Toddler-friendly activites in the Washington DC metro

[sent]

I'm over here having major mom guilt as my kids left this morning to go stay with my in-laws for a week. Their house is extremely boring and no match for his endless energy.  I'd like to send my husband some recommendations of places he could take my 3 year old DS to burn some energy and have a change of scenery. Within an hour of DC in any direction is fine, easy parking is even better. Parks, playgrounds, trails, indoor, outdoor, the best Target in the area whatever. I went to the Wegmans in Tysons while I was there last weekend and they will be taking a trip there. 

I don't think they will want to do much within DC itself (museums, walking around, etc.) because parking seems like such a headache from the few times I went with DD in a car before DS was born. I know they will not ride public transportation at this time either.

[mccallister84]

The wizard of oz playground in Watkins park.

[notsopicky]

Clemyjontri Park in Fairfax County (sorta near Tyson's). www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri

[candreco]

Old Town Alexandria has several playgrounds (big one is on Union St. near the waterfront), plus the waterfront itself has some fun areas to explore/climb on. And there are several ice cream options on King St.

Riverbend Park is near Great Falls, but generally less crowded and has some good trails for little kids. 

Honestly, I'm struggling to remember what we did with our kids when they were small, lol. I'll add stuff as I remember. 

[yellow23]

Aug 28, 2021 11:19:07 GMT -5 notsopicky said:

Clemyjontri Park in Fairfax County (sorta near Tyson's). www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri

Clemyjontri is a great playground! We drive 30 -45 minutes to get there, depending on traffic, because it’s so much fun and kids can spend hours there. Parking can be difficult, but there is an overflow lot down the street.

[notsopicky]

Also: splashpads and local waterparks dullesmoms.com/spraygrounds/3/

Lee Rec Center is our favorite: splashpad, big playground, big fields, and a paved trail with activity spots for the littles. 

[candreco]

Aug 28, 2021 11:27:38 GMT -5 notsopicky said:

Also: splashpads and local waterparks dullesmoms.com/spraygrounds/3/

Lee Rec Center is our favorite: splashpad, big playground, big fields, and a paved trail with activity spots for the littles. 

Yes, I was just coming back to add Lee District! 

[litasail]

Absolutely Clemyjontri.

[onthemove]

The Air and space museum at Dulles ($15 to park but free to enter) was totally empty last Monday.

Chessie’s big back yard and water park - can be a little more crowded but I would think with school back in session should be better (although I would check the hours now, it could be weekends only)

[simpsongal]

Lots of trampoline parks and ninja gyms too. We like Launch in Herndon.

[dcrunnergirl52]

We also love Lee District.

Clemyjontri is awesome but has very little shade.

(Also, all of you mentioning Lee District/Chessie's makes me wonder if we are all neighbors. We live near there and my kids go to camp there every summer.)

Huntley Meadows is nice to walk around, find frogs, birds, lizards, etc.

National Harbor has a carousel, ferris wheel, kid friendly restaurants, etc.

[mala]

The zoo would be a good choice if you're ok with not seeing everything. Go for an hour or two until he's tired and then call it a day.

[onthemove]

Aug 28, 2021 13:35:17 GMT -5 dcrunnergirl52 said:

We also love Lee District.

Clemyjontri is awesome but has very little shade.

(Also, all of you mentioning Lee District/Chessie's makes me wonder if we are all neighbors. We live near there and my kids go to camp there every summer.)

Huntley Meadows is nice to walk around, find frogs, birds, lizards, etc.

National Harbor has a carousel, ferris wheel, kid friendly restaurants, etc.

Probably! I’m about 5 miles away!

[sent]

Aug 28, 2021 12:55:42 GMT -5 onthemove said:

The Air and space museum at Dulles ($15 to park but free to enter) was totally empty last Monday. 

I remember FIL mentioning this place in the before times but we didn't end up going. He works on a project at Dulles. I bet he'd probably even join them. 

mala , the zoo website says limited parking. Any experience with that?  

Thanks for these recommendations everyone, I will definitely pass them along. 

[candreco]

Aug 28, 2021 14:15:04 GMT -5 onthemove said:

Aug 28, 2021 13:35:17 GMT -5 dcrunnergirl52 said:

We also love Lee District.

Clemyjontri is awesome but has very little shade.

(Also, all of you mentioning Lee District/Chessie's makes me wonder if we are all neighbors. We live near there and my kids go to camp there every summer.)

Huntley Meadows is nice to walk around, find frogs, birds, lizards, etc.

National Harbor has a carousel, ferris wheel, kid friendly restaurants, etc.

Probably! I’m about 5 miles away!

dcrunnergirl52

Same... our old house backed up to the north edge of Huntley Meadows, we're a couple miles further south and over toward the GW Pkwy now.

[mccallister84]

Aug 28, 2021 14:36:40 GMT -5 sent said:

Aug 28, 2021 12:55:42 GMT -5 onthemove said:

The Air and space museum at Dulles ($15 to park but free to enter) was totally empty last Monday. 

I remember FIL mentioning this place in the before times but we didn't end up going. He works on a project at Dulles. I bet he'd probably even join them. 

mala , the zoo website says limited parking. Any experience with that?  

Thanks for these recommendations everyone, I will definitely pass them along. 

This was a few years ago but we went and the lot was full and we had to didnt street parking which was a bit of a disaster.

[yellow23]

Aug 28, 2021 14:36:40 GMT -5 sent said:

Aug 28, 2021 12:55:42 GMT -5 onthemove said:

The Air and space museum at Dulles ($15 to park but free to enter) was totally empty last Monday. 

I remember FIL mentioning this place in the before times but we didn't end up going. He works on a project at Dulles. I bet he'd probably even join them. 

mala , the zoo website says limited parking. Any experience with that?  

Thanks for these recommendations everyone, I will definitely pass them along. 

We always get to the zoo a little before they open so we can get a spot in the lot, it’s also nice to get there early when it’s hot so you can be done before it’s too hot.

[firedancer10288]

Friendship Park in Glen Burnie (near BWI airport). There's a playground and some walking trails, but the best part is you can watch the planes coming in and taking off.


www.chesapeakefamily.com/playgrounds/friendship-park-thomas-a-dixon-observation-area-2/

[dcrunnergirl52]

Aug 28, 2021 14:41:56 GMT -5 candreco said:

Aug 28, 2021 14:15:04 GMT -5 onthemove said:

Probably! I’m about 5 miles away!

dcrunnergirl52

Same... our old house backed up to the north edge of Huntley Meadows, we're a couple miles further south and over toward the GW Pkwy now.

Our old house was near the back entrance to Huntley Meadows. We're a few miles away in Hayfield now, not far from Kingstowne.

[mala]

Aug 28, 2021 14:36:40 GMT -5 sent said:

Aug 28, 2021 12:55:42 GMT -5 onthemove said:

The Air and space museum at Dulles ($15 to park but free to enter) was totally empty last Monday. 

I remember FIL mentioning this place in the before times but we didn't end up going. He works on a project at Dulles. I bet he'd probably even join them. 

mala , the zoo website says limited parking. Any experience with that?  

Thanks for these recommendations everyone, I will definitely pass them along. 

We always went first thing as kids with no issues, you can also metro in (but you're walking uphill to leave in that case).

[hammerfist]

There are a lot of great parks in Arlington. If you are on instagram check out familytripguides. She has a whole database of parks and activities for kids.

[gt7301b]

My son loves Clemyjontri park, Lee District splash pad, Udvar Hazy air and space center, Burke Lake Park, and watching the airplanes take off at Gravely Point.

The parking at Udvar Hazy air and space center is free after 4pm.

We haven't been to the zoo since it reopened, but with the reservations I can't imagine parking is bad.

[NomadicMama]

Scramble has two locations, Alexandria, not far from I-95, and Falls Church. School has started in many area districts, so they shouldn’t be too crowded. goscramble.com/

[cleo29]

I took my kids to the museums all the time, driving, and it was fine. Yes, it can take a little time to find a spot, but I honestly don't think it is hassle. There is also the zoo. My tip is to arrive before it opens, like 9 something. Parking is easier and even if the buildings are not open yet, you can walk through and a lot of the animals will be outside.

I also really like the Udvar Hazy space center. Lots of space to walk around. My girls still like going there.

[nicanmatt]

Aug 28, 2021 11:10:53 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

The wizard of oz playground in Watkins park.

It's so much more than just a playground too! They have walking trails, a nature center with birds that cannot be released to the wild and a neat farm animal area. I haven't been in a couple of years but the peacock was beautiful!! They also do a really nice drive through Christmas light show.

[candreco]

Aug 28, 2021 15:50:40 GMT -5 dcrunnergirl52 said:

Aug 28, 2021 14:41:56 GMT -5 candreco said:

dcrunnergirl52

Same... our old house backed up to the north edge of Huntley Meadows, we're a couple miles further south and over toward the GW Pkwy now.

Our old house was near the back entrance to Huntley Meadows. We're a few miles away in Hayfield now, not far from Kingstowne.

I'm over in Kingstowne and Hilltop pretty regularly, we've probably passed each other in a grocery store at some point.  Small world! 

[shoeless]

Aug 28, 2021 16:51:50 GMT -5 mala said:

Aug 28, 2021 14:36:40 GMT -5 sent said:

I remember FIL mentioning this place in the before times but we didn't end up going. He works on a project at Dulles. I bet he'd probably even join them. 

mala , the zoo website says limited parking. Any experience with that?  

Thanks for these recommendations everyone, I will definitely pass them along. 

We always went first thing as kids with no issues, you can also metro in (but you're walking uphill to leave in that case).

Ditto PP.  If you don't want to pay for parking go right when they open or the last 2 hours they are open in the evening.  If you make reservations far enough in advanced then you can pay for onsite parking. 

Heads up we were at the zoo last weekend and it was very busy!  Friends have had similar experiences.

These are DC proper but if you are willing to drive a few minutes:

Tip for Clemyjontri, they have a carousel onsite and you can book your tickets online in advanced.  Otherwise on a busy day it can be an hour wait. (they also have a train but that hasn't opened back up).  The last couple weekends Clemyjontri hasn't been that busy.

If you want an indoor play place I like Jolly Yolly in Falls Church.

Frying Pan Farm Park is a good way to kill some time if you want to make the drive.

If you don't object to spending lots of $$$ for a glorified petting zoo then Roers zoofari is fun for little kids.  Skip the butterfly house.  For the parrot house use lettuce cups over seed sticks.  Carrot sticks for the car safari part.