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# Visiting with Kids

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This is a small sample of activities that you and your family can enjoy together. We have something for young people of all ages from tots to teens!
Air and Space Museum Discovery Stations
Discovery Stations at the Washington, D.C., and Virginia locations encourage informal learning through active looking, discussion, and hands-on activities related to aviation, space exploration, astronomy, and planetary geology. 
Learn more aboutAir and Space Museum Discovery StationsAir and Space Museum Planetarium
Feel the sensation of zooming through the cosmos, enveloped in color saturated moving images and spine-tingling sound at the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall.
Learn more aboutAir and Space Museum PlanetariumAir and Space Museum Ride Simulators
Climb aboard an interactive flight simulator or take an exciting virtual trip on board one of our passenger ride simulators at the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall and at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center. (fee)
American Art Museum Family Activities
Bring your young, budding artists and participate in fun hands-on activities at the Smithsonian American Art Museum that will be sure to spark their creativity! Visit the Luce Center to check out secret eye miniatures, audio tours, cool jewelry, and scavenger hunts. 
Learn more aboutAmerican Art Museum Family ActivitiesAmerican History Museum Spark!Lab
Hands-on space for children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment, and invent.
Learn more aboutAmerican History Museum Spark!LabAmerican History Museum Wegmans Wonderplace
This 1,700-square-foot interactive space in the National Museum of American History provides the youngest historians with age-appropriate activities and experiences.
Learn more aboutAmerican History Museum Wegmans WonderplaceAmerican History Museum Ride Simulators
Experience the excitement of state-of-the-art motion simulation and celebrate America's love for adventure!(fee)
American Indian Museum imagiNATIONS Activity Center, DC
The center at the American Indian Museum in Washington, D.C., provides visitors of all ages with a multitude of unique learning experiences.
Learn more aboutAmerican Indian Museum imagiNATIONS Activity Center, DCAmerican Indian Museum imagiNATIONS Activity Center, NY
In this family-friendly, interactive space in the New York museum, visitors of all ages explore Native scientific discoveries and inventions so ingenious many continue to affect the modern world. This exploration is made even more fun by solving puzzles, performing experiments, and playing state-of-the-art computer simulations.
Learn more aboutAmerican Indian Museum imagiNATIONS Activity Center, NYAsian Art Museum Family Programs
Discover resources designed with kids in mind that you can use in the galleries for a family outing.
Learn more aboutAsian Art Museum Family ProgramsHirshhorn Guide for Visiting with Kids
There’s something for kids of every age: artworks that spark conversations and inspire new ways of thinking. The Museum’s unique shape is perfect to explore as a family—no art history required.
Learn more aboutHirshhorn Guide for Visiting with KidsNatural History Museum
Highlights include the Insect Zoo and live Butterfly Pavilion.
Learn more aboutNatural History MuseumPortrait Gallery Youth and Family Programs
Designed to “inform, involve, and inspire,” Portrait Gallery programs invite the discovery of art and history through a variety of hands-on activities.
Learn more aboutPortrait Gallery Youth and Family ProgramsPostal Museum
Meet Owney the Dog, the mascot of the Railway Post Office. He is just one of the 10 fun things to do with kids at the museum.
Learn more aboutPostal MuseumQ?rius at the Natural History Museum
Q?rius (pronounced "curious") is an interactive and experimental learning space. Visitors can use microscopes, handle some of the 6,000 collection objects, solve science puzzles, do touchscreen activities, and even meet a scientist.
Learn more aboutQ?rius at the Natural History MuseumSmithsonian Associates' Discovery Theater
The best in live performing arts, this venue provides a variety of educational and cultural programs for both kids and adults.
Learn more aboutSmithsonian Associates' Discovery TheaterSmithsonian's National Zoo
Highlights include the Conservation Carousel, the Animal Adventure Guide, and daily animal demonstrations. 
Learn more aboutSmithsonian's National ZooSmithsonian Carousel on the National Mall
Located on the National Mall near the Smithsonian Castle, the carousel is open year-round, weather permitting for a nominal fee.
Smithsonian Theaters
Our IMAX theater at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia offers immersive movie-going experiences. 
Learn more aboutSmithsonian Theaters- Hours and Locations
- Entry and Guidelines
- Maps and Floor Plans
- Dining and Shopping
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- Visiting with Kids
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Events for Kids and Families
View online and in-person events to enjoy together. Make the Smithsonian a part of your family fun!
       Smithsonian Castle  Scavenger Hunts
Explore your favorite Smithsonian museums and gardens with touchless scavenger hunts!
  Kids' Favorite Exhibitions-    **  Really BIG Money
			              April  8, 2022 – Indefinitely												              American History Museum									
 
-    **  The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time
			              June  8, 2019 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Mega-toothed Shark
			              May  24, 2019 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Explore! with the National Portrait Gallery
			              January  28, 2017 – Indefinitely												              Portrait Gallery									
 
-    **  Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
			              September  24, 2016 – Indefinitely												              African American History and Culture Museum									
 
-    **  Wegmans Wonderplace
			              December  9, 2015 – Indefinitely												              American History Museum									
 
-    **  African Elephant
			              September  4, 2015 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project
			              July  1, 2015 – Permanent												              American History Museum									
 
-    **  Spark!Lab
			              July  1, 2015 – Indefinitely												              American History Museum									
 
-    **  American Trail
			              September  1, 2012 – Permanent												              National Zoo									
 
-    **  As We Grow: Traditions, Toys, Games
			              August  22, 2012 – Permanent												              American Indian Museum									
 
-    **  Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt
			              November  17, 2011 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Sant Ocean Hall
			              September  27, 2008 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution
			              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Airmail in America
			              February  22, 2006 – Permanent												              Postal Museum									
 
-    **  Human Spaceflight
			              November  1, 2004 – Permanent												              Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center									
 
-    **  Kids' Farm
			              June  12, 2004 – Permanent												              National Zoo									
 
-    **  America on the Move
			              November  22, 2003 – Permanent												              American History Museum									
 
-    **  Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
			              November  15, 2003 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals
			              September  20, 1997 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Insect Zoo, O. Orkin
			              September  10, 1993 – Permanent												              Natural History Museum									
 
-    **  Moving the Mail
			              July  30, 1993 – Permanent												              Postal Museum									
 
-    **  The Dolls' House
			              Opened 1951 – Indefinitely												              American History Museum									
 
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