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

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.

25 Free Things To Do Indoors in DC with Kids: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/03/2025 - 10:13am

Experiential Learning Center at the National Museum of the United States Army. Photo by Anne Trenelone via Flickr

Cold and rainy days make it harder for kids to burn their energy and stretch their little legs—especially without spending some serious money. Luckily, there are many free indoor things to do in DC with kids. From play areas at free museums to free nature centers to free mall playgrounds, these indoor places to play in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are all great options for bad-weather days.

Here are 21 free indoor things to do in DC with kids who need to blow off steam and burn some energy. For more family fun that won't break the bank, check out our guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids. Plus, our Guide to Indoor Fun for DC Kids includes even more places to play indoors when the weather outside is frightful.

Best Family Travel of 2024: Our Favorite Cities, Beaches, Hotels, and More Vacation Ideas

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 12/27/2024 - 9:53am

Embrace the slow rhythm of a camel ride on a safari adventure. Photo by Diana Kim

While we love to share all of the fun things to do in our own cities with kids, we also enjoy getting out of town and exploring other amazing places. And in 2024, Mommy Poppins writers and editors visited some incredible destinations. We traveled across the US, from California all the way to Florida. We also had some adventures abroad, including in Europe and Toronto.

If you have an animal lover in your family, you've got to check out our posts about our writer's trips to the Galapagos islands and on African safari. She shares all the scoop on how to have these bucket-list experiences with your own kids!

Here are our favorite family vacation destinations of 2024, including fun cities, sunny beach vacays, and kid-friendly hotels and resorts. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more great places to visit with your family. And, join us in 2025 to see where we'll go next!

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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