Got a young skater looking to work on their ollies, kickturns, or heelflips? There are plenty of skate parks near Washington, DC that welcome everyone from newbies to experienced skateboarders. Some of them are strictly skateboard parks, while others allow in-line skates, rollerblades, and/or bicycles as well. Most of these skate parks near DC require helmets (but even if they don't, your kiddo should totally wear one), and many require elbow pads and kneepads as well.

Here are 12 great skate parks near Washington, DC for kids and families. For even more outdoor fun, check out our lists of destination playgrounds in the DC area and great mini golf courses near DC.

This spring, the family theater scene is finally back in full bloom! There are page-to-stage (or screen-to-stage) adaptations of preschooler favorites (Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, The Pout-Pout Fish, PAW Patrol Live!); inventive theatricalizations of beloved grade-schooler books (Dog Man: The Musical, Charlotte's Web); and powerful productions aimed at adolescents (Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Step Afrika!'s history-inspired Stono).

Best of all, most of these 15 family-friendly shows have tickets starting at $25 or less, so you can take the whole family for less than the price of one ticket to our favorite Broadway shows!

Who's ready for an adventure? If your family enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and biking, your crew might love rail biking. Rail biking is a super fun way to enjoy nature and see the sights while pedaling a special bicycle along a stretch of abandoned rail trails. From Cape May to the Adirondacks, there are several places to go rail biking near New York City. These beautiful rail trails in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut are a jumping-off point for a picture-perfect family outing.

Find more fun things to do in our Guide to Family-Friendly Outdoor Fun.

If your adventuresome little skater likes to carve and ollie and has started turning your furniture and household items into a skating playground, we've got a better idea. Take them to one of these skate parks in Long Island, where roller skaters, bladers, skateboarders, trick bikers, and more daredevils show off their stunts, fully padded and protected of course.

Find more action-packed outings in our guide to Sports Centers and Fun Zones on Long Island.

The environment is one of the most critical issues facing our children’s futures. Our new Earth Kids Guide and newsletter will provide meaningful and fun activities to engage children and families with sustainability.

When I started Mommy Poppins in 2007, my vision was to organize information about the most interesting, especially free and affordable, cultural activities and destinations for families to create greater access to things that were not at that time always easy to find out about. I wanted to promote a vision of parenting that was about enriching the lives of families with culture and amazing experiences, rather than products and unachievable (for most people) luxuries.  

15 years later, as our world seems to be wobbling on its axis, my concerns as a parent are so different. The climate crisis is front and center because without a healthy planet, what else matters? But how do we change course on this road we seem to be so far down already?

Few suburban comforts make me jealous, but the ability to host an at-home birthday party is one. Fear not: There are inexpensive birthday party room rentals in NYC; you just have to know where to look.

Keep in mind, buying an all-inclusive package can get pricey, especially if you want to invite your child's entire class. So, these spots all require DIY inventiveness, but you'll be rewarded with a special day that won't (totally) break the budget. If these prices still don't work for you, consider downsizing the guest list and partying at home with these tips for planning an at-home party and these five party ideas for small spaces.

Read on for inspiration and where to find a birthday party room rental near you, and check out our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee and its neighbor, Pigeon Forge, offer a wonderful mix of outdoor adventure, yummy Southern food, and tons of family fun (Dollywood, here we come). Just read our post about 70 Fun Things To Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN to see all of the kid-friendly activities in these eastern-Tennessee mountain towns. It's no surprise, then, that there are also a ton of family-friendly Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels.

Many of the hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN and Gatlinburg are more than just places to crash. Many Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels also have amenities like water slides, playgrounds, kids' activities, and on-site restaurants. Several are located just north of Pigeon Forge in Sevierville, TN, a great option for families visiting Dollywood and Pigeon Forge attractions.

Read on for our list of the best Gatlinburg hotels and hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN for families. While you're in vacation-planning mode, be sure to also check out our Family Travel Guide for more ideas for fun family getaways.