The National Children's Museum

While we were in Virginia, we made a family trip to the National Harbor in Maryland.  At the National Harbor, they have a newly opened National Children's Museum.  

The National Children's Museum was too cute!  Even as you are walking up to the building, there was fun stuff on the outside to see, like Big Bird and Elmo!

Once inside, there were so many fun activities to do.  They had short skits and plays every 30 minutes for the kids.  There were lots of cultural activities, educational activities, and sensory activities, too.  And the whole family was getting in on the fun here with chalkboards to learn how to write letters in different languages.  Of course, Jillian just thought it was fun to scribble instead!

At this station, kids got to put cars down different types of pavement.  Jilly had a great time at this station, even if her car did not make it down the fastest. 

One of her favorite things to do was play at the fire truck station.  This was one of my favorites too because she looked so darn cute dressed up like a firefighter, complete with fire hat and boots!  They could turn the big steering wheel, 

press the buttons to activate the lights and sirens, 

and pet the friendly fire Dalmatian.  

In one of the craft rooms, she got to do art projects like make lion masks or use felt to make a clown. 

And to burn off some energy, they had a play area with tunnels, slides, and stairs.  

One of the last things she did was play in this "Yum Yum" lunch truck.  She would greet other people who came up to her window and say "Hello customer."  Then, she would quickly go make their order for them.  She made a lot of pretend sandwiches, regardless of what they ordered, haha!

All told, we were probably at the museum for 2 hours and there was still plenty more to see and do.  We will definitely have to take her there again next time we are in Virginia because she loved it!

After the National Children's Museum, we went down to the harbor portion and ate a delicious lunch.  Then we played on the beachy area, climbing on rocks and looking out at the water.   

 

There was even a live band playing and Jillian went and grabbed her Daddy's hands so that he could dance with her, twirl her around, and sway to the music!

We had such a great time at the National Harbor and I'm so glad that we crossed state lines to make it to this national treasure.   If you are ever in the area, I would highly recommend it, and I know Jillian would, too!