Your guide to the best museum shop gifts for the whole family, including creative finds for kids, art lovers, history buffs, design enthusiasts and everyone in between.
Looking for a new way to tackle your holiday shopping? Museum shops can be a fun alternative to browsing online megastores or facing mall crowds. You can use the gift-giving season as an opportunity to explore and support some of the DC-area’s outstanding cultural institutions by purchasing gifts from local museums.
Since each shop’s merchandise is carefully curated to reflect the museum’s unique collections, you’ll find a distinctive selection of unusual and creative items, making museum shops an ideal place to find something special for everyone on your list from tots to teens and parents, too!
Key Takeaways
This article was updated on Sept. 17, 2026, by Washington Parent staff writer Sanya Bathia. Her update included finding the most recent offerings for all ages at local museums.
Museum shop gifts for the littles
Museum shops have fun toys, unique books and huggable plushies for your little ones.
Dress your baby in an I’m a Work of Art Onesie from the National Gallery of Art’s shop. The shop also has a great selection of artful toys including the Renoir, The Dancer Crocheted Doll.
Kids will love Palimals, an adorable collection of cute and colorful wooden toy animals from The Phillips Collection shop, as well as the crocheted Miffy doll inspired by the beloved children’s book character.
Check out the Komatsu Excavator Plush Toy from the National Building Museum’s shop for your construction-obsessed child who will enjoy cuddling with their very own soft and snuggly construction vehicle.
The National Postal Museum’s plush Owney the Dog Toy is a lovable, furry companion and the museum shop’s toy U.S. Postal Service Mail Truck is a fun addition to any toy transportation collection. For older kids, The Great American Mail Race board game makes a great family game night challenge.
Your whole family will love “A is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book,” a colorful board book by the National Museum of African American History & Culture, celebrating human diversity and the uniqueness of every person.
For the foodie
From unique recipe books to elegant tableware, museum shops have the perfect gift for the culinary connoisseur in your life.
The Julia Child Recipe Keeper from the National Museum of American History’s shop is perfect for saving recipes and includes a brief biography of Julia Child along with her classic Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.
The store also carries a delicious, fruity Front Porch herbal tea blend by Blue’s Coffee & Tea, a D.C.-based, minority-owned business committed to sustainable sourcing. For more from Blue’s Coffee & Tea, check out the Ruby Marguerite Rooibos blend made exclusively for Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden’s shop.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture has a plethora of delicious cookbooks in their arsenal, but if you are looking for a comprehensive cookbook with cuisines from all over the world, the “The Seven Culinary Wonders of the World” is a lovely recipe book, and one of their most popular.
Never miss a weekend.
Get next weekend’s guide delivered to your inbox before Friday. Free family events, local picks and things to do across DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, curated for busy parents.
For science-minded kids and teens
Whether your kid is infatuated with dinosaurs, or your teen is a total techie, museum shops have the perfect gifts for your science-minded family members.
The International Spy Museum Store has a wealth of gadgets for the technophile like the Ultralight Camera Drone and Spy X Night Mission Goggles.
Your little superhero is going to save the world in their Climate Action Hero Cape from the National Children’s Museum. Children can take the museum’s online quiz to discover their climate action superpower and learn ways to fight climate change.
The Smithsonian Mega Science Lab Kit from the National Museum of Natural History is full of scientific hands-on fun including a dino dig, a crystal growing kit and mini eco dome.
The Dinosaurs! VR Kit from the National Museum of Natural History’s shop lets you explore prehistoric creatures in lifelike detail with an interactive book and virtual reality goggles.
Museum shop gifts for art lovers
For the artist in your family, museum shops offer a tremendous selection of artmaking kits, handmade crafts and art-inspired fashion.
Kids can get creative with the Elseware: Watercolor Pencils from the Phillips Collection shop, with an eco-friendly wrap canvas and 36 different colors included.
Sidewalk art just got a little fancier with Insectarium Sidewalk Chalk Sets from Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. Although they are not listed online, they are available at the in-person gift shop at Hillwood Estate.
The National Building Museum’s shop has a variety of kits for the creatively inclined, including an Airplane Origami Kit and Frank Lloyd Wright Paint-By-Number Kit.
For the fashionista on your list, check out The Textile Museum’s Artisans Gallery where you’ll find gorgeous, culturally authentic, handmade textiles from around the world including the Double-Sided Silk Kalamkari Scarf, Silk Velvet Ikay Clutch and Cotton Potli Bag with Tassels.
Many art museum shops also carry stunning jewelry such as the Indigo Coil Earrings from the Renwick Gallery’s shop, the Elva Necklace from The Phillips Collection shop and Kinetic Art Earrings from the National Gallery of Art.
For parents who need a little relaxation
For the parent who needs a little rest and relaxation, museum shops have the perfect items for a cozy day at home.
When you need a few moments to yourself, the ornate Do Not Disturb Sign from Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is the perfect way to send the message with a little bling.
Lounge at home in comfort and style with brightly colored Alma Thomas: Tiptoe Through the Tulips, Pajama Pants from the National Gallery of Art.
Cozy up with a warm cup of soothing tea in the National Building Museum’s Magisso Tilting Teacup, specially designed so that you can brew your tea directly in the cup. Or enjoy your tea in the striking and elegant Sheila Bridges tea set from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Don’t forget about museum memberships
With all your holiday shopping, you may want to become a member at your favorite museum. Not only is it a great way to get discounts on all your holiday purchases, it’s also a fun experience gift for the whole family. Membership discounts vary by museum, membership level, merchandise category and purchase channel.
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and daughter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What museum shop gifts are good for young children?
Plush animals, colorful board books, wooden toy animals and art supplies are among the museum shop gifts featured in this guide. Options include Owney the Dog from the National Postal Museum and Palimals from The Phillips Collection shop.
What can you find at museum shops for adults?
Museum shops offer cookbooks, specialty teas, handmade textiles, jewelry and gifts for relaxing at home. This guide includes art-inspired pajama pants, a recipe keeper and a tea set.
Can museum memberships help you save on gifts?
A museum membership can offer shopping discounts while also making an experience gift for the family. Discounts vary by museum, membership level, merchandise category and purchase channel.
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and daughter.
