Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer Marino Walters

Top Dual-Language and Immersion Preschools Near DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 08/23/2024 - 8:54am

Dual-language preschools provide so many brain benefits for little ones.

Language immersion and dual-language preschools provide so many benefits for young children. Fluency in more than one language offers kids more communication opportunities and a greater understanding of other cultures. Studies have shown that learning a new language also strengthens brain function, improves planning and focus, fosters greater empathy, and can increase kids' job prospects later in life.

With the DC area being so diverse, it's no shock that it's home to such great dual-language and immersion preschools. Here are some of the top language immersion and dual-language preschools in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia where kids can learn Spanish, French, Russian, or Mandarin.

Find more great preschool options in our lists of 15 popular preschools and the top Montessori preschools near DC.

End of Summer Bucket List: 25 Things to Do in DC Before School Starts

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 08/04/2024 - 9:51am

Beat the August heat at a splash pad or sprinkler park. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort

If you haven't yet crossed everything off your family's summer bucket list, no sweat—there are still so many things to do in DC with kids before school starts (see the 2024-25 school calendars for DC and other local school districts here). Even better, many of these summer events and activities are free! We're talking free summer concerts, free outdoor movies, and more fun that won't cost a dime.

Read on for your family's ultimate end of summer bucket list in DC and its surrounding areas. Our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide has even more fun things to do. Your kiddos will have so many fun memories to share once school starts back up again!

Best Family Road Trips From Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 08/02/2024 - 11:11am

Gorgeous beaches, fresh seafood, and plenty of history makes the Outer Banks a perfect summer destination from DC. Photo by Bill Kleb via Flickr

If you don't want to deal with the hassle of air travel for your next family vacation, there's no need to: There are are loads of great family road trips from DC that will entertain the entire crew. Whether you're looking for a beach retreat, a big-city adventure, an active outdoor vacation, or just a change of scenery, there are so many great places to visit within a five-hour drive from the DC area.

Here are 15 fun family road trips from DC, including some fun-filled places in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and North Carolina. Check out our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways From DC for even more great places to visit. And, our Ultimate Road Trip Guide for Families will ensure the trip runs smoothly.

Giant Pandas are Returning to DC's National Zoo!

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 07/26/2024 - 10:00am

The countdown is on for the return of giant pandas to Smithsonian's National Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo

DC panda lovers have two giant reasons to celebrate! The Smithsonian National Zoo announced in May that it will welcome two new giant pandas from China by the end of 2024—Bao Li and Qing Bao. After saying goodbye to pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji in November 2023 during a series of events called Panda Palooza, this is welcome news for a city that has grown to cherish these animals.

Read on to learn all about the new giant pandas coming to DC. Then check out our guide to visiting DC's National Zoo with kids.

Top Family-Friendly Beer Gardens and Breweries Near Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:23am

An arcade, board and card games, and more fun for kids await at City-State Brewing Company. Photo courtesy of the brewery

If you're hankering for a cold beer that's not from a bottle or can, you don't need to hire a babysitter. The greater DC area is full of kid-friendly beer gardens and breweries with large outdoor spaces, lawn games, playgrounds, and other amenities that make them perfect for families. Some of these breweries and beer gardens also have playgrounds, live music, farm animals, and even arcades.

Here are 21 family-friendly beer gardens and breweries in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids. Many of them allow you to bring your dog, too, so no family member needs to be left behind.

If wine is more your style, check out our list of family-friendly wineries near DC. Our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide will show you even more great places to grab a bite to eat—and a drink—with little ones in tow.;

100 Activities for Bored Teens (No Screens)

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Thu, 07/11/2024 - 12:00pm

Pull on some rollerblades and go for a spin! Photo by Joseph Gage via Flickr

Looking for screen-free activities for teens? Read on for our list of 100 fun ideas.

Bored teens usually turn to one thing—screens. But too much time playing video games, texting, watching YouTube, and binge-watching TV isn't healthy for anyone.

So the next time your teen says, "I'm bored," show them this list of 100 things they can do to pass the time. It includes both solo activities for teens and things they can do with siblings or friends, including fun games for teens, crafts for teens, outdoor activities, cooking projects, and more.

Our Teen and Tween Activities Guide offers more guidance on raising your no-longer-little kids, from our Teen and Tween Gift Guide to ideas for college care packages.

14 Batting Cages Near DC for Young Baseball and Softball Sluggers

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 07/07/2024 - 11:38am

It may not be baseball or softball season year-round, but the variety of batting cages near DC means the hitting doesn't have to stop. From indoor batting cages with fancy pitching machines and video analysis to outdoor, token-operated batting cages, little sluggers of all ages and skill levels can practice their swing all year long.

Here are 14 outdoor and indoor batting cages near DC for young baseball or softball enthusiasts. Find more physical fun for kids in our DC Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and More. And if your child can't get enough baseball, try some of these Little League baseball drills you can do at home.

Peach Picking Near DC: 12 Great Pick-Your-Own Farms

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 07/05/2024 - 12:00pm

Peaches are ripe for the picking in the DC area!

It's summertime and the pickin' is easy: peach picking, that is! July and August are the months to go peach picking near DC because the fruit is ripe and ready to be enjoyed. Many farms in Virginia and Maryland also offer other fruits in the summer like berries, nectarines, and plums. Throw in some fun extras like petting zoos, playgrounds, and jumping pillows and you've got the perfect summer day at the farm for the whole family.

Here are 12 great places to go peach picking near DC. For more farm fun this summer, check out our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms in DC, which includes our lists of the best pick-your-own berry farms and great animal farms and petting zoos near Washington, DC.

Latest posts by Jennifer Marino Walters

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