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

Book Yourself the Ultimate Moms’ Weekend at Lansdowne Resort

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Wed, 03/20/2024 - 9:00am

Lansdowne Resort is a 500-acre, AAA Four-Diamond, award-winning paradise right outside DC. Photo courtesy of Lansdowne Resort

Lansdowne Resort–just 30 miles outside DC–features a luxurious spa, top-notch golfing, tennis, pickleball, pools, and more, making it the perfect destination for a moms’ getaway, a girls’ weekend, a Mother’s Day retreat, or even a relaxing family vacation.

If you’re dreaming about a break from homework help and the school drop-off line, call off the Google search and consider a stay at Lansdowne Resort. The 500-acre, AAA Four-Diamond, award-winning paradise along the Potomac provided a much-needed and glorious retreat for me and one of my closest friends, so I’ve pulled together everything you need to know to plan your own girls' getaway or family vacation at Lansdowne.

Spring Break 2024: 21 Fun Things To Do in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 03/17/2024 - 10:10am

Smiles will bloom at all of the fun National Cherry Blossom Festival events. Photo courtesy of the Photo courtesy of the festival

Spring break 2024 is coming to the Washington, DC metro area! If your family is not traveling, that means you'll have a week or more to take part in all of the fun activities and events the DMV has to offer this April.

When is spring break 2024? For DC public schools, it's the week of Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19.

For most Northern Virginia public school districts—as well as Montgomery County, Charles County, and Prince George's County public schools in Maryland—spring break 2024 is Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29 (with many districts also giving students the following Monday, April 1 off, and Fairfax County also making Tuesday, April 2 a student holiday).

Check out our list of local school-year calendars to find out when your school district's spring break falls. Then read on for 21 fun things to do with kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Our Spring Fun Guide for DC Kids and Families will give you even more ideas.

If you'd rather get out of town for a last-minute family vacation, get inspired by our list of cheap spring break travel ideas for families.

Best Family Resorts in Florida

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 03/16/2024 - 12:00pm

Kids can play safely in the zero-entry pool at the Omni Amelia Island Resort.

Looking for the best family resorts in Florida? We've got you covered with some great picks near the Orlando theme parks, up and down the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and all the way down to the Florida Keys.

Because many families head to Florida for fantastic beach vacations, we tried to include a resort in or near some of our favorite beach cities, like Amelia Island, West Palm Beach, Naples, and Destin. We considered factors such as the resorts' activities and amenities, kids' clubs, proximity to local attractions, room types, and more. We also included some great family resorts in Florida that were recommended by our writers and editors.

Here are 21 of the best family resorts in Florida to consider for your next visit to the Sunshine State. Be sure to check out our Florida Family Travel Guide to help you narrow down your location!

Gen Z Slang Translator for Parents to Vibe with Teens (and Coworkers)

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:35pm

Understanding gen z slang can be more difficult than learning a new language.

Bruh... if it feels like your tweens and teens speak a different language, it's time to brush up on your gen z slang. Trust us, you're not alone: When we asked readers and fellow parents to share which teen slang words and phrases baffle them, we seemed to have hit a nerve. Moms and dads across the country bombarded us with gen z slang words and terms they just don't understand, from "bet" and "bussin'" to "drip" and "no cap."

And, NGL: Texting your teen can get you even more shook, FR. Mind-boggling acronyms have made deciphering teens' text messages similar to solving a puzzle, TBH. IYKYK.

We're here to help with our list of 50 common gen z slang words and text acronyms to help you understand your teens. Once you've mastered the lingo, score even more cool points with our teen and tween gift guide and our list of over 100 ideas for college care packages. Will your teens appreciate it? Bet!

Best Kid-Friendly Family Resorts in California

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 01/27/2024 - 12:00pm

Legoland California is the ultimate destination for LEGO lovers.

Whether it's the family-friendly wineries and giant redwoods of the San Francisco Bay Area, the beautiful beaches and famous theme parks of Los Angeles and Orange County, the desert vibes of Palm Springs, or the iconic zoo and beauty of San Diego, California is full of awesome getaways for families. Luckily, there are also tons of kid-friendly family resorts to stay in while you explore everything the Golden State has to offer.

Here are 22 of the best family resorts in California, including top picks in LA and the OC, San Diego and its surrounding areas, Palm Springs, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Check out our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide for even more great places to stay, no matter where your next family vacation takes you.

Hot Wheels Champion Experience Has Rolled Into the DC Area

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/19/2024 - 10:00am

Virtually racing Hot Wheels cars is one of many fun activities at the Hot Wheels Champion Experience. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

If you've got some little—or not-so-little—Hot Wheels fans in your life, check out Hot Wheels Champion Experience at Tysons Corner Center near DC. Open since December 2023, the 16,000-square-foot interactive environment includes 10 activities that combine physical play with video games, like designing your own Hot Wheels car and watching it come to life onscreen, building custom tracks in an augmented-reality room, and virtually driving a car.

I recently had the chance to visit Hot Wheels Champion Experience with my 12-year-old twin boys during a media preview. The boys enjoyed it, and said they would have loved it even more when they were younger.

Read on for all the details on visiting this experience, which is set to roll out of town on March 31, 2024. For even more ways to have fun indoors, check out our Guide to Indoor Fun for Kids in DC.

Free Stuff For Kids in the Mail: Free Books, Magazines, Toys, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Thu, 01/18/2024 - 12:08pm

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program mails one free, high-quality book per month to children ages 0-5! Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Foundation

In today's digital age, kids are often missing out on the joy of running to the mailbox and finding something addressed to them—a letter from a pen pal, a card from Grandma, etc. But there are many companies and organizations that will send your child free stuff in the mail just by signing up online. Whether it's free books or magazines, free stickers or toys, or free beauty samples for teens, your child will relish the surprise of receiving an envelope or a package with their name on it.

Check out this list of 24 organizations and companies that will send your child free stuff in the mail. For more freebies near you, visit your city's Guide to Free Things To Do with Kids. And, our massive list of birthday freebies for kids includes everything from free food at restaurants to free perks at stores.

Best Travel of 2023: Our Favorite Cities, Beaches, Hotels, and More for a Family Vacation

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 12/30/2023 - 11:40am

Head overseas to breathtaking Seoul, South Korea and make a stop at the Coex Aquarium. Photo by Diana Kim

Here at Mommy Poppins we've definitely got the travel bug, and we love to share our favorite family travel destinations with all of our readers. Luckily, we went to some pretty awesome places in 2023. We soaked up the sun on beaches from Florida to Belize; explored amazing US cities in the South, Midwest, and West; caught thrills at some great theme parks and water parks; and even went abroad to Seoul, South Korea and Oslo, Norway.

We shared some less-conventional types of travel, too. Outdoorsy families will love our lists of the best US glamping spots, family-friendly river rafting trips, and even some fabulous kid-friendly wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Here are our favorite family vacation destinations of 2023, including some great hotel and resort suggestions. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more great places to visit with your family—we've got big plans in store for 2024!

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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