Designated by Congress in 2003, the National Children’s Museum is a nationally recognized cultural and educational institution serving children and families onsite, online, and through national partners and programs. The Museum's mission is to inspire children to care about and improve the world.

Opening in 2013 at National Harbor, the National Children’s Museum will serve millions of children and their families each year through a new 150,000 square-foot experiential learning center and dynamic online community. Designed by world renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the Museum’s state-of-the-art facility will serve as a teaching tool by educating children about green choices and reflecting environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices in its exhibits, programs, and services.

Building on a 30 year history of service to kids and families as the Capital Children’s Museum, the National Children’s Museum serves a national constituency of 48 million children living in the U.S. The Museum will give all children the opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with opportunities to get involved and make a difference in their community, their country, and their world.

As a Museum Without Walls the National Children’s Museum inspires children from the Washington, D.C. region and across the country through traveling exhibits, programs, and workshops. Opportunities for inspiration, learning, growth, and engagement reach far beyond the walls of the Museum and are involving children and families today.

Projected to attract 600,000 visitors annually, the National Children’s Museum joins National Harbor to transform the banks of the Potomac into a new Gateway to the National Capital Region for kids and families.