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

[msmama]

I'll be taking my almost 4 year old for the second time this summer. He's still talking about the air and space museum from almost 2 years ago!!

I can't imagine kids your age NOT having fun there!!

One thing no one has mentioned is the Udvar-Hazy Extention of the Air and Space Museum. It's near Dulles airport but I'm pretty sure there's a shuttle from the Air and Space Museum on the mall. That place is AWESOME!!! There's a Space Shuttle there (my son's favorite) and TONS of airplanes (it's a HUGE hangar FILLED with planes). And there's a tower (maybe 10 stories) where you can watch the Dulles runways. We spent 2 full days there with my 2 1/2 year old!!

 

[tinkerbell313]

We take our kids to DC any chance we can get. DS is now in kindergarten and DD is in 2nd grade. They have had so much taught to them in school regarding the history of our country that a trip to DC will only reinforce what they have learned in school.

DS has already learned about George W; Abe Lincoln, Betsy Ross, Francis Scott Key, etc. He knows who the president is and where he lives. I would be shocked if your children have not learned and appreciate what they have learned in school.

They love running down the Mall from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.

Given the number of times we have been there, the only monument we have not been up in, is the Washington Monument. I keep forgetting to reserve tickets and everytime we go the daily allotment of tickets is out by 730AM.

So, yes, your children will love it.

 

[Kellydelly]

My kids have been 3 times in the last 6 yrs, our first visit was with 2 yr old twins being our youngest, 6 yrs old was the oldest. I think any age can enjoy DC . There is so much to see and do that we will need to make several more trips to experience it all. (my sister lives in northern VA, so she's a good person to visit!). I think your sons would enjoy it at their current ages.

 

[Swimalie]

One thing no one has mentioned is the Udvar-Hazy Extention of the Air and Space Museum. It's near Dulles airport but I'm pretty sure there's a shuttle from the Air and Space Museum on the mall. That place is AWESOME!!! There's a Space Shuttle there (my son's favorite) and TONS of airplanes (it's a HUGE hangar FILLED with planes). And there's a tower (maybe 10 stories) where you can watch the Dulles runways. We spent 2 full days there with my 2 1/2 year old!!

The shuttle between the 2 Air and Space museums has ended. But I agree with your opinion about Udvar Hazy Center. It is amazing! They have some super rare airplanes that you won't see anywhere else (I used to work at an Air Force museum so I've seen a lot).

 

[crisi]

The shuttle between the 2 Air and Space museums has ended. But I agree with your opinion about Udvar Hazy Center. It is amazing! They have some super rare airplanes that you won't see anywhere else (I used to work at an Air Force museum so I've seen a lot).

And if you are carless - its expensive to get there and back by cab - at least $60 one way. If you fly in and out of Dulles, there are carryon size lockers at Udvar Hazy that you can stash luggage in. But very cool.

 

[crisi]

We take our kids to DC any chance we can get. DS is now in kindergarten and DD is in 2nd grade. They have had so much taught to them in school regarding the history of our country that a trip to DC will only reinforce what they have learned in school.

DS has already learned about George W; Abe Lincoln, Betsy Ross, Francis Scott Key, etc. He knows who the president is and where he lives. I would be shocked if your children have not learned and appreciate what they have learned in school.

They love running down the Mall from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.

Given the number of times we have been there, the only monument we have not been up in, is the Washington Monument. I keep forgetting to reserve tickets and everytime we go the daily allotment of tickets is out by 730AM.

So, yes, your children will love it.

Minnesota standards have the Revolution in 4th grade and the houses of government in 5th. For one trip to maximize what they've learned, it would be later for us. (And Washington DC is more of a Civil War town - 6th grade).

 

[KristinU]

I'm a little late to this party...but we've taken DS to D.C. at age 5 and 7 (so far...for us it is close enough where it is great for a long weekend trip, so we know we will be back.) He had a blast both times. As a matter of fact, the year he was 5 we went to D.C. and WDW and D.C. was his favorite!

For the younger crowd, something fun to do beforehand is to read the Capitol Mysteries series by Ron Roy, or at least some of them - it is a fun way to introduce the landmarks around D.C. to the kids, then when they actually see them it is really fun to imagine and remember the story lines. Another fun prep is Night at the Museum - Battle of the Smithsonian. We actually saw it when we were there, which was really cool - and DS was 5 at the time and liked it a lot. Oh, and National Treasure!

As others have said, it is what you make of it...we certainly don't read all of the placards at the museums, but do read points of interest and move along and keep it fun for DS, which makes it fun for us.

And for us, we stay in our camper in Lorton and go into D.C. every other day, so it is a nice break for all of us. Bike and swim and hike on the "quiet" days...that helps DS not get overloaded and bored.