There’s fun to be had for free on Capitol Hill, including art; museums and tours; music and movement; and story times. This page lists weekly or regularly scheduled no-cost activities for kids.
Am I missing any free activity? Email me now at cory@capitolhillkid.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/
U.S. Botanic Garden Snugglers Tour
- Ages 0-1 year
- Thursdays, 10 a.m. | Conservatory Classroom | Free, pre-registration required
- https://learn.usbg.gov/calendar
Music and Movement
Southeast Library: Music and Movement
- Ages 0-5 years
- Thursdays, 9:45 a.m. | 403 7th St SE | Free, Registration required
- https://www.dclibrary.org/southeast
Outdoors
Free Forest School
“We believe young people of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities deserve and benefit from unstructured play in nature. We believe diversity brings invaluable richness and depth to our local groups and our organization. We welcome participants and leaders of all walks of life, and seek to foster an environment where all people are included, valued, heard, respected, and empowered.”
- Ages 0-8
- Weekly meetings throughout the year
- Held at parks and trails in the DMV area
- https://www.freeforestschool.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreeForestSchoolWashingtonDCRegion
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
National Postal Museum Story Time
- Ages 2-3
- Mondays, 10:30 and 11 a.m. | 2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Byrne Education Loft | Free, drop-in
- https://postalmuseum.si.edu/visit/calendar.html
Northeast Library
- 330 7th St NE
- https://www.dclibrary.org/northeast
Baby and Toddler Story Time
- Ages 0-2 years
- Mondays, 10 a.m. (registration required) and 11:30 a.m. (drop in) | Free, drop-in/Registration required for some sessions
Baby Lap Time
- Newborns-crawlers
- Thursdays, 10 a.m. | Free, registration required
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
Preschool Story Time
- Ages 3-5 years
- Tuesdays, 10 a.m. (registration required) and 11:30 a.m. (drop in) | Free, drop-in/Registration required for some sessions
Politics and Prose at Union Market: Story Hour
“The program will be led by professional teaching artists and will include dramatic readings of favorite children’s books along with creative movement activities that explore the themes of storytelling, bravery, understanding emotions, and diversity.”
- Ages 0-6
- Third Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. | 1270 5th St NE | Free, drop-in (reservations required for school groups)
- https://unionmarketdc.com/calendar/
Rosedale Library: Baby and Toddler Story Times
- Ages 0-2 years
- Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. | 1701 Gales St. NE | Free, drop-in
- https//www.dclibrary.org/rosedale
Solid State Books Story Times
- Ages 0-5 years
- Thursdays (for babies and toddlers), 10:30 a.m. and Saturdays (for ages 0-5), 10:30 | 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 Times
- Ages 0-2 years
- Wednesdays, 9:45, 10:30 and 11:15 | Free, drop-in
Family Story Time
- All ages
- Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. | 403 7th St SE | Free, drop-in
“Not a Box” Play Party
- Ages 6 and under
- Tuesdays, 4 p.m. | Free, drop-in
Toddler Story Time
- Ages 18-36 months
- Tuesdays, 9:45 a.m. | Free, drop-in
Southwest Interim Library
Southwest Library is in an interim location during construction.
- 425 M St SW
- https://www.dclibrary.org/southwest
Pajama Story Time
- All ages (kids under 9 must be accompanied by adult)
- Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. | Free, drop-in
Southwest Saturdays
- All ages (kids under 9 must be accompanied by adult)
- Saturdays, 11 a.m. | Free, drop-in