Washington DC

Panda Palooza: A Farewell to the National Zoo's Giant Pandas

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on

The National Zoo's giant pandas are set to return to China by December 7, 2023. Photo credit to Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Farewell, giant pandas!

It's time to say goodbye to some of Washington, DC's most beloved residents. Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji, the Smithsonian National Zoo's giant pandas, are scheduled to fly home to China by December 7, 2023. While the pandas' departure is bittersweet for the DC area, it is also a chance to celebrate the conservation efforts for this species and the collaboration between the National Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

To help local families see the pandas off, the zoo is hosting a nine-day Panda Palooza full of panda-themed games, activities, entertainment, and more. Here's what to know about this celebration and the beloved pandas.

Best Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on

Gymboree classes are a ton of fun for little ones. Photo courtesy of Gymboree Play and Music

Classes are a great way to keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained, engaged, and learning—especially if they're not in daycare or preschool full-time. They also help little ones make new friends and bond with their caregivers. And they help young children determine and develop interests that may last them a lifetime.

Here are some top classes near DC for preschoolers and toddlers, many of which are Mommy & Me classes so parents can get in on the fun. These classes near DC include everything from art classes to sports classesfor the under-5 set. Check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC for even more great options.

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

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on

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

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

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.

LEGO Discovery Center Opens Near Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on

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.

Best Swimming Lessons for Kids Near DC

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on

Two thumbs up for water safety! Photo courtesy of SafeSplash Swim School

Swimming lessons teach kids one of the most important life skills—one that will keep them safe in pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. Lucky, there are plenty of swim schools in the DC area that offer swimming lessons for kids, from beginner swimmers as young as 3 months old to experienced swimmers looking for a competitive edge.

Dive into our list of 12 great schools that offer swimming lessons for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Then find more kids' classes and programs—including baby swimming classes in DC—in our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC. You can also check our directory of classes to find the perfect class for your child. 

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids Near DC: Go-Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on

Axe Throwing isn't just for grown-ups! Photo courtesy of Bad Axe Throwing

If you have an adventurous kid who likes to climb to great heights, race as fast as they can, and try new (and maybe a little scary) things, extreme sports like aerial arts, axe throwing, and go-karting might be right up their alley. Extreme sports may seem, well, extreme, but they're totally safe and quite thrilling for kids who need a little adrenaline rush. They're also perfect things to do with teens and tweens who may roll their eyes at less exciting activities.

We've rounded up the best extreme sports and activities in the DC area, from flying trapeze and indoor skydiving to archery and whitewater tubing. For even more thrills, check out our lists of trampoline parks, ninja warrior and parkour gyms, skate parks, and rock climbing gyms near DC.

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