Katie Sivinski

Latest posts by Katie Sivinski

Fishing Lakes Near DC and More Kid-Friendly Places to Go Fishing

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 10:00am

Fishing is a great way to bond with the family in nature. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Parks in Maryland

Fishing is a fun way for families to spend time together outdoors, and there is no shortage of kid-friendly fishing lakes near DC. There are also plenty of other places to go fishing near DC along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, in parks, and more. There are so many fishing spots, in fact, that it was tough narrowing this list down to the ones you'll see below.

Grab your fishing poles, hooks, and tackle boxes and head to one of these 12 fishing lakes near DC and other family-friendly places to go fishing. These fishing spots in DC, Maryland, and Virginia are some of the top places for families to try their hand at snagging a big one.

For more outdoor family fun, check out our Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids.

Outdoor Swimming Pools Near DC with a Daily Pool Pass Option

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 06/17/2022 - 10:00am

Get a daily pool pass at several DC-area swimming pools. Photo courtesy of Visit Montgomery

When the summer heat descends on Washington, DC, there are plenty of free public swimming pools that families can visit to cool down. But for those who live in the DC suburbs, it may seem like paying for a pricey summer membership is the only way to gain access to an outdoor swimming pool. We're here to assure you that is not the case. There are plenty of outdoor swimming pools near DC that offer a daily pool pass option for families who can't commit to a whole summer of swimming. From hotels with pools in DC that offer families a luxurious daycation to community swimming pools with lots of fun features for kids, these pools are all great places to spend a hot DC summer day.

For more ways to make a splash outdoors, check out our lists of 12 outdoor water parks for kids near DC and 17 sprinkler parks, spraygrounds, and splash pads near DC for kids. Stay cool this summer!

How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs: An Earth-Friendly Craft for Kids

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Thu, 06/16/2022 - 11:11am

Find a bare patch of soil to place your seed bomb. Spread them far and wide! Photo by the author

Here's a fun summer craft for kids of all ages that helps pollinators and ecosystems, too: making wildflower seed bombs. Maybe you've heard that pollinators are in danger, but you don't know how to help or maybe don't even know what a pollinator is. Well, here's the scoop, along with a quick, easy, and fun craft for kids that also helps the earth. When you make wildflower seed bombs, you can plant flowers—without any digging or trowels—in your backyard, a flower pot, around your city, or even gift them to neighbors and friends to spread far and wide.

Here's how to make your own wildflower seed bombs that are perfect for whichever pollinators buzz in your backyard. Check out more green activities for kids in our Earth Kids Guide to Green Activities for the Planet.

11 Free Nature Centers Near DC for Kids and Families

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 05/06/2022 - 10:33am

Kids of all ages will love Croydon Creek Nature Center.

With so many free museums, amazing parks and playgrounds, and more free things to do in the Washington, DC area, families don't need to spend money to have fun. Those free activities also include a variety of great nature centers in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC. These nature centers allow kids to get up close to animals, learn about the natural world, and develop a love for the great outdoors.

Here are 11 free nature centers near DC to explore with kids. Many of them offer fun extras such as planetariums, playgrounds, gardens, and hiking trails.

Where to Play Indoor Mini Golf Near DC with Kids

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 04/15/2022 - 10:00am

What color ball will you choose for your next game of mini golf?

Mini golf is the perfect springtime activity, and there are plenty of family-friendly mini golf courses near DC. But spring in the DC area can mean rainy days and unpredictable temps. Still, that doesn't have to ruin your putt-putt plans. Here are four places to play indoor mini golf near DC with kids. These indoor mini golf courses in the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia will give your family a unique, interactive, and often glow-in-the-dark activity to enjoy when the weather is not so nice.

For more indoor family fun on rainy or colder days this spring and all year long, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC.

Best Things To Do in Clifton, Virginia with Kids

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Sun, 10/10/2021 - 10:00am

Peterson's Ice Cream Depot serves up delicious homemade ice cream in Clifton, Virginia.

If you're looking for a casual adventure for your family but don’t want to drive a long way, head to the nearby town of Clifton, Virginia. This historic town, which has been around since the 1700s, is charming, picturesque, and small, with a population of less than 300. And there are plenty of things to do in CIifton, Virginia with kids, from delicious food to scenic hikes.

Read on for our list of nine things to do in Clifton, Virginia with kids. And if you're looking for more fall family outings, check out our list of fall day trips near Washington, DC, our fall fun guide, and our Halloween events and activities guide. Enjoy!

National Children's Museum Opens in Washington, DC

Submitted by Katie Sivinski on Fri, 09/10/2021 - 10:05am

Kids have many opportunities to get hands-on at the National Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

After 18 years—and then another 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic—Washington, DC has finally gotten a children’s museum! The National Children’s Museum reopened to the public on September 2, 2021 after being open for only 18 days at the start of the pandemic. The National Children's Museum combines the feel of a science center and a children’s museum to create an interactive, fun place for kids ages 0-12 to explore.

I recently got the opportunity to investigate the National Children's Museum with my 3-year-old son on a sneak-peek tour. For a kid who has only gotten to experience museums through Blippi videos due to the pandemic, a museum visit was long overdue, and he had a fantastic time.

Below is my review of the National Children's Museum. You can also check out our list of free museums in DC for more fun museums to visit with kids!

Latest posts by Katie Sivinski

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