Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer Marino Walters

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 25 Top Things To Do Near DC This Fall

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 09/08/2023 - 10:10am

It's not fall without a visit to the pumpkin patch. Photo courtesy of Great Country Farms

Fall is just around the corner in DC, and that means gorgeous weather, no stifling humidity or bugs, and beautiful fall foliage. It's the perfect time to enjoy all of the wonderful outdoor things to do in DC this fall that are on our fall bucket list for kids, like pumpkin picking, petting zoos, and tons of family-friendly fall festivals. There are also Halloween events galore, amazing exhibits and shows to see, and exciting fall train rides.

Read on for our list of 30 things to do in DC this fall and its surrounding areas with kids. The list includes fall activities in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the city itself for families and kids of all ages. For even more ideas for autumn activities, check out our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families.

The New Great Wolf Lodge Maryland: An In-Depth Review

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 10:00am

The indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland is the largest of all Great Wolf Lodge locations. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, North America's 20th Great Wolf Lodge resort, opened its doors in late June 2023 in Perryville, MD (under an hour's drive from Baltimore). With 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot water park with 22 water slides, and loads of indoor attractions (plus an outdoor pool), the resort is the largest Great Wolf Lodge location to date.

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland hosted my family for a weekend in late August, and we partook in almost all of the resort's activities. My 12-year-old twin boys and 8-year-old daughter all had a fantastic time.

Read on for my honest review of Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, including tips and tricks on making the most of your family's stay. Then check out Mommy Poppins' reviews of Great Wolf Lodge Poconos and SoCal. You'll find even more great places to stay on your next family vacation in our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide.

Reclining Liberty Statue Comes to the DC Area — and Kids Can Climb and Touch It!

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 10:00am

Kids are allowed—and even encouraged—to touch Reclining Liberty. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington

Lady Liberty has come to the DC area—well, sort of. Reclining Liberty, a 25-foot sculpture modeled after the Statue of Liberty in New York City, was installed on the front lawn of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Arlington in Virginia on August 3, 2023. The statue, made by sculptor Zaq Landsberg, depicts Lady Liberty lying on her side with her head resting on one hand.

Reclining Liberty was originally installed in NYC's Morningside Park in 2021, then moved to Liberty State Park in 2022. It will remain on view at MoCA Arlington until July 28, 2024.

For more information about museums and exhibitions in the DC area, visit our DC Museum Guide for Kids and Families.

Free and Cheap After-School Programs Near DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 08/20/2023 - 10:00am

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington's after-school programs sometimes include snacks or a light meal. Photo courtesy of the organization

After a summer of expensive camps, this handy list of free and cheap after-school programs near DC for kids is quite welcome.

Children across the DC area are heading back to school, which means it's already past time to start thinking about after-school programs. If you haven't found one yet, don't worry: Families looking for enriching, reasonably priced, and even free after-school programs near DC have several options from which to choose. These programs include sports, arts, homework help, and other activities. With offerings in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free program for your kids near you.

We've rounded up 12 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school programs near DC for kids, tweens, and teens. If you're looking for more options, be sure to see our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

New LEGO Discovery Center Opens Near Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 10:00am

Get building tips from Master Model Builders in the LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC's Workshop. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

DC LEGO lovers have a big reason to celebrate: The new LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC officially opened to the public on August 14, 2023 at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Virginia. The 32,000-square-foot indoor attraction features 12 immersive zones, including a Mini World made with over 1.5 million bricks, a train ride, a 4D Cinema, DUPLO Park for the youngest builders, and so much more. There are also LEGO character appearances and plenty of opportunities for creative building.

I had the chance to visit LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC with my 12-year-old twin sons and my 8-year-old daughter. We had an absolute blast, and we can't wait to return!

Read on for my review of LEGO Discovery Center, including tips and tricks on how to maximize your family's visit. Then visit our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for even more indoor fun for DC-area kids.

Our 100 Best Family Vacation Destinations

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 08/12/2023 - 11:46am

Come play at Anakeesta, the mountaintop adventure park in the heart of Gatlinburg. Photo courtesy of Anakeesta

We've written about some amazing family vacation destinations over the years, so we at Mommy Poppins like to think we know a thing or two about the best places to visit with kids. In addition to our own travels and research, we've gotten lots of feedback on awesome cities, beautiful beaches, amazing hotels, and other great locales from readers like you.

To help you plan your next epic family vacation, we've put together this list of the 100 best family vacation destinations. Our list includes awesome spots throughout the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and even Europe and Asia.

Can't get enough inspiration here? Our Family Travel Guide is continually being updated with more great destinations, from the best US family vacation spots that are off the beaten path to the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.

21 Things To Do with DC Babies Before They Turn 1

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 08/04/2023 - 10:00am

The National Children's Museum offers spaces and storytimes just for babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for the best things to do in DC with babies? Here are some great options for family fun with little ones under age 1.

There's nothing quite like seeing the world through your baby's eyes. After all, taking in new sights, sounds, scents, and textures creates a sense of wonder in infants and builds their knowledge of the world around them. And when baby is fussy, sometimes just getting out of the house is all they need.

Luckily, the DC area is full of interesting places to explore with babies, from outdoor playgrounds and gardens to indoor attractions like museums and libraries. And the best part? Almost all of these places are free for babies under 1 (and many for grown-ups, too).

So load up the diaper bag, pull out the stroller, and try these 21 things to do with DC babies before they turn 1. Then check out our Baby and Maternity Guide for more great baby advice, from how to get free baby stuff to the best first birthday gifts.

DC's Best Parks and Playgrounds for Kids' Birthday Parties

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 10:00am

The carousel and playground at National Harbor are lots of fun for kids' birthday parties. Photo courtesy of Spirit Park

The DC area's fantastic parks and playgrounds are some of the best places to host outdoor kids' birthday parties. Playgrounds are inexpensive, they offer built-in entertainment like swings and play structures, and some even have extra summertime features such as carousels and splash pads. And, most parks and playgrounds offer shaded picnic shelters and other covered areas where guests can enjoy pizza, cake, and other treats after play time.

Here are 14 of the best parks and playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for kids' birthday parties. Check out our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Washington, DC to find the best tot lots and toddler playgrounds near DC, great parks with beaches, and more awesome places for outdoor fun.