My latest in Washington Post: Best Indoor Play Places for DC Kids in Winter
These indoor destinations are the fun-filled remedy for your kid’s winter blues
by Jessica McFadden for The Washington Post Weekend & Going Out Guide
We love raising our kids in the D.C. area — except in January, February and March, when outdoor play options are limited, cold weather drives us indoors and schools are often inexplicably closed. If you and your crew have had your fill of family-focused hygge this winter, check out these 12 get-out-of-the-house destinations filled with adventure, learning and exercise for kids.
Artwork for this Weekend print cover story and online version by Brenna Thummler.
Stories of Dr. Seuss at Arts Barn Gaithersburg
Stories of Dr. SeussPresented by Metropolitan Ballet EnsembleFebruary 20, 2017 • 11am • Special Presidents' Day show! Tickets: $12 - Purchase Tickets OnlineThe whimsical and wonderful Dr. Seuss stories, “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue … Read More...
Chrysler Pacifica Real Mom (and Kid) Review
After ohhing and ahhing about the cool new Chrysler Pacifica this fall, the A Parent in Silver Spring crew had the chance to test drive the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica one for one week this December. I really liked this fully-loaded minivan, but my three children LOVED it. Charlie, Eve and Alice were … Read More...
Holiday Outing for DC Families: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Adventure Theatre MTC
We are massive Adventure Theatre MTC groupies now, but back in December of 2007 we selected Adventure Theatre for our then four-year-old Charlie's first stage production ever. It was a two-person telling of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a book we had been reading to him at bedtime. We … Read More...
Best Christmas Tree Ever: Tree Classics Snap Tree
Putting up your Christmas tree should always be joyful and easy. We learned this thanks to TreeClassics and will never go back! The first year of our marriage, Chris and I purchased a live Christmas tree from a local lot. We lugged it home atop my Jetta, scratching the car's paint and getting sap … Read More...
The Inn at Pocono Manor: A Wes Anderson Style Family Getaway
Last weekend my family I drove up to Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains and went back in time to an earlier era during our three day, two night stay at The Inn at Pocono Manor. If you have ever wanted to live on the sets of The Grand Budapest Hotel or The Royal Tenenbaums, then this is the place. We … Read More...
NEW Dave and Buster’s in Downtown Silver Spring
Theres a brand new Dave & Buster’s in downtown Silver Spring! Located on the 5th floor of Ellsworth Place (formerly City Place Mall), this was the biggest and most beautiful Dave & Busters we have ever played visited. It's 40,000 square feet of top-of-the-line video games and a modern … Read More...
ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor: Christmas on the Potomac
Since Gaylord National Harbor brought ICE! and the Christmas on the Potomac celebrations to the Washington, DC area, our family has made this visit a treasured holiday tradition. It's the perfect way to get excited for the season!This year the theme is especially magical, Christmas Around … Read More...
DIAMOND GIVEAWAY from Best Shopping Destination: Disney Springs!
Disney Springs is full of family fun for all ages of kids, for sure. But it is also jam-packed with the best shopping in the country! On my recent trip to Walt Disney World Resort, shopping at Disney Springs blew me away...but I didn't blow all of my cash. I found incredible deals while finding … Read More...
Why Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is So Worth It
Last week my family and I experienced our first Walt Disney World visit during the holiday season, and as a member of the media I was invited to check out Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It was a Magic Kingdom experience like I have never seen before. On the … Read More...
