Washington DC

July 4th 2019 Fireworks on the National Mall: The Best Spots to Watch Them in DC

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Thu, 06/20/2019 - 2:50pm

Nothing says "Independence Day" like watching the fireworks light up the sky above the iconic memorials and monuments of the nation's capitol. It's a sight many families are excited to check off of their summer bucket lists, and it's easy to see why. But that also means the viewing spots can get pretty crowded, and no one wants to get stuck in traffic, watching the show from their car windows either. So if you want to check out DC's Fourth of July fireworks but don't want the crowds to put a damper on your family's evening of fun, read on for the lowdown on the best places to view this spectacular summer fireworks show.

24 Summer Camp Snacks for Kids That Aren't Boring

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 06/20/2019 - 11:04am

Packing for summer camp means gathering up the towels, swimsuits, water bottles—labeling everything!—and finally, ensuring your kid has a healthy snack to power them through an action-packed day.

After a year of making school lunches for kids, it might feel overwhelming to come up with creative summer camp snacks, especially if you have a picky eater who turns up their nose at the likes of a cheese stick or tube of yogurt. So we came up with two dozen camp snack foods to woo both kids and parents with cooling, energizing, and (mostly) healthy snacks.

We separated the list into four handy sections: high-protein snacks, fruit snacks, no-refrigeration required, and allergy-aware and nut-free snacks for kids. Some might be more suited to a post-camp nosh but most can be packed up and sent out the door to summer camp with your kid.

Weekend Fun for DC Kids: Circus, Festivals June 22-23, 2019

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 9:26am

There’s plenty for DC families to choose from on this first official weekend of summer. Food lovers can enjoy a barbecue battle. The fairy princesses in the tribe can get up close with unicorns. And the entire family will enjoy a trip to the circus. There are musicals, play, dance, and more. How do you decide which to pick? Check out our favorites below and then head to the events calendar for more ideas!

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50 Things to Do in Baltimore with Kids: Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Charm City

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/15/2019 - 12:43pm

Baltimore is an incredibly kid-friendly city. The walkable Baltimore Inner Harbor offers the impressive National Aquarium, family-friendly restaurants, museums and science centers, and more fun things to do.

Sports fans will find the pro-leagues Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles to cheer on, and if you have a transportation lover, the city is heaven with train museums and boats galore. It’s proximity to Washington, DC, doesn’t hurt either. It’s easy to visit both cities in one trip, taking advantage of all the free admission opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Here's our list of 50 fun things to do with kids in Baltimore, Maryland, from attractions to festivals, restaurants and even a few hotel suggestions for when you're ready to crash. Check out our other City Guides for more family travel ideas.

11 Crazy Awesome Pool Floats for Kids and Babies on Amazon and Target

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:42am

Long gone are the days of the boring rectangular pool float that popped almost as soon as you finally filled it with air. Today's kids can hit the pool with a fabulous float in almost any design they can imagine, from the Millennium Falcon to a giant slice of pizza to on-trend unicorn floats. The best part? Parents can order these pool toys all online at either Target.com or Amazon. Check out our list of 11 crazy awesome pool floats for babies, kids, and teens in summer 2019.

Find more ways to cool down this summer in our Beaches, Lakes, and Pools Guides.

Father’s Day Weekend Fun for DC Kids: Festivals, Fossils, Parties June 15-16, 2019

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 9:22am

This weekend, mid-June arrives along with Father’s Day events, Juneteenth celebrations, festivals, and more.

Besides what’s happening on our events calendar, DC families have a lot to choose from. Head out in nature, enjoy a free day at a museum, or cool off at a local splash pad. There’s tons to do and unfortunately the weekend only last two days.

To help you decide what to do with the limited time, we’ve rounded up our favorites for the weekend. So grab the family, celebrate Dad, and enjoy some quality time. Mommy Poppins DC has you covered!

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Build-A-Bear Has a New Pay-Your-Age Contest, without the Lines

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 6:29pm

Making a puffy, fuzzy DIY toy at Build-A-Bear is a great experience, especially for a birthday gift, but those bears are far from free. So it was no surprise last year that the company's big Pay-Your-Age Day (5 years old, get any toy for $5) resulted in lines not only out of the stores but out of the buildings—and lots of angry parents when lines were shut down. The good news? Build-A-Bear is doing the popular event again, but doing it differently this year.

Asheville with Kids: 40 Best Things to Do in Asheville, NC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/08/2019 - 2:05pm

Asheville, NC, is a popular destination for visitors, including families, with so many fun things to do like the Biltmore Estate, a thriving food and arts scene, a Vanderbilt mansion with extensive grounds, and its kid-friendly local breweries. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the plentiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes. I frequently visit my sister’s family in Asheville and get to explore this charming Southern city with my young nephew, so I wanted to share the inside skinny on the best family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and what to do in Asheville with kids.

Find more family fun destinations in our Family Travel City Guides, and be sure to check our picks for North Carolina's best beaches for families.

How Can I Find Free Summer Meal Programs for Kids?

Submitted by Li Starr on Thu, 06/06/2019 - 11:10am

Many parents rely on the free breakfast and lunch available through the local school system to keep their kids' engines running—but what happens in the summer? Thankfully, there are still free meal programs available when school lets out.

Parents will find free breakfast, lunch, and sometimes afternoon snacks and more meals served up at certain parks, schools, community centers, hospitals, and elsewhere this summer. Many of the summer meal programs are federally funded through the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, but administered by local organizations, cities, or states. Read on for tips on how to find a free kids meal near you.

Weekend Fun for DC Kids: Festivals, Sesame Street, Nature June 8-9, 2019

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Wed, 06/05/2019 - 9:20am

Ahh the weekend...a time to kick back, sure. But it's also a chance to round up the family and spend some quality time together, exploring the DC area, and there certainly is a lot to explore! Museums, restaurants, and splash pads and nature on nice days and indoor play spots on the not-so-nice days.

What to choose this weekend? From festivals to Sesame Street, our events calendar will give you some great ideas. In the meantime, read on for our top picks for families and kids this weekend in DC.

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