Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Description: Smithsonian Family Days are hands-on educational events designed to help children and families explore aviation, space, science, technology, and engineering. Activities can include science demonstrations, make-and-take crafts, interactive learning stations, special exhibits, and opportunities to meet experts and innovators.

For example, the July 11 Family Day celebrated the museum’s 50th anniversary with hands-on science activities, art projects, demonstrations, and other family programming. The June 13 event at the Udvar-Hazy Center focused on “The Need for Speed” and included activities connected with aircraft and flight.

Age: 👧 🧒 👦
Family-friendly — particularly good for elementary-age children and older kids interested in science and aviation

Why families love it

• Free educational activities

• Hands-on science and engineering activities

• Great introduction to aviation, airplanes, space, and STEM

• Children can learn while actively participating rather than just looking at exhibits

• Excellent choice for kids who like airplanes, rockets, space, or how things work

• The museum itself has one of the world’s major collections of aviation and space artifacts.

⚠️ Good to know

• The page is a Family Day event listing/archive, so check it regularly for the next upcoming event rather than treating the page as one specific date.

• The DC museum requires free timed-entry passes.

• The Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly is a different location; parking there is currently $15 even though museum admission is free.

• Some Family Day activities are also offered online, so families can participate even when they cannot attend in person.

Best For

Families with elementary-age children, tweens, and teens who enjoy airplanes, space, science, engineering, and hands-on learning. For a child who is interested in STEM, this is one of the stronger free educational family programs in the DC area.

Cost: Free admission to the museum and Family Day programs; check individual events for timed-entry or parking requirements.