We decided upon this because 1. We weren't sure how our kids would do together for a long period of time, 2. It was the cheapest and easiest option because we were wary of taking our kids on the metro, and 3. It meant we didn't even have to go near the beltway.
Overall, we had a good time. My daughter was a little less than enthusiastic about how much walking we ended up doing (I don't have a stroller anymore and they don't rent them out like the zoos do) but as long as she got to sit every once in a while she was fine.
One of our favorite things was the area where you can observe airplanes taking off and landing at nearby Dulles International Airport. We could even hear the air traffic controllers as they talked to the pilots. We were also taken to a display air traffic control room where we learned just how important the job of an air traffic controller is.
We also learned about the different things airplanes are made of and why certain materials are better than others. We learned about the purpose of the lab on the space shuttle and why rockets have multiple segments.
It was a wonderful learning experience for the kids and the moms (at least me). Yes, I learned something too. I learned that my daughter is happier at the zoo and my son is just as happy at a museum or zoo. I'm not sure if it's the age difference or being a girl or that she didn't want to walk, but it's something I hope I can work around in the near future, because I would love to do another museum trip with the same friends taking on Washington, DC next time.
Oh, the more field trips the easier it gets. My kiddos loved going to museums. They still do. I think we are one of the few families that will stop and read everything we see.
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