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
Driving around to see neighborhood Christmas lights is a fun holiday tradition for many families. There's nothing better than loading the family into the car with hot chocolate, turning on holiday music, and taking in all the dazzling Christmas light displays. And the best part is, it's free!
Though DC itself offers gorgeous holiday lights in public places, like Light Yards and ZooLights at the National Zoo, we've found that the best neighborhoods to see Christmas light displays on houses are in the suburbs. Luckily, there are many neighborhoods in Maryland and Northern Virginia that get way into the holiday spirit. Many of them host animated light shows that are synchronized to music played through car radios, so families can stay warm and cozy inside their vehicles.
Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Maryland and Northern Virginia to see over-the-top neighborhood Christmas lights. For more holiday fun, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.
What could be more enjoyable than ice skating on a beautiful winter's day? In 2024, families will have plenty of ice skating options in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, from ice skating rinks that are part of special holiday events to outdoor ice skating rinks that stay open all winter long.
Weather permitting, outdoor ice skating rinks generally open in mid to late November and close in February or March. Many of them also host special skating events, so check the websites for more information. Otherwise, lace up your skates and enjoy ice skating at one of these great rinks near DC.
For more fun things to do this winter—from the best museums for kids in the DC area to the best places to go snow tubing near DC—check out out Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids.
Hosting Thanksgiving at home is a lot of fun, but let's face it—it's also a lot of work. Gathering the crew at a restaurant instead allows everyone to be together on Thanksgiving without all the hassle of cooking and cleaning. Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC and its surrounding areas where you can do just that.
Here are 21 restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2024. Not only are they all kid-friendly, but many even offer special pricing for kids ages 12 and under. If you see something you like, make a reservation ASAP, as spots fill up quickly.
Wherever you choose to gather this Thanksgiving, bring some laughter to the table with our list of 25 Thanksgiving jokes for kids. For even more Thanksgiving fun, try one of our 50 Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities for kids and families.
Looking for the best places to trick-or-treat in the DC area? Here are 13 great neighborhoods for trick-or-treating in 2024.
There's nothing more exciting for kids than going trick-or-treating on Halloween. Luckily for DC-area children, there are tons of great neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Residents of these neighborhoods love to do it up, from extravagant decorations and crazy costumes to haunted houses and tons of candy.
We did research and interviewed local parents to put together this list of 16 great neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in the DC area, all of which are sure to put your family in the spooky spirit. For more Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC, which includes our list of the top Halloween events in DC for kids and families.
Nothing adds magic to the holiday season quite like a Polar Express train ride or a festive Christmas train. To help your family experience that magic, we've rounded up a variety of Christmas trains near DC, including several options for Polar Express train rides in 2024.
From trains that transport you to Christmas tree farms to those that bring classic Christmas stories to life, these Polar Express and Christmas trains will make even your Grinchiest family member's heart grow three sizes. And all of them are within a three-hour drive from DC!
Check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids to help you plan more holiday fun this season, and get a jump on your holiday decorating by trying some of these 101 Christmas activities for kids. Santa will be here before you know it!
While trick-or-treating on Halloween is a rite of passage for kids, it happens only on one day out of the year. But there are plenty of places to trunk-or-treat near DC throughout the month of October. These free trunk-or-treats in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia offer kids plenty of opportunities to collect more candy—and wear their Halloween costumes.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, trunk-or-treats are events at which organizations, groups, or individuals decorate the trunks of their cars with fun Halloween displays. Kids can visit each trunk and receive candy and other goodies.
Read on for our list of free events where kids can trunk-or-treat near DC. For more Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Washington, DC Kids and our list of the best free Halloween events near DC for kids and families.
Thinking of visiting Great Country Farms with kids? We highly recommend it!
DC-area families looking to spend a fun-filled day on the farm have no shortage of nearby options. There are so many fun farms in Maryland and Northern Virginia that offer family entertainment like giant slides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and so much more.
But my family particularly loves Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia. Located about 75 minutes from DC by car, this family-owned farm is open year-round and offers a 12-acre play area; opportunities to pick pumpkins, apples, and other produce; seasonal festivals; and so much more.
Read on to learn all about why we love Great Country Farms. Then visit our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms in DC to find more fun farms to visit.
Corn mazes are a popular fall activity for many families. Navigating twisty paths cut through giant stalks of corn—often while solving clues and finding hidden surprises—is a great way to bond while enjoying the crisp autumn air. The best corn mazes near DC have fun themes, multiple challenge levels, or even flashlight nights, when visitors can tackle the mazes in the dark with only flashlights to guide them.
Here are 16 of the most ah-maize-ing (sorry, couldn't resist) corn mazes near DC for kids and families, including three haunted corn maze options for only the bravest teens. Many of these corn mazes in Maryland and Northern Virginia are part of larger harvest and pumpkin festivals that offer fun activities like hayrides, giant slides, petting zoos, and more.
Looking for even more fun things to do with kids this fall? Be sure to visit our Fall Fun Guide for DC Families and our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in DC.
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