Every year people from all over the world travel to Washington D.C. for its history, culture, tourist attractions and iconic sights. One of the best things about living in the D.C. Metro area is having it all in our own backyard! And of course being able to do the fun stuff in the off-season when the crowds are smaller. We recently played tourists in our own town and went to D.C. for a day of family fun. On the list of things to check out was Wegmans Wonderplace.
Wegmans Wonderplace, which is housed on the first floor of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, invites curious kids aged 0-6 to play, climb, imagine, and learn. Both the Museum and Wonderplace are free to enter.
The huge ship and clock tower at the entrance were so inviting my kids did not look back. Vibrant colors and textures say “let’s play!” All of the play areas were low enough for even the youngest kids to enjoy -- but also had more complex elements for the older ones. The story corner with books and benches allowed for a short break before embarking on more adventures.
After climbing the clock tower several times, they noticed the farm market and chicken coop. The chicken coop was great -- they could fill the tubes with eggs and pull the lever to make them drop into the coop! They did this over and over.
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Of course, after picking the freshest produce and food from the farm market it was time to make lunch! The Julia Child inspired kitchen was full of pots, pans, utensils, and food for cooking up a pint-sized feast. Kids and parents alike were “sampling” all the creations -- and there were no spills for mom to clean up after the food was done.
There were so many things to touch and see, my kids did not stop moving. The Wonderplace Ambassadors were very friendly and manned the entrance door that remained closed unless someone was entering or exiting. Any parent who has a kid that runs off knows why this is so important. With multiple little ones, it can be tricky to enjoy all that the area has to offer. Spaces that combine educational activities, imaginative play, and safety are a huge win in my book!
Wegmans Wonderplace is open daily from 10 am - 4 pm, except for Tuesdays when it’s closed all day. Always double check the website for holiday and unexpected closings.
The National Museum of American History is located on Constitution Avenue between 12th and 14th Streets. Pro tip: park a bit further away and walk through the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. The Museum has three cafes which allow you to make a full morning or afternoon of fun! The closest Metro stations are Federal Triangle or Smithsonian Station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.
Wegmans supports numerous children's museums and play spaces as part of its commitment to enrich the communities they serve. To learn more about how Wegmans makes a difference in every community they serve, visit www.wegmans.com/communitygiving.
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Jourdan Card is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Centreville-South Riding. She was provided compensation to visit the Wonderplace, but all opinions are her own.
