Meredith Kiryakov

Latest posts by Meredith

OBX with Kids: 25 Things To Do in the Outer Banks, NC

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Sun, 06/11/2023 - 10:00am

There are so many kid-friendly beaches in the Outer Banks. Photo by Patty King, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The Outer Banks, NC is a favorite summer getaway for DC families that's well worth the six-hour drive. The Outer Banks (also referred to as the OBX) is a series of beautiful barrier islands, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the calm Pamlico Sound on the other. My family has been traveling to the Outer Banks every summer for over 40 years, and it’s the perfect laid-back family vacation. From the gorgeous beaches to the amazing wildlife (sea turtles and dolphins!), fresh seafood, and fun activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy at a wide range of prices.

Here are 25 great things to do with kids in the OBX, including water sports, lighthouses, and delicious local seafood restaurants. For other great family vacations at beaches near DC, check out our list of family-friendly beaches near DC, including our guides to Virginia Beach and the Delaware beaches.

Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour Near DC for Kids

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 10:00am

Kids can swing, climb, and jump their way through the ninja warrior course at ZavaZone. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Ninja warrior gyms, obstacle courses, and parkour classes are the perfect places for kids to burn off energy when it's cold or rainy outside—or when they just need something a little different than a playground or indoor play space. At ninja warrior gyms and obstacle courses, kids can safely channel their inner ninja without doing flips off the couch or climbing the furniture. And when you've got children of multiple ages—including tweens or teens—they will all have a blast jumping, climbing, and swinging through the various obstacles.

Here are 10 great ninja warrior gyms, obstacle courses, and places to do parkour near DC for kids. These include both indoor and outdoor obstacle courses and ninja warrior gyms where even grown-ups can get in on the fun. For more things to do indoors near DC, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC, which includes our lists of free indoor places to play and awesome trampoline parks near DC. Who knows? Maybe you'll have the next American Ninja Warrior on your hands!

Baby Swimming Classes in DC: Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 11:22am

Toddler and baby swimming lessons are offered all throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Learning to swim is a life skill, and no child is too young to start. In fact, babies are born with natural swimming instincts, and toddler and baby swimming lessons are designed to get them used to the water and teach them to enjoy it. If you're ready to make a splash with your infant or toddler, there are a variety of baby swim classes available throughout the DC area.

Here are 10 swim schools in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that offer toddler and baby swim classes. If you're looking for classes for older children, check out our round-up of the best swimming lessons for kids in DC. Then, when your family is ready to dive in, visit one of these outdoor swimming pools near DC with a daily pool pass option, free public swimming pools in DC or a local water park!

10 Family-Friendly Washington, DC Vegan Restaurants

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Sun, 04/17/2022 - 10:00am

Beefsteak has both meat and vegan options that will make kids smile. Photo courtesy of Beefsteak, Facebook

These days, more and more families are embracing plant-based diets. That trend is evident in the multitude of DC vegan restaurants that have been popping up in the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. From Ethiopian to classic soul food to delectable treats, DC restaurants offer lots of tasty options for vegan and vegetarian food that kids would be happy to chow down on.

Here are 10 family-friendly DC vegan restaurants that prove vegan food can be not only healthy, but delicious as well. Whether your family is full-on vegan or you just want to incorporate more meatless foods into your diets, visit these spots to chow down on a delicious plant-based meal.

For more restaurant recommendations, check out our guide to kid-friendly DC restaurants.

Fun Spring Day Trips from DC for Families

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Sun, 04/03/2022 - 10:00am

The B&O Railroad Museum is just one of many kid-friendly locations in Baltimore. Photo courtesy of the museum

With so many museums, playgrounds, indoor play spaces, and other kid-friendly attractions in and near DC, it’s easy to spend entire weekends in town without getting bored. But there is so much history, natural beauty, and fun to be found within a few hours' drive of the city. If your family needs a change of scenery, take one of these 10 day trips from DC this spring before the sweltering humidity of summer kicks in.

These spring day trips from DC include a variety of locations, from charming towns and historic sites to gorgeous gardens and family-friendly farms. For even more ideas for weekend getaways or day trips from DC, check out our family travel guide. Once you've picked your destination, all you'll need are some fun car games, plenty of snacks, and some road trip essentials to keep the car ride Are we there yet?-free.

Spring Break 2022: The Best Things To Do near DC with Kids on Vacation

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Fri, 03/18/2022 - 9:53am

Take a canoe ride at the Anacostia River Festival. Photo courtesy of the 11th Street Bridge Park

Spring Break 2022 is coming up for Washington, DC public schools! This year, spring break runs from Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 15, followed by a day off for students on Monday, April 18. That means DC public school students have 10 days off to enjoy all of the wonderful spring activities the DC area has to offer.

Here are 15+ things to do near DC with kids for spring break 2022. Many of these events take place on the weekends, so even Maryland, Northern Virginia, and private-school students who are not on spring break can enjoy them. For even more fun options for spring break 2022, check out our lists of great destination playgrounds, mini golf courses, and free museums near DC. Happy spring!

7 Best Ski Resorts Near DC for Kids and Families

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Fri, 01/07/2022 - 10:00am

Snowshoe Mountain Resort boasts a whopping 56 ski trails. Photo courtesy of snowshoemountain.com

When you’re ready for an outdoor skiing adventure with your family, you don’t have to drive all the way to New England for a great experience. These seven ski resorts near DC offer great ski-lesson programs and slopes for kids of all skill levels within a few hours' drive. They also offer all kinds of other amenities for families to enjoy, from snow tubing to indoor play spaces to heated pools.

Most of these ski resorts near DC are operating with capacity restrictions and social-distancing measures in lift lines and lodges to keep visitors safe during COVID. Be sure to check their websites or call ahead to confirm what’s open now.

Our Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids highlights plenty more ways for your family to have fun this winter. If skiing isn't your thing, check out our list of the best places to go snow tubing near DC. For even more skiing and snow sports ideas, browse our Ski and Snow Sports Guide.

Visiting Holiday Road in Virginia and Enchant Christmas in DC with Kids

Submitted by Meredith Kiryakov on Thu, 12/16/2021 - 10:00am

The tunnel of lights is one of many great family photo ops at Holiday Road.

DC is sparkling in 2021 with more Christmas lights displays and immersive holiday experiences than ever before! My family loves to visit at least one holiday lights display each year—it’s a highlight of the season for my kids. This year, we were thrilled to visit two fantastic holiday events near DC—Holiday Road, a newcomer to the area located in Leesburg, Virginia, and Enchant Christmas, which returned to Nationals Park for the third year after being closed in 2020 due to Covid. Both events were really fun and quite different from each other, so you can pick the experience that’s right for your family. At either one, you're sure to find plenty to love.

Meredith Kiryakov

Latest posts by Meredith

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