Mommy Poppins

3-Day Itinerary in Hot Springs, VA: The Perfect Winter Getaway with Kids at the Omni Homestead Resort

Stephanie Shipman — 02/13/2026

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural warm spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

In Hot Springs, families can explore nature preserves and overlooks, take in a concert at the local music center, and enjoy plenty of snow sports like skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Spring and summer are also popular times to visit, but there is something for everyone to enjoy in the town in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural Warm Spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

15 Revolutionary War Sites in NYC that Bring Our Country's History to Life for Kids

Kristy Etheridge — 06/11/2026

Take a walk through history right in your own backyard at these Revolutionary War sites in NYC.

As a diehard history nerd, I've taken my 9-year-old son to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia (twice!), and we've visited Philadelphia and Boston, both cities with major colonial cred, numerous times. But some of the most important Revolutionary War battles and key events took place right here in NYC, making it a great destination for exploring colonial history.

With the USA's 250th birthday happening this year, it's the perfect time to brush up on Revolutionary history with the whole family.

Did you know you can see where George Washington slept during the war and the Bible he used for his inauguration; check out where the battles of Fort Washington, Harlem Heights, and Brooklyn were waged; and tour Founding Father Alexander Hamilton's home all without leaving the five boroughs? Plus, many of these sites host special interactive activities like living historical reenactments and battle recreations.

Read on for 15 NYC sites where kids (and grown-ups!) can connect with colonial history, and check out some of the top America 250 events happening this year in NYC.

NYC Revolutionary War History: At-a-Glance

Best Historical Site for Young Children: Historic Richmond Town
Best Spot for Teens: Hamilton Grange National Memorial
Best FREE Historical Site: Fort Tryon Park
Best for Living History and Reenactments: Historic Richmond Town

Ultimate Teen Summer Survival Guide (No Camp? No Job? No Problem!)

Jennifer Marino Walters — 06/11/2026

My 15-year-old twin boys are in that pesky in-between age—they're too old for day camps, but too young for most jobs. So as we stare down two months of summer vacation, we're faced with the conundrum of how they will fill their summer days. If we're not careful, it will be easy for them to slip into that rut of sleeping until noon and playing video games all afternoon.

Luckily, this isn't our first rodeo. This is my family's third summer of having teenagers in the house, and we have developed some strategies for keeping them engaged and off the PS5. These tools and tricks come from research, chats with other parents, and our own hard-earned lessons on what works and what doesn't for how to keep teens busy in summer.

Read on for our ultimate teen summer survival guide! Our Games & Activities Guide and our list of 100 activities for bored teens (no screens) will also help combat teen boredom all summer long.

What Teens & Parents Will Get From This Guide:

Easy ways to structure summer days (without a strict schedule)
A choose-your-own “menu” of teen summer activities
Goal ideas that feel fun—not like school
Low-effort routines that prevent all-day screen time
Things for teens to do in the summer at home and outside the home

Read on for our ultimate teen summer survival guide! Our Games & Activities Guide and our list of 100 activities for bored teens (no screens) will also help combat teen boredom all summer long.

What Teens & Parents Will Get From This Guide:

Easy ways to structure summer days (without a strict schedule)
A choose-your-own “menu” of teen summer activities
Goal ideas that feel fun—not like school
Low-effort routines that prevent all-day screen time
Things for teens to do in the summer at home and outside the home

Free Concerts in Boston: My Fav Weekend Picks To Do With Kids

N Ferreira — 06/10/2026

From Bluey to free shows around Boston, the weekend fun takes center stage!

The best part about summer weekends in Boston is that they don't need much planning. Pick a concert, a festival, a farm, or a show, and somehow the whole day falls into place. This weekend has that easy summer energy—live music in the city, strawberries ready for picking, neighborhood celebrations, and a certain blue heeler making a stop in town.

Honestly, this lineup feels like it was assembled by a committee of kids. Live music? Great. A giant neighborhood party? Even better. Bluey? Sold. Add fresh strawberries into the mix, and it's hard to imagine a more crowd-pleasing weekend.

Strawberry Fests And More Fun Things To Do in CT This Weekend

Jennifer Coe — 06/10/2026

From sweet strawberries to open house days, find fun in CT this weekend!

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

It's time to pick your Connecticut strawberries! The season has just kicked off and our calendar shows it. This weekend there are several Strawberry Festivals including the annual Mistick Strawberry Festival and the Strawberry Festival at Lyman Orchard. Also this weekend is the CT Open House Day Statewide; this is an annual day when over 200 attractions throughout the state open their doors for FREE including museums, parks, and landmarks.

Looking for more fun things to do? Check our calendar frequently and plan your family's weekly fun with Mommy Poppins!

Reptiles, Goats, Pride and More Things to Do this Weekend with Kids on Long Island

Jaime Sumersille — 06/10/2026

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

The Nassau Reptile Expo crawls into town at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. If your kids are fascinated by snakes, lizards, and other scaly creatures, this is a can't-miss! Get an up-close look at the hundreds of reptiles on display.

For a unique outdoor experience, head to Sands Point Preserve, where furry friends from Green Goats Rhinebeck arrive to act as lawnmowers and preserve the land. Plan to stay and explore this sweeping Gold Coast preserve—I promise it’s worth it!

And, if you're looking for a FREE family outing, don't miss Gallery North's Wet Paint Festival in Setauket, where artists transform the village into an open-air studio for the day, complete with free children's activities, live music, and more.

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At-a-Glance

Best for Flag Day History: Stars, Stripes, and Signal Flags at The Whaling Museum
Free Pick for World Cup Fun: Watch Party and Third Eye Blind Concert at Stony Brook
Best for Nature Exploration: Butterfly and Bird Festival at Sweetbriar Nature Center
Best for Food, Culture & Family Fun: North Meets South Food & Drink Festival
Best Community Celebration: Long Island Pride Festival

Read on for all my top weekend picks below!

– Jaime and the whole Long Island team

World Cup Kick Off, Big Umbrella Day, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Drew Kristofik — 06/10/2026

These are the best things to do in New York City with kids all weekend long.

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

This weekend, we're chasing the NYC KidsFest from Marcus Garvey Park to the Jackie Robinson Bandshell—music, face painting, balloon animals, and science fun cover all my kids' bases! While we're uptown, we'll definitely dip over to the Schomburg Centennial Festival on Saturday, too. Then, we're heading to the American Museum of Natural History for a day full of FIFA World Cup soccer, including a viewing party for the Qatar vs. Switzerland match.

On Sunday, we're going to make some Father's Day cards at Bowne & Co!

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At-a-Glance

Best for Classical Summer Night: NY Philharmonic Concert in Prospect Park
Best for Italian Food: Feast of Saint Anthony
Best for Berry Bingers: Strawberry Festival at Queens County Farm Museum
Best for All-Abilities Arts: Big Umbrella Day
Best Bet for Kung Fu: MOCA's Dragon Boat Festival

Read on for all my weekend picks below!

– Drew and the whole New York City team

World Cup Events, Juneteenth Festivals, and More: Top Picks For Things To Do this Weekend in Orlando

Charlotte B — 06/10/2026

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

If you're looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this weekend, there’s no shortage of family fun around Orlando. My family is especially excited about the FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience at LEGOLAND Florida, where kids can test their soccer skills through interactive games and LEGO-themed challenges. We’re also eyeing the Foodie World: Asian Food Festival Orlando for its lineup of food, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. For families who love summer nights, both Volcano Bay Nights and Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon offer the chance to splash, dance, and enjoy shorter wait times after dark. This weekend also brings Juneteenth celebrations, including the Kissimmee Juneteenth Festival and the Juneteenth Celebration in Hannibal Square. Read on for our top picks for things to do with kids in Orlando this weekend.

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance

Can’t-Miss Event: FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience at LEGOLAND Florida
My Favorite Free Event: Orange Crush at the Citrus Tower
Best Event for Babies: Kids Day at Leu Gardens
Best Bet for Teens (but they’re teens, so who knows?): Volcano Bay Nights
Coolest Hidden Gem Activity: Foodie World: Asian Food Festival Orlando

- Charlotte and the whole Orlando team!

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

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance

Can’t-Miss Event: FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience at LEGOLAND Florida
My Favorite Free Event: Orange Crush at the Citrus Tower
Best Event for Babies: Kids Day at Leu Gardens
Best Bet for Teens (but they’re teens, so who knows?): Volcano Bay Nights
Coolest Hidden Gem Activity: Foodie World: Asian Food Festival Orlando

- Charlotte and the whole Orlando team!

World Cup Events, RockFest, and More Fun Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Elsa Simcik — 06/10/2026

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

We have soccer fever as Atlanta welcomes FIFA World Cup 2026 fans starting this weekend! Not springing for a match ticket? No problem. Atlanta has so many cool World Cup events happening across the city! FIFA Fan Festival, in Centennial Olympic Park, runs select days starting this weekend with awesome, kid-friendly activities. Find even more soccer fun by reading our massive Atlanta Guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026 to get the details about all-things World Cup (Zoo Atlanta is even getting into the fun with its World Block Party on Sunday). If you want to skip the sporty vibes, check out butterflies at Chattahoochee Nature Center or gems and minerals at Tellus Science Museum. Keep reading for details about these activities and more fun Atlanta weekend events below!

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance:

Can't-Miss Atlanta Event: Atlanta Streets Alive
My Favorite Free Event: Movie & Match Night at The Works
Best Nature-Themed Activity: Butterfly Encounter at Chattahoochee Nature Center
Best Bet for Older Kids and Tweens: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical
Event for Future Paleontologists: Explorasaurus Rex at Fernbank

-Elsa and the whole Atlanta team!

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

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance:

Can't-Miss Atlanta Event: Atlanta Streets Alive
My Favorite Free Event: Movie & Match Night at The Works
Best Nature-Themed Activity: Butterfly Encounter at Chattahoochee Nature Center
Best Bet for Older Kids and Tweens: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical
Event for Future Paleontologists: Explorasaurus Rex at Fernbank

-Elsa and the whole Atlanta team!

Cultural Festivals, Nature Fun, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Maureen Wilkey — 06/10/2026

A weekend of cultural festivals, biking events, and Pokemon.

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

Nature fests are celebrating the start of summer this weekend in Chicago. Summer Nature Fest at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum features live animals, nature play and walks, and other activities kids will love. You can also celebrate various cultures at Midsommarfest in Andersonville, Fiestas Patronales Puertorriqueanas in Humboldt Park, and other cultural festivals.

Want to get away this weekend instead? Check out our Midwest Travel Guide!

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance

My Favorite Free Event: Beaubien Woods Celebation
Best Event for Babies and Toddlers: Fairy Festival in Downers Grove
Best Bet for Teens (But they're teens, so who knows?): Bitter Jester Musical Festival
Coolest Hidden Gem Activity: Downtown Wheaton Family Fun Tent
Biggest Cultural Festival: Fiestas Patronales Puertorriquenas