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

Here's the DC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026 (Plus Other Area School Districts)

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 03/21/2025 - 8:17am

Keep the DC public school calendar handy so you'll always know what days your kids have class.

The DC area may be in the thick of summer, but the 2025-2026 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 2025-2026, 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.

100 Fun Party Games for Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Tue, 03/18/2025 - 1:00pm

Tug of war makes for a fun party game for large groups.

If you're looking for birthday party games for kids, we've got all the fun ideas. Our list of 100 kids' party games includes both outdoor and indoor games for kids, active and creative party games, classic party games, group games for kids, and much more. You'll find party games for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens.

Our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties is full of more fun kids' activities and ideas for birthday party entertainment, like outdoor games for kids. And if you need board games for kids' party, see our list of the 100 best board games for family game night.

Yorktown with Kids: 18 Best Things To Do in Yorktown, Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 02/23/2025 - 10:00am

A Steamer Wagon tour is the perfect way to explore Yorktown Battlefield with kids! Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Founded in 1691, Yorktown, Virginia is a quaint, gorgeous city steeped in history. Best known as the location of the last major Revolutionary War battle, it is home to Yorktown Battlefield and the American Revolution Museum, which my family of history buffs really enjoyed during our recent trip to Yorktown. But we were pleasantly surprised to find that Yorktown also has a beachy feel, with a two-acre public beach on the York River, riverside shops and restaurants, and an awesome walking and biking path along the water.

My husband, teen sons, tween daughter, and I visited Yorktown as part of a trip that included nearby Williamsburg and Jamestown. We started out thinking the other two cities would be the main attractions, but ended up loving Yorktown, its history, and its small-town feel just as much.

Here are 17 great things to do in Yorktown, VA with kids. A few of these activities are available only in summer, but we visited in October and still got to do quite a bit—and the weather was perfect! Check out our list of things to do in Williamsburg, VA and our guide to visiting Busch Gardens to round out your visit to Virginia's Historic Triangle.

Ultimate Virginia Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in VA

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 02/21/2025 - 10:00am

Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia

The slogan may be "Virginia Is For Lovers", but we say Virginia is for families! There are so many amazing things to do in Virginia with kids, we barely know where to start.

The birthplace of eight US presidents and the site of many Revolutionary War and Civil War battles, Virginia is full of fantastic historic sites to explore, from George Washington's Mount Vernon to Yorktown Battlefield.

There are so many fun ways to spend time outdoors in Virginia, from playing on awesome playgrounds to hiking in Shenandoah National Park to frolicking on the beaches of Virginia Beach.

Virginia is also home to museums galore, thrilling amusement parks like Busch Gardens, awesome neighborhoods to explore such as Old Town Alexandria and Clifton, and so much more.

Here is our ultimate Virginia bucket list for families, featuring 100 of the best things to do in Virginia with kids. We hope checking off this list will lead to loads of fun and lasting family memories!

The Art of the Brick, the World's Most Famous LEGO Exhibit, Opens in DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 9:35am

Each room holds a new surprise at The Art of the Brick.

The Art of the Brick, the World's most famous LEGO art exhibit, is now open in Washington, DC! Named one of CNN's Top 10 "Global Must-See Exhibitions," The Art of the Brick includes over 130 incredible sculptures created from more than one million LEGO bricks.

I recently visited The Art of the Brick with my 10-year-old daughter, and I'm not sure which of us enjoyed it more! We were both mesmerized by the level of detail put into each piece, especially the ones meant to resemble real works of art.

Read all about our experience at The Art of the Brick—and find out all the details about this fantastic exhibition—below. If your family can't get enough of LEGO after that, head to the LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC, then check out our post on 101 fun things to do with LEGO bricks.

How to Get Free Baby Stuff: Free Diapers, Formula, Baby Gear, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:00pm

Have sweet dreams of all the free baby stuff you'll get. Photo by Garrett Jackson courtesy of Unsplash

Free baby stuff can be a life saver for new moms and dads. After all, the cost of all those diapers, wipes, baby food, and other baby gear quickly adds up. But there are plenty of places that offer free baby stuff to offset the costs of newborn and infant care.

From baby registry welcome boxes to free baby samples to diaper rewards programs, there are many free items that new and expectant parents can get from companies. Plus, don't underestimate the generosity of friends, family, and neighbors.

Here are 27 places for new moms and dads to get free diapers, formula, toys, and more free baby stuff. Check out our Baby and Maternity Guide for more of the best baby gear, as well as our Guide to Free Activities, Events, Classes, and Camps for Kids for other ways to save.

101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 01/05/2025 - 12:00pm

Enjoy Art in Bloom during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Elvert Barnes via FLickr 2.0

Here is our Big Free Bucket List: 101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids!

Families in the DC area sure are lucky: From free museums and nature centers to amazing playgrounds and fun festivals, there are so many free things to do with kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. That means visitors from out of town can also have a fabulous family vacation full of historic and cultural experiences, nature, and play time without breaking the bank.

We present our big free bucket list: 101 free things to do in DC with kids. For even more ways to have fun without reaching into your wallet, check out our guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids.

Cheap All-Inclusive Resorts with Packages for Families

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 01/04/2025 - 12:00pm

Looking for the best inexpensive all-inclusive resorts for families? We've got nine great options for you!

All-inclusive resorts are a fun and convenient way to travel as a family. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, the food and drinks flow freely, and you don't even need to reach into your wallet while you're there! But while all-inclusive resorts can be expensive, there are some great affordable options.

Here are nine of the best inexpensive all-inclusive resorts for families in Mexico and the Caribbean. We also included a US option for those who don't want to leave the country. These fun spots feature awesome kids' clubs, great pools and/or beaches, lots of fun activities, and plenty of food and drinks.

For more great places to stay, check out our Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels, which includes our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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