Jennifer Swope

Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.

Latest posts by Jennifer

STEM Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Tue, 02/11/2025 - 11:45am

S.H.E. Can Steam campers learn about aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Photo courtesy of S.H.E. Can STEAM Camp

STEM camps are incredibly popular in this digital age, especially with the mad technology skills kids have these days. With that in mind, we went on the hunt for innovative STEM summer camps in and around DC. There's a STEM camp for every age, skill level, and interest. Most are in-person, but there are virtual options for those who want a little more flexibility.

For more virtual options, check out our list of Best Online STEM, Robotics, and Coding Classes and Camps for Kids.

Looking for other summer camps near DC? Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more programs to fit any budget and interest, from sports day camps to overnight summer camps and everything in between.

Stephanie Shipman contributed additional reporting to this article.

Best Overnight Summer Camps Near DC in Virginia and Maryland

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 02/09/2025 - 12:00pm

Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center offers lots of fun outdoor activities, including water sports. Photo courtesy of the camp

Overnight summer camps are a time-honored tradition for many children. The freedom to choose daily activities, learn independence, and sleep in cabins are just some of the best parts of going to sleepaway camp.

Luckily, there are a variety of overnight summer camps near DC that help kids learn new skills, have fun, and build lifelong friendships. Ideal for kids as young as 5 and up to 17, these overnight summer camps in Virginia and Maryland are located in the mountains, in forests, along the shore, and on farms.

Here are 12 overnight summer camps we're sure your kids will love and ask to return to year after year. Many sleepaway camps begin sign-ups in the winter, so be sure to check their websites for registration and camp dates, rates, and up-to-date availability.

Looking for more options for summer camps near DC? Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more programs to fit any budget and interest, from sports summer camps to STEM summer camps and everything in between.

How to Plan Cheap, Crazy, Amazing, and Affordable Family Vacations

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sat, 01/11/2025 - 10:54am

Cheap ways to get the whole family to London? Read on!

Planning affordable family vacations is tough! One of the best parts of parenting is planning memorable family vacations. There are so many wonderful places to visit and the learning opportunities of exploring places near and far is unmatched.

However, travel costs can be immense. How can you make sure your kids have the magic of travel as a big part of their lives, while also not sacrificing your bank account?

I'm here for you! I am a master of planning affordable family vacations. I know exactly how to find family vacation trips that don't break the bank. Here, I'm sharing my tips, in an easy step-by-step guide. Read on for my tried-and-true steps for planning affordable nearby road trips, week-long trips across the country, long weekend jumps to Europe, and more.

12 Things To Do to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 10:00am

The Wharf goes all out for Dia de los Muertos! Photo courtesy of Wharf DC

Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It honors the memory of deceased relatives through ofrendas (home altars), marigold flowers, calaveras (decorative skulls), and food.

The DC area has a rich Latino culture and hosts several family-friendly events for people of all backgrounds to gather. From family days at Smithsonian museums to a festival on the National Mall, there are many opportunities to celebrate Día de Los Muertos—and nearly all of them are FREE!

For more autumn activities, visit our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Kids. And don't forget to check our family activity calendar, as we're always adding more events.

Family-Friendly Fun for Oktoberfest Near Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Mon, 09/23/2024 - 2:59pm

Get in on the action at the Gaithersburg Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of the festival

While we can't all go to Munich for the annual Oktoberfest celebration, we can celebrate Oktoberfest near DC at a variety of family-friendly events. From dachshunds racing at The Wharf to a month-long kid festival at Shipgarten, these festivities include food and fun for all ages. Read on for our list of Oktoberfest events near DC you won't want to miss.

For more autumn activities, visit our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Kids. And don't forget to check our family activity calendar, as we're always adding more events.

Best Attractions and Things To Do in DC that are Kid-Friendly

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 08/18/2024 - 11:57am

Wegmans Wonderplace is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History

It can be hard to narrow down the best things to do in DC with kids. As our nation's capital, the DC area is full of some of the best attractions in the world for families, including fantastic museums, breathtaking monuments, immersive experiences, and tours of government buildings. And the best part is, many of them are free!

Read on for our list of the best attractions and things to do in DC that are kid-friendly. If you want even more, check out these top attractions in DC, as well as our lists of free museums near DC and best museums for kids in the DC area. And don't forget to check our calendar often, as we're always adding more events and attractions.

Fun Bowling Alleys Near DC for Kids and Families

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 07/21/2024 - 10:00am

Bowling is a fun activity the whole family will enjoy! Photo courtesy of The Main Event

Bowling is one of my family's favorite ways to hang out and have some friendly competition, especially on those days where the weather keeps us inside. And with loads of family-friendly bowling alleys throughout the DC area, you're sure to find one near you.

These bowling alleys in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia feature kid-friendly amenities like bowling bumpers and ball ramps, making it the perfect activity for bowlers of all ages and skill levels. Some of them even offer a Kids Bowl Free deal during the summer, through which children get two free games every day of the summer.

For more indoor activities with kids, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces, which includes our lists of everything from laser tag arenas to trampoline parks.

Best Pride Events Near DC for Families

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 05/24/2024 - 10:00am

The Capital Pride Festival is just one of many ways to celebrate pride in the DC area. Photo by Ted Eytan courtesy of the event

Looking for the best Pride events near DC to celebrate Pride Month this June? Read on for our fun list!

Our area is known for its vibrant LGBTQA+ community, so June is full of parades and celebrations of Pride. The Capital Pride Parade has a new route this year, but still offers its Family Playtime area. Family Pride Day at Glen Echo is a fun afternoon full of kid-friendly activities. And Arlington leads the kick-off of Pride Month with a Block Party at National Landing.

Read on for our list of the best Pride events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more summertime activities, be sure to check out our Summer Activities Guide. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more fun things to do.

Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer

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