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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

Best Cheap Places to Eat in DC for Kids & Families (Under $10!) — Recs From Locals

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 01/11/2026 - 10:00am

The iconic Ben's Chili Bowl is a great place to score some cheap eats under $10 in DC. Photo courtesy of Ben's Chili Bowl

Where Can Families Eat Well for Cheap in DC?

Eating out as a family can get pricey fast—especially in a city like Washington, DC. So when I told people I was compiling a list of spots in the DC area where you can get a meal for under $10, many people insisted it would be impossible.

But some of my fellow local parents know otherwise. They came through with hidden gems and local favorites where everyone can eat well without breaking the bank. Along with some of my own family's favorite restaurants, I came up with a baker's dozen (like my food reference?) cheap places to eat in DC. Every spot listed has kid-approved cheap eats under $10 (and not just off the kids menu!) and has been tried and tested. The list includes both well-known local favorites and offbeat finds.

Want to save even more money? Check out our Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids. Find more affordable restaurants for kids and families—as well as some splurgeworthy ones—in our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide.

Read more.

Free Museums in DC and Northern Virginia to Visit with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/09/2026 - 11:18am

The remodeled National Air and Space Museum is a sight to behold. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for free things to do in DC with kids? Bring them to one of the many free museums in the DC area that are engaging, fun, and provide a much-needed dose of culture. While many of these free museums in DC and Northern Virginia are Smithsonian institutions, there are also several other great ones relating to language and words, the US Army and Marines, and more.

Here are 18 free museums near DC that will excite kids of all ages and interests, from art enthusiasts to history buffs to airplane and dinosaur fanatics. Some of these museum's have designated children's exhibits and/or play areas and free family programs like art workshops and storytimes.

Read reviews of some of these museums in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC, and check out our guide to free things to do in DC with kids for more fun ideas that won't cost you a penny.

Read more.

Where To Score Amazing Student Discounts and Free Stuff for College Students (Parent-Tested Secrets!)

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Thu, 01/08/2026 - 9:00am

Lots of companies offer big discounts for students so they can enjoy  their favorite things on a budget. Photo by Good Life Studios via canva.com

Between tuition, room and board, textbooks, school supplies, and more, being a college student is expensive. And all those hours spent going to class, hitting the books, and doing extracurricular activities don't exactly leave much time for earning money.

But that doesn't necessarily mean your college kid has to live on ramen noodles and wear their high school wardrobe. There are tons of stores, restaurants, technology companies, entertainment venues, subscription services, and other businesses that offer student discounts and free stuff for college students. Many of these deals are available online through student discount apps, while others are offered in person with a student ID.

Here are 70 of the best college student deals, student perks, and free resources for college students to help your kiddo save money and still enjoy life. Our list of free stuff for kids and teens in the mail can help college kids get even more freebies. Be sure to also check out our Guide to Free Activities, Events, Classes, and Camps. 

Read more.

100 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 01/04/2026 - 11:29am

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

Raising children in the DC area is an amazing adventure—it certainly has been for my family! From free museums and nature centers to amazing playgrounds and fun festivals, there are so many free things to do in DC with kids. This has allowed my family to discover hidden gems, explore iconic places, and have loads of fun while saving money. It also means visitors from out of town can have a fabulous family vacation full of historic and cultural experiences, nature, and play time without breaking the bank.

Here is our ultimate list of 100 free things to do with kids in DC, from the best free attractions in DC to free events in DC. 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 and our list of free indoor places to play in the DC area. 

Read more.

27 Free Things To Do Indoors in DC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/02/2026 - 10:59am

The Experiential Learning Center at the National Museum of the United States Army offers plenty of opportunities for play and exploration. Photo by Anne Trenelone via Flickr

Cold and rainy days make it hard for kids to burn off their energy and stretch their little legs—especially without spending some serious money. But if you stay at home, you'll all be bouncing off the walls and your house will be a mess. You need somewhere to play that's warm, dry, and—most important—FREE. 

Luckily, there are many free indoor activities in DC that allow kids to move, explore, and blow off steam. From play areas at free museums to free nature centers to free mall playgrounds, these free things to do indoors in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are all great cold and rainy-day activities for kids. 

Here are 27 free indoor things to do in DC with kids on cold and rainy days. For more family fun that won't break the bank, check out our guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids. It includes our ultimate list of 101 free things to do in DC with kids.

Read more.

What is Open on Christmas Day in DC: A List of Awesome Things To Do

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 12/21/2025 - 12:52pm

Pull on the iconic blue parka and check out ICE! featuring The Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the author

Need something to do on Christmas Day? Here are some places you can visit near DC.

Read more.

Best Family Travel of 2025: Our Favorite Cities, Beaches, National Parks, Hotels, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 12/20/2025 - 12:00pm

Photo by Devin Manky via Destination Vancouver

Here at Mommy Poppins, we love to share the best things to do with kids in the 16 regions we cover across the US. But we also love to travel, go on adventures, and help our readers discover the coolest places throughout the country and the world.

In 2025, our writers and editors visited some incredible destinations—and wrote about them for us! They traveled across the US, into Canada and Mexico, and all the way to Asia. And if you're looking for a truly bucket-list experience, check out our list of the top things to do on a Maldives vacation with kids—you'll be itching to save your money and book that trip ASAP!

Here are our favorite family vacation destinations of 2025, including fun cities, sunny beach vacays, gorgeous national parks, and awesome hotels and resorts. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more great places to visit with your family. And, join us in 2026 to see where we'll go next!

Read more.

Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 21 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids in Winter 2025 -2026

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 12/14/2025 - 12:00pm

Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with a lively parade in late February. Photo courtesy of dcparade.com

Winter in the Washington, DC area can be a parenting challenge in the best of times, but there's no stopping us! I am here to help you keep boredom at bay during the colder months with this ultimate winter bucket list.

With so many things to do in DC and nearby during the colder months—from outdoor activities like ice skating and snow tubing to indoor fun such as trampoline parks and tons of free museums—even the most finicky kids will remain entertained until the warmer weather returns.

Here are 21 things to do in DC to cross off your winter bucket list with kids. For even more fun, check out our Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids and our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and More Indoor Fun for Kids in DC. We're also adding more fun events to our events calendar each day.

Read more.

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