Jennifer Swope

Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.

Latest posts by Jennifer

Best Overnight Summer Camps Near DC in Virginia and Maryland

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 02/09/2025 - 12:00pm

Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center offers lots of fun outdoor activities, including water sports. Photo courtesy of the camp

Overnight summer camps are a time-honored tradition for many children. The freedom to choose daily activities, learn independence, and sleep in cabins are just some of the best parts of going to sleepaway camp.

Luckily, there are a variety of overnight summer camps near DC that help kids learn new skills, have fun, and build lifelong friendships. Ideal for kids as young as 5 and up to 17, these overnight summer camps in Virginia and Maryland are located in the mountains, in forests, along the shore, and on farms.

Here are 12 overnight summer camps we're sure your kids will love and ask to return to year after year. Many sleepaway camps begin sign-ups in the winter, so be sure to check their websites for registration and camp 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 summer camps to STEM summer camps and everything in between.

How to Plan Cheap, Crazy, Amazing, and Affordable Family Vacations

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sat, 01/11/2025 - 10:54am

Cheap ways to get the whole family to London? Read on!

Planning affordable family vacations is tough! One of the best parts of parenting is planning memorable family vacations. There are so many wonderful places to visit and the learning opportunities of exploring places near and far is unmatched.

However, travel costs can be immense. How can you make sure your kids have the magic of travel as a big part of their lives, while also not sacrificing your bank account?

I'm here for you! I am a master of planning affordable family vacations. I know exactly how to find family vacation trips that don't break the bank. Here, I'm sharing my tips, in an easy step-by-step guide. Read on for my tried-and-true steps for planning affordable nearby road trips, week-long trips across the country, long weekend jumps to Europe, and more.

Fun Free Activities for Kids in January 2025: 25 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 12/29/2024 - 11:11am

STEAM Saturday at the National Building Museum is always a fun event. Photo courtesy of the museum

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

New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in DC: Noon Year's Eve, Fireworks, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 12/25/2024 - 10:23am

Experience Tingle Bells at ARTECHOUSE. Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE

Enjoy these great things to do in and near DC with kids this New Year's Eve weekend.

24 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, Drone Shows, and Other DC Celebrations for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 12/22/2024 - 3:08pm

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. Let's be honest—I always want to be in bed 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 this isn't the only incredible event. Check out early celebrations at Shipgarten or the B&O Railroad Museum. Families with older kids might enjoy nighttime parties like the popular First Night Alexandria or the new New Year's Eve Drone & Fireworks Show in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Still clinging to Christmas? Most holiday light shows in the area are open on New Year's Eve, or you can get tickets to a holiday performance before they end their seasonal runs. Happy New Year!

Christmas Weekend 2024 in DC Top Things To Do: Christmas Lights, Breakfast with Santa, Waterskiing Santa, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 12/20/2024 - 10:46am

The DC Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. Photo courtesy of the festival

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

Santa Claus is coming to town, and there are plenty of fun things to do to celebrate. My family likes to see holiday lights when we have out-of-town guests and need something to do. There are also outdoor ice skating rinks to help keep that festive energy under control.

Children can delight in eating breakfast with Santa on Christmas Eve at Theismann's Restaurant, Ada's on the River, or Mia's Italian Kitchen. And be sure to catch Santa on waterskis in Old Town Alexandria on Christmas Eve.

Hanukkah begins on December 25 and the National Menorah will be lit on the Ellipse that evening.

For even more fun ideas, check out our list of what is open on Christmas Day in DC. Whatever you do, happy holidays from your friends at Mommy Poppins!

12 Things To Do to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 10:00am

The Wharf goes all out for Dia de los Muertos! Photo courtesy of Wharf DC

Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It honors the memory of deceased relatives through ofrendas (home altars), marigold flowers, calaveras (decorative skulls), and food.

The DC area has a rich Latino culture and hosts several family-friendly events for people of all backgrounds to gather. From family days at Smithsonian museums to a festival on the National Mall, there are many opportunities to celebrate Día de Los Muertos—and nearly all of them are FREE!

For more autumn activities, visit our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Kids. And don't forget to check our family activity calendar, as we're always adding more events.

Family-Friendly Fun for Oktoberfest Near Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Mon, 09/23/2024 - 2:59pm

Get in on the action at the Gaithersburg Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of the festival

While we can't all go to Munich for the annual Oktoberfest celebration, we can celebrate Oktoberfest near DC at a variety of family-friendly events. From dachshunds racing at The Wharf to a month-long kid festival at Shipgarten, these festivities include food and fun for all ages. Read on for our list of Oktoberfest events near DC you won't want to miss.

For more autumn activities, visit our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Kids. And don't forget to check our family activity calendar, as we're always adding more events.

Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer

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