Jennifer Marino Walters
Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.
Latest posts by Jennifer
Tired of visiting the same old DC attractions with the kids? We've rounded up the best free hidden gems in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that are full of history, fun, and quirkiness—without the crowds or admission fees. Whether your child loves history, art, airplanes, or is just in it for the snacks, these secret spots in DC for families provide unique outings that feel like real discoveries.
Here are the 12 best free things to do in DC with kids that are off the beaten path. These unique DC attractions for kids include secret parks in DC, quirky museums in DC, and more fun, free, kid-friendly DC spots.
Visit our Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids for more family fun that doesn't cost a time, including our ultimate list of 101 free things to do in DC with kids.
With breathtaking waterfalls, massive granite rock formations, ancient giant sequoias, and more, Yosemite National Park should be on every family's travel bucket list. But you (understandably) may have some concerns about visiting Yosemite National Park with kids. Like, are they any kid-friendly hiking trails? Are there things to do with kids at Yosemite besides hiking? Are there kid-friendly places to stay nearby?
After taking my own recent Yosemite National Park family vacation, I can assure you the answer to all of those questions is YES! Our visit to Yosemite was part of a larger national park trip, and all three of my kids (two teens and a tween) agreed that Yosemite was their favorite. We spent a whopping 12 hours in the park and can't wait to return!
I've put together a handy guide to help you plan your own Yosemite itinerary with kids, from must-see spots to the best times to visit to what to pack. In the very likely chance that your family gets the national park bug after your visit, our US National Parks Family Travel Guide has tips for visiting more great parks, from the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon for families to everything you need to know about visit Zion National Park in Utah.
Pen & paper games are great screen free boredom busters that require no money or equipment—just paper and some pens, crayons, or pencils! That makes them both affordable and perfect for when you're on the go. Many pen & paper games are simple enough for kids but lots of fun for adults, too, so the whole family can get in on the fun.
Here are 35 of the best pen & paper games for kids of all ages, including games that require one, two, or multiple players. This list includes math games, word games, logic puzzles, and even classic games we used to play as kids—remember MASH? Our Games & Activities Guide for Kids has even more screen free boredom busters, including our list of the 100 best board games for family game night. Let the fun begin!
Got a little one who needs to get their wiggles out? A kid who loves to tumble, jump, and roll? A competitive gymnast with Olympic dreams? The DC area has you covered with some great gymnastics classes for children of all ages and abilities, from babies and toddlers to tweens and teens.
Here are the top gymnastics classes for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC for more great enrichment classes, from the best STEM classes to the top swimming lessons.
There's nothing quite like the thrill of a video game arcade—the flashing lights, the beeps and buzzes, the friendly competition, and sometimes even the chance to win prizes! And while the DC area has several adults-only bars and arcades, there are plenty of kid-friendly arcades, too. They include traditional DC arcades with food, unique immersive and virtual-reality arcades, and even fun retro arcades for kids and grown-ups.
Here are the best arcades for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, from toddler-friendly spots to places teens will love. All of these arcades offer birthday parties, too, either in private rooms or designated party areas. Check out our Indoor Activities for Kids DC Guide for more indoor fun, including places that have smaller arcades, like fun bowling alleys near DC for kids.
If you haven't yet crossed everything off your family's summer bucket list, no sweat—there are still so many things to do in DC with kids before school starts (see the 2025-26 school calendars for DC and other local school districts here). Even better, many of these summer events and activities are free! We're talking free summer concerts, free outdoor movies, and more fun that won't cost a dime.
Read on for your family's ultimate end-of-summer bucket list in DC and its surrounding areas for 2025. Our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide has even more fun things to do. Your kiddos will have so many fun memories to share once school starts back up again!
Ready to celebrate your preschooler's big day but don't want to worry about setup, cleanup, or entertainment? No need to stress—the DC area is chock full of fun birthday party places for preschoolers and toddlers. Whether you want to have an indoor birthday party at a museum, play space, or art studio or an outdoor bash at a playground, zoo, or farm, there's something for little ones of all interests.
Here are 19 of our favorite birthday party places for preschoolers in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Find even more fun spots in our Kids' Birthday Party Places Guide for DC. Once you've got the location, our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties will help you plan the perfect shindig. It's full of ideas for themes, cakes, gifts, and more!
Got a science-minded child or teen? There are various STEM programs in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that offer STEM classes for kids of all ages. Kids can learn coding, robotics, engineering, and more by creating their own video game, building with LEGO bricks or K'Nex, and engaging in a variety of other fun activities. Classes are offered after school or on weekends.
There are also various STEM programs that offer classes online, making them easy and convenient for busy families.
Here are our favorite in-person and online programs that offer STEM classes for DC kids and teens. Find more enrichment opportunities, from Mommy & Me classes to sports classes, in our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.
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