National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Discover how the Navy used kites and the science behind how kites lift up into the sky.  Learn the science, then make your own kite and test it outside.  All participants receive a science information sheet to take home and can keep the kite they make.  This free program is recommended for children, ages 6 through 12 and is limited to 30 participants.  Early registration recommended.  All materials will be provided, and the workshop will be led by a museum educator.

This workshop is presented in conjunction with the museum’s newest exhibit, The Future is Now: The Navy’s Lighter Than Airships which opens late March 2023.  Note:  Visitors are reminded that the museum is currently only open on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.

Register on Eventbrite or email david.a.barker16.civ@us.navy.mil

Mask Guidelines: A mask is not required for visitors while inside the museum (Bldgs. 70 and 76) or while attending any programs. A mask is not required anywhere outside on the Washington Navy Yard grounds.

Parking Options: Harris Teeters underground parking garage (401 M Street SE). Parking is complimentary for 90 minutes and you'll need to validate your ticket inside the store before leaving the store and walking to the Navy Yard 11th and O Street entrance.  There's also limited metered street parking adjacent to the Navy Yard on M Street.

Getting onto the Washington Navy Yard: The Washington Navy Yard is an active-duty military base.  Due to security requirements, you will need to be escorted onto the base then to the museum building.  CAC card holders, active duty or retired military ID card holders and dependents do not need to be escorted and can just show their ID card to the security guard and proceed to the museum.  Regardless how you get to the Navy Yard (driving, walking, taxi), you should plan to be at the Navy Yard 11th and O Street SE by 11am.  Note: Personal bicycles (including DC RideShare Bikes), scooters, skateboards, unicycles, skates, or any other non-licensed motorized or non-motorized modes of transportation will not be allowed onto the base.  These modes of transportation will need to be left outside the entrance to the base (at owner's own risk).

If walking, enter the base through the public access gate and wait in the area adjacent to the Visitor Pass and ID Office.  Have your driver’s license or other form of government issued I.D. with you.  A museum educator will escort you onto the base and to the museum.  A second and final visitor pick-up will made at 11:20am.

If driving, drive up to the security gate and tell the security officer on duty that you are visiting the museum.  If you don't have a CAC card, active-duty military or retired military or dependent ID card, he will instruct you to wait in the parking area adjacent to the Visitor Pass and ID Office.   A museum educator will escort you onto the base and to the museum.  A second and final visitor pick-up will made at 11:20am.

If taking Metro, exit the Navy Yard/Ballpark stop.  Exit the metro then walk to the base entrance at 11th and O Street SE (about a 10-minute walk).   Enter the base through the public access gate and wait in the area adjacent to the Visitor Pass and ID Office.  Have your driver’s license or other form of government issued I.D. with you.  A museum educator will escort you onto the base and to the museum.  A second and final visitor pick-up will made at 11:20am.

If you need to contact the museum on the day of the program, call our front desk at 202.685.0589 to speak to a live person.