Exposing kids to democracy in D.C.

Explaining the meaning of democracy to a child is not an easy task. Concepts such as government, freedom, voting, citizen, and justice are difficult for a young mind to grasp. But when you bring a child to Washington, D.C., as I did last weekend, you'll find that it's much easier to get across the idea of liberty when you have the original Declaration of Independence in front of you.


Why is it important to communicate the idea of democracy to our kids? "This country, the idea that we are responsible for our own government, represents a tiny twinkle of light in a long world history of monarchy and theocracy and oppressive darkness," writes actor Richard Dreyfus in a recent article that appeared in Edutopia, the magazine for the George Lucas Education Foundation. "If our form of representative democracy lasts longer than our lifetime or our kids' lifetime, it's only because we put some effort into teaching the ideals of opportunity, mobility, freedom of thought, and assembly. America in its imperfection may be unsatisfying, but it is alive. And it is up to us to make sure America keeps on living. Kids must be reminded of the great parts of this country--the parts that aren't always so easy to see or hear. Unless we give them something to fall in love with, why should they be in love?"

And right now, in the midst of a close presidential election, I think that it's an especially important time to teach our kids to appreciate democracy and understand its meaning. Last weekend, I showed my 5-year-old daughter, Paris, around our nation's capital with this goal. While she's far from understanding the difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives she does now know that our country has a President who is elected by the people--and who lives in "a really pretty White House that looks like a princess castle."

Here's a rundown of things you can do with your kids in Washington, D.C., to expose them to democracy:


Play researcher at the Martin Luther King Public Library. Escape to the stacks in the children's section, where you'll find a wonderful collection of picture books on government, elections, voting, and civil rights. You and your child can pretend that you're researchers trying to discover the meaning of democracy. Some resources to look for on the shelves include D is for Democracy by Elissa Grodin, So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George, or Woodrow for President: A Tail of Voting, Elections, and Campaigns by Peter W. Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes.

Walk the Extra Mile. In Hollywood, you stroll the Walk of Fame, while in D.C. you follow the Extra Mile, a series of bronze medallions just blocks from the White House that bring alive the stories of some of our nation's greatest heroes. Each plaque features a picture and a biography of the honoree. You'll learn about suffragist Susan B. Anthony, advocate for the blind Helen Keller, Boy Scouts founder William D. Boyce, and United Farm Workers of America cofounder Cesar Chavez.

Dine at the Old Ebbitt Grill. Established in 1856, this institution across from the White House was a favorite of presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding, and Theodore Roosevelt and it's still a popular meeting spot for political insiders. The kids menu includes grilled cheese, chicken fingers, and PB&J.

Shake hands with Thomas Jefferson at Madame Tussauds. At this wax museum, you'll encounter lifelike wax creations of our nation's presidents and great leaders. You can share a theater box with Lincoln and sit on a bus with Rosa Parks.

Take in views from the top of the Washington Monument. Point out to your kids that this 555-foot-tall monolith is tall and skinny like the No. 1 and they'll never forget that Washington was our first president. If you want to take the elevator to the top, arrive early in the day. Tickets for a timed entrance are free but the national park distributes a set number per day and they go fast.

Rent a boat at Tidal Basin. You can float past the Jefferson Memorial, a monument to our nation's third president, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and in spring, blooming cherry blossom trees.

Grab a burger at Bullfeathers. When faced with frustrations or patently absurd situations, Theodore Roosevelt would boon out "Bullfeathers!"--and hence the name of this great spot for burgers on Capitol Hill that's popular with members of the House of Representatives. Kids' menu includes the Bull Dog and Teddy's Burger.

Visit the National Archives. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the Magna Carta--all the heavy hitters are there. Your kids will probably only see these faded documents as boring pieces of paper but if you tell them that these pieces of paper give them the right to call their brother or sister a "Doo-Doo Head," they might show some interest.

Nosh on fry bread at Mitsitam Cafe. On the ground floor of the National Museum of the American Indian, this cafe is a nod to the culinary traditions of Indians from around the Americas. You can sample salmon cakes from the Pacific Northwest, chicken-stuffed tamales from South America, or buffalo burgers from the Great Plains. After lunch, explore the museum, where your kids can learn about our country's first inhabitants. At the front-desk you can pick up a special Family Guide. Don't miss the film about contemporary American Indian life in the Lelawi Theater on the fourth floor, and be sure to bring little girls by the doll collection.

Draw pictures in the National Portrait Gallery. You'll find the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House here. Forty-two presidents of the United States are on display, including Gilbert Stuart's Lansdowne portrait of George Washington and the famous "cracked plate" photograph of Abraham Lincoln. To engage your kids, hand them a pad of paper and markers and invite them to copy the portraits of the presidents--or suggest that they draw a portrait of themselves as president.

Browse the National Museum of American History. This Smithsonian museum tells the story of our nation's past through its collection of artifacts. A few of the treasures include Abraham Lincoln's top hat, a collection of inaugural ball gowns, Cesar Chavez's union jacket, the Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key to write his poem that later became the national anthem. The museum is big and the collection vast so you might want to start by going over a map with your child and choose just a few specific items to track down. (Note: The museum has been closed for two years for renovations and is reopening November 21, 2009.)