fun things to do with kids in washington dc    
  Travel for Kids
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    Washington, D.C. Day Trips
Mt. Vernon
  Mount Vernon – A great day trip for kids from Washington, DC is to visit Mt. Vernon, the gracious estate of George and Martha Washington. At the entrance, pick up the Adventure Map for Kids to look for puzzles to solve around Mt. Vernon and a treat at the end. An audio tour with 20 stops around the plantation is also available. Picnics aren't allowed at Mt. Vernon, but there's an open air food court with snacks, hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream and sweets.
      Depending your kid's interest in house stuff, touring the Mansion may not be the highest priority, but look for cool things like the key to the Bastille in the entrance (given to George Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette), the big globe in his study, and the lacy crib for Washington's granddaughter.
      Definitely visit George Washington's tomb, and the Pioneer Farmer site, with cooking and farming demonstrations, the Forest Trail, and vegetable and flower gardens.
      Take the boat to Mount Vernon – A fun way to get to Mt. Vernon is to take a boat down the Potomac River. Kids will enjoy the one hour cruise from Old Town Alexandria – boats leave at 11:00am and return at 4:00pm, and price includes admission to Mt. Vernon. Click here for the schedule. Or, click here to pick up a cruise direct from downtown Washington DC and the Metro – this boat leaves at 8:30am and returns at 3:00pm, and also includes admission to Mount Vernon.
kids books washington dc
     
Take the Lead, George Washington  
Take the Lead, George Washington
Judith St. George, Daniel Powers

Lively story of George Washington's childhood, growing up in Virginia, and living at Mount Vernon as a teenager. At sixteen, he joined a surveying expedition to the western frontier, where the wilderness experience changed his life. Imaginatively illustrated. (Picture book)

 

     

Kids can read for themselves about George Washington, from his early days as surveyor and explorer, to plantation owner of Mount Vernon at 20, commander-in-chief of the Continental army in the American Revolution, election as the first president of the United States. Excellent historical illustrations. (Easy reader)

 

 
George Washington: Solider, Hero President
(More children's books on other Washington, DC pages)
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