The Friends of the National Zoo put together some of the most fun family events in the DC area. A FONZ membership gets you discounts and perks at these amazing events. That’s not all! Membership benefits also include: Discounts on popular Zoo event tickets, Discounts on Zoo camps, classes, and overnights, Free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide, Invitations to member-only previews and exhibit openings, Invitations to special events, Access to birthday parties at the Zoo, Quarterly subscription to Smithsonian Zoogoer magazine, Zoo Friends e-newsletter, Access to the FONZ Photo Club, Access to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Club ($30), Access to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Club ($30). Family Memberships start at $80/year.

Exhibits, Science Encounters, IMAX, Planetarium, Programs, Special Events, the list of fun ways to explore science at the Maryland Science Center goes on! This hands-on facility is great for kids of all ages. Maryland Science Center Membership benefits include: Free admission for a full year to permanent exhibits, Free admission to the star-studded Davis Planetarium, Free admission to the Crosby Ramsey Memorial Observatory, Discounted admission to the IMAX Theater, Discounted admission to family friendly events and our annual fundraiser–Solstice, Discounts at the Science Store and Elements Café, Discounts with Zipcar, A yearlong subscription to Popular Science magazine (a $9.00 value), Entry through Members’ Only ticket lines via our Harborside Entrance, Invitations to Members Only Events, private mornings and evenings when the Science Center opens just for you, and offers free admission to the IMAX Theater’s all-time favorite classic films, Free or discounted admission to ASTC Passport participating science centers worldwide with reciprocal member’s benefits, and Seasonal discounts for members, including discounted rates at the Inner Harbor Pandora Ice Rink by showing your active member card. Family Memberships start at $150/year. (Check Groupon for 50% off!)

KID Museum offers unique, interactive experiences for elementary and middle school-aged children that integrate hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math learning with an exploration of world cultures and global citizenship. You will be blown away by the actives going on here for such an affordable price! Winter Camps, Mini-Makers workshops and Summer Camps are popular activities at KID Museum. KID Museum Membership benefits include: Free museum admission, 10% discount on workshops, 10% discount on camps, 10% discount on birthday party packages, and 10% discount on museum store purchases. Family Memberships start at $160/year. Gift Cards and Museum
Admission Passes are available for purchase at the Museum. Head to the KID Shop at the Museum for books, gear, gadgets, maker kits, gift baskets and more 7 days a week from 9am – 5pm. 

See the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display while you explore the craft, practice, history, and contemporary role of espionage. This experience is open to all ages, but best suited for children 7 years old and up. International Spy Museum Membership benefits include: Unlimited and express access to the Museum’s main exhibit, Subscription to monthly member e-newsletter, 20% discount on purchases in the Spy Museum Store, Advance notice and member discounts to select Museum programs and priority seating, Exclusive Previews of New Exhibits, and Personalized membership card and top secret welcome packet. Family Memberships start at $175/year.

Sign your wee ones up for theatre classes with Keegan Theatre’s PLAY-RAH-KA. PLAY-RAH-KA offers educational programming for families and young people of all ages and experience levels to discover their authentic voices by both watching and doing. Keegan Theatre is a gem tucked among the row houses in Dupont that produces plays and musicals with authenticity at affordable prices.  By staying true to the Irish tradition of storytelling Keegan Theatre is the perfect place for theatrical training. Registration and more information on their website.

Be transported to a world of make believe with the Pinna app. Pinna offers immersive audio adventures, irresistible science shows, and more. The Pinna app allows your children to be entertained screen free and ad free with audio stories and podcasts. Pinna is perfect for kids ages 4-7. Audio adventures are yours through the AppStore for only $7.99/month or $79.99/year.

has something for everyone with Kiwi Crates, Tinker Crates and Doodle Crates! These monthly boxes are filled with age-appropriate projects that make learning about STEAM fun! Kiwi Crates are designed for kids 5-9 years old. Tinker and Doodle Crates are designed for kids 9 years and older. Kiwi Co inspires kids to see themselves as scientists, artists, creators, and makers. Crates start at $19.95 for 1 month.

National Geographic Kids magazine is perfect for kids ages 6 and up and each issue is packed with stories about wildlife, science, technology, popular culture, and more articles designed to keep kids reading, thinking, learning and having fun! Explore with your child such features such as Amazing Animals, Weird But True, Cool Inventions, and free stuff such as pull-out posters and collectible animal cards. One-year (10 issues) subscription for $15. Print Plus includes Print + iPad editions.

Discovery Kits by First Edventures are monthly kits with expert curated, eco-friendly toys, books, activities & parent resources promoting healthy brain development in infants & toddlers. Kits are $44.95/month and proceeds from each kit go to support their mission to ensure babies & toddlers have a strong start in life by providing parents with the support and resources needed to raise smart, healthy and curious life-long learners. Through their online resources, in person playgroups, events, workshops as well as helpful tools and educational kits they strive to help parents take the guesswork out of early childhood education.

Wee Gallery Alphabet Cards – Not only are these cards beautifully made and durable but they are also a wonderful learning resource for kids of many ages. Because of the high-contrast design these are a great way to promote visual exploration and scanning in babies. As your child grows older the cards are a fun way learn the alphabet and can be used in many activities.

Fraction Blocks by Plan Toys – these simple eco friendly blocks are a great way to introduce early math concepts to children while encouraging them to use their imaginations when building and stacking. This set is part of the Plan Toys Essential series and can be combined with the Cube and Ordering sets for even more exploration and learning.

Eco Dough by Eco Kids – this play dough is made by a family owned business using all natural ingredients. It contains zero chemicals and is completely toxic free. This cute Christmas themed set smells better than any play dough we’ve ever encountered. It can be combined with some of their other natural art supplies, like finger paint, crayons, chalk, drawing pads etc., to make a great art kit.

U-Build Construction Blocks by Begin Again– these unique u-shaped blocks are easy for little hands to maneuver and can quickly stack into towers, buildings, and patterns. They are designed for open-ended play and encourage early math exploration. Also, the wooden box in which they are contained makes clean up and storage easy.

Safari Bowl by Begin Again– this is hands down the cutest and most fun bowling set we have seen for children. It can be used in a variety of ways and is extremely engaging. Because it’s designed as a target game Safari Bowl is a great way to encourage problem solving and team work.

Get Qurious with the latest augmented reality app for kids, Qurious Island. The Tropical Island environment features a “building menu” with digital objects typically found in a tropical environment. Kids combine these objects with five DIY craft projects to make their own augmented tropical island. Additional features such as taking pictures, recording notes in a field journal & shooting videos with their own narration help kids express their individuality in a unique augmented reality diorama. Qurious Island uses open-ended play which intrinsically motivate kids to explore, learn and spark their imagination about topics that could in the future become their passion. Qurious Island is $0.99 in the AppStore.

Magformers are colorful magnetic building tiles perfect for beginner builders and novice engineers. With Magformers you can take magnetic construction to the next level to create 3D structures, buildings, and even an R/C vehicle!

LEGOS are a classic building toy for kids that are educational and fun! With LEGO sets your children can create the worlds for their favorite characters or use classic bricks to let their imagination lead the way.

Raspberry Pi has been called the LEGOS of computers. Raspberry Pi is a computer, to be specific it is a credit card sized circuit board that you can plug things like a monitor, a mouse and a keyboard into. Raspberry Pi relies on programming languages. Kids (& Adults) can use a Raspberry Pi to learn programming, build projects such as a weather station, build a Raspberry Pi case and many, many more! The recommended ages to introduce the Raspberry pi is from 11-13. Confused? You are not alone! The Raspberry Pi community has resources for parents!