Babies will delight in seeing real farm animals.

Outdoor Activities for Babies

1. Clark's Elioak Farm — Ellicott City, MD

While there are so many great places on our list of great animal farms and petting zoos near DC, Clark's Elioak Farm is especially magical for babies and toddlers. It has a fairy garden, an enchanted forest, storytimes, pony rides, train and wagon rides, and more. Babies will also love seeing the goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other friendly farm animals at the petting zoo. The farm is open early April through early November on Tuesdays through Sundays. Note: Use the restrooms in the main building if you want to avoid port-a-potties!

2. Chestnut Hills Park Playground — Arlington, VA

This shaded park next to the larger Greenbrier Park is perfect for babies becuse the entire playground is fenced in, and there are lots of benches and areas to sit in the shade. The toddler area has lots of wavy wooden bridges and tunnels on a soft rubber surface, along with small slides and swings. There is also a large sand pit for digging and exploring. The only downside is that the park's public restrooms are a bit of a walk from the playground. Find more baby-friendly playgrounds on our list of the best tot lots and toddler playgrounds near DC.

3. Our Special Harbor Spray Park — Alexandria, VA

Our Special Harbor is not your run-of-the-mill splash pad. The fully accessible, Chesapeake Bay-themed spray park has fun features for all ages, like water buckets and computerized water mazes. Babies and toddlers have their own quieter area with soft bubblers and interactive water tables. It's FREE to enter, but get there before it opens to avoid waiting in line too long. The splash pad is next to Franconia Rec Center, which has restrooms, and a great playground called Chessie's BIG Backyard. Find more water fun in our list of the best splash pads in DC.

4. Pirate’s Cove Water Park — Lorton

My kids have visited many of the spots on our list of the best water parks near DC, and I've found Pirate's Cove to be one of the most baby- and toddler-friendly. It has a spacious, one-foot-deep tot pool with a tiny clam-shell slide that's gated off and has its own lifeguard. When little ones need a break from the water, they can dig for buried treasure at Buccaneer Beach, a large sand-play area. There are plenty of tables with umbrellas when it's time to eat. 

5. Glen Echo Park's Dentzel Carousel — Glen Echo, MD

You and your baby can ride into history on this carousel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021 after undergoing a huge restoration. Younger babies can sit on a grown-up's lap on one of the benches, while older ones can ride on one of the stationary animals. Check out our list of more fun carousels near DC.

 
The Me and the Bee Playground is perfect for infants and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the National Zoo

6. National Zoo

Make some of your baby's earliest childhood memories at Smithsonian's National Zoo. In addition to seeing all of the animals, little ones can take a spin on the Speedwell Conservation Carousel, play on the Me and the Bee Playground, and cool off in the Squirt Zone during the summer. Make sure to bring a stroller, as there are a lot of hills! Learn more in our guide to visiting the National Zoo with kids. 

7. Burke Nursery Fall Farm Market & Pumpkin Playground

Your baby will be the cutest pumpkin in the patch at any of the places on our list of the best pumpkin patches near DC. But since they aren't big enough to enjoy all of the activities, why deal with the crowds, the chaos, and the cost of admission? Burke Nursery's Pumpkin Playground is spread out, free to enter, and totally laid-back, making it perfect for babies in strollers. There are plenty of photo ops among pumpkins and fall scenes, as well as small wooden structures for older babies to climb on and crawl through. My kids loved it when they were little!

8. Leesylvania State Park — Woodbridge, VA

Your baby's mind will be utterly blown the first time they feel sand between their fingers and toes. Why settle for a backyard sandbox when you can head to Leesylvania State Park? It has a decent-sized natural-sand beach along the Potomac River, plus several smaller sandy areas. Bring sand toys and let your baby dig, play, and spash to their hearts' content. The park has a visitor's center with bathrooms (open seasonally), some stroller-friendly trails, and plenty of picnic tables. Just get there early on summer weekends, because once the parking lot fills up, you're out of luck!

Check out our list of more parks with beaches near DC. 

9. United States Botanic Garden — Washington, DC

The dazzling colors of the plants and flowers in the US Botanic Garden are mesmerizing for babies, and stroller-friendly trails make it easy for families with young kids to get around. There are both indoor and outdoor spaces to explore, and all restrooms have changing tables. At the Children's Garden, open from spring through fall, your baby can even touch the plants and dig in the dirt!

10. Huntley Meadows Park

With its protected wetland habitat, this was one of my favorite places to visit with my kids when they were little. 

11. Children's Pools 

12. Spirit Park Carousel and Playground — National Harbor, MD

 
Swimming lessons are a great bonding experience and help keep little ones safe in the water. Photo courtesy of Aqua Tot Swim School

Indoor Things To Do with DC Babies

10. Kids First Swim Schools — Various Locations in MD & VA

Baby swimming classes are a great way to bond with your baby and get them used to being in the water. I'm recommending Kids First Swim Schools because all three of my kids went to the Springfield location and loved it, but there are plenty of other great baby swimming lessons in the DC area as well—just see our roundup of baby swimming classes near DC. Some of the classes start as young as 3 months old, but most begin at 6 months.

11. Kinder Haus Toys — Arlington, VA

This amazing toy store has wide aisles for strollers, a play area for little ones, and a parking garage right next door. It also sells books and clothing from quality brands like Tea Collection. Kinder Haus Toys is on our list of the best baby boutiques in DC to browse with your little shopping buddy. 

12. Noyes Library for Young Children — Kensington, MD

While almost all public libraries have a children's section, this entire one-room library is filled with books, toys, puzzles, and activities just for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Founded in 1893, the adorable library also offers free storytimes and other events for little ones.

The sounds your baby creates will be music to your ears! Photo courtesy of Music Together

13. Gymboree Play & Music — Washington, DC

My earliest and fondest memories with my three kids was taking them to Gymboree classes when they were babies. Watching their little eyes light up as we sang, danced, and explored together was priceless. We also playing with instruments at Music Together, which has class locations in DC and several spots in Northern Virginia. Find more classes to take with your baby in our roundup of top Mommy & Me classes near DC.

14. Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History — Washington, DC

Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is one of our favorite free museums near DC to visit with kids, and that's due in part to Wegmans Wonderplace. This1,700-square-foot exhibit is just for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers ages 0-6. Wonderplace features lots of interactive elements, including a construction area, a soft-play area for crawlers, a pretend farm and kitchen, and more. There's also a nursing bench and a cozy reading area. 

15. The Yellow Balloon Kids Hair Salon — Gaithersburg, MD

Baby's first haircut is a big milestone, and The Yellow Balloon makes it special with TVs at every station, a fun waiting area full of toys and rides, and a first haircut certificate and keepsake lock of hair. Plus, every child leaves with a balloon and a lollipop (which your baby can share with an older sibling). Can't make it to Gaithersburg? Try one of the other spots on our list of best places for kids' haircuts in the DC area. 

16. Hyper Kidz! — Various Locations in MD & VA

Hyper Kidz! is one of our favorite indoor playgrounds near DC for kids of all ages, but you'll love to bring your baby here because of its Mini Zone, a self-contained play area just for babies and toddlers ages 0-2. Mini Zone is full of soft play equipment that's low to the ground and has extensive padding and no sharp edges. Plus, parents can join in the fun directly in the play area!

17. Free Library Storytimes and Other Programs

Free library programs were a staple on my kids' calendars when they were babies, and they were always tons of fun and a great way to meet other moms and babies (some of whom I still keep in touch with). Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC Public Libraries offer a wide variety of free events for babies and their caregivers, such as storytimes, sing-alongs, music and movement classes, and puppet shows. Bonus: There are bathrooms on site, and you can check out board books to enjoy at home with your baby!

18. National Children's Museum — Washington, DC

This wonderful museum has two spaces just for ages 0-3. In Little Dreamers, little ones can play dress-up, pretend to fly a plane or hot air balloon, look at books, and enjoy soft textures and sounds. The Little Movers section features soft floors, blocks, mirrors, and small climbing structures. And every Monday, the museum hosts Baby Jam, a music class in which little ones ages 0-3 can grab instruments and make music. The best part is, babies under 1 get free museum admission! A Mothers Room is located near Little Dreamers, and strollers are allowed in the exhibits. 

 
Infants and toddlers will love exploring Storyville. Photo courtesy of the Rosedale Public Library

19. Storyville —Baltimore, MD

Inside the Rosedale branch of the Baltimore County Public Library you'll find Storyville, a child-sized village filled with books, toys, and activities for ages 0-5. The 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. It's like having a free mini children's museum right inside the public library! Note: There's a Storyville in the Woodlawn branch, but as of press time it was closed for renovation. 

20. Kids Play Gallery — Gaithersburg, MD

This unique indoor playground for toddlers and younger kids is filled with fun playhouses that promote pretend play, including a fire station and fire engine, a grocery store, an animal hospital, and more. Babies 10 months and younger get in free with a younger sibling and will love exploring all the sights and sounds.

21. The Little Towns Children's Museum — North Bethesda, MD

Designed for little ones ages 6 months to 8 years, The Little Towns is a child-size urban neighborhood with 16 hands-on exhibits including a grocery store, a fire station, a post offive, a restaurant, and more. There are also soft-play areas specifically for babies. Babies under 6 months old are free with a paid admission, and you can bring in food and drinks to enjoy outside of the play area. 

22. Scramble & Scramble Parkour — Alexandria, Falls Church, & Arlington, VA

23. The Toy Nest — Falls Church, VA

24. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden — National Mall, DC

A visually rich experience, the Hirshhorn captivates kids and gives them a great first experience with contemporary art. The outdoor Sculpture Garden is in the midst of a huge revitalization and is set to reopen around October 2026.

Best Ages: All ages! On Wednesday mornings, the museum hosts a popular Storytime Studio that includes play, read-alouds, and art exploration for kids ages 0-6 and their caregivers. 

25. Cozy Village Play Cafe — Sterling, VA

26. National Museum of the American Indian — National Mall (DC)

This is one of my favorite free museums near DC for kids because of its imagiNATIONS Activity Center. This amazing children's exhibit is filled with interactive elements and hands-on activities like basket-weaving, building a giant igloo, and playing inside a life-sized tipi. There are also plenty of other exhibits kids will love throughout the museum.

Best Ages: All ages! While imagiNATIONS is recommended for ages 10 and under, even tweens and teens (and grown-ups!) will enjoy checking it out. Older kids will also love the Americans exhibit, which displays images and objects from American brands that were influenced by American Indian culture.

Insider Tips: The activity center is first-come, first-served, and on busy days (like weekends), additional entry procedures may apply and you may not get in—it's happened to families I know. So, go early on a weekday if you can! Be sure to stop in at the museum cafe, Mitsitam—it's one of our favorite spots to eat on the National Mall.

27. Hidden Oaks Nature Center — Annandale, VA

28. Claude Moore Rec Center Leisure Pool — Sterling, VA

29. Capitol Theatre Baby Matinees — Arlington, VA

30. Baby Yoga & Play at Breathing Space — Washington, DC

Seasonal Fun for Babies in DC