Infant-Gratification Trips

So, dear parents of small ones, you can pretty much kiss day trips goodbye between the naps and general stamina (or lack thereof) of your Mini-Me's, right?

Well, perhaps. But just because you have one that must stay on a naps-at-home-in-crib schedule, that doesn't mean you can't still have a good outing. The key is to think small, even if the venue is big. The National Zoo? No problem. The National Gallery of Art? Sure! A farm? Gardens? You can do it all. You just have to narrow your focus.

Oh, and you might actually have fun.

National Gallery of Art

Enter the East Building of the National Gallery of Art and you've entered Infant Nirvana. Why? Because it contains some of the largest mobiles in the world, thanks to Alexander Calder. The mammoth "Untitled" black, red and orange sculpture that gently rotates overhead in the main entrance is mesmerizing. If your little ones don't stare in awe at that one, there are rooms full of other smaller and closer pieces that will capture their lines of sight. On a recent visit with my then-10-month-old, security guards chuckled as Sam pointed, stared and yelled, "Dat!"

Thank you, Calder. (This is so much cooler than the stuffed zebras and lions that circle crib-side to Brahms's "Lullaby.")

After time spent staring at the mobiles, children in strollers, arms and carriers alike will enjoy a ride through the tunnel on a people mover to the glass-enclosed waterfall that splashes down from the outside fountain. And parents will enjoy the cafeteria for a few minutes of relaxation.

Another option is a quick stroll over to the museum's Sculpture Garden and its Pavilion Cafe, where strollers are welcome inside and at outdoor tables with umbrellas. Again, the big sculptures elicit much pudgy finger-pointing, and the jazz piped over the system is always soothing. Even for usually harried parents.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART Between Third and Seventh streets at Constitution Avenue NW; the Sculpture Garden is at Seventh and Constitution (Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter). 202-737-4215.http://www.nga.gov. Museum open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sculpture Garden open Monday-Thursday and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. FREE

National Zoo

Pity the poor tourist, for he must spend hours at the National Zoo, water in hand, begging for an end to the hill, the animals, the vending booths and the whiney tantrums. Residents, however, aren't driven by the need to see everything right now and can really enjoy the zoo by taking it in small doses. Like the National Gallery, it's free. So a Metro ride or a parking spot in one of the lots is an inexpensive way to enjoy one of the best parks in the city.

Want a good, quick option? Go, park, walk to the Elephant House, which is at the halfway point of the zoo, and watch the huge mammals roll over to get their backs scrubbed during their baths, complete with zookeeper squeegees and long brushes every morning at 10:30. Or take a quick hop off Connecticut Avenue NW to catch the almost humanlike sloth bears slurp up grubs through tubes at 11:30. Come a few minutes early for a close encounter; those hungry sloths know when the treats are coming, and they sit just feet from the glass to wait. Enter at the lowest part of the zoo (either from Rock Creek Park or the entrance at Harvard Street NW) and you can walk just a few steps to the farm petting zoo or the giant pizza playground.

The many volunteers or folks at the information booths will point out when there's an interesting happening or feeding, so you can check it out and still have time to treat yourself to gelato before Junior joins the roars of the lions because he hasn't had his nap.

NATIONAL ZOO 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW (Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan or Cleveland Park; zoo is halfway between the stops, though be aware that the walk from Woodley is uphill). You can also enter from Rock Creek Park or Harvard Street NW. 202-633-4800.http://www.nationalzoo.si.edu. Grounds open daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Buildings open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. FREE

Brookside Gardens

The lush, goose- and turtle-filled Brookside Gardens is a wonderful place to spend a day. It's also a perfect place for a short walk or a quick visit with your babies. Strollers do well here, and little ones just starting to enjoy the world around them will be amazed. "Wings of Fancy," the live butterfly exhibit that lasts through Sept. 21, doesn't have the long lines commonplace at the National Museum of Natural History's butterfly pavilion. It's a rare visit that doesn't include sightings of one or more turtles at the pond near the labyrinth. And, oh, that labyrinth. It's a fitting place for a mommy or daddy with baby in Bjorn to meditate and get that babe to fall asleep.

"This is the perfect age for him, exploring the creek and flowers," says Katerina Davitaia of Anne Arundel County, as her 1 1/2 -year-old son, Niko, toddles around the trees. They visited Brookside last year to experience the butterflies. He loved it then, too, as he reached out to touch their colorful wings, Davitaia says.

Dancing fountains, blossoming trees and blooming flowers are plentiful entertainment for little eyes.

BROOKSIDE GARDENS 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. 301-962-1400. Gardens open daily sunrise to sunset. Visitors center open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gardens are FREE; "Wings of Fancy" butterfly exhibit is $5, ages 3 to 12 $4.

Frying Pan Farm Park

The sign in front of this working farm (yes, really) in Fairfax County announces which baby animals are there, ready to be gawked at by small people. At Frying Pan Farm Park, piglets hang close to mom while baby goats tumble over one another to get to their food. A loud peacock catches everyone's eye. And a short enough wagon ride that loops the farm to horse riding trails, through fields and past cows is a special treat for parents and those sitting in their laps. Make sure to bring a camera for that first shot of your toddler sitting on a miniature tractor. There is a playground for older kids, clean bathrooms aplenty and room to crawl in grass or laze in the shade of a tree and ponder the old days.

Want to know what animals await before you make the drive there? The "birthing schedule" on the park's Web site will tell you: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/newarrivals.htm.

FRYING PAN FARM PARK 2709 W. Ox Rd., Herndon. 703-437-9101.http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp. Wagon rides daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $3. Park open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FREE