Living in the DC area is crazy expensive.  I stay at home with my daughter and work 3 days a week from home babysitting other children.  The cost of living here is sky high, so I try to find lots of things to do with my daughter that don't break the bank.  Actually being that we have more museums than practically any other U.S. city, that makes it easy because they are free.  But, a 3 year old can only enjoy a museum for an hour, 2 hours max and it gets old doing that every week.  These are places that we go besides the Smithsonian-don't get me wrong I love the National Mall, but I think that it will be more interesting for her in a few years.

Tree Top Kids

This store is locally owned and is really growing in numbers.  I started shopping at the one in Mclean, VA in the fall of 2005. Now there is one in Falls Church, Fairfax, and there are DC locations as well as Maryland.  We generally shop at the Falls Church or Fairfax one because we are closer to those areas.  It is a unique store with boutiquey kind of clothes and different kinds of toys.  This is not a Fisher Price/PlaySkool kind of store.  I love those brands, but this store has more Euro brands and tons and tons of Thomas accessories, Schleich figures, lots of books, and just unique gifts.  Plan on paying more here than Target, but this is the part where saving money comes up.  ****For every 300 dollars you spend, you get 15 dollars back to spend there, there is a Thomas train table in there to play wit h which my daughter spends an hour playing with.  The store has a tree house with a built in slide for the kids to slide on.  They forever have magicians, kiddie rock bands, puppet shows, storytime, Halloween parties, Christmas events, Easter decorating days, they even had a luau this summer.  99.9% of the time all of their events are free!  We have come home with painted pumpkins, bracelets and necklaces that we made, pics with Santa and Easter Bunny for free.  They also have major sales. So, the pricey but cute store comes with a lot of benefits that actually save you money in the end.  I have become so acquainted with the staff that they play with my daughter while I shop!  As much as I love Target, I don't get a babysitter or 15 dollars back for every 300 dollars, nor do they have plays or puppet shows! Try Treetop Kids today!

Barnes and Noble

These stores are scattered through the metro region and are to a jewel on a cold or rainy day. The one in my neighborhood offers storytime on Monday, Friday and Saturday!  There is always an art activity following and often free samples of drinks or goodies from the in store Starbucks. Another bonus, the Thomas table.  My daughter cannot get enough of this little train! Going there has taught her patience and sharing because the train is always a hit. We also sit on the stage area and read new books that have come out and we usually leave with one book.  There is always money for a book!  I have the Membership with Barnes and Noble where I get 10 extra percent off of what I buy there and it does add up.  That includes drinks, books, cds, movies, games, journals, etc.  Having the membership also has the added benefit of insider emails with coupons that are 25 % off at times!  It saved me a bundle at Christmas! Entertainment and learning in one place, that is priceless!

Jammin Java-Vienna, VA

This place is loads of fun, by night it is an indie rock place and by day it is a haven for coffee sipping moms and their active toddlers and preschoolers!  It is 5 dollars for one child and I want to say 2 for each child after that and if your child is 2 or under they are free. Monday thru Saturday there are musicians that perform for children. From Itsy Bitsy Spider tunes, to classic rock sons that are kid friendly, to silly songs that are not well known.  My two favorite groups to see are: Jammin Mamas-Ms. Belle and Oh Susana or Rocknocerous.  Jammin Mamas are so funny together and they let kids play instruments and my daughter dances the whole time and she really loves to play the different instruments and use the props that they bring.  Rocknocerous is this funny kids rock band that includes 3 really hilarious guys. Their songs are original and really adorable and funny.  We have one of their cds. The 5 dollars will get you an hour of your child dancing around and mingling with other children. Sometimes I eat lunch there, but often times we eat a late breakfast, so we eat lunch when we get home-because remember I am trying to maintain a budget. I realized that if I went every week to one performance for 10 weeks it would be 50 bucks, and that is about 30 dollars less than similar rec classes.  Though I love rec classes, these days at Jammin Java are just like me taking my child to a Music Together class except cheaper, and I don't feel guilty if we miss it because we have not paid in advance!

Mall Playgrounds

A lot of malls in this area have indoor play areas.  It is awesome, when it is not crowded.  I have had some incidents where children have gotten quite aggressive with my child, so I go about 30-45 minutes before the mall opens. Also, I have found between 12:30 and 2 are good times because children are eating lunch and going down for naps so it is a lot less crowded.  There is nothing to buy near the playground except something from the food court, and my daughter always has a drink with her and I generally feed her before going.  It is a good way for her to get out bottled up energy in a playground setting, but warm and dry-in case it is rainy or cold, or even too hot outside. This is kind of the last resort place that I go to, because often times parents come here to talk and don't watch their children or they let their older kids get on who are too big and aggressive.