National Children's Museum, National Harbor

Bring headphones or ear plugs because your kids will be screaming as much as the rest of the miscreants!

If one wonders why the museum is housed in the lobby of the Wyndham hotel, the reality of budget constraints of PG County and by congress face you immediately. There was supposed to be a brand new building dedicated to the museum itself, but that's far from what we get now. There are still hopes that their "outdoor" facility will come to realization sometime this year. It really needs it. My school-aged children found some interest in the world themes (food, travel, trade and clothing) and I found this section the most thought-provoking. Beyond this there was not much that sparked the kids' interest. There were a coupe of classroom-style areas in the back teaching paper bead necklace making and there was a very nice area where toddlers only are allowed. The whole tour was about half hour and left my kids less than impressed, not to mention my anxiety of where else to take them to make the drive to the harbor worthwhile. Sorry to say I ended up checking out the very expensive and frigid Shrek on Ice exhibit across the road. And at the end my kids had the most fun running around the awakening sculpture at the sand park. Children's National has far to go to solidify itself as a national museum. When it does, it will certainly get great reviews.