Visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon Near DC with Kids

Kids of all ages will find lots to explore at Mount Vernon. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Washington, DC—home of the Smithsonian—is known for its fantastic free museums. But there are also some great museums in and near DC that are absolutely worth paying to visit. One of them is Mount Vernon, George Washington's home in Alexandria, Virginia. Roughly 15 miles south of DC, Mount Vernon is full of interesting places to explore, historic items to see, and hands-on activities to enjoy.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Mount Vernon, America's most popular historic estate, with kids. Find more great museums to explore, including our list of the best museums for kids in the DC area, in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in DC.

Visit LuminoCity's Dino Safari for Dinosaur -Sized Entertainment

The only thing better than lifesize dinosaurs are ones that light up! Check out LuminoCity's Dino Safari in Lawrenceville until April 28, 2024. Photo courtesy LuminoCity

Go back in time to the land of towering dinosaurs at LuminoCity's Dino Safari Festival in Lawrenceville! This mesmerizing attraction combines the thrill of prehistoric giants with the magic of detailed light sculptures. Children and adults alike will marvel at the realistic dinosaurs and ancient mammals, as well as have an awesome time at the interactive recreation zone, fossil hunt, and more. Get all the details below to plan a visit before the attraction closes on April 28, 2024.

Solar Eclipse 2024 Watching Events in Philly

Protect little eyes when viewing the eclipse.

Get ready for an extraordinary experience as the highly anticipated total solar eclipse of 2024 approaches! Families in Philadelphia are gearing up to witness this rare event together. On Monday, April 8, during the solar eclipse, the moon will pass in front of the sun, casting a captivating shadow and creating moments of darkness in the middle of the day.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun's bright face, also known as totality, and day momentarily turns into night. At its peak, the sun will be about 85% eclipsed by the moon in our area.

Read on for a list of the best events and destinations for experiencing the solar eclipse 2024 in the Philadelphia area.

Best Trampoline Parks in Los Angeles: Sky Zone, Urban Air, and More!

Dodgeball takes on new dimensions when played on a trampoline. Photo courtesy of Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Looking for the best trampoline parks in Los Angeles and Orange County where kids can safely bounce off the walls? We found 'em, and they're perfect for rainy days, team activities, and birthday parties!

Bounce, flip, repeat. Big kids, little kids—they all like to jump. Even Mom and Dad enjoy some trampoline park exercise (though they might just prefer the trampoline park below that offers massage chairs on the sidelines). Bring a pack of kids for a birthday party, and they'll all sleep well afterward; bring an antsy one on a rainy day, and watch the mood change for the better. With sections for everything from raucous dodgeball games for big kids to tiny tot gentle bouncing play; there's a little something for every kid of every age.

For more indoor active activities, check out our roundups of the best indoor rock climbing gyms and extreme sports centers in the Los Angeles Guide To Sports Centers and Fun Zones.

125 Fun Facts For Kids That Will Blow Their Minds

Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette

It’s a (fun) fact: kids’ brains are like tiny sponges. They love to soak up all the knowledge and fun facts that they can. The sillier and more random fun facts get, the more kids love them.

These 125 entertaining fun facts for kids will inspire your budding brainiac to dive deeper into science, history, geography, and more. Whether you use this list to impress your kiddos with your own knowledge of weird fun facts or to keep the whole family entertained on a long car ride, these fun facts are sure to impress and entertain the whole family.

If these fun facts leave your kids wanting more, check out these 50 fun animal facts for kids and 100 trivia questions for kids. You'll find these and more in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide.

Visiting Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton with Kids: What You Need to Know

Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University has great places for kids to play or to sit quietly with a book.

Cotsen Children’s Library is a gem tucked away inside the Princeton University Library that my family and I stumbled on one day while wandering around Princeton's picturesque campus. Our kids were thrilled, and we adults were impressed too.

The library boasts whimsical places for older kids to sit and read, as well as exciting places for younger children to explore, like a Bonsai tree house. Cotsen also hosts regular events, including weekly storytimes. Read on for more details on this exciting children’s library.

And, if you're traveling to Princeton for the day, check out our Princeton roundup for more fun things to do with your family.

Intrepid Museum's Spectacular New Apollo Exhibit Is an Epic Look at the Space Race

The Intrepid Museum's Space Shuttle Pavilion is the backdrop for a brand new exhibit dedicated to the advent of space travel.

The Intrepid Museum invites visitors to relive the space race this spring with a brand-new exhibition entitled Apollo: When We Went to the Moon, which opened just last week in the Space Shuttle Pavilion.

The largest temporary exhibit ever mounted by the museum, it's just another reason to love a visit to the Intrepid Museum with kids. Read on for a sneak peek of the exhibition, which is perfect for aspiring astronauts and history buffs alike, and find more fun exhibits in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums and Galleries.

Pages