James Smith

Latest posts by James

Coronavirus Update: Closings, Cancellations in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 03/13/2020 - 6:18pm

The National Portrait Gallery is closed for now. Photo by Marquis Perkins courtesy of Washington.org

As the coronavirus continues its near relentless march across the country, we here at Mommy Poppins DC will share with you what we know about school closings, museum closings, event postponements and cancellations, and more.

In the meantime, see our Coronavirus Guide for Parents, for tons of resources and Boredom Busters to keep the kids busy. We've got educational science experiments, fun exercise games, remote learning resources such as FREE online coding classes for kids, and more.

Here is what we know so far:

Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend: St. Patrick's Day Parade, Scavenger Hunt

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 03/11/2020 - 6:00am

Celebrate Irish culture at Atlanta's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Irish Dance

It's mid-March in Atlanta, and that can only mean it's time for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Headlining this weekend's list of great things to do with kids in the Atlanta area is the city's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, which begins at 15th and Peachtree streets on Saturday, complete with pipers, marching bands, Irish food, and more.

Elsewhere, families can enjoy a STEM-themed scavenger hunt along Atlanta's BeltLine, a tea party with your little princess in McDonough, children's theater, puppetry, and more.

Things to Do in Washington, DC This Weekend: Purim, Spy Sleepover, Music

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 03/04/2020 - 8:15am

Enjoy a Persian New Year festival, and don't forget your costume. Photo courtesy of National Museum of Asian Art

This weekend, take advantage of the last few weeks of winter to introduce your kids to a little bit of multicultural DC. The Jewish festival of Purim inspires a pair of celebrations in Washington, DC, including a family carnival; and a celebration of Persian New Year delights at the Freer and Sackler galleries.

Kids can bake St. Patrick's Day treats in Sterling, Virginia, bond with the family in Baltimore, or enjoy bilingual music at the Kennedy Center.

Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend: Central Florida Fair, Touch a Truck

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 03/04/2020 - 8:00am

Indulge your inner trucker at Downtown Orlando Touch A Truck. Photo courtesy of the event

There is good news for fans of sunshine this weekend. Daylight saving time brings an extra hour of afternoon sunlight to the Sunshine State, so why not get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Hit the Central Florida Fair in Orlando this weekend before its annual run closes. Take in an arts festival in Lake Mary, or challenge yourself on the rides at the Apopka Fair.

Speaking of rides, there are theme park celebrations at Universal, SeaWorld and Epcot, and even a retro toy fest in Kissimmee.

Little Eyes Can Spy at International Spy Museum DC

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 02/28/2020 - 6:00am

Your covert mission begins with an undercover identity at the Spy Museum.

Hidden in plain sight, appropriately enough, in L’Enfant Plaza is the newly reconstituted International Spy Museum DC. And what adventures little eyes can spy at this tween and teen showplace.

The International Spy Museum is, in fact, a museum dedicated to espionage. The Spy Museum houses the largest collection of spy-related relics ever put on display, and its collection tripled in size shortly before its 2019 relocation to L’Enfant Plaza, near DC's Smithsonian museums.

Things to Do in Washington, DC This Weekend: Heritage Fest, Children's Theater

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 10:18am

Drop in for some art making at the Walters Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Good news, fans of February: Not only does the calendar give us that rare leap day in 2020, it also drops it right into the middle of a Washington, DC weekend.

That means there's plenty of fun to be had on February 29, including heritage festivals , writing clinics, pop-up parties, children's theater, and more.

And if you're eager to begin March, you can also enjoy special programs on Sunday at Imagination Stage in Bethesda and the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and even a visit from The Great Zucchini.

Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend: Fairs, Parades, Kite Day

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 9:36am

The Central Florida Fair offers primers on fire fighting and more. Photo courtesy of Central Florida Fair

Good news, fans of February: Not only does the calendar give us that rare leap day in 2020, it also drops it right into the middle of an Orlando weekend.

That means there's plenty of fun to be had on February 29, including Mardi Gras festivals, community celebrations, children's theater, and more.

And if you're eager to begin March, you can also enjoy special programs at Universal and SeaWorld, the Central Florida Fair, and Central Florida's first St. Patrick's Day parade of the season.

Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend: Kids Marathon, Stargazing, Leap Day

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 9:03am

Visit the alpacas at the 40-acre Creekwater Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Good news, fans of February: Not only does the calendar give us that rare leap day in 2020, it also drops it right into the middle of an Atlanta weekend.

That means there's plenty of fun to be had on February 29, including storytimes, children's films, stargazing, nature activities, and more.

And if you're eager to begin March, you can also enjoy special programs at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Fernbank Museum.