Here it is: Capitol Hill activities for babies, in one place! This list is organized alphabetically by interest, from free play to yoga. It is focused on activities held in the Hill neighborhood. It includes both classes that require registration as well as drop-in activities. CHK is defining “babies” as under 1 year old. For your older babies, see CHK’s Big List of Hill Activities/Classes for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
I intend that this list be comprehensive and up to date. Email me at cory@capitolhillkid.com with suggestions.
For all of these classes, a caregiver is expected to attend with the child.
Free Play
Elemeno: Skillzone
“Babies and young children learn by doing, and they learn best when they have time and space to explore, experiment, and express themselves. Our purpose-built educational environment means that every visit is a learning experience for our member children – a class every time you come in. Rather than pushing a quantity of classes, our early-learning philosophy emphasizes quality educational programming with a focus on skill development and family learning opportunities.”
- Babies, toddlers and preschoolers
- Drop-in play, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | 709 8th St SE | Membership required
- https://elemeno.club/
Infant Massage
Breathing Space: Infant Massage
“Massage is a great way to connect to your baby. Studies have shown infant massage can help babies sleep better, gain weight, reduce fussiness, improve health and relax.”
- Ages 2-6 months
- Several-week series offered seasonally | Various locations | Registration required
- https://breathingspacedc.com
Museums and Tours
National Museum of American History: Wegmans Wonderplace
“Wegmans Wonderplace is the first exhibition on the National Mall designed for children 0 to 6. This 1,700-square-foot interactive space provides the youngest historians with age-appropriate activities and experiences.”
- Ages 0-6 years
- Wednesdays-Mondays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Closed Tuesdays) | Constitution Ave NW, between 12th and 14th Streets | Free, drop-in
- https://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/wonderplace
National Museum of the American Indian: ImagiNATIONS Activity Center
“The interactive, family-friendly imagiNATIONS Activity Center provides visitors up to age 10 with a multitude of unique learning experiences.”
- Ages 0-10
- Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Fourth and Independence Ave SE | Free, drop-in
- https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/washington/imaginations/
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Infant Investigators
“These workshops offer a variety of hands-on experiences that introduce young children to concepts in engaging ways. Each class includes playful activities that are intentionally chosen to support your child’s development.”
- Ages 4 months-1 year
- Twice monthly Saturdays, 10 a.m. | Begins at National Museum of Natural History, Constitution Avenue lobby; concludes at museum listed in course description | Registration required
- https://seecstories.com/community-programs/infant-investigators/
Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB)
“BYOB is a program for adult audiences looking for a rich learning experience and an opportunity to meet other caretakers. Ease into the morning with some light conversation and a walk to a nearby museum. While aimed at adults, the rich environment will benefit baby too.”
- Ages 0-1 year
- Twice monthly Tuesdays, 10 a.m. | Begins at National Museum of Natural History, Constitution Avenue lobby; concludes at museum listed in course description | Registration required
- https://seecstories.com/community-programs/byob-bring-your-own-baby/
U.S. Botanic Garden Snugglers Tour
“Do you have a tiny treasure in a snuggly? Looking for ways to get out of the house and learn? Visit the U.S. Botanic Garden each Thursday for a 45-minute guided tour of the Conservatory.”
- Ages 0-1 year
- Thursdays, 10 a.m. | Conservatory Classroom | Free, pre-registration required
- https://learn.usbg.gov/calendar
Music and Movement
Boogie Babes at the Miracle Theatre
“The Boogie Babes program brings interactive musical performances for young children and their caregivers each week to area neighborhoods. The events, typically 45 minutes in length, expose children to music while also raising funds for and awareness of Greater DC Diaper Bank’s work and mission.”
- Ages 0-3 years
- Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. | Miracle Theatre, 535 8th St SE | $6 per child (siblings 6 months and younger free), drop-in
- https://www.facebook.com/boogiebabesdc/
Read more about Boogie Babes:
City Sing and Play: Music Together
“Every week in our music classes at City Sing And Play, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups who love them come together to sing and play and make music together. Music Together nurtures each child’s natural musicality in a playful, musically rich learning environment.”
- Babies, toddlers and preschoolers
- Several-week series offered seasonally plus drop-in options | St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 222 M St SW | Registration required
- https://www.citysingandplay.com/
Kidsinger Jim: Puppet Show Tuesdays
A weekly puppet show featuring Kidsinger Jim and the Big Barn Puppets.
- All ages
- Tuesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Eastern Market North Hall, 225 7th St. SE | Tickets
- https://www.childrensmusic.com/puppetshowtuesdays.html
Kidsinger Jim: Singalong Fridays
A weekly singalong with Kidsinger Jim.
- All ages
- Fridays, 10:45-11:30 a.m. | Eastern Market North Hall, 225 7th St. SE | Tickets
- https://www.childrensmusic.com/singalongfridays.html
Read more about Kidsinger Jim:
- Rainy Day Salvation: Kidsinger Jim at Miracle Theatre
- Kidsinger Jim Starts New Weekly Puppet Show at Eastern Market
Little Steps Music: Music Together
“Music Together is an early childhood music and movement program. Developed in Princeton over twenty-five years ago, it has grown to become one of the leading childhood education programs in this country and abroad.”
- Ages 0-5
- Several-week series offered seasonally | Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) and other D.C. locations | Registration required
- https://littlestepsmusic.yourvirtuoso.com/
Makeshift
“Makeshift is a place to create. Makeshift offers unique art and music classes for all ages in Capitol Hill & NE DC. Our intimate alley retail space also hosts community events throughout the year.”
- Age ranges vary by activity
- See schedule | 1321 Linden Court NE | Registration required
- https://makeshiftdc.com/
Meadowlark Music with Babies and Toddlers
“Meadowlark is a local business, owned and operated by a professional musician. Meadowlark is a supportive and well-designed environment for you to learn about, be inspired by, and celebrate music.”
- Newborns-toddlers
- Several-week series offered seasonally | Hill Center | Registration required
- http://meadowlarkmusiclessons.com/
Mr. Mike’s Music
“Mr. Mike’s Music Together strives to give families the opportunities to form a music-making habit early. This is not a class strictly for babies and toddlers. This is a class where families sing together. Mr. Mike’s offers a babies workshop from time to time. Contact Mike at mistermikesmusic@gmail.com for more information.”
- Ages 0-6 months (Babies Workshop); Ages 0-5 years (Music Together)
- Several-week series offered seasonally | Several Hill locations | Registration required
- http://mistermikesmusic.com/
Pie Shop DC: Concerts for Kids
Pie Shop DC hold semi-regular Saturday morning kids shows featuring bands such as Rocknoceros.
- All ages
- See events calendar | 1339 H St NE | Tickets required
- https://pieshopdc.com/
Read more about Pie Shop concerts:
Southeast Library: Music and Movement
“Sing, dance and reveal your inner musician at Music and Movement time.”
- Ages 0-5 years
- Thursdays, 9:45 a.m. | 403 7th St SE | Free, Registration required
- https://www.dclibrary.org/southeast
Playgroups
Fit4Mom: “Our Village” Playgroup
“Enjoy fun, playful activities with your child while building a tight community of like-minded moms to share advice, tips, and most importantly, laughter.”
- Babies, toddlers and preschoolers
- Various dates | Various locations | Registration required
- https://dc.fit4mom.com/classes/our-village-moms-club
Sign Language
Breathing Space: Baby Sign Language Workshop*
“Learn to use American Sign Language for early communication and long-term learning with hearing infants or toddlers. Through play, activities, songs, and games, you and your child will be given the tools to communicate months earlier and with a broader, more extensive vocabulary than with spoken words alone.”
- Ages 6 months-2.5 years
- One-time workshop offered several times a year | Various locations | Registration required
- https://breathingspacedc.com
- *This is a class for parents to learn in a child-friendly atmosphere
Story Time
East City Book Shop Story Time
- Ages 0-4 years
- Tuesday and Fridays 11 a.m. | 645 Pennsylvania Ave SE | Free, drop in
- https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/
National Air and Space Museum Story Times
- All ages
- Multiple dates and times | Indepenednece Ave at 6th St SW | Free, drop-in
- https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc/things-do/story-times
National Portrait Gallery Story Time
- All ages
- Tuesdays, 11:45 a.m. | 8th and F Streets NW | Free, drop-in
- https://npg.si.edu/calendar
Northeast Library
- 330 7th St NE
- https://www.dclibrary.org/northeast
All Ages Story Time: All ages | Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. | Free, drop-in
Baby and Toddler Story Time: Ages 0-2 | Mondays, 10 a.m. (registration required and 11:30 a.m. (drop in) | Free
Baby Lap Time: Newborns-crawlers | Tuesdays, 10 a.m. | Free, registration required
Block Party: Babies and toddlers | Wednesdays, 10 a.m. | Free, drop-in
Family Story Time: All ages | Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. | Free, drop-in
Library Playdate: Ages 0-3 | Thursdays, 1 p.m. | Free, drop-in
Rosedale Library
- 1701 Gales St NE
- https://www.dclibrary.org/rosedale
Baby and Toddler Story Time: Ages 0-2 | Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. | Free, drop-in
Solid State Books Story Times
- Ages 0-5 years
- Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. (babies and toddlers); Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. (ages 0-5); Sundays, 10:30 a.m. (age 4+) | 600 H St NE | Free, drop-in
- https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/
Southeast Library
- 403 7th St SE
- https://www.dclibrary.org/southeast
Baby and Toddler Story Time: Ages 0-2 | Wednesdays, 9:45, 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. | Free, drop-in
Family Story Time: All ages | Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. | Free, drop-in
Read more about Southeast Library:
Southwest Library
- 425 M St SW (interim location during construction)
- https://www.dclibrary.org/southwest
Baby and Toddler Story Time at Politics and Prose at the Wharf: Ages 0-2 | Mondays, 10:30 a.m. | 70 District Square SW | Free, drop-in
Pajama Story Time: All ages | Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. | Free, drop-in
Swim
DCPR: Learn to Swim for Parent/Child Level A
“Familiarize children with the water and teach swimming readiness skills. Provide safety information for parents and teach techniques parents can use to orient their children to the water.”
- Ages 6 months- 2 years
- Several-week sessions offered seasonally | Rumsey Aquatic Center and other D.C. public pool locations | Registration required
- https://web1.vermontsystems.com/wbwsc/dcwashingtonwt.wsc/splash.html
WeAquatics: Infant Swim
“We believe swimming offers something for everyone. The beauty of swimming is that it is what you make of it..”
- Ages 6 months and up
- Email for schedule: info@WEAquatics.com | Gallaudet University and other D.C. locations | Registration required
- https://weaquatics.com/
Yoga
Breathing Space
- Various locations
- https://breathingspacedc.com
Baby Yoga and Play
“This interactive, fun class for newborn to pre-crawling babies and their grownup(s) contains dozens of yoga-inspired movements, postures, songs, rhymes and activities designed to support baby’s development. Each class is filled with calming, nurturing ways to enhance bonding, soothe the inevitable cranky moments, and improve baby’s sleep.”
- Pre-crawlers
- Several-week series offered seasonally | Registration required
Tot Yoga
“Tot Yoga classes are engaging and fun, encouraging each child to embrace their own unique expression of yoga poses while supporting their development and growth. Parents and children playfully move together through poses, songs, and activities appropriate for crawlers and walkers.”
- Crawling-24 months
- Several-week series offered seasonally | Registration required