) (playground, Washington DC). A big climbing area plus a train-themed play section beside the park paths, so train fans know where to start.
10. [United States National Arboretum](https://ourplayday.com/places/united-states-national-arboretum-washington-dc) (garden, Washington DC). Wide green grounds, garden paths and a bonsai collection, so kids can run around and then look at the tiny trees up close.
11. [Boardwalk Bar and Arcade](https://ourplayday.com/places/boardwalk-bar-and-arcade-washington-dc) (restaurant, Washington DC). Pinball and arcade games around the tables, so kids have somewhere to go while the food comes.
12. [Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens](https://ourplayday.com/places/kenilworth-aquatic-gardens-washington-dc) (garden, Washington DC). Boardwalks run out over the ponds, so kids can look straight down into the water. The lotus blooms are a summer thing.
13. [Lincoln Memorial - Main Chamber](https://ourplayday.com/places/lincoln-memorial-main-chamber-washington-dc) (attraction, Washington DC). A huge seated Lincoln with his famous words carved on the walls beside him. Kids can read along while you look up.
14. [National Archives Museum](https://ourplayday.com/places/national-archives-museum-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). The founding documents themselves, with interactive displays that explain them. The line can run long, so go early.
15. [National Gallery of Art](https://ourplayday.com/places/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Galleries inside and a sculpture garden outside, so when kids are done with paintings there is room to walk among the big pieces.
16. [National Portrait Gallery](https://ourplayday.com/places/national-portrait-gallery-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Portraits and a courtyard, plus Explore, a hands-on space for 18 months to 8, so the youngest have their own room.
17. [Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian](https://ourplayday.com/places/smithsonian-national-museum-of-the-american-indian-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Artifacts and stories from Indigenous cultures, plus the imagiNATIONS activity center where kids get to try things with their hands.
18. [Smithsonian National Postal Museum](https://ourplayday.com/places/smithsonian-national-postal-museum-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Mail trucks, stamps and interactive delivery stories, so kids see how a letter actually gets to the door.
19. [United States Botanic Garden Conservatory](https://ourplayday.com/places/united-states-botanic-garden-conservatory-washington-dc) (garden, Washington DC). A glasshouse of tropical plants and desert displays, so kids can go from jungle to cactus in a few steps.
20. [United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - Daniel's Story](https://ourplayday.com/places/united-states-holocaust-memorial-museum-daniel-s-story-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Holocaust history told through one boy's life, made for kids eight and up. Plan to talk it through with them afterwards.
21. [Willard InterContinental Washington DC](https://ourplayday.com/places/willard-intercontinental-washington-dc-washington-dc) (hotel, Washington DC). A kids' concierge for 11 and under and a library of kids' books, so the hotel helps you plan the day around them.
22. [Bub and Pops - NoMa](https://ourplayday.com/places/bub-and-pops-noma-washington-dc) (restaurant, Washington DC). Duckpin bowling next to the sandwich counter, so lunch comes with a few frames.
23. [Comet Ping Pong](https://ourplayday.com/places/comet-ping-pong-washington-dc) (restaurant, Washington DC). Pizza and ping pong tables, so kids can play a game while it bakes.
24. [Il Canale](https://ourplayday.com/places/il-canale-washington-dc) (restaurant, Washington DC). The pizza oven is in plain view, so kids can watch their pizza go in and come out.
25. [Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum](https://ourplayday.com/places/smithsonian-national-air-and-space-museum-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Landmark planes and spacecraft overhead, and a gallery on how flight works with a plane kids can sit in. Book the timed passes first.
26. [Smithsonian National Carousel](https://ourplayday.com/places/smithsonian-national-carousel-washington-dc) (theme park, Washington DC). Carved horses and an accessible chariot for riders who can't climb on, right between the museums.
27. [Smithsonian National Museum of American History](https://ourplayday.com/places/smithsonian-national-museum-of-american-history-washington-dc) (museum, Washington DC). Wonderplace for small kids and Spark Lab for young inventors. Check the play areas are open before you go.
28. [Smithsonian's National Zoo](https://ourplayday.com/places/smithsonians-national-zoo-washington-dc) (zoo, Washington DC). Giant pandas, a kids' farm of cows, goats and alpacas, and a carousel. The paths are hilly, so bring a stroller with good wheels.

## About this list

Every place here is a listing on Play Day, and a place is listed only when something positive is known about it for kids. Any page linked above is also served as markdown by adding .md to its address.

Page: https://ourplayday.com/places/in/washington-dc