Affectionately known as the Blacksonian, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of Washington, DC’s newest (and hottest) museums. It is so popular that we could not get tickets during our 2022 visit. When we went to DC in 2024, I made a point of setting a reminder on my phone to alert me when tickets were released.
I was excited to visit the museum- and judging by the line outside, so were many others. We have been teaching our kids about black history with visits to places like Kingsley Plantation, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Gettysburg, and other historical sites. Visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) would give us another opportunity to educate our kiddos.
The NMAAHC is an incredible place for families to learn about African American History.
Table of Contents
5 Things Kid Can Learn About at NMAAHC
The History of Slavery and Freedom
- Kids can explore exhibits about the transatlantic slave trade, the lives of enslaved people, and the struggle for freedom.
- Artifacts like slave shackles, abolitionist newspapers, and Harriet Tubman’s shawl bring history to life.
The Civil Rights Movement
- Interactive displays highlight leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and John Lewis and the importance of protests like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington.
- Kids can see a Greensboro lunch counter where peaceful sit-ins took place.
African American Achievements in Sports and Music
- Learn about legendary athletes like Jackie Robinson, Serena Williams, and Muhammad Ali and their impact beyond sports.
- Discover the evolution of jazz, hip-hop, gospel, and blues and listen to music from stars like Louis Armstrong and Beyoncé.
The Power of Culture and Innovation
- Exhibits showcase the impact of African Americans in fashion, literature, art, and film, from writers like Maya Angelou to filmmakers like Spike Lee.
- Learn about inventors and scientists, including George Washington Carver and Madam C.J. Walker, who changed industries.
Interactive Learning at the "Explore More!" Gallery
- This hands-on area is designed for kids to ask questions, explore artifacts, and create art.
- It helps kids understand African American history through storytelling, puzzles, and digital activities.
Best Exhibits for Kids
“Explore More!” Interactive Gallery
- A hands-on space where kids can touch, create, and explore history through digital and interactive displays.
- Kids can try oral history recording booths, artifact exploration, and storytelling activities.
“Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” Exhibit
- Features Jackie Robinson’s baseball jersey, Michael Jordan’s shoes, and other cool memorabilia.
- Teaches kids how sports helped break racial barriers.
“Musical Crossroads” Exhibit
- A vibrant, sound-filled exhibit showcasing hip-hop, jazz, blues, and gospel music.
- Kids can see Prince’s guitar, Chuck Berry’s Cadillac, and more while listening to influential African American music.
“Slavery and Freedom” (Lower Level – for older kids)
- Features powerful artifacts like Harriet Tubman’s shawl and Nat Turner’s Bible.
- Helps older children understand the fight for freedom and the importance of perseverance.
- Highlights recent history, including the Civil Rights Movement, Barack Obama’s presidency, and Black Lives Matter.
- Engages kids with multimedia displays and real-life stories.
Family-Friendly Activities & Tips
✔ “Kids’ Activity Guide” – Ask for an activity guide at the entrance to help kids engage with the exhibits.
✔ “Interactive Touchscreens” – Many exhibits have digital features where kids can play, listen to music, and explore history.
✔ “Step into History” Photo Spots – Great places for kids to take photos, such as the Oprah Winfrey exhibit and sports hall.
✔ “Cultural Expressions” Dress-Up Area – In this exhibit, kids can see and learn about African-inspired fashion and textiles.
✔ Visit the Sweet Home Café – Try family-friendly meals with a taste of African American food traditions.
Visiting Information
📍 Location: 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
🕒 Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed on December 25)
🎟️ Entry: Free, but timed-entry passes are required. Reserve in advance online here.
Must-See Highlights Based on Your Time
👉 If You Have 1 Hour:
✔ “Slavery and Freedom” Exhibit (Concourse Level) – See Harriet Tubman’s personal items and learn about the journey to freedom.
✔ “Musical Crossroads” (L4) – A quick, fun stop to see Prince’s guitar and learn about hip-hop and jazz.
👉 If You Have 2-3 Hours:
✔ Explore the “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” Exhibit – Learn about Black athletes who broke barriers.
✔ Visit the Oprah Winfrey Exhibit – Inspiring for kids and adults alike.
✔ Stop by “Cultural Expressions” – A great interactive exhibit on fashion, food, and traditions.
✔ Grab a meal at Sweet Home Café – Try classic soul food dishes like fried chicken, cornbread, or gumbo.
👉 If You Have a Full Day:
✔ Start at the Concourse Level (Slavery to Civil Rights Movement) – Walk through history in chronological order.
✔ Go up to the top floors – Explore sports, music, film, and art exhibits.
✔ Visit the “Explore More!” Gallery – Hands-on activities perfect for kids.
✔ Take breaks at Reflection Spaces – Areas designed for quiet moments after emotional exhibits.
Kid-Friendly Museums Near NMAAHC in Washington, D.C.
1️⃣ National Air and Space Museum (📍 5-minute drive / 15-minute walk)
🚀 Why Kids Love It:
✔ Walk through a real space shuttle and touch a moon rock!
✔ See the Wright brothers’ airplane and Amelia Earhart’s plane.
✔ Hands-on exhibits let kids experience what it’s like to be an astronaut.
🎟 Timed-entry passes are required. Reserve here.
🔗 Read More
2️⃣ National Museum of Natural History (📍 10-minute walk)
🦖 Why Kids Love It:
✔ Dinosaur fossils & a life-sized T. rex skeleton.
✔ The Butterfly Pavilion, where kids can walk through a live butterfly habitat.
✔ The Ocean Hall, featuring a giant whale model and deep-sea creatures.
🎟 No timed entry is required.
🔗 Read More
3️⃣ National Children’s Museum (📍 5-minute drive)
🧩 Why Kids Love It:
✔ A mix of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) exhibits.
✔ The Dream Machine – a multi-story climbing structure!
✔ Interactive exhibits on weather, coding, and space exploration.
🎟 Timed-entry tickets are required. Reserve here.
🔗 Read More
4️⃣ International Spy Museum (📍 8-minute drive)
🕵️ Why Kids Love It:
✔ Get a secret spy identity and complete interactive missions.
✔ Try real-life spy gadgets and learn about disguises and codes.
✔ Fun exhibits on James Bond, Cold War spies, and real espionage history.
🎟 Paid admission & timed tickets required. Book here.
5️⃣ Smithsonian’s National Zoo (📍 10-minute drive)
🐼 Why Kids Love It:
✔ See giant pandas, lions, elephants, and gorillas.
✔ The Kid’s Farm – an interactive farm experience.
✔ A great outdoor break after museum-hopping!
🎟 Free timed-entry passes required.
Plan Your Trip
Honestly, there’s nothing like a trip to Washington, DC. It is the perfect destination for families. If a museum or monument isn’t holding your kid’s attention, there’s always another one you can check out, and it’ll most likely be free!
If you’d like a little guidance for your itinerary, see our 4 Day Itinerary. It was designed with young kids in mind and hits a lot of the most popular sights in Washington, DC, such as:
The White House
National Museum of American History
National Air & Space Museum
Ford’s Theater
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
National Children’s Museum
and so much more!
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