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Latest posts by Jennifer Marino Walters
Reclining Liberty Statue Comes to the DC Area — and Kids Can Climb and Touch It!
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
Lady Liberty has come to the DC area—well, sort of. Reclining Liberty, a 25-foot sculpture modeled after the Statue of Liberty in New York City, was installed on the front lawn of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Arlington in Virginia on August 3, 2023. The statue, made by sculptor Zaq Landsberg, depicts Lady Liberty lying on her side with her head resting on one hand.
Reclining Liberty was originally installed in NYC's Morningside Park in 2021, then moved to Liberty State Park in 2022. It will remain on view at MoCA Arlington until July 28, 2024.
For more information about museums and exhibitions in the DC area, visit our DC Museum Guide for Kids and Families.
Free and Cheap After-School Programs Near DC
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
After a summer of expensive camps, this handy list of free and cheap after-school programs near DC for kids is quite welcome.
Children across the DC area are heading back to school, which means it's already past time to start thinking about after-school programs. If you haven't found one yet, don't worry: Families looking for enriching, reasonably priced, and even free after-school programs near DC have several options from which to choose. These programs include sports, arts, homework help, and other activities. With offerings in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free program for your kids near you.
We've rounded up 12 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school programs near DC for kids, tweens, and teens. If you're looking for more options, be sure to see our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.
New LEGO Discovery Center Opens Near Washington, DC
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
DC LEGO lovers have a big reason to celebrate: The new LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC officially opened to the public on August 14, 2023 at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Virginia. The 32,000-square-foot indoor attraction features 12 immersive zones, including a Mini World made with over 1.5 million bricks, a train ride, a 4D Cinema, DUPLO Park for the youngest builders, and so much more. There are also LEGO character appearances and plenty of opportunities for creative building.
I had the chance to visit LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC with my 12-year-old twin sons and my 8-year-old daughter. We had an absolute blast, and we can't wait to return!
Read on for my review of LEGO Discovery Center, including tips and tricks on how to maximize your family's visit. Then visit our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for even more indoor fun for DC-area kids.
Our 100 Best Family Vacation Destinations
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
We've written about some amazing family vacation destinations over the years, so we at Mommy Poppins like to think we know a thing or two about the best places to visit with kids. In addition to our own travels and research, we've gotten lots of feedback on awesome cities, beautiful beaches, amazing hotels, and other great locales from readers like you.
To help you plan your next epic family vacation, we've put together this list of the 100 best family vacation destinations. Our list includes awesome spots throughout the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and even Europe and Asia.
Can't get enough inspiration here? Our Family Travel Guide is continually being updated with more great destinations, from the best US family vacation spots that are off the beaten path to the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.
21 Things To Do with DC Babies Before They Turn 1
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
Looking for the best things to do in DC with babies? Here are some great options for family fun with little ones under age 1.
There's nothing quite like seeing the world through your baby's eyes. After all, taking in new sights, sounds, scents, and textures creates a sense of wonder in infants and builds their knowledge of the world around them. And when baby is fussy, sometimes just getting out of the house is all they need.
Luckily, the DC area is full of interesting places to explore with babies, from outdoor playgrounds and gardens to indoor attractions like museums and libraries. And the best part? Almost all of these places are free for babies under 1 (and many for grown-ups, too).
So load up the diaper bag, pull out the stroller, and try these 21 things to do with DC babies before they turn 1. Then check out our Baby and Maternity Guide for more great baby advice, from how to get free baby stuff to the best first birthday gifts.
DC's Best Parks and Playgrounds for Kids' Birthday Parties
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
The DC area's fantastic parks and playgrounds are some of the best places to host outdoor kids' birthday parties. Playgrounds are inexpensive, they offer built-in entertainment like swings and play structures, and some even have extra summertime features such as carousels and splash pads. And, most parks and playgrounds offer shaded picnic shelters and other covered areas where guests can enjoy pizza, cake, and other treats after play time.
Here are 14 of the best parks and playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for kids' birthday parties. Check out our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Washington, DC to find the best tot lots and toddler playgrounds near DC, great parks with beaches, and more awesome places for outdoor fun.
Here's the DC Public School Calendar for 2023-2024 (Plus Other Area School Districts)
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
The DC area may be in the thick of summer, but the 2023-2024 school year is coming up quickly. If you haven't already, it's time to start gathering those school supplies, buying those back-to-school clothes, and planning family vacations and school-break camp coverage.
To help you do just that, here is the DC public school calendar for 2023-2024, as well as links to other public school calendars for Maryland and Northern Virginia school districts. Bookmark it now so you can easily reference it later!
For more back-to-school help, check out our lists of great lunch boxes for kids and the best kids clothing labels and name stickers for back-to-school. And if you really want to plan ahead, check out these 100 school lunch ideas for kids.
