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.

The After-School Survival List: 40 Low-Effort Activities for Busy Parents

Jennifer Marino Walters — 08/20/2026

The front door opens at the end of a long school day and that's when the craziness ensues—the kids are hangry, the parents are already exhausted, and everyone needs a break before homework, sports, chores, and dinner begin. During that transition time, the last things families need are elaborate, Pinterest-worthy activities. The best after-school activities for kids are simple, low-effort, and easy for children to do with little supervision.

The best things for kids to do after school are activities that will help them decompress and recharge, whether they need time to rest or to move their bodies. These screen-free after school activities include quiet pursuits like reading and crafts, movement-based options such as biking and dancing, and even kitchen-based activities kids can do while parents make dinner.

Here are 40 easy after-school activities for kids when everyone is running on fumes. For more fun ways to entertain children, check out our Games & Activities Guide for Kids of All Ages.

Summer’s Not Over Yet: Boston’s Best Things To Do This Weekend

N Ferreira — 08/19/2026

From food trucks to animal encounters, there's so much to do for Boston kids this weekend!

We’ve reached the part of August where I start mentally counting how many summer weekends we have left—and immediately decide we need to make the most of every single one. Luckily, this lineup makes that pretty easy.

This week, you can eat your way through a food truck festival, meet the people behind the honey jar, celebrate peak watermelon season, catch live music by the river, or give the kids a day that’s quite literally dedicated to fun. Summer may be winding down, but we are definitely not ready to act like it yet.

Newtown Carnival, Drone Spectacular, Peach Jam: Summer Fun in CT This Weekend

Jennifer Coe — 08/19/2026

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.

Grab your buds and tell them to meet you at the Newtown Parks and Rec Summer Carnival! This sure-to-please classic summer fair with rides, food, and games. The peach season is coming to an end, but with Peach Jam at Bishop's this weekend, you can get a bag of peaches and enjoy the mega-slide, take a wagon ride, and pedal karts for the kids.

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

Top Picks for This Weekend, At a Glance

Toddlers Fave Pick for The Weekend: Silver Sands Discovery Walk in Milford
"Krafty" Kids and Grown Ups: Open Craft Night at Koffee? in New Haven
A Little Shopping, A Little Grub: Night Market at Yellow King Brews
A Tweens Chance to Rock Out!: Amped Up! Kids Music Showcase at Blue Back Square
Sure To Please The Whole Fam: Drone Spectacular at Lake Compounce

Read on for all my weekend picks below!

— Jenny and the whole Connecticut Team

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!

Top Picks for This Weekend, At a Glance

— Jenny and the whole Connecticut Team

National Book Festival, Sunflowers, and More Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

Stephanie Shipman — 08/19/2026

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

The Library of Congress National Book Festival is this weekend! Get ready for a full day of storytelling, book signings, interactive activities, and more. The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair ends this Saturday, so check it out while you still can.

Looking for something a little different? Explore Asia in a Bite for a delicious, family-friendly taste of Asian food and culture.

Want to squeeze in some back-to-school prep? Our Back-to-School Guide for 2026-2027 has you covered!

My Top 5 Picks, At a Glance

Best Event for Book Lovers: Library of Congress National Book Festival
Best County Fair: Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Fun Event for Construction-Loving Kids: Top Gun Construction Rodeo at Great Country Farms
Last-Chance Theater: Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler at Adventure Theater
Most High-Adrenaline Event: Freedom 250 Grand Prix

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

Looking for something a little different? Explore Asia in a Bite for a delicious, family-friendly taste of Asian food and culture.

Want to squeeze in some back-to-school prep? Our Back-to-School Guide for 2026-2027 has you covered!

My Top 5 Picks, At a Glance

Best Event for Book Lovers: Library of Congress National Book Festival
Best County Fair: Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Fun Event for Construction-Loving Kids: Top Gun Construction Rodeo at Great Country Farms
Last-Chance Theater: Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler at Adventure Theater
Most High-Adrenaline Event: Freedom 250 Grand Prix

Football Fest, Summer Shade Festival, and More Fun Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Elsa Simcik — 08/19/2026

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!

Summer is coming to an end and that means Atlanta families head to Grant Park this weekend for Summer Shade Festival, which sends off the sweltering season with a party, including kids' activities, music, art, and food. Kick off football season at the College Football Hall of Fame with Football Fest and Free Day on Saturday, including inflatables, games, prizes, mascots, DJs, plus FREE admission to the museum! If your kids are into creatures like snakes, lizards and turtles, do not miss Reptile Day at Fernbank on Saturday. Keep reading because there are even more fun, family events this weekend in Atlanta!

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance:

Can't-Miss Atlanta Event: Football Fest and Free Day at College Football Hall of Fame
My Favorite Free Event: Summer Shade Festival
Best Event for LEGO Fans: Brick Fan Event in Duluth
Best Event for Animal Lovers: Reptile Day at Fernbank
Best Event for the Whole Family: Cobb County International Festival

- Elsa and the Atlanta team!

Fairy Night, Florida Kids and Family Expo, and More Fun: Top Picks For Things To Do this Weekend in Orlando

Charlotte B — 08/19/2026

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!

The back-to-school season is in full swing, but there’s still plenty of time for family fun around Orlando this weekend! My family is eyeing Fairy Nights at Leu Gardens for late-summer magic, while Volcano Bay Nights sounds like the perfect way to squeeze in one more summer evening. If you’re looking for something sweet and creative, the Avalon Park Ice Cream & Art Party is another fun option. From free bowling and a back-to-school bash to the Florida Kids and Family Expo, I’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with kids in Orlando this weekend.

My Top 5 Picks this Weekend, At a Glance

Can’t-Miss Event: Florida Kids and Family Expo
My Favorite Free Event: Canon Coffee Back to School Bash
Best Event for Babies & Toddlers: Free Kids Admission at the Central Florida Zoo
Best Bet for Teens (but they’re teens, so who knows?): Volcano Bay Nights
Coolest Hidden Gem Activity: Fairy Nights at Leu Gardens

- Charlotte and the whole Orlando team!

98th Annual North Texas Fair & Rodeo, Vitruvian Salsa Festival and More Things to Do in Dallas-Fort Worth This Weekend

Gabby Cullen — 08/19/2026

I don't know about ya'll, but I am always up for a Texas-sized celebration. And lucky for us here in DFW, the 98th Annual North Texas Fair and Rodeo is opening this weekend! If you'd rather put on your dancing shoes, this is your last chance to shimmy the night away at the Vitruvian Salsa Festival. If it's live music you seek, you'll find free concerts in both Grand Prairie and The Colony on Friday. Talk about TGIF!

My Top Picks for This Week, at a Glance

Where to Kick Up Your Boots: 98th Annual North Texas Fair and Rodeo
For the Kids Who Love Cars: Scooby Family Event at the DFW Car & Toy Museum
Last Chance: Vitruvian Salsa Festival
Where to Take Little Kids Who Love to Create: Imaginari Tinker Time at The Welman Project
For the Nature Lovers: Moth Night at the Trinity River Audubon Center

— Gabby, Dallas-Fort Worth Editor

See all my weekend picks here.

My Top Picks for This Week, at a Glance

Where to Kick Up Your Boots: 98th Annual North Texas Fair and Rodeo
For the Kids Who Love Cars: Scooby Family Event at the DFW Car & Toy Museum
Last Chance: Vitruvian Salsa Festival
Where to Take Little Kids Who Love to Create: Imaginari Tinker Time at The Welman Project
For the Nature Lovers: Moth Night at the Trinity River Audubon Center

— Gabby, Dallas-Fort Worth Editor

See all my weekend picks here.

US Open Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, Battle of Brooklyn, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend

Drew Kristofik — 08/19/2026

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 our favorite family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

This is my favorite kind of NYC weekend; it's a lazy end of summer, people are out of the city, and we're not really thinking about school quite yet. So everyone just wants some easy summer family fun. There are a couple of totally unique events that I can't wait for, like the Battle of Brooklyn 250 Family Day at Green-Wood Cemetery and the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day celebration in Flushing.

But also, this is a great weekend to take advantage of the best FREE summer activities before they disappear, like free kayak excursions, free outdoor summer movies (there are fun ones for kids this weekend!), and the last Summer Streets Saturday of the season!

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

Best for Little Tennis Players: Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the US Open
Last Chance for Traffic-Free Street Play: Summer Streets in Brooklyn and the Bronx
Fan Favorite: Anime NYC Family Day
Best STEM Roll-Out: Dice Auction at MoMath

Read on for all my weekend picks below!

– Drew and the whole New York City team

Honey Festival, Paw Patrol, and More Things To Do This Weekend on Long Island

Jaime Sumersille — 08/19/2026

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

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

I love these end-of-summer weekends, when we're not quite ready for back-to-school thoughts and just looking for any reason to get out in the sunshine. No need to wait for St. Patrick's Day to celebrate Celtic culture with music, dancing, and plenty of family-friendly fun at the Long Island Celtic Festival. And then lovers of all animals can pick and choose between the horse show, fishing derby, rubber duckie race, and if you have a PAW Patrol fan at home, don’t miss the chance to meet their favorite pups at Planet Play.

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

Best Sweet Summer Celebration: Honey Festival at Waterdrinker Manorville
Best for Toddlers: Paw Patrol Event at Planet Play
Best Quirky Family Tradition: Rubber Duckie Race on Reeves Bay
Best Creative Day Out: Draw Out: Free Community Event at the Heckscher Museum of Art
Best Catch-and-Release Fun: Snapper Derby at Mascot Dock

Read on for all my top weekend picks below!

– Jaime and the whole Long Island team