Stephanie Shipman

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 02/01/2026 - 11:31am

Toddlers have their own soft space to play at the National Children's Museum. Photo by Jason Dixson Photography courtesy of the museum

When the weather is bad and the kids need to burn some energy, head to one of these top indoor playgrounds for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

While getting kids out of the house to blow off steam is a must for everyone's sanity, it's not easy on cold, hot, or rainy days. But there are lots of indoor play areas for children in DC and beyond that allow kids to crawl, run, jump, climb, and play to their hearts' content—without causing a storm inside your house. Many of these kids' play spaces include extra perks like free WiFi, cafes, fun classes, and more.

Here are 30 of the best indoor play areas for children in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit on those bad-weather days. For more ideas for indoor fun near DC, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC. You'll find our curated lists of everything from the best indoor rock climbing gyms to awesome trampoline parks.

Spy Fest, Curious George, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 12:00pm

The National Children's Museum has a new exhibit dedicated to the work of Mo Willems. Photo courtesy of the museum

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.

I hope you've stayed warm all week and have dug yourselves out from the snow, because there are lots of fun events this weekend—perfect if your kids have had snow days and school holidays all week (cough, ME, cough) and everyone is going stir crazy.

Spy Museum is having its FREE Spy Fest. You can also attend Family Day at the Capital Jewish Museum for just $5.

Want to see a show? Check out Curious George: The Golden Meatball at George Mason Center for the Arts.

And if you missed the Washington, DC Auto Show last weelend, you have until Sunday to check it out!

It's not quite Valentine's Day weekend, but you can get a head start on chocolate-eating at the Fairfax City Chocolate Lovers Festival.

There's a LOT of theater to see this weekend! It's Going the Distance's last night at Discovery Theater is this Friday, the Little Theatre of Alexandria is showing School of Rock, and Rent the Musical is at Anne Arundel Community College. It's also time for InterAct Story Theatre's annual production of Books Alive!

Top Free Things To Do with Kids in DC in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 12/28/2025 - 12:00pm

Celebrate Three Kings Day at GALA Theatre with live music, gifts, and a parade. Photo courtesy of the theater

There is lots of free fun to be had all around the DC area this month!

DC New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks, & More

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 12/26/2025 - 10:53am

Ring in the new year at First Night Alexandria. Photo by Geoff Livingston via Flickr 2.0

New Year's Eve with kids might feel as wild as those pre-children celebrations with sugar highs and post-holiday excitement —just earlier in the day, and everyone falls asleep well before midnight! When my now teenagers were a baby and a toddler, we attended the very first Noon Yards Eve. It's grown and become the premier DC event for kids to celebrate the new year. I can't recommend it enough!

But that is only one of the many great things to do with kids on New Year's Eve in the DC area. There are daytime New Year's Eve events like the Rocknoceros New Year's Eve Party at Jammin Java and Noon Year's Eve at the B&O Railroad Museum. Families with older kids might enjoy nighttime New Year's Eve family parties like the popular First Night Alexandria or the new New Year's Eve Drone & Fireworks Show in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

From fireworks and ball drops to drone shows and parties, here's what to do with kids on New Year's Eve in DC.

Christmas Weekend 2025 in DC Top Things To Do: Christmas Lights, Holiday Theater, and More

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:59am

Wave to waterskiing Santa on Christmas Eve! Photo by Toni Genburg

Looking for the best things to do in DC this Christmas weekend? Here are some awesome events and activities to add to your list for Christmas 2025.

Santa Claus is coming to town, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate all weekend long! Start by seeing Waterskiing Santa at the Alexandria waterfront on Christmas Eve, and keep the spirit alive Friday - Sunday with Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical at Capital One Hall. If you're looking for things to do on Christmas itself, check out our list of what is open on Christmas Day in DC.

The Winter Skate Spectacular kicks off in the National Building Museum this Saturday. If you prefer skating in the fresh air, our list of the best outdoor ice skating rinks near DC has plenty of fun options.

And if you want to get a jump on New Year's celebrations, there's a New Year's Tea at the B&O Railroad Museum on Sunday. Whatever you do, happy holidays from your friends at Mommy Poppins!

DC Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 12/12/2025 - 8:55am

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens is one of several light shows open between Christmas and New Year's. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery Parks

Looking for the best things to do with kids in DC during winter break? We've got you covered!

Christmas vacation can be a long stretch of time to keep children entertained—they're out of school for two entire weeks! Once the presents are all opened, the cookies are baked, and the holiday anticipation is over, kids will likely say, "I'm bored!" at least once. And when that happens, consider this our ultimate guide to the best attractions, experiences, and holiday break events for kids in DC between December 26, 2025 and January 4, 2026.

If you're in the DC area over the holiday break, read on for a ton of fun ideas for things to do. You can also check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces and our DC Winter Vacation Guide for even more suggestions.

25 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids December 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 11/30/2025 - 10:09am

Scottish Santa is coming through town bag pipes and all. Photo courtesy of the Scottish Christmas Walk

This December is filled with sparkles and merriment, from holiday lights and parades to menorah lightings and New Year's Eve events.

You've seen our round-up of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities, and hopefully you've added some of them to your December to-do list. Smithsonian institutions have reopened just in time to bring back one of the DC area's most iconic holiday light shows, ZooLights at the National Zoo. Another must-do holiday event, Season's Greenings at the US Botanic Garden, has a dinosaur theme this year. It's also FREE!

If you're looking for a unique holiday show, try Imagination Stage's The Snowman and the Snowdog. My kids have always loved this theater's productions, and I can't recommend them enough.

And if you need a break from the holiday madness, check out the FREE Embassy Showcase Winternational, when over 70 embassies from around the world come together to share their food, culture, art, and traditions.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 11/28/2025 - 9:10am

Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights event

The DC area is always merry and bright with so many Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and other festive displays. I know I'm having trouble selecting the one (or three) my family will visit because they're all so good.

Light Yards is always a fun and quick stop, especially when you get to swing on the bells as they light up. For years, I've been wanting to check out the Holiday Boat Parade which is visible from both The Wharf and Alexandria. And then there are the tree and menorah lightings, neighborhood displays, and twinkles all over the area.

Below I've compiled the ultimate list of 33 amazing Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and tree and menorah lightings around the DC area.

While you're in a festive mood, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Christmas events and holiday activities all over the DC area. Whatever you celebrate, we're wishing you all the wonders of the season!

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

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