Taking your kids to our nation's capital is a time-honored tradition, but what about actually keeping the kids interested and engaged the whole time? Museum fatigue is real, and nothing is worse than a bunch of fussy, crabby kiddos. That's why we took the time to compile a list of some of the best things to do in Washington DC with kids. We'll help you take them monument hopping, romping through green spaces, and even to a few of the city's quirkier attractions.

Hirshhorn Art Museum

DC's number one spot for modern and contemporary art since 1974, it's the perfect place to break up a day of heavy history and polished portraits. Here, you'll find more experimental fare to spark your kids' imaginations.

Don't miss: Check the calendar for kid-friendly special events like the Library Art Pop-Up Program and Maker Mornings.
Tours are free: Want someone else to do the talking and answer all your kids' questions? Join one of the daily free tours at 12:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.

Mount Vernon Bike Trail

Kids got some energy to burn off? Take a break from the standard DC experience to take in some fresh air on the Mount Vernon Bike Trail with a couple of rentals. An impressive 18 miles long, it follows a scenic route along the Potomac from Theodore Roosevelt Island to George Washington's home Mount Vernon.

Other sights on the way: Olde Town Alexandria, Arlington National Cemetery, and Gravelly Point
Route difficulty: It's mostly flat, so younger kids should be able to bike along just fine (as long as you don't go too far).

Smithsonian Discovery Center

Of all of DC's family activities, we bet you didn't think a puppet show would make the cut. But at the Smithsonian Discovery Center, little ones can see live educational performances that run the gamut from live music by international children's songwriters to elaborate and entertaining puppet shows.

Pro tip: Leave the car at home, because parking is extremely limited!
Quick break: Shows only run 40–50 minutes long, making them the perfect length for kids as well as easy to fit into your day.

Nationals Park

A ball game is a great way to break up a busy schedule of sightseeing. Root for the Washington Nationals and don't forget to grab a giant "W" shaped pretzel to nosh on while you watch.

Don't miss: The Presidents Race during the fourth inning of every game! Cheer on mascots Teddy Roosevelt, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson as they race around the field.
Fun fact: The field is actually 24 feet below street level, which means the main concourse is level with the sidewalk, unlike most MLB stadiums.

International Spy Museum

Get the kids truly excited about history with a trip to the International Spy Museum, which hosts the world's largest collection of espionage artifacts from around the world. Take a peek at real-life cipher machines, OSS training tapes, and items owned by famous spies like Mata Hari.

Get interactive: The museum hosts an escape room where guests get one hour to complete their mission—talk about a jolt of adrenaline!
Don't miss: Bring any movie buffs in your crew to the "Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of James Bond Villains" exhibit.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts like this one from Operation City Quest are a much more creative way to get a lay of the land. You'll stop by major sights and learn tons of cool facts and trivia tidbits along the way.

Make it competitive: Got a big group? Split up and compete against each other!
Pro tip: You'll need your smartphone to play the game, so bring along a portable battery charger to make sure you don't run out of juice.

Take a Bus Tour

Sometimes fun things to do with kids are also just, well, practical. While Washington, DC isn't a big city compared to places like New York or Chicago, its seemingly endless number of monuments means you're going to be doing a lot of hoofing it. Enter bus tours to make taking it all in much easier on little legs and thus easier on you!

Hop-on, hop-off: Go for a tour like this one for maximum flexibility—just hop off whenever an attraction on the route strikes your fancy, then hop back on the next one to keep going.
Pro tip: Buses are convenient, but there can sometime be a short wait to catch the next one, so keep that in mind as you plan!