10 Great Birthday Party Entertainers Near Washington, DC

Elsa and Anna are just two of the many characters that can visit your birthday child through Princess Parties of DC. Photo courtesy of Princess Parties of DC

Planning a child's birthday party can be overwhelming—especially if you're hosting it at home. You've got to plan the activities, shop for supplies, set up before the festivities, and clean up once the party is over. But it doesn't have to be this hard. The Washington, DC area is full of birthday party entertainers who will come to your home and take care of it all—the setup, supplies, entertainment, and cleanup. That means all you'll have to do is take pictures and enjoy yourself.


Make a wish! Photo courtesy of the author.

Here is our list of 10 birthday party entertainers near Washington, DC that will suit kids with a wide range of interests, from gamers to glam girls to budding scientists. Party on!

Best Art Classes for Kids in Orlando to Unleash Creativity

Kids enjoy plein air classes at Crealdé School of Art, expressing creativity outside.

Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and all genius artists share something in common—they were once children! Before they became masters in their field, they were just little Claude and Vincent fingerpainting and tiny Pablo doodling in the dirt. Further your own child's artistic talents by enrolling him or her in art classes for kids. Orlando art classes cover a variety of mediums -- pottery, drawing, painting, sculpture, and many more—and welcome all ages, from young children all the way to talented teens (and even adults).

Enriching children's lives with art provides a well-rounded education, promotes creativity, teaches independence and decision-making, unlocks an appreciation of the surrounding world, and helps develop fine motor skills. Oh, and keeps your child entertained, happy, and messy! We've put together some of our favorite Orlando art classes for kids for budding artists in need of unleashing their creative talents.

Theater and Drama Classes on Long Island for Kids

Kids can challenge themselves with improv classes at the Actors Garage.

Whether your child is a natural ham or a kid with a great imagination who feels a little shy, a theater class on Long Island is a fun way for children to build confidence. Experience in the performing arts improves verbal skills, which are especially valuable when kids present oral reports in school. Those with theater backgrounds find themselves drawing on skills they developed in all kinds of ways. When it's time for college entrance and job interviews later in life, kids with performing arts experience can have an edge. 

We are lucky to have many theaters and programs that host acting classes for children here on Long Island. Read on for our picks for budding thespians.

For additional class suggestions, see our Classes and Activities Guide for Long Island Kids.

Disneyland Tips: 12 Hacks You Need To Know

Say hi to Donald! Photo by Richard Harbaugh, courtesy of the Disneyland Resort

Whether you're a Disneyland passholder who can collect Lightning Lane passes in your sleep or a hanger back who hasn't visited the park since you were a tot yourself, there's always more you can learn about making the Happiest Place on Earth easier to navigate. And speaking of the good old days, Disneyland nostalgia buffs will definitely want to plan a visit in 2023 when Disney celebrates a century of smiles with special events, openings, and nighttime displays at Disney100 in Disneyland, part of Disney's celebration of its 100th anniversary.

It's a lot easier to smile, of course, when you have a game plan, so here are a dozen tips you might not know that can make a day in Disney a whole lot happier. And if you're looking to eat outside the park, check out these 8 restaurants near Disneyland, but not in it.

40 Things To Do in Denver with Kids, Other than Hiking

The view is always great at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Take in a show, or climb (or jog) the steps when no one is around.

Known as the Mile High City, Denver, Colorado, is a charming all-seasons destination for a family vacation. You'll find big-city attractions like Denver art museums and animal sanctuaries, including the Denver Zoo and Denver Aquarium, but its outdoor scene is also unparalleled—and don't let the weather scare you: Locals will tell you if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. Another commonly cited fact: Colorado enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. In fact, it's quite easy to get sunburned on its famous ski slopes!

Born and raised in the Denver area, I now enjoy it with my three kids as a tourist on our annual family visits. When we're not in the mountains, there's a good bet you can find us enjoying one of these 40 family-friendly things to do in Denver. Find more of our favorite destinations in our City Travel Guides, including our local guide to Exploring the Rocky Mountains: The Best Things To Do in Boulder, CO with Kids.

The Best Things to Do In Chicago's River North and Gold Coast Neighborhoods with Kids

Spectacular city views  of the Chicago Skyline in River North. Photo courtesy of Wendella Boat Tours.

Whether you’re in town for a day or a week, there are plenty of things to do in River North and Gold Coast, two of Chicago's most-visited neighborhoods. Out of town visitors and Chicago locals looking for a fun family staycation, will find it all here. To help you plan the ultimate day or weekend in River North and the Gold Coast, we’ve rounded up our favorite things to do with kids in those neighborhoods. Plus, we have the most kid-friendly places to eat and stay in Chicago.

From amazing hotel pools and in-room ice cream service to shopping and sightseeing, this is your go-to guide to visiting River North and the Gold Coast with kids. Let’s get started planning your big Chicago trip. 

If you want to venture into other Chicago neighborhoods, check out our 100 Things To Do in Chicago with Kids post. For more neighborhood guides, day trip ideas, and things to do with kids, check out the Mommy Poppins Travel Section.

National Children's Museum Opens in Washington, DC

Kids have many opportunities to get hands-on at the National Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

After 18 years—and then another 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic—Washington, DC has finally gotten a children’s museum! The National Children’s Museum reopened to the public on September 2, 2021 after being open for only 18 days at the start of the pandemic. The National Children's Museum combines the feel of a science center and a children’s museum to create an interactive, fun place for kids ages 0-12 to explore.

I recently got the opportunity to investigate the National Children's Museum with my 3-year-old son on a sneak-peek tour. For a kid who has only gotten to experience museums through Blippi videos due to the pandemic, a museum visit was long overdue, and he had a fantastic time.

Below is my review of the National Children's Museum. You can also check out our list of free museums in DC for more fun museums to visit with kids!

Pages