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.

One Boston Weekend, Five Can't-Miss Adventures

N Ferreira — 07/22/2026

There are so many festivals to choose from this weekend. Find all the weekend fun for kids in Boston!

Raise your hand if your summer calendar is somehow already filling up faster than you can keep up. Because same.

Live music that fills the streets. Carnival rides after dark. Festival food that's worth standing in line for. A quirky train exhibit that somehow works perfectly in July. And a seaside celebration that's been bringing people together for generations. The only thing missing is deciding which one gets your vote.

Sunflowers, Fairy Day, and More Fun Things To Do in CT This Weekend

Jennifer Coe — 07/22/2026

Can you believe it's the last weekend of July already? Our family is going to press the gas peddle on having summer more fun starting this weekend! If you are looking for toddler-fun, get your tickets for Frozen Christmas in July at Robbyn's Nest where kids will be able to meet those sparkly princesses, decorate and wear a crown and listen to a story. The Minions will be at Character Days at Sonny's Place in Somers where you can also play a game of mini-golf and grab an ice cream - that's plenty of enjoyable family entertainment for one weekend!

Don't forget about the preteens. Take the girls shopping at the open-air market in at SONO Saturday Market in Norwalk. Browse 30 local vendors, find special and handmade items and grab a treat at Retreat Sweets.

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

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.

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

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, Back-to-School Bashes, and More Fun Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Elsa Simcik — 07/22/2026

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!

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!

Cool off this weekend with sweet treats at the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival—head to Piedmont Park to enjoy classic and exotic ice cream flavors, as well as music and a kids' zone! Pack in even more FREE summer events this weekend like the Big Rig Back-to-School Bash, Splash & Dash Color Run and Family Fun Day, and Peachtree Corners Summer Concert. If you haven't been to Stone Mountain Park's Summer at the Rock yet, this is the last weekend to do it! Read on for more details about these and other fun events this weekend in Atlanta!

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance:

Can't-Miss Atlanta Event: Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
My Favorite Free Event: Splash & Dash Color Run and Family Fun Day
Best Indoor Event: Roswell Summer Puppets and More
Best Bet for Teens: Teen Takeover at Fernbank
Best Event for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Music for the Very Young Concert

- Elsa and the whole Atlanta team!

Back-to-School Events, Christmas in July, and More Fun Events: Top Picks For Things To Do this Weekend in Orlando

Charlotte B — 07/22/2026

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

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

This weekend is bursting with family fun, and my crew already has a few favorites on our list! My kids are excited to check out the LEGO Festival at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, and I'm always a sucker for a summer Christmas party, so Christmas in July at Celebration Town Center and Avalon Park Christmas in July both sound like a must-do to beat the heat. If you're gearing up for the new school year, there are also great free back-to-school events, including the City of Kissimmee Back to School Jam, Audio Excellence Annual Back 2 School Backpack Giveaway, and Key Food Apopka Back to School Event. Plus, Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is underway, making it a great weekend to stock up on school supplies and kids' essentials while you're out enjoying all the fun. Happy weekend!

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance

Can’t-Miss Event: LEGO Festival at LEGOLAND Florida Resort
My Favorite Free Event: City of Kissimmee Back to School Jam
Best Event for Babies: Summer Sundays at Brevard Zoo
Best Bet for Teens (but they’re teens, so who knows?): Repticon Orlando
Coolest Hidden Gem Activity: Peruvian Fest Orlando

- Charlotte and the whole Orlando team!

Cultural Festivals, Disability Pride Parade, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Maureen Wilkey — 07/22/2026

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.

Festivals celebrating the many different cultures of Chicago are in vogue this weekend! Check out Fiesta del Sol in Pilsen, Ghana Fest in Washington Park, and Chinatown Summer Fair to celebrate your own culture or learn about different one. Kids can also step back in time this weekend with old-timey festivals like Vintage Days in Long Grove.

Make sure you go sunflower picking before the season ends! And check a few more items off our epic summer bucket list before school starts in a few weeks.

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance

My Favorite Free Event: Double Dutch Fest at Rainbow Beach
Best Event for Babies and Toddlers: Wild Child for Kids at Lincoln Hall
Best Bet for Teens (But they're teens, so who knows?): DuPage County Fair
Coolest Hidden-Gem Activity: Twiggs Park Block Party
Unique Event for People of All Abilities: Disability Pride Parade

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.

Make sure you go sunflower picking before the season ends! And check a few more items off our epic summer bucket list before school starts in a few weeks.

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance

My Favorite Free Event: Double Dutch Fest at Rainbow Beach
Best Event for Babies and Toddlers: Wild Child for Kids at Lincoln Hall
Best Bet for Teens (But they're teens, so who knows?): DuPage County Fair
Coolest Hidden-Gem Activity: Twiggs Park Block Party
Unique Event for People of All Abilities: Disability Pride Parade

National Day of the American Cowboy, DroneArt Show: Harry Potter, and More Things to Do in Dallas-Fort Worth This Weekend

Gabby Cullen — 07/22/2026

Get those cowboy boots and hats ready and celebrate National Day of the Cowboy at The Stockyards, in Downtown Garland, or at the 37th Texas Black Invitational Rodeo at Fair Park this weekend! If you want to cool off (and you will), you can enjoy a Back to School Skate at the Allen Community Rink, Christmas in July at the Texas Pool, or the last Summer Splash Bash at Peace Plaza in Grapevine.

And, since I recently visited the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, I can confidently recommend checking out their free family day in the lobby this Saturday. Go for the ice cream, but consider buying admission to see the museum itself; it's a must-visit spot for everyone.

My Top Picks for This Week, at a Glance

Where to Bring Out Your Inner Cowboy/Cowgirl: National Day of the American Cowboy
The Must-See Event for Potterheads: DroneArt Show: Harry Potter Dallas
Best Excuse to Stay Up Late: Summer Magical Moth Night at The Heard
Best Place to Cool Off: Back to School Skate at the Allen Community Rink
Quirkiest Event You Don't Want to Miss: Weiner Fest at Legacy Hall

— Gabby, Dallas-Fort Worth Editor

See all my weekend picks here.

My Top Picks for This Week, at a Glance

Where to Bring Out Your Inner Cowboy/Cowgirl: National Day of the American Cowboy
The Must-See Event for Potterheads: DroneArt Show: Harry Potter Dallas
Best Excuse to Stay Up Late: Summer Magical Moth Night at The Heard
Best Place to Cool Off: Back to School Skate at the Allen Community Rink
Quirkiest Event You Don't Want to Miss: Weiner Fest at Legacy Hall

— Gabby, Dallas-Fort Worth Editor

See all my weekend picks here.

Best Things To Do this Weekend with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Maureen Wilkey — 07/22/2026

These are the best things to do with kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend.

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

We're ready to immerse ourselves in nature this weekend and enjoy events like City of Water Day region-wide and Summer Night Hikes at the Greenburgh Nature Center. Plus, we can get in touch with our country roots at the Orange County Fair, Putnam Country Fest, or the 4-H Farm and Family Fair in Otisville.

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

Best Event for Little Kids: WonderSpark's The Case of Hopper's Missing Birthday Cake!
Top Event for Tweens and Teens: Summer Night Hikes
Hidden Gem: Peace & Love at Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard
Best Free Event: City of Water Day

Read on for all my picks below!

– Maureen and the Whole Westchester & Hudson Valley Team

City of Water Day, Fearless Girl Block Party, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Drew Kristofik — 07/22/2026

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, the whole town gets wet and wild for City of Water Day. We're looking forward to learning a Splash Dance in Prospect Park, and then booking it to a special storytime at The Seaport. Be sure to check out the City of Water Day's interactive events map to find activities near you, including free sailing and kayaking opportunities!

We're also eyeing the Thunderbird American Indian Powwow at the Queens County Farm Museum, and we're letting the teens indulge their macabre side during Coney Island's Beach Zombie Look-Alike Contest.

Plus, Summer Streets kicks off in Queens and Staten Island!

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

Best Free Shakespeare: Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: As You Like It
Best for Creative Engineers: Design Your Own Kite at PAC
Best for Building Courage: Fearless Girl Block Party
Best for Sleuths in Training: The Dancing Men: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Best Outdoor Concert: Brooklyn Americana Music in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Read on for all my weekend picks below!

– Drew and the whole New York City team

Christmas in July, Hot Air Balloons, and More Things To Do in NJ this Weekend with Kids

Laurie Rein — 07/22/2026

Here are our top picks for the best things to do with kids in New Jersey all weekend long.

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

Free theatrical performances, hands-on workshops, and more? Count my theater-loving kids in for a visit to the Montclair Theater Festival this weekend. The younger set can bring their imaginations and fairy wings to Tenafly Nature Center's Fireflies and Faeries event.

Plus, the county fairs make their mark this weekend with events in Gloucester and Morris counties, among others.

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

Jam-packed County Fair: Monmouth County Fair
Merriest Summer Festival: Christmas in July at NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum
Best Fantasy Fair for Little Ones: Fireflies and Faeries at Tenafly Nature Center
Most Dramatic Festival: Montclair Theater Festival
Food and Fun for All Ages: Berkeley Township Food Truck and Music Festival

Read on for all my top picks below!

– Laurie and the whole New Jersey team