Katie Sivinski

Latest posts by Katie Sivinski

Kid-Friendly Spas and Kid Spa Parties Near DC

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 04/07/2023 - 10:00am

Pamper the birthday child and their friends with a spa party! Photo courtesy of Unique & Special Kids Spa

Everyone needs a little pampering sometimes—even kids! But at-home spa days often lead to polish-splattered carpets and makeup-smeared faces. If that thought terrifies you, head to one of several kid-friendly spas near DC. These spas in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia make a great setting for a relaxing parent-child outing, a fun gathering of your child's besties, or even a glam birthday party.

Prefer the comfort of your own home (minus the mess)? There are also companies that bring kid spa parties to you, all with the aim of making your child and their friends feel special and beautiful.

Read on for 10 kid-friendly spas and companies that host kid spa parties near Washington, DC. Check out our DC Kids' Birthday Party Guide for more kids' party ideas, from fun indoor birthday party places for preschoolers to cool teen birthday party spots.

Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience Brings Dinosaurs Roaring Into Washington, DC

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Mon, 03/27/2023 - 10:00am

Come face-to-face with over 80 lifelike dinosaurs at Dinos Alive. Photo by the author

Dino lovers, take note: Dinosaurs have taken over the Rhode Island Center in Washington, DC with the Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience! In this museum-like exhibition, visitors are surrounded by over 80 life-sized, robotic dinosaurs as they walk through a prehistoric jungle habitat, getting an exciting peek at the world as it was millions of years ago. Even kids (and grown-ups) who are not dinosaur fanatics will enjoy seeing the dinos and their surroundings in this interactive experience. The exhibit is in town through April 8, 2024.

My family recently got the opportunity to visit Dinos Alive. All three of my kids—ages 10, 8, and 4—really enjoyed it. Read on for my full review of the Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience, and be sure to purchase tickets before the exhibit roars out of town!

Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Preschoolers in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 02/17/2023 - 10:00am

Turn your own home into one of the best indoor birthday party places ever by inviting a beloved character from Stupendous Events. Photo courtesy of the company

With cold winters, hot and humid summers, and unpredictable rain and snow, finding the right venue for a children's birthday party near DC can be tricky. Finding a spot that's appropriate and fun for preschoolers? Even harder. But DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are home to several great indoor birthday party places for preschoolers that are perfect in any weather. Whether your preschooler is into science, art, superheroes, or sports, there is a great indoor birthday party spot for them.

Here are some awesome indoor birthday party places for preschoolers near DC that allow you to join the fun and celebrate with your kid without stressing over the setup and cleanup. We've also thrown in a few birthday party entertainers that will come to your home or rental space for a unique and fun indoor birthday party.

Check out our Kids' Birthday Party Places Guide for DC for more fun birthday party ideas for kids of all ages, from cool birthday party places for teens to free ways to celebrate your kid's birthday at home.

Best Theme Restaurants for Families in DC, Virginia, and Maryland

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 9:47am

When it comes to theme restaurants, no place does it up more than Baltimore's Papermoon Diner.

Eating at restaurants can be tough with kids, who may find it hard to stay in their seats without commandeering Mom's phone. But there are many theme restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia with built-in entertainment that will keep the kids happy so the whole family can enjoy their meal. Some of these theme restaurants even include dinner shows to watch while your family eats.

Here are 15 theme restaurants in the DC area offering unique dining experiences that are fun, interactive, and family-friendly. From dinner theaters to arcades to a pirate-themed spot, we have a restaurant that will fit your family's interests. And check out our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide for more great places to dine out with kids, including restaurants near DC where kids can play and the best coffee shops near DC to visit with kids.

Best Coffee Shops in DC to Visit with Kids

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 10:00am

A cup of coffee from Open City is the perfect complement to a National Zoo visit. Photo courtesy of Open City DC

Ah, coffee. So comforting. So rejuvenating. So... difficult to sit and enjoy with kids around—at least in my experience! If you need more coffee in your life—and the chance to actually finish it—we've rounded up the best coffee shops in DC to visit with kids.

Want to meet up with friends and their kids for a play date? DC has a coffee shop for that. Want to enjoy a cup of java and a snack with your little one without having to worry about them being too loud or messy? There's a coffee shop for that, too. There are even coffee shops in the area with built-in entertainment for kids!

Here are 12 of the best coffee shops in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids. If you need some heartier fare, check out our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide for more places to enjoy a meal with little ones, including family-friendly DC vegan restaurants and restaurants near DC where kids can play.

14 Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families Near DC

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 8:30am

Kids of all ages can participate in Wreaths Across America. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

The holiday season can be stress-inducing for anyone, with all the cooking, shopping, and other holiday tasks. But for families that lack the resources to make the holidays special, it can be extra difficult. Sign up for one of the many holiday volunteering opportunities available in the DC area to help make Christmas and the holidays brighter for some of these families.

There are volunteering opportunities to fit any interest and ability, whether it's donating toys, running in a race, buying pies, or shoveling snow. Some volunteering opportunities are only open to ages 13 or 14 and above, so be sure to check the organizations' websites for any age requirements. You can also check out our list of more organizations that provide free Christmas and holiday toys to kids.

Here are 14 holiday volunteering opportunities for kids and families in 2022.

100 Classic Toys for Kids: Favorite Classic Toys, Retro Toys, and Vintage Toys

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 10:33am

Remember getting your first Cabbage Patch Kid? Photo by Charlotte B

After much reminiscing and debating, we’ve winnowed down our list to the 100 top classic toys for kids. What you'll see below are the best classic, retro, and vintage toys—the ones that capture the nostalgia of childhood and the pure bliss of playtime. Now, this is not a list of simple games and fun like kick the can or hide and seek. This is a list for your ultimate inner child—the one who wants all the toys! Perhaps the most amazing thing is that you can still buy every single one of them, either for yourself or to share the classic toy fun with your own kids. So sit back, remember, and possibly be inspired for your child’s next birthday or holiday. Or maybe your own?

Looking for more childhood favorites and classics? The bookworms here (that's pretty much all of us) brainstormed a list of 100 Kids' Books Every Child Should Read, and we've also got ideas for family movie night on our list of the 50 Best Kids' Movies of All Time.

Awesome Trampoline Parks Near DC for Indoor Family Fun

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 12:21pm

Getting ready to fly high. Photo courtesy of the Atomic Trampoline Fun Center

When your kids are bouncing off the walls, there's no better place to bring them than a trampoline park. A trampoline park is a great place to burn off energy, have fun, and get those sillies out without breaking any lamps in your family room. But trampoline parks are so much more than just trampolines. They also offer loads of other fun activities like ninja warrior courses, foam pits, climbing walls, and more.

Here are eight fun trampoline parks near DC, where kids from toddlers to teens can bounce, jump, and play the day away. These trampoline parks have a combined total of over 20 locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland.

For more fun ways to blow off steam indoors, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC, which includes everything from the best indoor rock climbing gyms to fun bowling alleys for families.

Latest posts by Katie Sivinski

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