Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and More Indoor Fun for Kids in DC

When it's raining and chilly or blazingly hot and steamy outdoors and you just need some inside fun, where do you go? What do you do? We'd like to help you answer this burning (pun intended) question with our suggestions, favorite places, go-to activities and general DC know-how. Check out some of our best indoor playgrounds and play spaces in the city, an indoor sport like Ice Skating or Mini Golf, some of our favorite museums, or indoor fun that does not require you to go anywhere with our wildly popular 50 Indoor Activities for a Rainy Day. Have a great (indoor) day, DC!

How about an interactive water park, gaming facility, rock-climbing gym, trampoline park, and more, all in one?
Fun Indoor Play Spaces In and Near DC
The DC area is full of great indoor playgrounds for kids of all ages. Photo courtesy of Super, Awesome, & Amazing
Top Indoor Playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
With 75 themed walls for kids to tackle, it's impossible to get bored at ClimbZone. Photo courtesy of ClimbZone
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms and Spaces for Kids Near DC
Tiny chefs can whip up a pretend meal at Wegmans Wonderplace. Photo courtesy of the National Museum of American History
17 Free Things To Do in DC On Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play
Getting ready to fly high. Photo courtesy of the Atomic Trampoline Fun Center
Awesome Trampoline Parks Near DC for Indoor Family Fun
Kids can swing, climb, and jump their way through the ninja warrior course at ZavaZone. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour Near DC for Kids
Axe Throwing isn't just for grown-ups! Photo courtesy of Bad Axe Throwing
Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids Near DC: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits Around DC
The remodeled National Air and Space Museum is a sight to behold. Photo courtesy of the museum
Free Museums Near DC to Visit with Kids
What masterpieces will your kiddo create at the National Building Museum’s PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit? Photo by Anne McDonough, courtesy of the museum
Best Museums for Kids in the DC Area: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
See sculptures made entirely out of candy at Candytopia. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Candytopia Brings a Sweet Escape to the Washington, DC Area
Come face-to-face with over 80 lifelike dinosaurs at Dinos Alive. Photo by the author
Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience Brings Dinosaurs Roaring Into Washington, DC
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in DC in 2016. Photo by Alan Karchmer
Visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC with Kids
Kids have many opportunities to get hands-on at the National Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
National Children's Museum Opens in Washington, DC
At-Home Boredom Busters for Kids
When kids are bored, bored, bored, it's handy to have a whole list of fun things to do. Photo by Mommy Poppins
"I’m Bored, What Should I Do?" 100 Things To Do When Kids Are Bored
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Go ahead. Hand them the iPad; these websites for kids are fun and at least a little educational. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
100 Great Websites for Kids
Delight kids with printable finger puppets. Photo courtesy of Easy Peasy Play
100 Totally Free Printable Activities for Kids
The internet is full of coding programs for kids, but which are the best? We tested them all. Photo courtesy of Kodable
Best Free Coding for Kids Websites and Apps to Learn Programming Skills
Have a Post-it party! Easy but fun games for toddlers can be made with household items.
Easy Toddler Games: 20 Ways to Entertain Toddlers When You’re Too Sick to Play

Latest Indoor Activities News

Frolic in the flower petals in Isabela's room at Disney Encanto x CAMP. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Disney Encanto x CAMP: A New Immersive Experience Near Washington, DC
Step inside the world of the family Madrigal at Disney Encanto x CAMP in Tysons Corner Center.
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Kids will enjoy touching a real iceberg. Brrr!
Visiting Titanic: The Exhibition at National Harbor Near DC with Kids
Dive deeper into stories and artifacts from the Titanic at this National Harbor exhibition.
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Beat the Bomb combines the skill of an escape room with the thrill of a video game—and colorful paint or foam! Photo courtesy of the Beat the Bomb Facebook page
Best Escape Rooms for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Escape rooms are a fun and unique way to bond with the whole family.
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What masterpieces will your kiddo create at the National Building Museum’s PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit? Photo by Anne McDonough, courtesy of the museum
Best Museums for Kids in the DC Area: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
It's worth reaching into your wallet to visit these fantastic DC museums with kids.
READ MORE
The indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland is the largest of all Great Wolf Lodge locations. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
The New Great Wolf Lodge Maryland: An In-Depth Review
Take a peek inside Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, which opened in June 2023.
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Get building tips from Master Model Builders in the LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC's Workshop. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
  VIDEO
New LEGO Discovery Center Opens Near Washington, DC
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC is a LEGO lover's paradise.
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