Home Things to Do 12 Day Trips That Will Make Your Kids Smarter by Angelica KajiwaraAugust 26, 2021 iStock Search more like this bald eaglescivil warnational parksvisitor centerafrican americanart historyday tripdiscovery centerfamily friendlyfarm to tablehands onhiking trailmusicmusic center Advertisement Trending Now News Disney+’s Prices Are Increasing—Unless You Want to Watch Ads Food & Drink General Mills Is Bringing Back 4 Classic Sugar Cereals That Your Mom Never Let You Eat Viral & Trending Cat Sneaks into Family Car & Joins Their Road Trip, Becomes Instant Celebrity Viral & Trending Weatherman Discovers His Map Is a Touchscreen and His Reaction Is So Pure Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’ Advertisement Some of life’s greatest lessons can’t be found in a textbook. Hit the open road and expose your little learner to new ideas. You don’t have to travel far to get an educational impact. Skip the hotel and head to one of these destinations just a day’s drive from Washington, DC. Scroll on for the best places to go to expand the minds of little scholars. Angelica Kajiwara via Toddlin’ Across America Oxon Hill, MD – 22 minutes National Harbor is full of family-friendly fun, but there is an art history lesson in the making down by the Potomac River. The Awakening statue found its home by the water after leaving its first home in Hains Point. The giant 72-foot sculpture is one of many art installations that make up the town center’s art scavenger hunt. Start by the five aluminum pieces perfect for climbing and sandy play on the little beach. Your future artist might even be able to try their hand at a sandcastle replica. Online: nationalharbor.com NASA Goddard/Tabatha Luskey Greenbelt, MD – 23 minutes You don’t want to miss the model rocket launches and science demonstrations at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Now one of NASA’s largest and most significant space research laboratories, the Visitor Center is full of spacecraft displays and other cool tech from space race history. With over six decades of history onsite, you’ll all enjoy learning together. The best part, your crew can enjoy the Visitor Center for free!Editor’s Note: Due to COVID-19, the Visitor’s Center is currently closed. We will update this story when it reopens. 8800 Greenbelt RdGreenbelt, MD 20771Online: nasa.gov Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD – 30 minutes Time for a little music and arts learning fun. Head to one of the Strathmore Kids programs. Performances throughout the year inspire little audience members to connect with and explore the creative world around them. Sensory-friendly programs invite Littles with sensory sensitivities to experience the magic of the arts in a comfortable environment.5301 Tuckerman Ln.North Bethesda, MD301-581-5100Online: strathmore.org Katy K. via Yelp Towson, MD – 1 hour 13 minutes Get out into nature and learn a ton about greenery and wildlife around you at Lake Roland Nature Center and Park. With programs such as Backyard Butterflies, Summer Snakes and Sturgeon Moon Canoe, your little ones will have so much fun; they’ll forget they’re learning along the way. You’ll all enjoy the multiple trails for hiking, biking, running and strolling; a dog park; two picnic pavilions; a playground; and an area to launch canoes and kayaks. The park’s southwest corner is a Serpentine Barrens, a rare ecosystem with tons of learning opportunities.1000 Lakeside DrBaltimore, MD 21210Online: lakeroland.org Angelica Kajiwara via Toddlin’ Across America Harper’s Ferry, WV – 1 hour 13 minutes Thomas Jefferson described the scene here as “worth a voyage across the Atlantic.” Best known for John Brown’s raid in 1859, the picturesque Harper’s Ferry is full of history. The United States Armory and Arsenal transformed a sleepy town into an industrial center. The armory provided hundreds of jobs for residents. The B&O and Winchester & Potomac Railroads and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal all stop here. There are fascinating transportation heritage lessons to be learned too. And, who doesn’t love a great train whistle? Online: nps.gov/hafe National Park Service Front Royal, VA – 1 hour 18 minutes Just a little over an hour outside of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park brims with scenic beauty for you and your little ones to explore together. Think waterfalls, vistas, and wildflower fields, some of which run right alongside or right into the Appalachian Trail. Much of this is protected lands for deer, songbirds, black bears, and other wildlife. Little ones of the fur baby variety are permitted on all but 20 miles or so of the park’s 500-mile trail system, so pack a leash too! Front Royal, VAOnline: nps.gov Angelica Kajiwara via Toddlin’ Across America Gettysburg, PA – 1 hour 27 minutes Devil’s Den at the National Military Park in Gettysburg, PA, is the perfect spot if you are looking for a great place to try rock scrambling with your little ones. Rock scrambling is a great way to start your kids’ obsession with rock climbing (but it is a lot safer). Aside from the rich history, it is a gorgeous landscape from every overlook. You’ll need to stick close due to the high (but super fun) rocks and drop-offs.1195 Baltimore PikeGettysburg, PA 17325Online: nps.gov Visit Richmond VA Richmond, VA – `1 hour 48 minutes Celebrate African American history and culture all around Richmond and the surrounding regions. The American Civil War Museum is the first stop for exploring the American Civil War from all angles: Union and Confederate, enslaved and free African Americans, soldiers and civilians. The BHMVA preserves stories that inspire. Your curious historian can learn about the rich culture and moving histories of African American people in Virginia and their contributions to our country. This museum tells the whole story.Online: visitrichmondva.com John B. via Yelp Cambridge, MD – 1 hour 54 minutes Visit Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest breeding areas for bald eagles on the east coast, north of Florida. Sightings of bald eagles are a pretty spectacular way to spend the day together. Eagles soar and hint over the marsh or rest near their nests. It’s a day trip like no other to see one-third of Maryland’s tidal wetlands in one place. Don’t miss this fantastic place referred to as the “Everglades of the North.”Cambridge, MDOnline: fws.gov LEGOLAND Philadelphia, PA – 2 hours 29 minutes The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is STEM fun for everyone. The Build & Test Zone lets your little engineer design their vehicle and take it to the ramps. A little trial and error result in the zooming car of their dreams. Stop by the Creative Workshop for a lesson from the resident Master Model Builder. Your budding builder can learn all the tips and tricks from the best in the business. Of course, no trip to LEGOLAND would be complete without a meet-and-greet with a few beloved Lego characters. 500 W Germantown PikePlymouth Meeting, PA267-245-9695 Online: philadelphia.legolanddiscovery.com Angelica Kajiwara via Toddlin’ Across America Capron, VA – 2 hours 55 minutes Hands-on learning is the way to go, and PandA Homestead is the best way to get everyone’s hands into an Agriculture lesson. The sweetest family runs this working farm, and they love to show their guests around and get them involved in all the farm chores. Future farmers can feed goats, snuggle baby chicks and practice their best turkey calls. The owners know everything about the farm-to-table process because they sell eggs and meat raised on their farm. If your Little Foodie is starting to ask more about where their food comes from, then this is a must-do for the whole family.23332 Felton Dr.Capron, VA 23829(434) 658-0516 Online: pandahomestead.com Virginia State Parks Worth the Drive: Natural Bridge, VA – 3 hours 9 minutes Did you know there is a natural wonder in the DMV’s backyard? Once owned by Thomas Jefferson, this national landmark turned popular tourist attraction, Natural Bridge, is a great trip to take when your budding geologist is ready for a real-life lesson. Before your family hits the road, do a little at-home erosion science experiment, then you’ll be prepared to see the up-close-and-personal effects of erosion over time. Also, don’t forget to explore the six miles of hiking trails, experience the caverns – all over 30 stories underground – and learn more about the native Monacan Indian tribe. Online: naturalbridgeva.com —Angelica Kajwarafeatured photo: iStockRELATED STORIES: 16 Trips in the USA That Will Make Your Kids Smarter12 Places for a Real-Life History LessonThe Country’s 20 Best Science Museums for Kids Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this bald eaglescivil warnational parksvisitor centerafrican americanart historyday tripdiscovery centerfamily friendlyfarm to tablehands onhiking trailmusicmusic center Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! 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