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.

Free and Cheap Afterschool Programs in Atlanta for Kids

Rebecca Ruffin Leffler — 08/20/2026

We’ve rounded up cheap afterschool programs (some of which are FREE) for kids and teens in Atlanta and around the area. Atlanta afterschool programs also help parents with the daunting process of juggling kids’ school schedules with work schedules.

Afterschool programs provide safe solutions by keeping Atlanta kids mentally stimulated, providing homework assistance, and allowing social interaction among peers in a supervised environment. But they can add up for parents! We’ve rounded up cheap afterschool programs (some of which are FREE) for kids and teens in Atlanta and around the area. Atlanta afterschool programs also help parents with the daunting process of juggling kids’ school schedules with work schedules.

Besides offering financial relief for families, some of these cheap and free afterschool options, offered through school districts and non-profit organizations, provide transportation to a central location. Check out free and cheap afterschool programs in Atlanta for kids to learn, thrive, and make friends after the dismissal bell rings!

The Best Preschools in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Drew Kristofik — 08/17/2026

Whether you opt for a full-day, five-day-a-week program or just a few half days, we've researched the preschools in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and these are our favorites.

Finding the right preschool fit in NYC can feel almost as daunting as getting your kid into the right college—meaning, people will try to terrify you, but odds are good you'll find a great spot for your little one, even if it isn't your first choice.

Whether you opt for a full day, five-day-a-week program or just a few half days, your child can benefit from quality early childhood education while spending time with kids and adults outside your family circle. Potty training, reading, fine motor skills, and early math—all of these come in time, but preschool lays the foundation.

We've done a little research on Park Slope preschool options, breaking down some fundamentals for you below about preschool admissions and programs, but remember our Preschool Directory is an excellent resource, too! And, you can prep for your search by reviewing these 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour and our preschool admissions tips.

Best Park Slope Preschools, At-A-Glance

Parents have many preschool options in Park Slope. Choose from traditional preschools, home-based child care centers, or preschools with unique educational philosophies. Here are our top Park Slope preschools:

Best for Infants: BumbleBeesRus
Best for Working Parents: Honeydew Drop
Best Outdoor Area: Early Childhood Center at Beth Elohim
Best Budget-Friendly: Brooklyn Free Space
Best Language Immersion: Immersion South Slope Montessori

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs in CT for Kids and Families

Jennifer Coe — 08/16/2026

Find the best after-school programs in Connecticut that fit a family budget!

After-school programs offer Connecticut children the opportunity to participate in flexible (and fun!) learning activities, get physical exercise and establish friendships with peers. They also fill up those afternoon hours during which kids need after-school care while parents are at work. Many programs will bus the student directly from the school. Some are even held on school grounds–an ideal solution for working parents!

Be sure to peruse our calendar which is updated weekly and check out the Connecticut Fall Fun Guide for more fun with school-age children.

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs in Boston for Kids and Families

N Ferreira — 08/16/2026

Find the right after-school program in Boston to fit the family budget!

The school year is headed toward us full steam ahead, which means it's time to start thinking about after-school programs in Boston. Families looking for affordable (or even free) programs for Boston kids have lots to choose from. From sports to arts, academics to theater, there are programs for your kids, no matter their age or interests. Check out our picks for afterschool programs in Boston that fit the family budget!

Insider's Guide to KidSTREAM (From a Mom Who's Been There!)

Kylie Williams — 08/16/2026

My favorite thing to do is load the kids in the car and explore new family-friendly spots or hidden gems around LA. So, when I heard KidSTREAM in Camarillo officially opened, I planned an adventure day immediately. We've been to all the kids' museums in the LA area (seriously, try me!), so we have plenty to compare this spot to. Read on for a mom's honest review of LA's newest kids' museum!

KidSTREAM Children's Museum (At a Glance)

This insider's guide includes:

The right age group for kids to have a great experience
Which exhibits are the best for babies and toddlers
If there are any exhibits worth skipping
Whether it's worth the drive if you live far away
Whether it's good for rainy day play
How much admission costs
Parking and food information

KidSTREAM Children's Museum (At a Glance)

This insider's guide includes:

The right age group for kids to have a great experience
Which exhibits are the best for babies and toddlers
If there are any exhibits worth skipping
Whether it's worth the drive if you live far away
Whether it's good for rainy day play
How much admission costs
Parking and food information

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs in DC for Kids and Families

Jennifer Marino Walters — 08/16/2026

Children across the DC area are heading back to school, which means it's already past time to start thinking about after-school programs! If you haven't found one yet, don't worry. Families looking for enriching, reasonably priced, and even free after-school programs in DC have several options from which to choose. These programs include sports, arts, homework help, and other activities. With offerings in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, you're bound to find a great program near you.

Here are 12 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school programs near DC for kids, tweens, and teens. If you're looking for more options, be sure to see our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs, At a Glance

This guide includes:

Low-cost after-school programs in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Completely FREE after-school programs in DC and Maryland
After-school programs at rec centers and in schools
Programs for elementary kids, tweens, and teens
After-school programs that offer homework help, sports, learning activities, and other enrichment

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs, At a Glance

This guide includes:

Low-cost after-school programs in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Completely FREE after-school programs in DC and Maryland
After-school programs at rec centers and in schools
Programs for elementary kids, tweens, and teens
After-school programs that offer homework help, sports, learning activities, and other enrichment

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs in Chicago for Kids and Families

Lauren LaRoche — 08/16/2026

Affordable after-school programs in Chicago can be hard to find, especially with rising prices everywhere. It's important for working parents to have a safe, fun, and educational environment for their kids before and after school, so we've done the work for you and come up with a list of free (and one cheap!) after-school programs in Chicago. Many of these after-care options offer sports, games, mentorship, STEM activities, career planning, homework help, and more.

For more classes for Chicago kids and babies, check out our Best Classes for Kids in Chicago Guide.

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs, At a Glance

This guide includes:

Completely FREE after-school programs in Chicago, plus one low-cost one
After-school programs at rec centers, parks, churches, schools, and more
Programs for elementary kids, tweens, and teens
After-school programs that offer homework help, sports, learning activities, and other enrichment

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs in New York City for Kids and Families

Jody Mercier — 08/16/2026

There are tons of low-cost after-school programs for sports, arts, and academics with offerings across all five boroughs. Find a great NYC program for your kids, no matter their age or interest.

After a summer of expensive entertainment, we could all use this list of free and cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids!

The 2026-27 school year has (nearly) arrived, and that means it's past time to start thinking about after-school classes in NYC, too. Families looking for reasonably priced, enriching, and even free after-school programs for kids in New York City have plenty to choose from. There are tons of after-school programs for sports, arts, academics, and other options. With offerings in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, and more, you're bound to find a great, inexpensive, or free after-school program for your kids, no matter their ages, interests, or address.

We've rounded up 18 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids, tweens, and teens throughout the five boroughs. If you're looking for more options, see our New York City Kids' Guide to Classes, and use our directory to search for programs by age, interest, and neighborhood.

Free and Cheap NYC After-schools At-a-Glance

Here's everything we cover in this roundup:

Ages covered: 6-18 (varies by program)
Cost: Free to low-cost, sliding scale, or need-based aid available
Boroughs: All five—Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island
Focus areas: Homework help, STEAM, arts, sports, college/career prep
Typical hours: 3-6pm on school days (some programs also run Saturdays)
How to register: Varies—some are walk-in, others require applications or income qualification

Free and Low-Cost After-School Programs in New Jersey for Kids and Families

Lisa Warden — 08/16/2026

We've put together a list of reasonably priced and FREE after-school programs around New Jersey that offer enrichment and entertainment for children.

Many after-school programs start enrollment in May and fill up quickly, so be sure to mark your calendar in the spring so you don't forget to sign your kids up. Remember to always check your local school district, as some of the options offered by your town can be low-cost for those who are eligible and could be most convenient for your family.

New Jersey After-School Programs, At-a-Glance:

Best for Truly Free Care: After-School All Stars – Newark offers no-cost academics, STEM, and arts programming across 18 sites.
Most Budget-Friendly: The Oasis After-School Academy – Paterson costs just $200 for the entire school year, dinner included.
Best for Kids with Special Needs: Kidz Korner – Toms River serves ages 6-20 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best for SNAP-Eligible Families: Boys and Girls Club – Vineland charges $15 a day and accepts scholarships and vouchers.
Best for Enrichment Variety: The Township of Teaneck runs Mystery Club, Mathletes Club, a science fair, and mini Olympics for $150 a month.

We've put together a list of reasonably priced and FREE after-school programs around New Jersey that offer enrichment and entertainment for children.

New Jersey After-School Programs, At-a-Glance:

Best for Truly Free Care: After-School All Stars – Newark offers no-cost academics, STEM, and arts programming across 18 sites.
Most Budget-Friendly: The Oasis After-School Academy – Paterson costs just $200 for the entire school year, dinner included.
Best for Kids with Special Needs: Kidz Korner – Toms River serves ages 6-20 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best for SNAP-Eligible Families: Boys and Girls Club – Vineland charges $15 a day and accepts scholarships and vouchers.
Best for Enrichment Variety: The Township of Teaneck runs Mystery Club, Mathletes Club, a science fair, and mini Olympics for $150 a month.