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

100 Field Day Games and Activities

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Tue, 04/09/2024 - 12:00pm

Get the kids up on their feet and moving with a hopping -fun sack race.

Tasked with planning field day for your child's school? Our massive list of field day games for kids will help make the event truly epic. We've got fun ideas to delight all ages, including racing and tag games, water play, dance challenges, arts and crafts, and so much more.

Here are 100 fun field day games and activities for kids. For more ideas for outdoor fun, check out our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids, where you'll find everything from classic outdoor games to outdoor birthday party games.

Great Art Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia for Creative Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 1:58pm

Budding fashion designers can sew their own creations at Creative Youth Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Washington, DC is a creative city that's full of culture, so it's no surprise that it is bursting with great art summer camps for your future Picasso. These summer art camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia allow preschoolers, kids, and teens to explore their creative side through painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, theater, and other types of art.

Here are our top picks for art summer camps in the DC metro area. For more summer camps near DC, including STEM summer camps and sports summer camps, check out our Washington, DC Summer Camp Guide.

Find a full listing of local summer camps in our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and neighborhood.

Visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon Near DC with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 10:00am

Kids of all ages will find lots to explore at Mount Vernon. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Washington, DC—home of the Smithsonian—is known for its fantastic free museums. But there are also some great museums in and near DC that are absolutely worth paying to visit. One of them is Mount Vernon, George Washington's home in Alexandria, Virginia. Roughly 15 miles south of DC, Mount Vernon is full of interesting places to explore, historic items to see, and hands-on activities to enjoy.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Mount Vernon, America's most popular historic estate, with kids. Find more great museums to explore, including our list of the best museums for kids in the DC area, in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in DC.

Book Yourself the Ultimate Moms’ Weekend at Lansdowne Resort

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Wed, 03/20/2024 - 9:00am

Lansdowne Resort is a 500-acre, AAA Four-Diamond, award-winning paradise right outside DC. Photo courtesy of Lansdowne Resort

Lansdowne Resort–just 30 miles outside DC–features a luxurious spa, top-notch golfing, tennis, pickleball, pools, and more, making it the perfect destination for a moms’ getaway, a girls’ weekend, a Mother’s Day retreat, or even a relaxing family vacation.

If you’re dreaming about a break from homework help and the school drop-off line, call off the Google search and consider a stay at Lansdowne Resort. The 500-acre, AAA Four-Diamond, award-winning paradise along the Potomac provided a much-needed and glorious retreat for me and one of my closest friends, so I’ve pulled together everything you need to know to plan your own girls' getaway or family vacation at Lansdowne.

Spring Break 2024: 21 Fun Things To Do in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 03/17/2024 - 10:10am

Smiles will bloom at all of the fun National Cherry Blossom Festival events. Photo courtesy of the Photo courtesy of the festival

Spring break 2024 is coming to the Washington, DC metro area! If your family is not traveling, that means you'll have a week or more to take part in all of the fun activities and events the DMV has to offer this April.

When is spring break 2024? For DC public schools, it's the week of Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19.

For most Northern Virginia public school districts—as well as Montgomery County, Charles County, and Prince George's County public schools in Maryland—spring break 2024 is Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29 (with many districts also giving students the following Monday, April 1 off, and Fairfax County also making Tuesday, April 2 a student holiday).

Check out our list of local school-year calendars to find out when your school district's spring break falls. Then read on for 21 fun things to do with kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Our Spring Fun Guide for DC Kids and Families will give you even more ideas.

If you'd rather get out of town for a last-minute family vacation, get inspired by our list of cheap spring break travel ideas for families.

Best Family Resorts in Florida

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 03/16/2024 - 12:00pm

Kids can play safely in the zero-entry pool at the Omni Amelia Island Resort.

Looking for the best family resorts in Florida? We've got you covered with some great picks near the Orlando theme parks, up and down the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and all the way down to the Florida Keys.

Because many families head to Florida for fantastic beach vacations, we tried to include a resort in or near some of our favorite beach cities, like Amelia Island, West Palm Beach, Naples, and Destin. We considered factors such as the resorts' activities and amenities, kids' clubs, proximity to local attractions, room types, and more. We also included some great family resorts in Florida that were recommended by our writers and editors.

Here are 21 of the best family resorts in Florida to consider for your next visit to the Sunshine State. Be sure to check out our Florida Family Travel Guide to help you narrow down your location!

Gen Z Slang Translator for Parents to Vibe with Teens (and Coworkers)

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:35pm

Understanding gen z slang can be more difficult than learning a new language.

Bruh... if it feels like your tweens and teens speak a different language, it's time to brush up on your gen z slang. Trust us, you're not alone: When we asked readers and fellow parents to share which teen slang words and phrases baffle them, we seemed to have hit a nerve. Moms and dads across the country bombarded us with gen z slang words and terms they just don't understand, from "bet" and "bussin'" to "drip" and "no cap."

And, NGL: Texting your teen can get you even more shook, FR. Mind-boggling acronyms have made deciphering teens' text messages similar to solving a puzzle, TBH. IYKYK.

We're here to help with our list of 50 common gen z slang words and text acronyms to help you understand your teens. Once you've mastered the lingo, score even more cool points with our teen and tween gift guide and our list of over 100 ideas for college care packages. Will your teens appreciate it? Bet!

Best Kid-Friendly Family Resorts in California

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 01/27/2024 - 12:00pm

Legoland California is the ultimate destination for LEGO lovers.

Whether it's the family-friendly wineries and giant redwoods of the San Francisco Bay Area, the beautiful beaches and famous theme parks of Los Angeles and Orange County, the desert vibes of Palm Springs, or the iconic zoo and beauty of San Diego, California is full of awesome getaways for families. Luckily, there are also tons of kid-friendly family resorts to stay in while you explore everything the Golden State has to offer.

Here are 22 of the best family resorts in California, including top picks in LA and the OC, San Diego and its surrounding areas, Palm Springs, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Check out our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide for even more great places to stay, no matter where your next family vacation takes you.

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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