Washington Monument Facts for Kids: Fun Trivia and History They’ll Love
The Washington Monument is one of Washington DC’s most famous landmarks and has a fascinating history all its own. Built in honor of America’s first president, George Washington, this towering obelisk is a definite must-see for kids and families visiting the nation’s capital.
Washington monument facts for kids
The Washington Monument is a fascinating attraction for parents and nannies planning a day out in the nation's capital. Ensure your children get maximum fun out of their visit with these fascinating Washington Monument facts for kids!
1) Tallest structure in DC
The Washington Monument stands 555 feet tall—as tall as nine school buses stacked end-to-end. It is also the tallest all-stone structure on the planet!
2) Took 36 years to build
The Washington Monument took 36 years to complete, about the same amount of time it takes for an acorn to transform into a full-grown oak tree.
3) 897 steps to the top
When the monument first opened, visitors had to climb 897 steps to reach the top. Now, the elevator takes you to the observation deck in just 70 seconds.
4) Made of three different types of stone
The Washington Monument consists of marble, granite, and bluestone. If these stones were laid on the ground, they would cover an entire football field.
5) Lightning protection
The very tip of the Washington Monument is made of aluminum, which helps protect it from lightning damage.
6) Opened to the public in 1888
The Washington Monument officially opened to the public in 1888. People have been visiting this iconic landmark for over 130 years!
7) Different colors
After hold-ups in the building process, it proved impossible to find the same color marble when construction continued. That’s why the marble cladding is three different shades.
8) Built to honor George Washington
As you might have guessed from its name, this monument was built to honor George Washington, the first president of the United States. Inside are 193 special stones sent from across the country and all over the world as gifts.
9) Elevator light show
The elevator ride to the top includes a light show! You can peek through tiny windows and see special stones as you zoom up. The trip down is slower, so you can get a close-up view of this impressive structure.
10) The view from the top
From the observation deck at the top of the Washington Monument, you can see about 30 miles into the distance, right across to the suburbs of Washington DC.
11) Over 36,000 stones
The Washington Monument is made up of more than 36,000 individual stones. If you lined all of these stones up, they’d stretch over 30 miles!
12) 50 flags
A ring of 50 American flags surrounds the base of the monument, one for each state in the U.S.
13) Tallest obelisk in the world
The Washington Monument is the world’s tallest obelisk—a four-sided pillar that tapers to a pyramid-shaped point. If you laid it on its side, it would be as long as almost two football fields.
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