Should we go to the National Children's Museum?

Question

It looks like LOTS of fun but it's very expensive. Also, my family and I will only have 2.5-3 days in DC. And my children are 3 and 1 so it's not like I can jam pack the days.

Skip it as there are so many other nice things to do? We are definitely planning to take them to the Postal Museum and American History museum. Possibly thinking about the zoo and the Air and Space museum.

Answer

The National Children's Museum in DC is designed for young children and offers highly interactive, hands-on exhibits that can be very engaging for toddlers and preschoolers. It is indeed fun, with activities that allow kids to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in a playful way. However, considering the ages of your children (3 and 1) and the short duration of your trip, there are some practical considerations.

Points to consider:

The museum is best suited for children aged 3-10. Your 3-year-old may enjoy it, but the 1-year-old may find less that is engaging.
It can be crowded at times, and navigating exhibits with a very young child and a stroller may slow you down.
Entry costs are higher compared to many Smithsonian museums, which are free and offer quality exhibits suitable for all ages.
Given you have only 2.5-3 days, time is limited, and you may prefer experiences that are more iconic to DC or more accessible with very young children.

Alternative suggestions that are toddler-friendly and free or low-cost:

Smithsonian National Postal Museum: Interactive and manageable for little ones; can be combined with walking around nearby Union Station.
National Museum of American History: Toddlers often enjoy the hands-on Discovery Room and seeing iconic artifacts like trains, planes, and costumes.
National Zoo: Open-air and stroller-friendly; offers a fun outdoor experience for both ages.
National Air and Space Museum: Engaging for all ages; exhibits like airplanes and rockets can captivate young children even if they don’t read much yet.

Overall, while the National Children's Museum is enjoyable, with such a short visit and very young children, it may be more practical to prioritize free Smithsonian museums and the zoo, which offer a richer variety of experiences, iconic DC sights, and are easier to manage with strollers. You can always leave the children’s museum for a future trip when your kids are slightly older and can get more out of it.

Should we go to the National Children's Museum?

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