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
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.
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.;
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.
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.
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.
When the weather is nice, there is no shortage of fun venues for outdoor kids' birthday parties in the DC area. Whether it's a fun park or playground, a hands-on zoo or animal park, a wet-and-wild water park, or a thrilling sports or activity center, there is a great outdoor birthday party spot for kids of all ages and interests.
Here are 15 great places for outdoor kids' birthday parties in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Check out our DC Kids' Birthday Party Places Guide for more great ideas for your child's special day, including our lists of the best parks and playgrounds for kids' birthday parties and fun indoor birthday party places for kids.
One can argue that summer is one giant heat wave in DC. After all, the city is known for its high temperatures and soupy humidity. But there are periods when the temps soar well into the 90s—and even the 100s—that even the most seasoned residents find the heat unbearable. That's when families need to abandon the parks, playgrounds, and hiking trails and find other fun ways to beat the heat.
Here are 30 things to do with kids to keep cool during a DC heat wave. These ideas include outdoor water activities, air-conditioned spots like indoor playgrounds and museums, and activities you can do from the comfort of your own AC. For more family fun this summer, check out our Summer Activities Guide for DC Kids.
When the weather warms up in the DC area, families go on the hunt for restaurants with outdoor seating. That's because not only is dining al fresco a great way to enjoy the pleasant temps, it's also so much less stressful with younger kids, who have more room to stretch their little legs.
Here are 15 great restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia with outdoor patios, gardens, or rooftops where kids can soak up the fresh air and even (at some of them) run around. A few of these restaurants with outdoor seating also offer extras like lawn games, fire pits, and dog menus.
For more yummy DC-area restaurants for kids and families, including restaurants where kids can play and great breakfast restaurants for kids and families, check out our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide.
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