Washington, D.C. is a great place to take the kids on vacation. There’s so much for them to see and do – much of it is free – and they’ll also receive a lesson in our country’s history as well. Here are just some of the sites that should be on your kids’ must-see list:

Smithsonian: If you want your kids to have some hands-on fun, visit Spark!Lab, where they can invent and create some wacky experiments while learning about STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. If they’re looking for some adventure, take them on the ride simulators for a little more excitement. And, of course, there’s the National Zoo, which is free to visit, where your kids can see Tiger Tracks, Amazonia Science Gallery, Reptile Discovery Center, Kids’ Farm, and the Conservation Carousel.

Lincoln Memorial: There are many monuments and memorials you could take your children to on your visit to D.C., but one your children will definitely enjoy is the Lincoln Memorial. Abraham Lincoln is often one of the first presidents children learn about in school, so seeing him brought to a larger than life scale will both get them excited and remind them of what they’ve learned. You can also remind your children of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech that took place on those same steps.

International Spy Museum: Who hasn’t imagined themselves as a world-class spy? At the International Spy Museum, those dreams become a reality. There are many interactive exhibits you can choose from. Operation Spy (for kids 12 and older) is an hour-long spy adventure where you enter the fictional country of Khandar and will have to escape from a compound and interrogate suspects. For the younger ones, they’ll love KidSpy Zone, where there are games to play, and they can even learn to talk like a spy.

White House: Of course, no trip to Washington D.C. is complete without a visit to the White House. The iconic symbol of America’s government gains an average of 5,000 visitors every day. Showing this to your children can help them become interested in government, and will be an experience they will remember forever. You could settle for taking pictures outside the gate or sign up for a guided tour so your kids get the full experience of viewing the White House.

Jody’s Travel Inc