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

33 Best Things to Do in DC with Kids July 2025: 4th of July Events and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 06/29/2025 - 12:00pm

The Louodun County Fair includes fun activities like a Take part in a Power Wheels Derby. Photo courtesy of the fair

Summer is in full swing! July in DC brings Fourth of July, sunflowers, peaches, and more summer fun.

The DC area really celebrates Independence Day. Local towns and neighborhoods like Takoma Park, Vienna, and Capitol Hill have hometown festivities while the city plays host to large celebrations such as the National Independence Day Parade and the big DC fireworks show on the National Mall.

July has so many reasons to be outside, including the Loudoun County Fair, Summer of Sunflowers & Peaches, free DC summer concerts, and free outdoor movies.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family this July, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in DC Best Things To Do with Kids: Festivals, Day Trips, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 12:00pm

Honor those who died while serving in the US military during Flowers of Remembrance Day at Arlington National Cemetery. US Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser

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

It's the official start of summer this weekend, and there are lots of events to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These include the National Memorial Day Concert on the National Mall and Flowers of Remembrance Day at Arlington National Cemetery.

This weekend also kicks off the season of summer festivals in the DC area, with fun options like ViVa Vienna! and the Hometown Holidays Music Fest in Rockville. This weekend is also the last weekend that Big Bounce America is in the DMV, so don't miss it!

And don't forget—Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to take a summer day trip!

Top Easter Egg Hunts in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 03/23/2025 - 10:41am

Eggstravaganza! at Tudor Place features both an egg hunt and an egg roll. Event photo courtesy of Tudor Place Historic House

It's time to dust off those baskets and get ready for some Easter egg hunts! Easter egg hunts are one of the top springtime kids' activities, and they're happening all across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Easter 2025.

From toddlers to teens, there is an Easter egg hunt that works for every kid in your family. These even include some free egg hunts!

Read on for our list of the best Easter egg hunts at DC parks, farms, churches, and more for family fun. Many of them require advance registration and are filling up fast, so book soon!

Our Easter Activities Guide and Spring Activities Guide for Families have even more fun ways to enjoy the holiday, from awesome Easter movies to easy Easter crafts.

Best Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 03/09/2025 - 1:00pm

Kids can have lots of outdoor adventures at Beauvoir Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the Beauvoir Summer Program

Summer camps are a win for both kids and parents. Summer day camps allow parents to tackle work and home responsibilities while their children have fun learning new skills, making friends, playing, splashing, and creating. And with so many great day camps in the DC area for kids of all interests, you're bound to find one your children will love. Traditional summer camps, STEM camps and other academic programs, theater camps, and art camps are just some of the options available.

Here are 17 summer day camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia we're sure your kids will love. Note that some of these camps may already be full, so be sure to check camp websites for registration and 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 free and affordable summer camps to overnight summer camps and everything in between.

Best Summer Camps for Teens in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 03/02/2025 - 7:00am

Kids can learn from top tennis coaches at Nike Tennis Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

If you feel your teenager has outgrown camp, the variety of summer camps for teens throughout the DC area may convince you otherwise. There are summer day camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that will keep teens busy all summer long no matter their interests. These teen summer camps include all sorts of big-kid activities like sports, coding and robotics, theater, art, and so much more.

Here are 15 summer camps for teens in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide for more options for summer camps near DC, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more summer camps to fit any budget and interest.

STEM Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Tue, 02/11/2025 - 11:45am

S.H.E. Can Steam campers learn about aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Photo courtesy of S.H.E. Can STEAM Camp

STEM camps are incredibly popular in this digital age, especially with the mad technology skills kids have these days. With that in mind, we went on the hunt for innovative STEM summer camps in and around DC. There's a STEM camp for every age, skill level, and interest. Most are in-person, but there are virtual options for those who want a little more flexibility.

For more virtual options, check out our list of Best Online STEM, Robotics, and Coding Classes and Camps for Kids.

Looking for other 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 day camps to overnight summer camps and everything in between.

Stephanie Shipman contributed additional reporting to this article.

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.

Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer

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