Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum

Description:

Celebrate Halloween with a fun-filled family festival featuring spooky stamps, creative crafts, seasonal storytelling, and interactive museum activities. Families can make a glowing jack-o’-lantern craft, create spooky silhouette prints, take costume-themed family photos, and search for hidden animals in a child-friendly forest installation.

The festival also features a museum-wide costume parade and storytime sessions hosted by DC Public Library. Families can visit a special activity station with educators from the National Museum of African American History and Culture to explore the connections between The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz and design a colorful costume for Toto.

Age:

Best for preschoolers and elementary-age children, with activities suitable for families celebrating Halloween together.

Why families love it

• Free Halloween entertainment in an indoor museum.
• Hands-on arts and crafts that encourage creativity.
• A costume parade where children can show off their Halloween outfits.
• Storytime sessions that promote reading and imagination.
• Interactive activities combining art, culture, and museum exploration.
• Convenient access to other exhibits at the National Postal Museum.

⚠️ Good to know

• Costumes are encouraged, but faces must remain visible. Masks, face coverings, and fake weapons are not permitted.
• Storytime with DC Public Library takes place at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
• The costume parade begins at 1:00 PM.
• ASL interpretation is provided during storytime sessions.
• No advance registration is needed.
• The museum is next to Union Station, making it convenient to reach by public transportation.

Best For

Families with preschool and elementary-age children, Halloween enthusiasts, craft-loving kids, and parents looking for a free, educational, indoor Halloween activity in Washington, DC.

Cost: Free — no tickets or registration required.