Dinosaurs-Themed Play @ the National Children’s Museum
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM EDT
National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20004, United States · Occoquan, VA
About this event
Sparking curiosity and creativity in the littlest learners, the National Children’s Museum is a family destination filled with STEM-powered interactive activities, exhibits, and experiences. Alongside the Museum’s permanent lineup, its Visiting Exhibit Hall goes prehistoric this fall! Dinosaurs: Land of Fire & Ice Daily (except Tuesdays), from September 26, 2026-January 10, 2027, travel back to the Cretaceous period and come face-to-face with mighty dinosaurs, as the Visiting Exhibit Hall transforms into a prehistoric world built for climbing, crawling, and whole-body play! Crawl under a volcano, wind through an icy tunnel, and bounce across a bog while exploring prehistoric habitats. Little ones can climb, pose with larger-than-life dinosaurs, uncover fossils at the big dig, and discover fun facts along the way. Hands-on activities include fossil matching, food chain puzzles, animated dinosaur creations, play tables, dress-up fun, and an eye spy scavenger hunt. Recommended for learners ages 3-10 and their families. You’ll find the Visiting Exhibit Hall on the Exhibit Level, one level down from the main entrance, next to the Tinkering Corner and Rigamajig. There’s plenty more to explore, too! Whether it’s your child’s first visit or their tenth, these features are always worth a visit: Dream Machine Best for ages 5-12 Climb into the clouds on a three-story climber and slide. Engineering Games & Play Best for ages 3-12 Try engineering and science concepts through the lens of your favorite sports and classic hands-on activities. Little Dreamers Best for ages 0-3 A protected cloud- and flight-themed area for infants and toddlers. Data Science Alley Best for ages 3-12 Explore figures and statistics through play, and think about the data found in our day-to-day lives. Art & Tech Best for ages 3-10 Tap into your creativity with iconic friends from Nickelodeon. Placita Magica Best for ages 3-12 A special 50th anniversary exhibit that pays homage to the Capital Children’s Museum. Weather Worlds Best for ages 4-12 Shoot lightning bolts, make it rain, and more with this green screen experience. Climate Action Heroes Best for ages 4-12 Discover your special climate-action superpower through a physical flow quiz. Little Movers Best for ages 0-3 A protected free-movement space for infants and toddlers to build gross and fine motor skills. Tinkering Corner Best for ages 3-12 Design, create, test, and build in National Children’s Museum’s creative hub. Light House A hands-on maze where kids experiment with light and color, created by the Museum’s artist-in-residence, Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann.
Event details
- Date and time
- Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM EDT
- Venue
- National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20004, United States · Occoquan, VA
- Category
- Education
- Cost
- Cost not stated
- Age guidance
- Age guidance not specified
- Format
- In person
- Last verified
- October 7, 2026
Accessibility
Wheelchair: Not stated
Assistive Listening: Not stated
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