Rebecca Singer

Where to Play Laser Tag and Paintball Near Washington, DC

Submitted by Rebecca Singer on Fri, 02/16/2024 - 8:43am

Zap the competition with a game of laser tag at Ultrazone. Photo courtesy of Ultrazone

If your kids (especially your tweens and teens) have some energy to burn, laser tag and paintball are the perfect way to do it. Almost like playing a live-action video game, laser tag and paintball are a great way to get your kids to take a break from their devices and play IRL.

In laser tag, players try to take down their opponents by shooting them with infrared laser beams in an elaborately designed indoor arena. In paintball, they navigate outdoor terrain while attempting to splat their opponents with colorful paint capsules. Perfect for playing in groups, laser tag and paintball are fun for older kids, tweens, and teens and make great teen birthday party ideas.

Read on for our list of 10 top places to play laser tag or paintball in Maryland and Northern Virginia. For even more fun activities for big kids, check out our lists of fun things to do with teens and tweens in DC and extreme sports and other thrilling activities for kids near DC.

43 Harry Potter Fan Vacation Ideas in the US: Harry Potter-themed Sights, Activities, Tours, and More

Submitted by Rebecca Singer on Sat, 02/03/2024 - 12:00pm

Catch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Wands at the ready, Harry Potter fans! If you’re looking for a way to experience the magic of Harry Potter but can’t make it across the pond to the boy wizard’s home in England, you’re in luck: We’ve rounded up some of the best places stateside where you and your budding Potterheads can live out your wizarding dreams.

Mount your broom, grab some floo powder, or head for the nearest portkey—whatever your preferred means of magical transport—to take you on an enchanted adventure to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. From theme parks and exhibitions to wand shops and Harry Potter themed vacation homes, here are 43 places in the US where you can make your wizarding fantasies come true.

If you are up for an international trip, check out our review of the Harry Potter studio tour near London. Then visit our Family Travel Guide for more great family vacation ideas.

Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Rebecca Singer on Sun, 01/21/2024 - 10:00am

There are many opportunities to help clean up Montgomery County parks throughout the year. Photo courtesy of Montgomery County Parks

Volunteering as a family is an enriching way to spend time together while building values like empathy and compassion. There are many volunteering opportunities for kids throughout the DC area, so families with children of all ages can experience how rewarding it feels to contribute to their community.

You can find a cause to fit any child's passion, from addressing food insecurity to cleaning parks to helping animals. Opportunities range from one-time events to ongoing service projects. There are also annual volunteer programs organized around holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, Earth Day, Thanksgiving, and the winter holiday season.

Here are 25 volunteering opportunities for kids and families in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Our lists of DC Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Summer Service Trips for Teens will give you even more great ideas for giving back.

Best Escape Rooms for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Rebecca Singer on Mon, 10/23/2023 - 10:00am

Beat the Bomb combines the skill of an escape room with the thrill of a video game—and colorful paint or foam! Photo courtesy of the Beat the Bomb Facebook page

With immersive settings, engaging themes, and entertaining storylines, escape rooms are a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family. There are many escape rooms for kids throughout the DC area, so families with children of all ages can get in on the fun.

In escape room games, players are "locked" (don't worry—they can actually leave at any time) in an elaborately themed room and must work together to break free by deciphering clues, cracking codes, and solving puzzles before time (usually 60 minutes) runs out. While the puzzles and clues are typically geared for tweens, teens, and adults, younger children love to help out and embrace the exciting themes.

Here are 14 top escape rooms for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more indoor fun near DC with kids of all ages—including the best indoor rock climbing gyms and awesome trampoline parks—check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces and More in DC.

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Rebecca Singer

Latest posts by Rebecca

Where to Play Laser Tag and Paintball Near Washington, DC

43 Harry Potter Fan Vacation Ideas in the US: Harry Potter-themed Sights, Activities, Tours, and More

Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Best Escape Rooms for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

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