Free Indoor Fun for Kids on a Rainy Day
Updated 1/2026
Are you facing a rainy day with the kids? If you don’t want to turn to Netflix out of desperation to keep the kids occupied let us help you find indoor fun for kids in our area. Better yet there are plenty of FREE places for indoor fun for kids near us. At Pirate Adventures we will sail in a slight drizzle or cloudy and grey weather but when it comes down in buckets we choose to wait for the sun to reappear or the storm clouds to recede before sailing again. Come see us for family fun on a sunny day this spring or check us out during summer break. In the meantime, we have put together this guide of fun places for kids indoors. We are located in Annapolis, Maryland and our list of free indoor attractions includes places in Maryland and Washington DC that are within easy reach of Annapolis.
If you are planning ahead for better weather, you can also explore more things to do in Annapolis with kids including our fully guided pirate cruise experience on the Chesapeake Bay.
Free Indoor Play in Maryland
Baltimore Museum of Art
The Baltimore Museum of Art is a great place to introduce your kids to art without the price of admission. They also offer Free Family Sundays with different art projects each week.
Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum also offers free admission and Free Family Sunday Programs. Check out the Chamber of Wonders with butterflies, a stuffed crocodile, a suit of armor, and more examples of wonder in the natural world. All sure to please the little ones in your group.
The National Cryptologic Museum
The National Cryptologic Museum in near Fort Meade is a fantastic destination for families, offering free admission and a unique glimpse into the world of codebreaking and cryptography. The museum features engaging displays of spy gadgets, interactive puzzles, and scavenger hunts designed to make learning about history and cryptology exciting and fun. It’s an educational adventure that will spark curiosity and provide plenty of opportunities for curious minds to discover the secrets of the past!
Storyville
Storyville is located at the Rosedale and Woodlawn branches of the Baltimore Public Library and admits children from birth through age 5. Designed like a lot of area children’s museums, Storyville offers a post office, grocery store, construction site and other themed areas for little ones.
Brookside Nature Center
Experience the outdoors inside on a rainy day at the Brookside Nature Center. The Brookside Nature Center includes the Children’s Discovery Room and live animal displays. Check their website for ongoing special events and programs
Montgomery College Planetarium
If you have kids that are interested in space or your just want to work in some STEM head to Montgomery College Planetarium in Takoma Park, MD for a free public programs.
Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is a hidden gem for families, especially if you have a child who loves planes and aviation. With free admission, this museum offers an up-close look at real aircraft, flight simulators, and engaging exhibits that showcase the history and innovation of naval aviation. Kids will be thrilled to climb into cockpits, learn about the science of flight, and see historic planes up close. It’s an exciting and educational outing that sparks curiosity and imagination, making it the perfect destination for little aviation enthusiasts and their families.
Ikea Småland
IKEA Småland is the perfect spot for indoor fun on a rainy day, offering free admission and plenty of entertainment for kids while adults get some much-needed shopping or relaxation time. This supervised play area is filled with colorful ball pits, climbing structures, and creative activities that keep kids entertained for hours. It’s a safe and engaging environment where little ones can burn off energy while parents explore the store, grab a bite at the café, or enjoy a quiet moment browsing. Småland turns a trip to IKEA into an adventure for the whole family!
Free Indoor Play in Washington DC
United States Botanical Garden
The United States Botanical Garden is great place to explore on a rainy day if you are tired of being stuck inside. Wander through the trails in the conservatory and take advantage of their buy valtrex pills Junior Botanist or Plant Explorers programs for kids. Find other gardens to explore and ideas for springtime family fun here.
National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian does free indoor fun for kids best and The National Museum of Natural History is a top Smithsonian on most families’ list. We have included it here because of the new Last American Dinosaurs which you might not have hit and the children’s discovery room Q?rius. Get up close with the dinosaurs and meet with real scientists and get up close with museum artifacts at Q?rius and if your kids are up for more check out the Hall of Mammals or Sea Life.
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History has just opened two new family-friendly exhibits that are interactive and hands-on for kids. Wegmans Wonderplace includes a play area with a climbing structure and slide, themed kitchen and farm playspace and many other ways to introduce kids to the “grown-up” exhibits in the museum. Wegmans Wonderplace is directed to kids ages 0-5 while the Spark!Lab next door is appropriate for older children ages 6-12. The Spark!Lab encourages kids to get in touch with their scientific side through experiments and inventions. Both areas open from 10am-4pm and are closed on Tuesdays.
Saturday Morning at National Theatre
The National Theatre offers a free performance every Saturday at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. Performances include puppet shows, dance, music, and other interactive shows for kids. The programs are aimed kids ages 4-10. Free tickets can be reserved in advance here and they hold some tickets for walk-ups.
The Renwick Gallery
The Renwick Gallery is a must-visit destination for families, especially those with curious and creative kids. Known for its awe-inspiring, large-scale art installations, the gallery offers an immersive experience that captivates visitors of all ages. Kids will love the interactive and colorful exhibits, like walk-through sculptures and room-sized works of art that spark imagination and curiosity. With free admission, it’s a budget-friendly way to introduce children to the world of art and design while providing a fun and visually stimulating indoor activity. The Renwick is a place where art truly comes to life!
Rock Creek Park Nature Center
If you can’t take advantage of all the incredible outdoor offerings at Rock Creek Park head indoors to the Nature Center which includes live animals, displays, and a Children’s Discovery Room. Also, take advantage of the free planetarium shows offered at 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
NASA Goddard Space Center
Head to the stars and learn about the tools used to explore space at the visitors center at the NASA Goddard Space Center. Kids can dress-up in a space suit, look through real telescopes and touch pieces of NASA rockets in this hands-on visitors center. Don’t forget to pick up the kid-friendly scavenger hunt at the front desk.
BONUS: NEARLY FREE
Annapolis Maritime Museum
While no longer free, the Annapolis Maritime museum offers low admission fees ($5 for kids and $8 for adults) and is a fun place to introduce your kids to the life of a Chesapeake Bay waterman as well as the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. The museum is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from March through December. If you are looking for more things to do in Annapolis check out our post 50 Things to Do in Annapolis or check out this local website FunAnnapolis.com for even more suggestions.
If all else fails hit the mall play place
As a grown-up it is hard to do the same thing over and over again but kids can’t seem to get enough of play places at the mall. The nautical-themed play place at Westfield Mall in Annapolis is always a hit or check out the carousel and play space at the Columbia Mall. Find more indoor play places with 6 Mall Play Spaces Worth the Drive from Red Tricycle DC.
We are always looking for more fun things to do with kids in MD, DC, and VA – let us know what you do for indoor fun for kids on a rainy day. Find more kids activities in the DMV and come see us when the weather gets better for an outdoor adventure your kids will never forget at Pirate Adventures!