The heat or air quality issues can keep kids inside during the summer. If either get you down for the remainder of the summer, there are several indoor experiences for kids in the DC area – many aren’t seasonal, so keep these ideas on hand for rainy days or the winter months! And while they’re geared towards kids, they’re fun for the adults too!
Check out these summer indoor experiences to have fun with your kids while enjoying the air conditioning! Be sure to see our Indoor Play Spaces Guide for more indoor play opportunities.
1. Create Your Own Candle
District Candle Lab, at Union Market, 1325 5th St. NE Unit F, Washington, DC 20002 or at Mosaic District, 2910 District Ave Unit 130 Fairfax, VA 22031
This is more for older kids because the wax can get very hot (minimum age 10) but creating your own custom candles inside can be a fun, unique way to spend time together indoors! Check out District Candle Lab in DC or Mosaic District.
2. Make Slime!
There are now so many places to go to make slime, leaving your home clean and mess-free! Slime Co. is a standalone, dedicated DIY slime store in Pentagon City Mall, and you can also make slime at CAMP in Tysons. Both places offer slime creation with scents, glitter and toppings!
3. Check out art experiences at iCreateDMV!
You’ve probably seen those trending bears with paint dripping all over them – that’s such a fun indoor activity and you have a work of art to take home! iCreate in Tysons has bears and bunnies, all with a back piggy-bank slot, that you and your kids can create fluid art on. Want something more interactive – and more messy? iCreate has “splatter” rooms, where kids and adults are encouraged to splat paint on canvasses hanging on walls with Koosh balls, big syringes and paint brushes – if paint gets on the walls, no problem! There’s also a room with glow in the dark paint meant for adults because that paint isn’t washable. Just remember, booties come standard, but a plastic poncho is $5 extra, so plan accordingly or your clothes will become works of art themselves (which is sometimes what people do, arrive in white shirts so the paint splatter gets on them)!
4. Try tufting (and fluid art) at Tuft Tuft
1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons, VA 22102
The latest trend is tufting, where you can create anything from a rug, a woven work of art, or even a bag at a tufting studio. It’s one of the trendiest activities there is right now! Choose from a variety of patterns to create a piece that suits your aesthetic. Tuft Tuft also has fluid bear art, as well, since tufting might be more of an older child thing (kids under 13 will need a supervising adult present for tufting and fluid bear art).
5. Make Your Own Jewelry
Fawne Charm Bar, at Union Market, 1325 5th St. NE Unit F, Washington, DC 20002 or at Mosaic District, 2910 District Ave Unit 130 Fairfax, VA 22031
Create a unique, custom necklace or bracelet at a charm bar! Take a tray, choose the charms you like, and design how you want your jewelry to look on the tray. An associate will help you and your kids assemble your custom jewelry and make it so you can wear them home!
6. Bubble Planet
Rhode Island Center, Washington, DC; Runs through August 31.
This experience is brand NEW to DC! Set in an immersive, multi-sensory, massive 20,000-square-foot space in the Rhode Island Center, in each room, there are opportunities to interact with bubbles and balloons, small and large.
A seventh, bonus indoor activity is the VR Machu Picchu Experience at 950 F Street in downtown DC. This 30-minute kid-friendly indoor experience takes people on a tour of Machu Picchu with virtual reality glasses.
A lot of these places are great spots for fun photos as a family or as celebrations for birthdays. Check out our Summer Bucket List for more activity ideas and top places to take photos with wall murals!
