Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer Swope

23 Best Things to Do in DC April 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 03/26/2023 - 9:47am

Peppa Pig makes an appearance at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Photo courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

Easter, cherry blossoms, Earth Day, and more mean there's lots of fun things to do in DC with kids this April!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival continues this month with street festivals and parades. Check out the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the Sakura Matsuri Festival, Petalpalooza, and Oxon Park Pinknic & Kite Fly for lots of spring fun. Teach your kids to enjoy and care for the beauty of nature at events around the area, including an Earth Day Volunteer Event at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, an Earth Day celebration at the Smithsonian Gardens, or Earth Day at Sully Historic Site in Virginia.

Scroll down for a list of over 20 other great things to do in DC with kids in April 2023, as well as our roundups of area Easter egg hunts and activities, spring festivals, and more.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

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36 Spring Festivals and Fairs Near DC for Families

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 11:00am

Celebrate cherry blossom season at Petalpalooza. Photo courtesy of nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

Spring is officially here, and with it comes spring festivals! There are so many fun spring festivals near DC for families, from the heart of the nation's capital to the Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs. Several of these spring fairs and festivals, including the Blossom Kite Festival and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, are part of the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival. And, most of the spring festivals and fairs near DC are FREE, allowing for a full day of family fun without breaking the budget.

Here are our picks for 30 fun spring festivals and spring fairs for DC families. For more springtime activities, be sure to check out our Spring Fun Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more fun things to do all over the DC area!

32 Easter Egg Hunts Near Washington, DC for Kids and Teens in 2023

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Mon, 03/20/2023 - 9:32am

How many colorful eggs can your little bunny find? Photo courtesy of the Lee-Fendall House

It's time to dust off those Easter baskets and get ready for an Easter egg hunt! Easter egg hunts are happening soon all around the Washington, DC area. With hunts for everyone from toddlers to teens, you're sure to find an Easter egg hunt that works for your family. Some of these Easter egg hunts are even free or included with the price of venue admission.

Here is our ultimate list of 32 Easter egg hunts in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for kids and teens. Many of them require advance registration and are filling up fast, so book them soon!

In addition to your Easter egg hunt 2023, check out our Easter Activities Guide for Families and our list of places to meet the Easter Bunny near DC for more Easter fun. Hoppy Easter!

St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2023: Top Things To Do in DC with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 03/15/2023 - 9:35am

Ireland at the Wharf is the ultimate celebration of Irish culture. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC

Looking for the best things to do in DC this holiday weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's mid-March in Washington, DC, and that means it's time for St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Friday, kids can participate in a leprechaun hunt in Colesville, Maryland or learn leprechaun science in Annandale, Virginia. Ireland at the Wharf Festival is on Saturday, with Irish dancing, bagpiping, viewings of the Six National Rugby Championship, and more.

If you're looking for high-energy entertainment, the Harlem Globetrotters are performing across the area the entire weekend. Don't miss this wacky and amazing basketball show in DC, Baltimore, and Fairfax, Virginia. You can also watch the players show off their talents at the National Archives Family Day on Sunday.

And, Girl Scouts take over the National Children's Museum on Saturday for Girl Scout Day 2023. Follow the link for a discount on tickets.

Don’t miss our lists of St. Patrick's Day leprechaun trap ideas and fun tricks, places to meet the Easter Bunny, and the best zoo and museum camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Plus, bookmark our DC Family Event Calendar for more things to do every day.

Best Zoo and Museum Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 11:35am

Kids can become junior zookeepers at Leesburg Animal Park's summer camps. Photo courtesy of the park

Do your children have specific interests they would like to explore? Zoo and museum summer camps are a great way for them to do that. Maybe your kids want to learn about spycraft or engineering. Maybe they want to test their skills with different art mediums. Or perhaps you have a future zookeeper in your home. Whatever your child's interest, there is a zoo or museum summer camp near DC for them.

Here are 11 summer nature, zoo, and museum camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that will give your kids hands-on, educational, and fun experiences all summer long.

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 day camps to overnight camps and everything in between.

Meet the Easter Bunny: Bunny Brunches, Trains, Egg Hunts, and Easter Bunny Pictures Near DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 03/10/2023 - 8:19am

Take a ride on the Bunny Train at the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad

Easter Bunny pictures are a spring tradition for many families, and there are several places to snag them throughout the DC area this season. The Easter Bunny will be making appearances at local malls, at Easter brunch and breakfast events, at zoos and farms, and even aboard a Bunny Train!

Here are 20+ fun places and events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to bring the kids to meet the Easter Bunny and get those coveted Easter Bunny pictures. But you'd better hop to it—most of these opportunities require reservations, and they are filling up quickly. For even more Easter fun, check out our list of egg hunts near Washington, DC for kids and teens.

Best Summer Camps in Washington, DC; Maryland; and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 10:00am

Kids can have lots of outdoor adventures at Beauvoir Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the Beauvoir Summer Program

Summer camps are a win for both kids and parents. Summer day camps allow parents to tackle work and home responsibilities while their children have fun learning new skills, making friends, playing, splashing, and creating. And with so many great day camps in the DC area for kids of all interests, you're bound to find one your children will love. Traditional summer camps, STEM camps and other academic programs, theater camps, art camps, and sports clinics are just some of the options available to children and teens ages 3-17.

Here are 17 summer day camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia we're sure your kids will love. Winter usually marks the start of camp sign-up season, so be sure to check camp websites for registration and 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 day camps to overnight summer camps to STEM summer day camps and everything in between.

25 Best Things to Do in DC March 2023 with Kids: Cherry Blossoms, St. Patrick's Day, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 02/26/2023 - 9:22am

Celebrate all things Irish at Ireland at the Wharf. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC

From St. Patrick's Day to the arrival of spring, March is a great time to get out and enjoy DC!

For those chilly March days, there are lots of great indoor shows happening this month, from The Mortification of Fovea Munson to the hijinks of the Harlem Globetrotters to The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon.

If you're Irish, or just feel like celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Ireland at the Wharf will surely be a festive time. There are also St. Patrick's Day parades in Gaithersburg, Manassas, and Old Town Alexandria. Don't forget to wear your green!

And the arrival of spring in DC can only mean one thing—cherry blossoms! The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off at the end of the month, including the opening ceremony and the Blossom Kite Festival.

Find more March fun in our list of ninja warrior gyms, obstacle courses, and parkour near DC, our Spring Fun Guide for DC Families, and our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.