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

Fun Bowling Alleys Near DC for Kids and Families

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 07/21/2024 - 10:00am

Bowling is a fun activity the whole family will enjoy! Photo courtesy of The Main Event

Bowling is one of my family's favorite ways to hang out and have some friendly competition, especially on those days where the weather keeps us inside. And with loads of family-friendly bowling alleys throughout the DC area, you're sure to find one near you.

These bowling alleys in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia feature kid-friendly amenities like bowling bumpers and ball ramps, making it the perfect activity for bowlers of all ages and skill levels. Some of them even offer a Kids Bowl Free deal during the summer, through which children get two free games every day of the summer.

For more indoor activities with kids, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces, which includes our lists of everything from laser tag arenas to trampoline parks.

Best Pride Events Near DC for Families

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 05/24/2024 - 10:00am

The Capital Pride Festival is just one of many ways to celebrate pride in the DC area. Photo by Ted Eytan courtesy of the event

Looking for the best Pride events near DC to celebrate Pride Month this June? Read on for our fun list!

Our area is known for its vibrant LGBTQA+ community, so June is full of parades and celebrations of Pride. The Capital Pride Parade has a new route this year, but still offers its Family Playtime area. Family Pride Day at Glen Echo is a fun afternoon full of kid-friendly activities. And Arlington leads the kick-off of Pride Month with a Block Party at National Landing.

Read on for our list of the best Pride events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more summertime activities, be sure to check out our Summer Activities Guide. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more fun things to do.

Visiting Massanutten Resort and Water Park with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 05/10/2024 - 10:00am

Families will never run out of fun activities at Massanutten Resort. Photo by author Jennifer Swope

Massanutten Resort is well-known among DC families as a winter ski destination, but it actually offers four seasons of family fun. My family was invited to visit Massanutten ahead of its summer-season kickoff to check out activities and experiences that go beyond the ski and tubing hills.

In full disclosure, this was not our first visit to Massanutten Resort. My family has visited during a winter ski season and over a fall long weekend. We had a blast each time.

During this trip, my 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son tried nearly every activity available and could not pick just one favorite. That's how much fun they had! Read on for my full review of Massanutten Resort and my tips on how to make the most of a trip there.

Check out our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for more great places to visit near DC.

Easter Weekend 2024 in DC: Easter Egg Hunts, Blossom Kite Festival, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 03/27/2024 - 9:11am

Celebrate spring at McLean Community Center's Spring Fest. Photo courtesy of the community center

DC is hopping for Easter weekend 2024! There are, of course, tons of Easter events, but also several events for those who want to enjoy spring.

Kids of all ages can join in one of several Easter egg hunts held around the area, or they can hop on over to meet the Easter Bunny. Two of the most popular cherry blossom events are also this weekend—the Blossom Kite Festival and Sakura Taiko Fest, both at the Washington Monument.

Two local theater productions end their runs this weekend—Junie B. Jones, The Musical at Adventure Theatre and Inside Out and Backwards at Imagination Stage.

Whether you celebrate Easter or just enjoying spring, we hope this Easter weekend 2024 is full of all things sunny.

Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience Brings Happy Vibes to Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 01/14/2024 - 10:00am

Diving into a ball pit will make any kid smile!

Dopamine is what gives our brains feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation, and that's what Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience in the Friendship Heights area of Washington, DC does. This paid experience invites visitors to activate dopamine through immersive activities in media, technology, and play.

With my 12-year-old daughter, I went through Dopamine Land during a preview event at which we learned a little about what satisfies our brains.

Read on to learn all about Dopamine Land, and don't miss our Guide to Indoor Fun for DC Kids to help with staying busy during these cold months.

Pictures with Santa Claus in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/26/2023 - 12:00pm

Take pictures with Santa and enjoy loads of other holiday activities at Gaylord National Resort. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National

The holiday season is full of festive photo ops, including the most important photos of all: pictures with Santa. There are so many places for families to meet Santa Claus and take Santa photos throughout DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. You can take pictures with Santa at the mall, visit him at fun events, and even see him on the rails at the National Capital Trolley Museum.

Many visits with Santa are free with the option to purchase photo packages, but there are even some places where you can get free pictures with Santa. Don't forget to secure a reservation ahead of time at most of these places—Santa is very busy this time of year.

Read on for our list of places to take Santa pictures near DC. Then check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our roundups of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC, where to have breakfast with Santa in the DC area, and more. Happy holidays!

Halloween Weekend 2023 in DC: Trick-or-Treat, Air & Scare, and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 10/25/2023 - 11:18am

Which gourd will win the pumpkin derby race at Pumpkin Rock N' Roll in Kensington, Maryland? Photo courtesy of the event's website

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

Halloween is on Tuesday and this weekend kicks off some of our area's best celebrations. It's time to put those masks and costumes to good use at some kid-friendly Halloween events and activities in and around DC. Our events calendar is packed with the best places for princesses, monsters, and superheroes to show off their outfits all weekend long.

Start the weekend with a family-friendly festival like Hilloween at Eastern Market or Rattle Your Bones at Port Discovery. Continue the Halloween fun at the Del Ray Halloween Parade, Air & Scare at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, or Monster Bash in Takoma Park. And on Halloween itself, enjoy spooktacular events at Great Falls and Mosaic, or head to one of the best neighborhoods to trick-or-treat near DC.

Don’t miss our lists of the top Halloween events in DC for kids and families, the best pumpkin patches near DC, and the best corn mazes near DC.

Best Museums for Kids in the DC Area: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 10/08/2023 - 10:00am

What masterpieces will your kiddo create at the National Building Museum’s PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit? Photo by Anne McDonough, courtesy of the museum

Washington, DC is known for its amazing free museums, including the world-famous Smithsonian institutions. That's why DC museums that charge admission are often overlooked. But, trust us—there are several fantastic museums in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland that are truly worth the price of admission.

On a cold or rainy day, these museums offer something new and interesting for families to experience, whether it's exhibits just for young visitors, planes or trains to marvel at, optical illusions, or hands-on activities such as building and art.

Here are our favorite museums for kids and families in the DC area that are worth paying for, including children's museums and more. We've also included a few of the free museums near DC that are especially kid-friendly. Read reviews of some of these places in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC, which includes our list of free museums in DC to visit with kids.

Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer

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