Toddler-Friendly Summer Scavenger Hunt!

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toddler friendly summer

Looking to keep your little one busy this summer? Check out this list of super fun, toddler-friendly activities in and around DC that will put a smile on everyone’s face!

Involve your child by taking a photo of your little one at each of landmark as part of your scavenger hunt. Later, increase your little one’s vocabulary and conversational skills as you talk about all of your adventures while looking at your photos. “Remember when we went to… Look, here you are with… What did you like doing when we were at…”  Have Fun! Tag us and we may feature you on our Instagram Account (with your permission, of course!). 

Smithsonian Museums

Postal Museum

Just across the street from Union Station is a hidden treasure: the National Postal Museum. Downstairs you’ll find many exhibits designed to keep your little one busy! Drive a big rig truck, sort mail inside a railway train car, or throw packages into sorting bins. They’ll love looking at the life-size airplanes soaring above their heads. You can even get there for a story time on Mondays too.  Be sure to take a picture of your little one meeting Olney, a very special postal pooch!

National Building Museum

Right in the heart of the city is a place filled with hands-on play your little one will not want to leave! The National Building Museum has lots to offer for children of all ages. And each summer, they have an epic immersive art exhibit. Stay tuned! Be sure to take a photo of your little one busy building new memories!

Wegmans Wonderplace (this is currently closed and we are awaiting it’s reopening!)

Inside the Museum of American History, you’ll find Wegmans Wonderplace which is a huge space designed for little ones to explore with a large pretend kitchen, climbing structure, life-size tugboat, and more. In addition, there’s even a separate space for the tiniest babies to crawl around on a padded floor, check themselves out in mirrors, and play with new friends. Be sure to take a picture of your little one preparing a meal or sailing the high seas!

toddler friendly summer

Great Places to Explore

National Capital Trolley Museum

Climb aboard an original streetcar over 100 years old at the National Capital Trolley Museum! Your little one will have a blast as you take a trolley ride through the forest. Be sure to take a photo of your little one on a trolley!

Library of Congress 

Explore the Library of Congress‘ new children’s area. Everything is hands for children to explore and touch with books galore, a puppet area, maps, etc. Timed tickets needed to enter the LOC. Be sure to take a picture of your little one surrounded by books!

toddler friendly summer

National Air and Space Museum

Bring your little astronaut to the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. The DC location is under renovations. See information about aviators, flying machines, out-of-this-world creatures, or space life. Be sure to take a photo of your little one blasting off with fun!

toddler friendly summer

Farms

Clark’s Elioak Farm

Who knew you could meet an Emu in Ellicott City, MD? At Clark’s Elioak Farm your little one will have a non-stop day of fun as they meet a variety of farm animals. Go on a pony ride or taste farm fresh foods. They also have an Enchanted Forest filled with storybook inspired structures where they can run/crawl, climb, slide, and more. Be sure to take a photo of your little one meeting one of the farm animals!

toddler friendly summer

Frying Pan Farm Park

Become a farmer for the day at Frying Pan Farm Park in Fairfax, VA! Your little one can help care for farm animals, learn how crops grow, go on a wagon ride, and help with farm chores. Check out all of their special events happening throughout the summer designed just for little ones. Check out all the fun we had too! Be sure to take a photo of your little one’s favorite part of the farm!

Music & Theater

Regal $1 Movies

While your little one may not be ready to enjoy a full-length movie, this may be a great activity to attend with older siblings. With Regal $1 movies, enjoy the air-conditioning as you enjoy a family-friendly movie together. (Another idea: go during naptime so you can catch up on a new release yourself!)  Be sure to take a picture of them inside the theater!

The Puppet Co.

Glen Echo Park has so much to keep little ones entertained this summer, but don’t forget to make it to The Puppet Co. performance. Your little one will be mesmerized as these marionette puppets come to life right before their eyes. There are specific shows designed for the littlest audiences with shorter length programs, lighted room, and lower levels of noise. Be sure to take photos of your little one meeting a puppet after the show!

Imagination Stage

Enjoy the magic of live theater with your little one this summer at Imagination Stage. Your little one will love interacting with shows designed for young audiences. They also have camps, classes, and workshops that bring stories to life using music, movement, and visual arts. Be sure to take a photo of your little one near the stage!

Wolf Trap: Children’s Theatre-In-The-Woods

Wolf Trap has a different Children’s Theatre-In-The-Woods live show designed to capture your little one’s eyes and ears. From rock, jazz, African drumming, and Bollywood to puppets, bubbles, magic, and dance, there is so much to enjoy! Be sure to take a photo of your little one’s face captivated by the show!

Military Bands Summer Concerts at the Capitol

Did you know there is a free outdoor Military Band Summer Concerts on the Capitol lawns? Bring a picnic dinner and listen to each military branch’s band perform this summer. While the start time may past bedtime for some, these concerts may be a great date night for parents. (Imagine your little one being serenaded to sleep in their stroller/carrier.)  Be sure to take a photo of your little one with the band or Capitol in the background!

Staying Active

Play N Learn

Inside Play N Learn‘s Columbia, MD or Chantilly, VA warehouse is a playground superstore. And the best part? You and your little one can play on everything! There are tons of playground structures to keep your little ones crawling, climbing, swinging, and sliding. Bounce around on all of the trampolines or challenge another kid at heart to air hockey, foosball, or basketball.  Be sure to take a photo of your little one climbing, swinging, or sliding into fun!

toddler friendly summer

Storyville

Who knew you could be loud in a library? At Storyville, your little one can pretend and play as loud as they want inside two local library centers. They can pretend to shop for groceries, put on a show, or build with blocks. Maybe they want to play with puppets, work in a construction zone, or sort the mail. Another great feature is a separate infant/toddler section with just as many fun things to do.  Be sure to take a photo of your little one’s favorite place to play!

toddler friendly summer

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Minor League Baseball

Did you know DC is surrounded by minor league baseball teams? Whether your closer to the Bowie Baysox, the Fredrick Keys, or the Potomac Nationals,  your little one will love experiencing a game. Check each team’s website to find out when kids can eat for free, run the bases, or play catch in the outfield too.  Be sure to get a photo of your little one rooting for the home team!

Washington Nationals

If you love cheering on the Nats, your little one will love visiting the Nats stadium. Kids can get moving in the activity zone and run the bases after Sunday home games. You can bring the whole family on Pups In The Park special games. Need a break from it all? Cool off in their nursing lounge which has diaper changing stations, outlets for pumping, quiet and dim areas; never miss a minute of the game with their flat screens broadcasting the live action. Check out our tips for taking kids to a ball game hereBe sure to take a photo of your little one in the stands or on the field!

toddler friendly summer

Need More Ideas? Check Our Other Posts:

  1. Spray and Splash Park Guide
  2. Favorite Ice Cream Shops
  3. Favorite DMV Playgrounds
  4. Exploring the Outdoors
  5. Epic DC Summer Adventure Bucket List
  6. Organizing your Summer Days so Everyone Stays Chill

Have other fun, toddler-friendly activities your little one will love this summer? Comment below and we’ll add it to the list! Share your summer memories here too, we’d love to see what your little one enjoyed!

1 COMMENT

  1. Wow, these are incredible ideas! I can’t wait to take my toddler to the Building Museum’s Building Zone! I had no idea!

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