35 Things to Do with Preschoolers in DC Before They Turn 5

Parents have just a few short years before their little ones head to kindergarten. Luckily, DC-area parents can really make the most of that time thanks to all the fun things to do with preschoolers in the area. From fantastic free museums to incredible destination playgrounds, there are so many ways to have fun with little ones.

Here are 35 things to do with preschoolers in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia before they turn 5. Have a blast checking these items off your list, then extend the fun with our list of 100 things to do in DC with kids before they grow up.

Wegmans Wonderplace is a fantastic hands-on exhibit for the under-6 set at the National Museum of American history.

DC Museums to Visit with Preschoolers

All of these museums are located in Washington, DC unless otherwise noted.

1. National Museum of American History

This free Smithsonian museum is home to Wegmans Wonderplace, an exhibit just for kids ages 6 and under that offers hands-on exploration of small-town American life. There's a construction area, a pretend farm and kitchen, a big toy boat to climb on, and more.

2. National Museum of Natural History

From the iconic African elephant and dinosaur displays to Ancient Egyptian mummies, Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is a wonder for preschoolers to behold. On most Tuesdays, the museum hosts Play Dates at NMNH, where kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers can explore different topics with museum educators. Admission is free.

3. National Museum of the American Indian

This is one of our favorite museums in DC for kids because of its imagiNATIONS Activity Center. This amazing children's exhibit is filled with interactive elements and hands-on activities like crafts, building a giant igloo, and playing inside a life-sized tipi.

4. National Air and Space Museum

If your little one is an aviation or space lover, there's no better place to visit than the free Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall or its annex, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. For preschoolers, there are Family Days and storytimes galore, as well as a planetarium show featuring Big Bird and Elmo.

5. National Children's Museum

This downtown museum has lots of spaces for littles ones to explore. Babies and toddlers ages 0-3 have two walled-off sections just for them—Little Movers and Little Dreamers. Kids as young as 3 can create, build, and play in the Tinkerers Studio. And preschoolers love the Art + Tech exhibit featuring favorite Nickelodeon characters. Don't miss the STEAM Storytime for ages 1-4 on Wednesday mornings.

6. National Gallery of Art

You may not think of an art museum as a great place for preschoolers, but this free museum has a monthly Saturday-morning storytime at which kids ages 5 and under can hear a book in both English and Spanish, followed by fun activities like crafts and face painting.

7. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

This free Smithsonian art museum is especially preschooler-friendly, with a popular Wednesday-morning storytime that explores a new artwork each week, complete with a hands-on activity. On Saturday mornings, the Art Cart offers kids 5 and under the opportunity to work on themed art projects.

8. National Museum of the United States Army — Fort Belvoir, VA

Take your preschooler to this free museum to explore and play in Fort Discover, part of the museum's Experiential Learning Center. Little ones can use imaginative play to climb an Army tower, launch a space rocket, drive a Jeep, and more.

Outdoor Things To Do with Preschoolers Near DC

9. Visit an Animal Farm or Petting Zoo

Visiting Smithsonian's National Zoo is, of course, a must with toddlers and preschoolers. But there are several other zoos and farms in the DC area where little ones can see, pet, and even feed animals. Check out our list of 10 great animal farms and petting zoos near DC.

10. Ride a Carousel

The DC area is home to several gorgeous—and often historic—carousels that preschoolers love to ride. Here are some fun carousels near DC for kids.

11. Check Out a Children's Garden

The United States Botanic Garden and the US National Arboretum are both free and have children's gardens that little ones love to explore. Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD and Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA are also free and perfect for preschoolers.

12. Play at Fun Playgrounds

Not all playgrounds are created equal when it comes to preschoolers. Check out our list of the best tot lots and toddler playgrounds near DC that are perfect for the under-5 set. Two of our favorites are Clemyjontri Park in McLean, VA and the Wizard of Oz-themed playground at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD.

13. Splash at a Sprinkler Park, Sprayground, or Splash Pad

Little ones can cool off without the risk of drowning at these great sprinkler parks, splash pads, and spraygrounds near DC.

14. Catch Thrills at a Water Park

All of the water parks in the DC area have special sections for toddlers and preschoolers with spray areas, shallow pools, and pint-sized slides. Check out our lists of fun outdoor water parks and indoor water parks for families near DC.

15. Attend Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series Summer Events

As part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series, a different children's entertainer performs for free on select days at Frying Pan Farm Park, Burke Lake Park, Mason District Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, and Sully Historic Site throughout the summer. Performers range from puppeteers to magicians to musicians, all geared mainly towards preschoolers.

16. Watch Free Parks Playhouse Junior Shows

Parks Playhouse Junior also offers free shows for young kids throughout the summer at Montgomery County Parks in Maryland. Performances including sing-alongs, puppet shows, theater, dance parties, and more.

17. Get Close to Airplanes at Gravelly Point Park

Pack a picnic and head to this park to watch planes fly right over your head—so close, you'll feel like you can touch them—as they take off and land at Ronald Reagan airport. Preschoolers will be absolutely delighted.

RELATED: Guide to Indoor Fun for Kids in DC

The Noyes Library is perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Photo courtesy of the Montgomery County Public Library

More Fun Things To Do with Preschoolers Near DC

18. Head to the Noyes Library for Young Children

This adorable one-room library is filled with books, toys, puzzles, and activities just for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Founded in 1893, the library also offers free storytimes and other events. After playing and reading in the library, explore the great parks, shops, restaurants, and historic homes in the charming town of Kensington, MD.

19. Take a Mommy& Me Class

The DC area is full of fun mommy and me classes where little ones and their caregivers can have fun making music, creating art, swimming, and more together.

20. Enroll Them in a Fun Class

In addition to Mommy & Me classes, there are classes that preschoolers can take on their own where they can learn a new skill and develop a new interest, like sports classes, art classes, and more. Here are some of the best classes near DC for preschoolers and toddlers.

21. Visit an Indoor Playground

Preschoolers are the perfect age for indoor playgrounds, where they can crawl, climb, slide, and explore to their hearts' content. Our list of the top indoor playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia includes favorites like Scramble in Alexandria and Falls Church, VA and the Be with Me Playseum in Columbia, MD.

22. Explore a Nature Center

Preschoolers can get up close to reptiles and amphibians, go on nature walks, and do other fun hands-on activities at the DC area's awesome free nature centers.

23. Take a Trip to Storyville

The Rosedale and Woodlawn branches of the Baltimore County Public Library are home to Storyville, child-sized villages filled with books, toys, and activities for ages 0-5. Each village includes a pretend grocery store and mailroom, a puppet stage and theater, a home living area, a construction zone, a library, a baby garden, and a toddler area. Storyville is closed on Sundays.

24. Play at a Mall Play Place

Malls are the perfect places to visit with little ones: They can get their wiggles out at the mall's play place, then you can shop while they rest or nap in the stroller. You'll find a play place at nearly every DC-area mall, but we especially like the Washington Nationals-themed play area at Dulles Town Center in VA and the huge health-themed place space at The Mall in Columbia in Maryland.

25. Go to Library Events

Local libraries offer tons of free events for all ages, but especially for toddlers and preschoolers. Just visit the website of your local library branch to find storytimes, arts and crafts, performances, and more for little ones.

26. Take in Some Children's Theater

You're never too young for the theater. In fact, there are lots of theaters in the DC area that cater to young children with kid-friendly shows. A few of our favorites are Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD; Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo, MD; and Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA.

27. Let Them Experience Summer Camp

Summer camp isn't just for big kids. Many day camps throughout the DC area accept kids as young as 3. Check out some of our favorite summer camps for preschoolers in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

28. Discover the LEGO Discovery Center

The LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC, which opened in August 2023 in Virginia's Springfield Town Center, is loads of fun for kids of all ages. Preschoolers will especially love the Imagination Express train ride, DUPLO Park, the 4D Cinema, and the indoor playground with a slide and mini climbing wall. Read more about our editor's experience at the LEGO Discovery Center.

Seasonal and Holiday Things To Do with Preschoolers Near DC

All of these seasonal event roundups and lists are updated annually, so check back each season for current offerings and dates!

29. Hunt for Easter Eggs

Searching for colorful plastic eggs during Easter is a rite of passage for many preschoolers. Luckily, the DC area is full of Easter egg hunts each spring.

30. Meet the Easter Bunny

They won't believe in the Easter Bunny forever. While they still do, take them for pictures or brunch with the Easter Bunny.

31. Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

Sure, pumpkin picking is for all ages, but preschoolers appreciate the pumpkin patch most—the hayrides, the farm animals, the play areas, and more (not to mention the adorable photo ops). Visit one of the places on our list of the best pumpkin patches near DC.

RELATED: Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC

Boo at the Zoo at Smithsonian's National Zoo is a must-visit with preschoolers. Photo Credit: Meghan Murphy

32. Go to a Halloween Event

Halloween events abound in the DC area, and many of them are perfect for preschoolers. We're talking costume parades, trick-or-treat events, trunk-or-treats, and more. Even better, many of them are free! Check out or whopping lists of the best Halloween events and the top free Halloween events in DC for kids and families.

33. Ride a Themed Train

We have yet to meet a preschooler who isn't at least mildly amused by trains. Check out our lists of fall and Halloween train rides and Polar Express and Christmas trains near DC to bring your little one aboard.

34. Have Breakfast with Santa

There are plenty of spots to take pictures with Santa throughout the DC area, but why not take it a step further and have a whole meal with the big guy? Here is our list of places to have breakfast with Santa near DC.

35. See Christmas Lights

DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia do it up BIG for the holidays, and preschoolers will be dazzled by all the sparkling lights. Check out our lists of the best neighborhood Christmas lights and holiday light displays and the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows near DC.