Jennifer Marino Walters

Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.

Latest posts by Jennifer

15 Best Halloween Towns in the US: From Salem, MA to the Winchester House

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 10/15/2022 - 10:44am

Step into the legend of Ichabod Crane in the town of Sleepy Hollow. Photo courtesy of Visit Sleepy Hollow

If your family really wants to get into the Halloween spirit, skip your local pumpkin patch and make a pilgrimage to a truly terrific Halloween town. A Halloween town might be a city that goes all out on Halloween, like Los Angeles; it might be a town with a storied history, like Salem, MA or Sleepy Hollow in NY; or it might even be an actual ghost town.

Here are 15 of the best Halloween towns, haunted locals, and spooky cities in the country to visit with kids. Here you'll find haunted attractions, ghost tours, creepy parades, and more—these towns just ooze Halloween. For more Halloween happenings in your own city, check out your local Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids—if you dare!

Best Halloween Trails and Haunted Houses Near DC for Kids: From Simply Spooky to Super Scary

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 9:26am

There are some not-so-spooky haunted houses across the area that little kids would love. Photo courtesy of DC Department of Parks and Recreation

Haunted houses and spooky Halloween trails are on many families' fall bucket lists. But some kids (and grown-ups, too) aren't into anything too terrifying or creepy. Luckily, there are plenty of Halloween trails and haunted houses near DC to suit any fear tolerance, from simply spooky to super scary. These Halloween attractions range from themed haunted houses for younger kids to terrifying jaunts through the woods for tweens, teens, and adults.

If you dare, add these spooky trails and haunted houses near DC to your list of things to do this Halloween. For more seasonal fun, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC, our roundup of the top Halloween events in DC for kids, and our list of the best free Halloween events for families.

Visiting ZavaZone Trampoline Park with Kids: What to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 11:55am

ZavaZone's ninja warrior course will challenge kids and adults of varying abilities.

When the weather isn't great and your kids just need to burn some energy, a trampoline park is the perfect indoor activity. Luckily, there are plenty of fun trampoline parks near DC where kids can bounce, jump, and climb their wiggles away.

My family recently had a chance to visit ZavaZone Trampoline Park at the Potomac Mills shopping center in Woodbridge, Virginia (there are also locations in Sterling, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland). All three of my kids—11-year-old twin boys and an 8-year-old girl—had a blast. They had so much fun, in fact, that we added more time after our hour of play was over!

Everyone from kindergartners to teens to adults can find fun things to do at ZavaZone. Here's what to expect when visiting ZavaZone Trampoline Park with kids. For more indoor family fun near DC, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC.

Best Art Classes for Kids in DC: Toddler Art Classes, Sewing Classes, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Mon, 09/19/2022 - 12:00pm

At District Clay Center, kids can learn to create—not just paint—pottery. Photo courtesy of District Clay Center

Creating art has so many proven benefits for kids—building and improving fine motor skills, helping kids understand themselves and the world around them, promoting creativity, and so much more. Luckily, there is no shortage of art classes for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to help little creators refine their skills. These art classes for kids in DC range from toddler art classes to classes for teens, and include both general art classes and specialty classes in pottery, sewing, and other art forms. Here are the top art classes for kids in DC and its surrounding areas that will get children drawing, painting, sculpting, and creating masterpieces.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from baby swimming classes to kids' sports classes, check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC and our directory of classes in Washington, DC.

Best Kids' Sports Classes in DC: Soccer Classes, Basketball Classes, Baseball Classes, and Tennis Classes

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 08/14/2022 - 12:30pm

Batter up! Photo courtesy of Gatorball Academy

Sports are a great way for kids to stay active, make friends, and learn how to be part of a team. Children who are new to a sport can benefit from introductory kids' sports classes before they jump into competitive play. Other, more seasoned young athletes can hone their skills at specialized sports clinics and classes.

Here are some of the best kids' sports classes in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for athletes of all ages and experience levels, from toddlers through high schoolers. These kids' sports classes include soccer classes, basketball classes, baseball classes, and tennis classes. We've also thrown in a few places that offer classes in multiple sports.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from dance classes to Mommy & Me classes, check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 08/07/2022 - 10:00am

Be the best parent you can be by taking some pregnancy and parenting classes in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Photo courtesy of Momease

First-time parenthood is a joyous occasion in anyone's life, but it can also be a stressful time full of all sorts of questions. What can parents expect during pregnancy? What will labor and childbirth be like? How can parents best care for a new baby? Pregnancy and parenting classes can help answer all of these questions and more. And with a huge variety of pregnancy and parenting classes in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, families can find the perfect class to meet their needs.

We've rounded up some of the best pregnancy and parenting classes in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, including a few free classes. These classes cover topics like labor and delivery, infant care and CPR, breastfeeding, and more. Many of these pregnany and parenting classes are offered both virtually and in person.

Once your child is big enough to take classes of their own, check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC for classes for kids of all ages and interests, from baby swim classes to dance classes for kids.

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery with Kids: What to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 07/03/2022 - 12:54pm

Place wreaths at the graves of fallen soldiers during the annual Wreaths Across America event. Photo courtesy of the author

Arlington National Cemetery is one of the oldest and most famous cemeteries in the US. Established in 1864, this hallowed ground serves as the final resting place of over 400,000 veterans and their spouses and children. Service members from every major American war are interred there, as well as many famous Americans including Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and astronaut John Glenn.

With its rows and rows of perfectly aligned, identical white headstones, Arlington National Cemetery is a truly breathtaking sight. But while it is indeed a solemn place, it is also a wonderful place to visit with kids and teach them about American history. Arlington National Cemetery's beauty and historical significance have landed it on our lists of 100 things to do in DC with kids before they grow up and the top tourist attractions in DC.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Arlington National Cemetery with kids.

10 Parks with Beaches near DC for a Day Trip with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 05/15/2022 - 10:00am

Leesylvania State Park has a larger beach and several smaller sandy areas that kids love to explore.

Families living in the DC area are fortunate to have so many things to do at our fingertips—free world-class museums, amazing destination playgrounds, loads of delicious restaurants, you name it. But when the ocean beckons, we have to drive 2.5 hours or more to find family-friendly beaches near DC. So what's a parent to do when the kids are begging to build sandcastles and splash in the water and you don't have the time or energy for a weekend trip? Just head to one of several parks with beaches near DC.

Most of these parks with beaches near DC charge a small per-person or per-vehicle fee to enter in the summer, and their sandy beach areas are located on rivers or lakes rather than the ocean. Also, some of them don't allow swimming, only wading. Still, families can bask in the sunshine, feel the sand between their toes, and pretend they hear waves crashing ashore.

Here are 10 parks with beaches near DC for family fun by the water. Go early on weekends to avoid the crowds, and don't forget the sunscreen!

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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