Meredith Kiryakov

Latest posts by Meredith

Father’s Day Weekend Things To Do in DC: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Wed, 06/15/2022 - 10:15am

Enjoy one of several Juneteenth celebrations in the DC area.

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

Summer is in full swing in the DC area with Father’s Day events, Juneteenth celebrations, and more. Celebrate Father's Day at the Columbia Pike Blues Festival in Arlington or feed and snuggle baby goats on a farm. Or, take Dad to one of the Juneteenth festivals happening across the region, from Juneteenth Freedom Day at National Harbor to a Juneteenth Celebration at Frying Pan Farm Park.

Don’t miss our lists of 20 fun things to do with Dad for Father's Day, 25 free things to do near DC this summer, and the best things to do in Washington, DC in June with kids.

10 Family-Friendly Washington, DC Vegan Restaurants

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Sun, 04/17/2022 - 10:00am

Beefsteak has both meat and vegan options that will make kids smile. Photo courtesy of Beefsteak, Facebook

These days, more and more families are embracing plant-based diets. That trend is evident in the multitude of DC vegan restaurants that have been popping up in the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. From Ethiopian to classic soul food to delectable treats, DC restaurants offer lots of tasty options for vegan and vegetarian food that kids would be happy to chow down on.

Here are 10 family-friendly DC vegan restaurants that prove vegan food can be not only healthy, but delicious as well. Whether your family is full-on vegan or you just want to incorporate more meatless foods into your diets, visit these spots to chow down on a delicious plant-based meal.

For more restaurant recommendations, check out our guide to kid-friendly DC restaurants.

Fun Spring Day Trips from DC for Families

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Sun, 04/03/2022 - 10:00am

All aboard at the B&O Railroad Museum! Photo courtesy of the museum

With so many museums, playgrounds, indoor play spaces, and other kid-friendly attractions in and near DC, it’s easy to spend entire weekends in town without getting bored. But there is so much history, natural beauty, and fun to be found within a few hours' drive of the city. If your family needs a change of scenery, take one of these 10 day trips from DC this spring before the sweltering humidity of summer kicks in.

These spring day trips from DC include a variety of locations, from charming towns and historic sites to gorgeous gardens and family-friendly farms. For even more ideas for weekend getaways or day trips from DC, check out our family travel guide. Once you've picked your destination, all you'll need are some fun car games, plenty of snacks, and some road trip essentials to keep the car ride Are we there yet?-free.

Spring Break 2022: The Best Things To Do near DC with Kids on Vacation

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Fri, 03/18/2022 - 9:53am

Take a canoe ride at the Anacostia River Festival. Photo courtesy of the 11th Street Bridge Park

Spring Break 2022 is coming up for Washington, DC public schools! This year, spring break runs from Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 15, followed by a day off for students on Monday, April 18. That means DC public school students have 10 days off to enjoy all of the wonderful spring activities the DC area has to offer.

Here are 15+ things to do near DC with kids for spring break 2022. Many of these events take place on the weekends, so even Maryland, Northern Virginia, and private-school students who are not on spring break can enjoy them. For even more fun options for spring break 2022, check out our lists of great destination playgrounds, mini golf courses, and free museums near DC. Happy spring!

Fun Sports Summer Camps Near DC: Soccer Camps, Baseball Camps, and More

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Mon, 03/14/2022 - 10:21am

Kids ages 5-14 can improve their soccer skills at DC Way Soccer Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer break is the perfect time for kids to get outside, move their bodies, and enjoy some healthy competition with their friends. There are plenty of sports summer camps near DC to help them do just that. Whether your child is a seasoned athlete looking to improve their skills or they just want to burn off energy playing classic games like kickball, there is a sports summer camp in the DC region for them. From golf camp to basketball camp to horseback-riding camp, we've covered almost every sport in this roundup of great sports summer camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

For more summer camps near DC, including affordable summer camps that won't break the bank and great art summer camps for creative kids, 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.

Free and Affordable Summer Camps near Washington, DC

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Fri, 02/25/2022 - 10:06am

Summer camps don't have to be expensive to be fun. Photo courtesy of DC Department of Parks & Recreation

Summer break is magical for kids, but summer camps near DC can sure be expensive. If you’re looking for a day camp that will keep your kids happy, safe, and entertained without breaking your budget, we’ve found 14 summer camps near DC that are reasonably priced and full of fun. From traditional day camps to coding and STEM camps to music and art camps, there’s an affordable summer camp option to fit every child’s interest (from preschoolers all the way through teens) in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Registration has already begun for many of these popular camps, so sign up soon!

For more summer camps in the DC metro area, including great picks for preschool summer camps near DC, be sure to bookmark our Washington DC Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

7 Best Ski Resorts Near DC for Kids and Families

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Fri, 01/07/2022 - 10:00am

Snowshoe Mountain Resort boasts a whopping 56 ski trails. Photo courtesy of snowshoemountain.com

When you’re ready for an outdoor skiing adventure with your family, you don’t have to drive all the way to New England for a great experience. These seven ski resorts near DC offer great ski-lesson programs and slopes for kids of all skill levels within a few hours' drive. They also offer all kinds of other amenities for families to enjoy, from snow tubing to indoor play spaces to heated pools.

Most of these ski resorts near DC are operating with capacity restrictions and social-distancing measures in lift lines and lodges to keep visitors safe during COVID. Be sure to check their websites or call ahead to confirm what’s open now.

Our Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids highlights plenty more ways for your family to have fun this winter. If skiing isn't your thing, check out our list of the best places to go snow tubing near DC. For even more skiing and snow sports ideas, browse our Ski and Snow Sports Guide.

Visiting Holiday Road in Virginia and Enchant Christmas in DC with Kids

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Thu, 12/16/2021 - 10:00am

The tunnel of lights is one of many great family photo ops at Holiday Road.

DC is sparkling in 2021 with more Christmas lights displays and immersive holiday experiences than ever before! My family loves to visit at least one holiday lights display each year—it’s a highlight of the season for my kids. This year, we were thrilled to visit two fantastic holiday events near DC—Holiday Road, a newcomer to the area located in Leesburg, Virginia, and Enchant Christmas, which returned to Nationals Park for the third year after being closed in 2020 due to Covid. Both events were really fun and quite different from each other, so you can pick the experience that’s right for your family. At either one, you're sure to find plenty to love.