All the Free Things

Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History

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.”

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.”

U.S. Botanic Garden Snugglers Tour

Music and Movement

Southeast Library: Music and Movement

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.”

Story Time

East City Book Shop Story Time

National Air and Space Museum Story Times

National Portrait Gallery Story Time

National Postal Museum Story Time

Northeast Library

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.”

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

Southeast Library

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.

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