Washington D.C. & Kids-- Right Age??

[ekatiel]

My DH has some extra conference $$ from work this year, and one of the conferences we're looking at is in D.C. Our boys will be a newly minted 6 and 8 at the time of the conference this summer. Is that too young to appreciate D.C.? We would stay three nights and likely not have a car. The conference hotel is the Fairmont, which says it's relatively close to the metro and all the action (a mile form the Whitehouse, it says). Will they be bored with all the Smithsonian museums? Another option is a conference in Colorado (it's at a ski resort, but it's during the summer also-- they have things there like mini-golf, bumper boats, go-karts, hiking, etc). The boys and I went to Colorado last summer with my parents (sans DH-- he was working), and they really enjoyed it. DH's conferences usually just run until lunch (yeah, he's a lucky duck), so we'll have the afternoons to "play" where ever we choose to go. We could also choose WDW, but that's a lot of $$ after we pay for park tickets, etc, and I kind of consider our Disney trips to be really special family time-- having DH not with us for the mornings would kind of ruin it for me, so I think we'll stick to WDW on our own. Anyhow, what age is good for D.C.? Should we wait a few more years? --Katie

 

[Southernmiss]

We were in DC when our kids were very young. Oldest DS was about 8 or so then DS 5 DS 4 and DD 1.

We did a lot in those 2 days. We toured the Smithsonians Air and Space Museum-really cool for boys with lots of planes and aviation history. We toured Museum of Natural Sciences (I think) had dinosaur dioramas and displays also cool for young boys. We also toured another museum.

We also toured Arlington National Cemetary and the monuments and walked past the White House.

It was a lot of walking and looking back, I feel bad at the amount of walking we had the kids do.

Oldest DS is now 17 remembers the trip and would love to go back and see it all again now.

 

[DVCBELLE]

My DH has some extra conference $$ from work this year, and one of the conferences we're looking at is in D.C. Our boys will be a newly minted 6 and 8 at the time of the conference this summer. Is that too young to appreciate D.C.? We would stay three nights and likely not have a car. The conference hotel is the Fairmont, which says it's relatively close to the metro and all the action (a mile form the Whitehouse, it says). Will they be bored with all the Smithsonian museums? Another option is a conference in Colorado (it's at a ski resort, but it's during the summer also-- they have things there like mini-golf, bumper boats, go-karts, hiking, etc). The boys and I went to Colorado last summer with my parents (sans DH-- he was working), and they really enjoyed it. DH's conferences usually just run until lunch (yeah, he's a lucky duck), so we'll have the afternoons to "play" where ever we choose to go. We could also choose WDW, but that's a lot of $$ after we pay for park tickets, etc, and I kind of consider our Disney trips to be really special family time-- having DH not with us for the mornings would kind of ruin it for me, so I think we'll stick to WDW on our own. Anyhow, what age is good for D.C.? Should we wait a few more years? --Katie

I think that if this is your only time you would go...wait. If you would be inclined to go again then I would take them. There are things they won't appreciate - at least the 6 year old.

There are a ton of cool things there. But the historical significance would be lost on them.

 

[skw444]

It will depend on your kids, but I have a 6 and 9 year old girls and I definitely think my girls are too young to appreciate D.C. You know your kids the best to judge. When I was growing up, it was our 7th grade class trip. I would think it would be a better trip for middle schoolers and up. Now Colorado sounds like a fun trip for younger kids.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My children are 11, 9, and 4 plus a baby sister.

They love the Spy Museum (not free) and Air and Space. They like visiting the monuments. The Natural History Musuem is usually enjoyed and I love their hands on room for the kids.

We had a field trip to the National Gallery of Art. The oldest did a handout that they have for ages 6 and up. My son was doing things that clearly demonstrated his boredom.

Yes they are old enough--just know their interests and how to make thugs kid friendly and it will be fine.

Old Ebbitt (sp?) grill near the white house has good grown up food and a kids menu. Nice sit down that welcomes kids.

Doing your food research ahead of time is a good idea. Things keep to business hours often and knowing what real restaurants welcome kids is very handy.
My kids love going into the city. I think "appreciate" is a strong term. Children can appreciate most anything if you keep their interests in mind. (the art field trip was totally for my older girls--hence my son didn't appreciate it at all. )

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

We took our 2 year old and 11 month old back in April for the cherry blossoms. We were there for 4 days. We had a lot of fun going to the monuments, natural history museum, running around on the national lawn. Traveling with kids is what you decide to make of it.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Unless your boys are pretty interested in history and such, they would better appreciate it when they are a little older -- Maybe 10 and 12.

My son (6) would be pretty bored through much of it and he is an avid reader and "factoid" type of kid. We did Field Museum in Chicago and he loved the dinosaurs and animals but the rest was "old boring stuff" to him.

 

[MommaB]

We have an outstanding and free zoo here too if you're making a list of things to potentially do. I was a teenager in the area and had brothers about those ages. We filled a weekend a month downtown and had amazing times!

 

[pigletto]

We've considered DC for the kids. My 14 year old history and museum buff would have a blast. My 7 year old is also a factoid kind of kid and would probably enjoy it. Our issue is that you get us into an interesting museum and we want to linger for hours, read the displays, chat about what we're seeing and take our time. I think our seven year old would enjoy it to a point, but would want to zip through and be more active. So I would consider him just on the cusp of this kind of trip. We're going to wait another year or two so we can all enjoy it at the same pace as a family.

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for the replies, guys. You pretty much confirmed my concerns. We'll probably go with Colorado this year, and wait a few more years on D.C. Of course, DH and I could always just go to the conference by ourselves , so I might consider that option, too . Poor DH, having to work while the rest of us get semi-free vacations!! He's a sport about it, though! --Katie

 

[BurnsideMommy]

We went in May with our 5, 7 and 9 year olds, and had a blast. However - this wasn't a 'once in a lifetime' trip for us, we will absolutely go back at least two more times before the kids leave for college. If it is the only time you plan on going, I'd wait. If not, then go!

What was so special for the boys (older two) was that both of their classes at school were talking about so many things that they learned/saw in person. Right now the boys are doing K12 virtual school this year, and they're still applying things they learned and saw in DC to their social studies/history classes. It was neat when my 2nd grader (he was in school for a month before we moved this year) was the only kid in his class who knew many facts about DC, presidents and branches of government when they started that unit this fall. He was so engaged in the unit because of his trip. Normally I don't think he would've been that excited about that unit. He still asks to go back to DC!

We were only there 3 days (short post-cruise stop over trip) and could've spent 10 days there easy! The Air & Space museum was the fave. Oh and DH watched Night at the Museum and National Treasure with the kids before as well, so they were excited to see things from the movie.

Sure, they didn't get as much out of the trip as a middle school child would, but I know they learned plenty and enjoyed themselves, so I'd take them again in a heartbeat! It is a TON of walking though.

 

[trinchick]

I think kids are able to absorb more than we realize. We took DD to Philadelphia when she was 5. At our parent teacher conference this year (1.5 years later) the teacher said, "Whatever you paid to visit Philadelphia, you got every penny's worth." Apparently, she was telling the teacher about Betsy Ross and Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. I hadn't realized these things had made such an impression on her!

I guess it can be a chicken and egg thing. Do you take them to see the museums and monuments after they've learned about them? Or do you hope that seeing these things in real life will spark a greater interest in history?

Also, I think you could generate some interest by introducing some kid-friendly books on American history. We'll be visiting Valley Forge this spring and Williamsburg this summer with my DD who is now 7. I'm planning on doing a little prep work by getting some (hopefully) interesting books out of the library during the next few months to stimulate some enthusiasm.

 

[Star Wars mom]

Like the other posters said, you know your kids best. I just wanted to share our experience. This August we took our brand new 6-year-old and our 9 year-old to DC. They loved it! They had been begging to go, and read up on some of the monuments and historic sites before we went. We saw all the major monuments, and toured the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where our money is printed). Honestly, my kids found every minute of it exciting. We also spent a day at the world-class National Zoo, and an afternoon exploring the Air & Space Museum. At no point were my kids ever bored. When we left to come home they started asking when we could go back.

Whichever locale you choose, I hope you have a great time at the conference!

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I didn't take my son (DS26) to D.C until he was almost 12. I don't think I would take kids that young but only you know your kids. I plan on taking my DD11 and DS10 some time in the next 2 years.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

A 6 and 8 year old can have a blast in D.C.. Air and Space museum, Natural History, the Zoo . . . However, if you're looking for your kid to make connections and understand the things they're seeing that are unique to D.C. (the Capitol, the White House, Mount Vernon, the archives) then it makes sense to wait until they've studied U.S. History and Civics a little more.

If you're looking at this as a once in their childhood trip, I'd say wait. If you're happy to make a repeat trip a few years down the road, then I'd say go for it!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Appreciate it is a funny word.... nope might not appreciate it BUT....it you handle it right is can be a VERY fun trip even for the youngest of children. Just like WDW, do your research, there is something most places for children. Know where the things that will interest them are and plan to spend the most time there, but be open to anything that catches their eye. Of course you can not stop and read every plate or document but a quick, oh that is a paper that they signed to end wwll or whatever might spark an interest.

The zoo is GREAT and going to the top of the Washington monument is awesome.

Riding the meto is neat too,
i say go for it.

 

[cornflake]

Agree with the chicken-and-egg thing.

If you take them and explain the stuff as you go, it's interesting.

There are so many museums, the Nat'l Gallery, Smithsonians, you can see the Capitol, the monuments, walk on the Mall, discuss presidents, the branches of government, it's cool, you can tour the FBI, the Treasury, etc.

That's way more interesting than hiking, imo.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Absolutely not too young. Any age can have plenty of fun in DC and your children are certainly old enough to "appreciate" some of the historical value in addition to just having fun. Since you went to Colorado last year, why not do DC this year? There's something for everyone. Indoors, outdoors--it's all there. Most of the Smithsonians have wonderful hands-on areas that children love. My children (your kids' ages) could have spent many hours at American History. Follow up a trip to a museum with kite flying and a popsicle on the Mall. Skip the art galleries or tours like the guided tour of the Capitol if you think your children really won't enjoy that kind of thing. Go to the Lincoln Memorial or Jefferson Memorial in the evening; even my 4-year-old was impressed by that and talked about it for months.

Watch Night at the Museum 2 a couple of times ahead of the trip and then look for some of the artifacts featured in the movie in the museums. They are marked in the museums! My children love doing this.

 

[Parkhopper_Vince]

We are local, but I have been taking my DS since he was 2 years old. Some of our favorite outings were to the National Zoo or the Museum of Natural History (he loved the dinosaurs best when he was little) or the Museum of American History (we would stop off here and let him look at the trains before hitting the Museum of Natural History). As he got older, he began to appreciate the Air and Space Museum too. There really is a lot to do for all ages in Washington, DC!

 

[clori]

not sure why it partially posted.