The National Museum of the United States Army has a fun, hands-on play area for kids.  

Free Quirky Museums in DC and Unique Exhibits That Kids Love

1. Experiential Learning Center, National Museum of the United States Army — Fort Belvoir, VA

Best for Ages: All Ages

Why It’s a Gem: In this lands-on learning center, kids can simulate the work of US Army soldiers related to STEM, such as using sonar to detect a threat, building and repairing bridges, and operating an unmanned aerial vehicle. Little ones ages 8 and under can climb a tower, use a radio to call friends, drive a Jeep, try on uniforms, and more in the Fort Discover play area.

Insider Tip: On Saturdays and Sundays, kids ages 4-8 can create crafts and learn more about the US Army during the museum's Family Activity time from 9am-12pm on, while those ages 6 and under can enjoy Tiny Troops Storytime from 11-11:30am.

2. Smithsonian National Postal Museum — Washington, DC

Best for Ages: All Ages

Why It’s a Gem: This museum is one of the lesser known Smithsonian museums because of its location near Union Station rather than on the National Mall, but it should be on every family's radar. Kids can climb aboard a historic railway mail train and a modern mail truck, design their own stamps, recreate the path of mail, and participate in many other hands-on activities. It's one of our favorite free museums near DC to visit with kids.

Insider Tip: The museum's William H. Gross Stamp Gallery is the world's largest stamp gallery, with more than 20,000 stamps on display. Your kiddo can choose some free stamps to start their own collection!

3. Planet Word — Washington, DC

Best for Ages: 10 and up

Why It’s a Gem: The world's first voice-activated museum, Planet Word includes interactive exhibits that bring words and language to life. Kids can marvel at a 22-foot talking word wall, deliver a famous speech using a teleprompter, enter a magical library with a secret door and books that come to life, sing karaoke, and much more. No wonder it made our list of the top quirky museums near DC for kids.

Insider Tip: Lexicon Lane is a unique space on the museum's third floor full of quirky shops and landmarks that offers a fun, 60-minute puzzle-solving experience for ages 12 and up. However, it's not free: You must reserve a case ahead of time for $40 for up to four people.

The imagiNATIONS Activity Center offers tons of hands-on activities for kids. 

4. imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian — Washington, DC

Best for Ages: 3-10

Why It’s a Gem: This amazing children's exhibit is filled with interactive elements and hands-on activities like basket-weaving, building a giant igloo, doing crafts, exploring a replica of an Amazonian stilt house, and playing inside a life-sized tipi.

Insider Tip: Capacity is limited in the activity center, so it's best to arrive early. On busy days, you may need secure a timed ticket to enter imagiNATIONS.

Secret Art Hiding in Plain Sight

5. Barbie Pond on Avenue Q — Washington, DC

Best for Ages: All Ages

Why It’s a Gem: Since 2011, the owner of 1454 1/2 Q Street NW in Logan Circle has arranged an ever-growing display of Barbie and Ken dolls around a small pond in his front yard, attracting locals and tourists alike. The display is constantly changing to reflect current holidays and headlines and is sometimes of a political nature. It's whimsical, it's weird, and it's wonderful.

Insider Tip: While younger children may not understand all the themes, they'll still delight in seeing the familiar dolls on display, while older kids and teens will enjoy being in on the joke.

6. Torpedo Factory Art Center — Alexandria, VA

Best for Ages: 5 and up

Why It’s a Gem: This Old Town Alexandria waterfront landmark, home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof, is surprisingly kid-friendly. Families can watch artists at work and see all kinds of art on display. Visit the small Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the third floor to see artifacts from the city's past and do hands-on activities. Art classes and summer camps are available for ages 5 and up.

Insider Tip: If you visit on a nice day, have lunch on the patio at Vola's Dockside Grill, where kids can watch boats coming and going from the dock. It's located right next to Torpedo Factory and has a kids menu!

7. DC Alley Museum — Washington, DC

Best for Ages: All Ages

Why It’s a Gem: This "museum" is actually a public art installation in Blagden Alley, located in the Shaw neighborhood of northwest DC. It includes huge, colorful murals on walls and garage doors that make for excellent photo ops. Kids will love discovering each mural and feeling like they're in a hidden place.

Insider Tip: Visit La Colombe Coffee Workshop in the alley for snacks, pastries, delicious coffee, and restrooms!

DC's Secret Outdoor Spaces and Natural Wonders

8. Gravelly Point Park — Arlington, VA

Best for Ages: All Ages

Why It's a Gem: There's no playground at this park next to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, but there's something even better for little aviation lovers—planes! Lots and lots of planes, which fly right over your heads as they take off and land, so close you can seemingly touch them. Pack a picnic and some outdoor toys and plan to spend an afternoon here.

Insider Tip: If your kiddos get startled by loud noises, bring along some noise-cancelling headphones.

9. Meridian Hill Park — Washington, DC

Best for Ages: All Ages

This National Historic Landmark also known as Malcolm X Park features over 11 acres of gorgeous gardens, statues, fountains, and more that will delight the whole family. The 13-basin cascading fountain, one of the longest in North America, has been turned off since 2019 for repairs. It's still worth seeing, though!

Insider Tip: To experience a roughly 40-year tradition, visit the park on Sundays at 3pm for the weekly drum circle, which has since evolved into a multicultural mix of drummers, hula dancers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, and more.

10. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center — Solomons, MD

Best for Ages: 2-10

This unique, whimsical garden and museum is about a 90-minute drive south of DC, but it's worth the trip if you have young children. Kids can enjoy a nature nook, the Fairy Lolly natural play space, a sculpture walk, an artLAB, artwork hidden in tree knots, a butterfly and family discovery garden, and more. 

Insider Tip: Annmnarie Sculpture Garden has a "pay what you can" admission policy. Their suggested donation is $5 per person, but you can pay less than that—or nothing at all!

More Free, Unique DC Attractions for Kids

11. Washington Capitals Practices — Arlington, VA

Best for Ages: 5 and up

Why It's a Gem: Got a Caps fan but don't wait to pay the high ticket prices? The Capitals' practices at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, located atop the parking garage at Ballston Common Mall, are free and open to the public! Hockey fans can watch their heroes hone their skills up close. Get the practice schedule here.

Insider Tip: Players often sign autographs at the end of these practices, so bring a Sharpie and pucks or photos. Your best chance to snag a signature is in the parking lot after practice.

12. Storyville — Baltimore & Woodlawn, MD

Best for Ages: 5 and under

Why It's a Gem: Give your kids a mini children's-museum experience without the price tag at Storyville, child-sized villages filled with books, toys, and activities in the Rosedale and Woodlawn branches of the Baltimore County Public Library. Each village includes a pretend grocery store and mailroom, a puppet stage and theater, a home living area, a construction zone, a library, a baby garden, and a toddler area.

Insider Tip: Storyville is closed on Sundays and Saturdays can be busy, so go during the week if you can!

Frequently Asked Questions About Secret Spots in DC for Kids

Q: Are these locations stroller-friendly?
A: The parks and outdoor spaces are mostly stroller-friendly. The museums and indoor spaces allow strollers inside, but you may need to park them at designated spaces before entering certain galleries or areas.

Q: Are these spots truly free?
A: Yes—all spots listed here are completely free. Annmarie Sculpture Garden has a $5 suggested donation, but its "pay what you can" model means you can get in for free.

Q: How can I make a full day out of visiting just one of these?
A: Stretch the fun by finding each location on a map and seeing what's close. You can hit up a nearby playground, grab lunch or dinner at a local restaurant, or pop into an ice cream spot. For example, after visiting Torpedo Factory Arts Center, you can explore the Old Town Alexandria waterfront.

Q: Is parking available near these spots?
A: Parking varies. Some of these unique DC attractions for kids have free parking lots, like the National Museum of the United States Army, Gravelly Point Park, and MedStar Capitals Iceplex. At others, you'll need to find metered parking or paid garage parking. A good plan is to take Metro to any locations in DC itself.

All photos courtesy of the author

Read More: Top Quirky Museums and Off-the-Beaten-Path Gems for Kids Near DC