If your kid’s idea of a good time includes hurtling toward concrete at 81 miles per hour, slurping frozen lemonade, and the occasional long line, skip the local playground and schlep the family out to one of these seven nearby theme parks. Whether they have a soft spot for Big Bird, a sweet tooth, or a need for speed, we’ve rounded up a list of amusement wonderlands that will kick start summer with screams of delight (plus insider tips to help you plan your next adventure).
Editor’s Note: To learn more about the accessibility programs at each of these parks, check out this guide.
Hersheypark More than “just” chocolate, the city of Hershey, PA also draws visitors for its famed amusement park with more than 70 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, the largest water-play structure in the world, live entertainment, games, food, shops, and even a simulated tropical rainforest where visitors learn how cocoa beans grow and are harvested. Ticket purchases include admission to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo that includes more than 200 animals from five regions of North America. New this year is the Jolly Rancher Remix, an illuminated coaster that randomizes its rides so each experience is unique. Hop onboard and loop through this track six times going forward and backward to different tunes and light shows. You never know which direction it will take! Located about two hours north of the Washington, DC area, the park has three resorts to choose from if you want to make a weekend of it!
Insider Tip: Take a break from park food and make a reservation at The Chocolatier, a family-style restaurant that offers hints of Hershey in lots of its dishes. You’ll find everything from chocolate drizzled potato chips to flatbreads with Hershey’s chocolate balsamic glaze and epic entrees like a Heath Bar crusted salmon and a burger topped with a Reece’s cup!
Six Flags America Boasting more than 100 rides, shows, and the largest water park in the DMV (included in the main park ticket price, no less!), Six Flags America does not disappoint. If you want to hop on one of the park’s epic coasters, like Wild One, Joker’s Jinx, Superman Ride of Steel, Batwing Coaster or Firebird, head there first (lines tend to grow as the day wears on). For a low-key thrills, younger kids will enjoy the classic Looney Tunes Prop Warehouse, a totally enclosed soft play space where they can climb, slide, and meet Bugs Bunny.
Insider Tip: Score 50% off the price of admission by purchasing your tickets online. Use promo code: COKE. Speaking of the classic soft drink, there is a Coca-Cola pavilion for those that want to cool off for free. Grab a sample of soda while your little ones rock out to the onsite DJ.
13710 Central Ave.
Upper Marlboro, MD Online: sixflags.com
King’s Dominion With 400 acres jam-packed with more than 60 rides, 15 roller coasters, live family entertainment—including fun performances by the Peanuts gang and a host of live music shows—AND a 20-acre water park, it just might be worth looking into one of the season pass options at King’s Dominion. The 43 life-size animatronic dinosaurs (including several you can control yourself) at the Dinosaurs Alive! Exhibit is alone worth the visit.
Insider’s Tip: Stay at one of the park’s hotels and you can enjoy a free shuttle to the parks. It will save you $!5 in parking!
Adventure Park USA Saddle up, pardner, for this Western-themed park near Frederick, Maryland—about 40 miles outside of DC. Open year-round, rain or shine, you don’t have to pay admission to enter the park itself. Instead, you purchase a Fun Pass with credits that works like a debit card (you can even add credits to your account online for return visits). With roller coasters, midway games, miniature golf, a classic tilt-a-whirl, go-karts, and a hands-on “mining” experience, you’ll be lucky if your kiddos have enough energy for all of the indoor fun. Yes, there’s more: a virtual reality game, soft playroom, ropes course, laser tag, arcade, bumper cars, and rock wall. We’re tired just typing that.
Insider Tip: If your crew has a wide gap in age, this is the park to hit. With the largest entertainment park in Maryland, the indoor games and arcades will keep the teens entertained for hours letting you help the youngest visitors board low-thrill rides like the carousel.
Dutch Wonderland If you’re on the hunt for the perfect first amusement park for young children, look no further. The park is tailored for children age 7 and younger, and at least seven of the rides are specifically geared toward 1-3 year-olds. Though the park is mostly flat and accommodating to strollers, it is relatively small—which means tiny legs (and short attention spans) can handle it. The Duke’s Lagoon splash area is just enough water excitement for the preschool set, and even the live entertainment strikes the not-too-loud and not-too-scary balance well. Rent a cabana for the day so your tribe has its own private spot in the shade to take a breather!
Insider Tip: Get three extra hours for free! All admission park tickets come with “preview” hours the day before your full-day admission. Between the hours of 3-6 p.m. get to know the park, map out your next day and hop on a few rides before the full day of fun begins!
Sesame Place We’re not gonna lie: nostalgia is half the draw for parents at Sesame Place. Enjoy a buffet meal with Elmo and friends, watch a show or parade, or take a spin on one of the 16 kid-friendly rides (or nine water rides) for a full day of fun with all your favorite neighborhood characters. There’s a soft play room for wee ones, a kid-powered railroad, a carousel, and the all-new Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Roller Coaster. We love and appreciate that Sesame Place has become the first theme park in the world designated as a Certified Autism Center—and, since it’ll require a trek to Philly, you can plan to enjoy the weekend there, too!
Insider Tip: Wake up early and have breakfast with the cast of Sesame Street! Early-bird reservations mean you have access to the park before it officially opens. Bonus: kids under 2 eat free.
Busch Gardens The beautiful landscaping and music playing throughout the park set the tone: this amusement park checks all the boxes. Roller coasters, a virtual reality adventure, bumper cars, kid-friendly rides (plus the Sesame Street Forest of Fun), a skyride, a train, and a huge range of music, animal, and theatrical live shows are just the beginning. Visit Wolf Valley, Lorikeet Glen, Highland Stables, or Eagle Ridge for some up close and personal animal encounters. And bring your appetite—there are restaurants throughout the park and 15 snack locations. You had us at churros!
Insider Tip: Sign up for a VIP Tour of the Verbolten and get early access to the park. Other tours include close encounters with the Clydesdales, a tour of a railroad steam engine, a meet and greet with the Busch Gardens animal specialist and more.
If your kid’s idea of a good time includes hurtling toward concrete at 81 miles per hour, slurping frozen lemonade and getting soaked by man-made waves skip the local playground and schlep the family out to one of these nearby theme parks, each featuring accessibility accommodations able to meet most guests needs. If this is your first time navigating a park’s accommodations, don’t fear! We’ve got tips & tricks to make your visit easier. Read on to find out how to make the most of a theme park’s accommodation program with these insider tips.
photo: iStock
The 411 on Accessibility Programs
Many parks have wonderful accessibility programs so that children with disabilities and special needs can have a great time also. To obtain an accessibility pass most parks require a visit to guest services to answer some questions to receive a disability pass. The wait for a pass can be long at times but it is usually worth the hassle to create a better experience the rest of the day. Not all disability passes allow riders to get on a ride without waiting in line. For example, an autistic child who has a hard time waiting may be given this accommodation while a child in a wheelchair may be given a different type of accommodation that allows them to use an accessible entrance but requires a wait time similar to others waiting in line.
Also, keep in mind that a “no wait” pass does not necessarily mean that a child will be permitted to board a ride right away. If a ride just finished seating or is already in progress when you arrive, you will be required to wait until the ride in progress is over to board. Most amusement parks want their guests with disabilities and special needs to have a fantastic time so speak up about your child’s needs.
Moreover, not all rides (especially rides in water parks) may be accessible to all guests. While this is disappointing, the nature of some rides makes them inaccessible to some guests. In order to have the best time possible at an amusement park, it may be a good idea to prepare your
photo: iStock
Tips & Tricks to Navigate Accessibility Programs
Accessibility programs vary from park to park, so it is a good idea to brush up on how they work before you go. Here are some things to be aware of that apply to most parks.
Guest Services. Although specific programs vary, all of the parks we review here require guests to visit Guest Services to receive an accessibility pass so that should always be your first stop. You can also call or email the park you are planning on visiting in advance to discuss your child’s specific needs.
Party Limits. Some programs limit the number of guests that can accompany a disabled rider to three. This means that if your party includes more than four people your party may not be able to ride together. Also be aware that accessibility passes can only be used by the person to whom they were issued. This means that if the person with a disability does not ride a ride no one else in the party can use the pass.
Child Swap. If your child cannot ride some rides but others in your party want to ride be sure to ask about “Child Swap,” which nearly every amusement park allows. Using this program, a family can approach a ride together then one parent can ride with a child while another parent stays back with a child who cannot ride. Then, the parents can switch and the parent who stayed back can ride with the child who is able to do so without waiting in line again. This way everyone who wants to ride a ride can – and some lucky kids can ride twice in a row.
Quiet Spaces. If your child is on the verge of a meltdown and you need some where quiet fast ask if you are able to sit in Guest Services or the first aid station if the park does not have a designated quiet space. Parks are usually able to accommodate this request if needed.
Limitations to the Pass. Bear in mind that most parks make a determination about what type of accommodations someone needs on an individual basis. Guests may not be able to rides some attractions if they have certain medical conditions, such as cardiac issues or missing limbs, or if they are unable to follow directions or hold onto safety bars. Some guests with disabilities need accommodations for mobility issues while others have sensory needs. For this reason, it is impossible to predict which specific accommodations any one person may receive.
Since Dutch Wonderland is a smaller theme park geared towards the younger set it a great choice for children who get overwhelmed easily – as long as they won’t miss thrill rides. Eligible guests will receive an accessibility pass based on height that includes information about the intensity of each ride. This can really help families figure out which rides are most appropriate for different needs. Dutch Wonderland has several low-intensity, low-stimuli rides including Duke’s Lagoon and a boat ride that are great choices for kids who need to decompress without the need to take a complete break from riding the rides. There is also a lake that runs along the edge of the park that is often quiet and can be used as a calm-down spot. Dutch Wonderland’s accessibility guide can be found here.
Editor’s Note: For our guide to theme parks along with insider tips, go here.
As a Certified Autism Center, Sesame Place ambassadors receive specialized training on sensory awareness, motor skills, autism overview, program development, social skills, communication, environment, and emotional awareness. Sesame Place also offers a Sensory Guide to show guests how a ride or attraction may impact a child with sensory processing issues. Sesame Place also has a Ride Accessibility Program that ensures that everyone can enjoy the rides safely, including the ability to ride without waiting. Other services include: quiet rooms, noise-cancelling headphones, low sensory areas and oversized changing tables. Find more information on Sesame Place’s accessibility page.
Editor’s Note: For our guide to theme parks along with insider tips, go here.
Busch Gardens offers a Ride Accessibility Program that allows guests with special needs to avoid waiting line but does not necessarily decrease wait time. Guests enrolled in this program are given a return time similar to the wait time for guests who are waiting in line. Visitors to Busch Gardens can complete this questionnairein advance to save time at guest services when they visit the park. This park does not have any designated quiet spaces but a visit to the horse barn or a ride on the train may be a good option for children who need a break. More information about Busch Garden’s accessibility program can be found here.
Editor’s Note: For our guide to theme parks along with insider tips, go here.
King’s Dominion uses a different accessibility model than most other parks. Instead of allowing near-instant access to rides King’s Dominion issues a Boarding Pass to eligible guests. When a disabled guest would like to ride an attraction they proceed to the ride’s exit and ask for a return time. The return time is similar to the time the guest would have spent waiting in line if they had been able to do so. This way, guests who cannot wait in line can do something else then return to the ride at their appointed time. If a child is using the Boarding Pass they do not need to be present when a return time is issued but they do need to be present in order for anyone in the party to board the ride. King’s Dominion offers a KidTrack program that offers wrist bands to help quickly reunite a child with their party should they become separated. While King’s Dominion does not have designated sensory-friendly areas the park recommends utilizing one of their numerous air-conditioned restaurants for a child who needs a break from the crowds. More information about King’s Dominion’s accessibility program can be found here.
Editor’s Note: For our guide to theme parks along with insider tips, go here.
Six Flags America guests requiring accommodations should register in advance at AccessibilityCard.org. Guests will be asked a series of questions and are required to upload documentation of a disability, such as a doctor’s note stating that accommodations are needed or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Once approved, guests need to bring their digital accessibility card to guest services to be activated for the day each time they visit. Six Flags America allows guests with disabilities to ride some attractions twice to avoid having to get on and off rides. Six Flags has also been designated as a Certified Autism Center. Although there are not currently any designated quiet spots, there is a lake near the center of the park that may be calming. The Six Flags Safety & Accessibility Guide can be found here.
Editor’s Note: For our guide to theme parks along with insider tips, go here.
13710 Central Ave.
Upper Marlboro, MD
Online: sixflags.com
Hersheypark partnered with Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania, an organization devoted to parents helping other parents navigate life with a child with special needs to develop their Rider Safety & Accessibility Guide’. Hersheypark offers three quiet areas throughout the park for guests with sensory needs. Guests with special needs and disabilities answer a series of questions and Hersheypark comes up with an accessibility plan based on their needs. Many guests are permitted to enter rides through the Fast Track lane to avoid waiting in line. Depending on the guest’s needs, riders may be able to go on the next ride that boards or may need to wait several cycles. Find out more about Hersheypark’s accessibility here.
Editor’s Note: For our guide to theme parks along with insider tips, go here.
Volunteering is not only a great way to spend family time, but it can help foster your child’s social skills, grow their sense of empathy and expose them to new interests. From creating custom cards for the troops to cleaning dirt and debris from the National Mall, we’ve rounded up volunteer opportunities suitable for a range of ages—from tots to teens. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, scroll down for the best family-friendly volunteer opportunities in the DMV.
Arlington County: Be Earth Friendly Every Day Arlington County's website boasts a long list of recommended family activities and events, like how to create your own rain garden or rain barrel, recycling tips, leads on local freecycling groups, and scheduled invasive plant removal projects at area parks. Arlington is also home to a ton of nature centers and gardens, where you can register for a nature event or stock up on foliage at a spring native plant sale.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation The Alice Ferguson Foundation has a long legacy of grassroots, community action. Our goal is to create meaningful experiences that connect our volunteers and visitors to the natural world. Family friendly opportunities include everything from Children's Garden maintenance and trail cleanups to Potomac River trash pickup and beautifying.
Anacostia River With multiple points throughout the district, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County, there is likely an Anacostia clean-up site near you. The Anacostia Watershed Societywelcomes all, families and kids included to volunteer. They provide the tools and supplies, you provide the manpower to make the river sparkle.
National Mall and Memorial Parks Plan a unique family gathering or organize your local troop for a day on the Mall. Groups of 15 can spend an afternoon pruning trees, painting benches and keeping this National Park looking visitor-ready.
Casey Trees Help add green to the urban landscape with this non profit organization dedicated to increasing the leafy canopy in DC. Check the website for on-going opportunities to help with community plantings. Or register your child's school for a hands-on academic experience.
Children’s National Medical Center Most of the hands-on volunteering is for people ages 18 & up, with the exception of a 15 & up Ambassador Program, but the hospital needs more than bedside manners. Keep Dr. Bear’s Closet well stocked with superhero figures, Legos, books, crayons, stuffed animals, iPads – you get the idea – through donation drives.
When: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Suite 1180 Online:childrensnational.org
DC Diaper Bank Helping babies is the number one mission of the DC Diaper Bank. Diapers, newborn necessities, nursing supplies, hygiene products and more are all collected to empower and change lives of babies living at or below the poverty line. Kiddos can get involved by helping to collect supplies, packaging diapers, and distributing to those in need. Even the littlest of helpers can join in – there’s a playroom for the young and eager to practice their skills while you and junior box up pampers.
Art for Humanity This Arlington-based charity has been helping poor children in Honduras through the Honduras Independence Bilingual School since 2006 and has three main ways to involve kids. One is by collecting vitamins and health supplies such as ibuprofen and cough drops for adults and children. Another is to sponsor a child’s education. The website lists kids in need and how much money per month they need. Sponsors get reports of their progress and a video of the children.
Shelter House This nonprofit serves two shelters for families and one for victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County, VA. Arrange a drive or just gather items to donate as a family. Needs are greatest for toiletries, pillows, pots and pans, gift cards, diapers and wipes, baby bottles, cutlery, and sheet sets.
Cards for Hospitalized Kids OK, so this isn’t locally based, but seriously, it’s so easy, we couldn’t exclude it. Get out the art supplies and make uplifting cards – generally themed or holiday-specific – to be delivered to children in hospitals. Cards go out monthly. Send your creation(s) to 7290 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL 60631.
Color A Smile With kids, you’re probably coloring pretty often anyway, right? Print a page from the choices on the Color a Smile website, use crayons or markers, and mail the picture to PO Box 1516, Morristown, NJ 07962-1516. Every month the organization distributes the drawings to senior citizens, troops overseas and “anyone in need of a smile.” In the past 25 years, it has sent more than 1 million drawings.
We Are Family Missing Grandma and Grandpa? Volunteer with We Are Family! They reach out to isolated senior citizens to help with groceries, cleaning, transportation, and/or just a friendly visit. Little ones can bring huge smiles to faces who might not get to interact with pint-sized future presidents, doctors, social workers and teachers. Kids who visit with the elderly benefit from the stories, interactivity and getting a dose of Grammie and Pop-Pop —even if it’s just for a little while. Be still our beating hearts.
Hebrew Home of Greater Washington Visit an elderly person (or two or 10) who might not have family nearby. Chat, play games or take them outside for fresh air. If you play an instrument, sing, dance or love theater, contact the recreation team about performing. Kids ages 10 to 17 need parental permission to volunteer here.
Montgomery County Humane Society To volunteer at a shelter, you must be at least 16, but younger people can help in other ways. For instance, host a drive for new or gently used pet supplies, or make a “no sew” pet bed, cat toys and other do-it-your-self toys. Find specific instructions online.
Where:601 South Stone St., Rockville, MD Online: mchumane.org
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Got a pint-sized animal lover who wants to collect a whole zoo? The Lucky Dog's Youth Program is the perfect way for your personal Jeff Corwin to get involved without having to get another puppy or kitty. Lucky doggers can host fundraising events, make dog toys, bake treats, draw pictures (yes, really!) and even invite Lucky Dog Rescuers to school to learn more about the animals they help (for kids 7 & up). Woof!
Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County Even pets need a hand up sometime – which is exactly where Chomper’s Food Bank comes into play. Little one who are always trying to fill up the grocery cart with all those delicious treats, can now fill up their basket to help Fido instead of driving Mama crazy. Dried and wet food, kitten, puppy or senior food, it’s all needed at Chomper’s so that dogs and cats of Montgomery County can stay in their homes even if their owners are a little down on their luck. Helping animals and people? We call that a win-win.
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Fans of Lost Dog Café know that their mission is to help animals in need. So, help kiddos put their money where their mouths are, and fundraise for animals who need it most. Middle schoolers, high schoolers and even elementary aged animal lovers can collect coins, bills and checks to donate to homeless dogs and cats. To date, they’ve helped more than 22,000 furry critters – all with a little help from their friends.
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Help a furry friend without worrying about allergy attacks or friendly nips through the Youth Program’s at-home activities. These include chopping hot dogs, making Kittywands, catnip socks, Pupcicles of broth and meat, tugbraids and hiding houses (instructions for all are here).
Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s Paws and Read Who doesn’t love a good story? Children in kindergarten through fifth grade, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, can practice reading and give cats some love by reading books to them. Take that, holiday brain drain (that’s a thing, right?).
When: Mon., Wed.-Fri. 1-5:20 p.m. Where: 2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr., Arlington, VA Online: awla.org
Humane Rescue Alliance Kids been nagging you for a pet? Give one a trial run – and a good home – as a foster family. The alliance takes in an average of 30 animals a day, and it needs help providing shelter for them, particularly those that might need specialized care, such as orphaned kittens and puppies.
Wreaths Across America Cemeteries may not be the first things that come to mind when volunteering as a family, but Wreaths Across America aims to place a festive, holiday wreath on the grave of soldiers to “Remember, Honor and Teach.” Families can lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as multiple locations throughout the DMV.
Socks for Vets For those with younger kiddos who want a taste of volunteering, but might not be able to pack food or read to puppies, Socks for Vets is the perfect fit. Each month, the founder, Cavan McIntyre-Brewer decides different ways to honor the nation’s veterans. Your family can get involved by donating socks, making cards, shopping for goat supplies (seriously they have packgoats!), and other myriad ways to show support for the bravest of the brave. Socks for Vets regularly visits the DC area where they hand out cards to Vets at the memorials, volunteer at military hospitals or participate in parades where they showcase their mission (DC is a bit much for the furry critters, though, so don’t expect to see goats roaming around Pennsylvania Ave.) and how they help wounded warriors.
Any Soldier Gather together to create care packages for members of the military who are stationed overseas. Recommended items include playing cards, jerky, Nutella, sunflower seeds, socks and Beanie Babies. The website offers a complete list including brand names or select a service member’s name to see their wish lists.
Holidays for Heroes Send three blank holiday cards, three blank envelopes with postage stamps and a personalized message from your family to a service member for the American Red Cross to provide to injured, ill or hospitalized service members and veterans. Each recipient will be able to send the cards to their loved ones. Mail them to the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region at 8550 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22031.
Manna Food Center This charity in Gaithersburg has volunteer opportunities for kids ages 7 & up who want to help feed the hungry in Montgomery County. One activity is Family Box Packing. The center recommends that children be at least 10, but kiddos as young as 7 are welcome. At these events, held five time a month, participants spend about 90 minutes packing about 192 boxes of nonperishable food items. Check the website for additional opportunities, such as food drives.
Meals on Wheels As part of the Moms for Meals program, kids can accompany parents on weekday delivery runs during summer and winter breaks. Meals on Wheels provides food to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. If you can spare the time, chat with the recipient for a few minutes to make their day just that might brighter.
Food for Others Make a family outing to this food distribution center, which serves those in need in Fairfax and the greater NOVA area. Children must be at least 12 and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tasks include packing food boxed, Power Packs and USDA bags, unloading trucks, and sorting and stocking donated food.
ALIVE! Food Distribution Bagging groceries and distributing them is a great way for young and older munchkins to help others. ALIVE! has set weekends were volunteers can setup, unload, bag, distribute and register clients to receive food donated through the ALIVE! food bank. If your volunteer is older (teenager) he or she can help with furniture delivery, special events and maybe even at the ALIVE! house in old town. Whatever your family desires, there’s something to spark passion at every level.
Arlington Food Assistance Center Different kids means different interests – which is perfect for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Children as young as 5 can help out at Family Bagging Nights (put food in grocery bags), while teenagers can post leaflets and posters promoting food drives. Middle and high schoolers can host Dimes for Dining where they give their neighbors a jar to fill with change and collect them at the end of the month.
The Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund Plunk the kids in the nearest car-shaped shopping cart and help restock the fund’s pantry through its Shop-a-Shelf Program, which reimburses folks for canned goods, fresh produce, personal care items, and other donations. Or go a step further and Adopt-a-Shelf, then keep it full year round.
Capital Area Food Bank This is the largest organization in the metro area working to feed the hungry. It has partnered with 444 community organizations to provide food to those who need it and also delivers food directly, helping 540,000 people – 12 percent of the region’s population – a year eat. Do your part by gathering your family to sort and pack the food for delivery.
Food and Friends Volunteers founded this organization in 1988 and volunteers are still needed. Go through a volunteer orientation and then sign up to deliver meals and groceries to six to 10 families or prep and pack food (ages 14 & up for the latter). Note: Thanksgiving is an especially busy time for the org so sign up soon.
So Others Might Eat This interfaith organization provides food, showers, clothing, medical care and housing for those in need. Volunteers in the dining room must be at least 13 years old and accompanied by an adult, and at least 16 to do it independently. Opportunities outside food service include creating holiday decorations and baking treats to be served with meals.
Spend Yourself Food Pantry This Falls Church-based group seeks volunteers on Saturdays between 8:30 am and 12:15 pm to provide food to clients, pack and shelve food, and interact with clients. Donations of non-perishable food items are always welcome, too.
Martha’s Table This group has worked for 35 years to support children, families and the community at large in the DC area. Become one of the 16,000 volunteer who help with food, clothing and special events every year. Must be at least 12 to help with food and clothing.
Lorton Community Action Center More than 100 youth volunteer here every year in a variety of ways. Students 13 and older may help prepare food bags and assist with donations in the pantry, children of any age may organize a food drive, kids 15 and younger with an adult on hand may help in the Lorton’s Attic thrift store, and kids can raise money to donate to the center in lieu of (or in addition to) holiday or birthday gifts using a personal fundraising webpage.
Where: 9518 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA Online: lortonaction.org
Helping the Homeless
iStock
Carpenter’s Shelter Serving more than 600 homeless and formerly homeless children and adults each year, this shelter serves people in need in the city of Alexandria. They’re looking for in-kind donations of food, toiletries and miscellaneous items such as air mattresses, dish and bath towels, and SmarTrip cards. The shelter also keeps an Amazon Wish List in case you want to have the kiddos pick items there that can be shipped directly to the shelter.
Lorton Community Action Center More than 100 youth volunteer here every year in a variety of ways. Students 13 and older may help prepare food bags and assist with donations in the pantry, children of any age may organize a food drive, kids 15 and younger with an adult on hand may help in the Lorton’s Attic thrift store, and kids can raise money to donate to the center in lieu of (or in addition to) holiday or birthday gifts using a personal fundraising webpage.
Where: 9518 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA Online: lortonaction.org
Habitat for Humanity Children as young as 5 can participate here as part of Habitat Youth Programs, which aims “to instill a love of volunteering from an early age.” Contact your local affiliate for details on onsite help, but other ways to get littles involved include making cards for donors, homeowners and volunteers using Habitat’s card creation kit; raising money through Helping Hands for Habitat; and writing letters to local lawmakers to speak out against substandard housing.
ACTIONS in Community Through Service This group, which formed in 1969, helps people and families in need in Prince William County through programs such as housing support and domestic violence services. Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. ACTS suggests that kids coordinate drives or collections in their schools or places of worship, or that they make kits of essentials for clients.
Where: 3900 ACTS Ln., Dumfries, VA Online: actspwc.org
Bethesda Cares This community outreach program for the homeless provides food, clothing and psychiatric services, and helps put a roof over the heads of people in the streets. Families can help by organizing drives to collect food, clothing or toiletries. During the winter, seasonal clothing for adults is especially needed.
The Salvation Army – Kettle Bell Ringing Rambunctious and fun-loving kiddos will have a blast ringing bells for The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle drive. Bell ringers usually sign up for a minimum 2-hour shift so it’s the perfect way to split duties between friends, siblings or group organizations. And, all the little ones need to do is ring a bell! They can be noisy, chatty and sweet all while raising money for those in need. Who wouldn’t drop some coins in the kettle?!
Rising Hope Mission Church Families looking for a place where their donations will go directly to the local community should check out Rising Hope Mission Church. 100% of donations go to people living in poverty along the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax County. Kiddos can host food drives, clothing donations and even plan a lemonade stand in support of Rising Hope. Each season the mission has different requests so parents and their kids can tailor their volunteering to what’s needed most at the church.
A new mandatory recess law went into effect in Georgia stating that students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade must have “unstructured break time” daily while school is in session. They will now have mandatory recess every day.
Earlier this week, Georgia governor Brian Kemp signed the bill into law, making recess a requirement for all elementary students. “Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, each elementary school shall schedule recess for all students in kindergarten and grades one through five every school day,” the bill reads. This means teachers can’t take away recess for “disciplinary or academic reasons.”
This is awesome! 30 minutes of recess will be mandatory for K-5 in Georgia starting next year! 🙌🏼 My kids only get 15 minutes right now. 🙄 https://t.co/05JnIvY8Nv
A report called, “The Crucial Role of Recess in School” published in the American Academy of Pediatrics states that, “Recess represents an essential, planned respite from rigorous cognitive tasks. It affords a time to rest, play, imagine, think, move, and socialize. After recess, for children or after a corresponding break time for adolescents, students are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively. In addition, recess helps young children to develop social skills that are otherwise not acquired in the more structured classroom environment.”
Georgia joins Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia in making recess mandatory, according to the National Association of State Boards of Education. The law does make exceptions for things like scheduled field trips, weather, and all-school assemblies.
Rep. Demetrius Douglas of Georgia has pushed implementing mandatory daily recess (K-5) for the last three years. He's confident this is the year it will pass! “It’s about our future. These kids will be running our state.’’ #PhysEd#Recess#PEpic.twitter.com/tFChpdefbl
Giving kids time for unstructured play not only gives them a break during a long school day, it helps build confidence, strengthen relationships, builds trust, and helps kids develop fine motor skills. It also gives them the opportunity to run and play and just be kids.
Rep. Demetrius Douglas, D-Stockbridge, has been asking Kemp to sign the bill (which was previously vetoed in 2019) for five years. The former Georgia Bulldogs football player cited, in part, his concern about obesity among children as a factor for considering the legislation.
“Speaking as a teacher first, I think we will all be liberated because we’ve always been the voice of our students. They want to play,” Reese Road Leadership Academy teacher Caprisha Battle told WTVM. “They want to go outside. Because the academic pressures have increased, our students need an outlet.”
Emotional intelligence is understanding and recognizing your emotions, and how they impact you and those around you. It also involves perspective taking, comprehending empathy, and having a real understanding of others’ emotions too. It is about building self-awareness and learning emotional self-regulation as well as gaining the social skills to connect and understand others.
How Is Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Different from Intelligence Quotient (IQ)?
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is intelligence specifically relating to emotions, how an individual can classify, evaluate, regulate and communicate emotions—people skills. Intelligence Quotient (IQ) refers to processing, applying, filtering, and retaining information, logical reasoning, and abstract and spatial thinking—book smart. It is a different skill set, both of which can be inherent and learned.
The Benefits of Emotional Intelligence for Your Child:
Enhances emotional regulation
Encourages positive conflict resolution skills
Helps your child absorb critical feedback and use it constructively to grow
Guides your child to be a team player and work cooperatively with success
Activates listening skills
Strengthen Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence through These 5 Actions:
1. Label your child’s emotions, give feelings a name. Acknowledging emotions by using simple language, “I see you are feeling (insert emotion),” provides validation and gives your child the affirmation that you are listening and understanding them at the moment.
2. Do simple breathing exercises to promote emotional self-regulation.
3. Be an active listener, especially if your child is harboring views that are different from yours. Ask questions to gain an understanding of why they may think a certain way and refrain from judgment.
4. Write it down or draw a picture. Sometimes when your child is experiencing a big emotion, the feeling gets trapped and swirls around their head and builds up to grow into something bigger than it may be in reality. Verbalising, writing, or drawing is a release valve.
5. Give your child a task with a goal (finishing a puzzle, getting dressed alone, putting on their shoes, etc.) this gives a sense of ownership over self-motivation. Encourage your child to follow through despite the outcome.
Research shows high levels of emotional intelligence are directly linked to academic achievement, better relationships, greater success for adulthood, and improved mental health. The most exciting thing about Emotional Intelligence is that it can be taught and learned. Nurturing your child’s Emotional Intelligence will give them a strong foundation in which to flourish.
Hi! I am an author, founder and educator. I have a Bachelor of Media Communications, Bachelor of Elementary Education Degrees as well as an Early Childhood Montessori Certification and in the process of completing a Master of Education. I live between New York and Byron Bay. I'm the mama of Grace, Theodore and Little Dude!
In a world that puts performance, productivity and output above all else, it can be a novel choice to prioritize play. But here’s the truth: Children learn and experience the early years of their lives with the help of their imagination. They build rich worlds beyond the one we experience as adults, exploring their inner landscape through imaginative play. Key life skills like confidence, self-expression, problem solving and authenticity all stem from their desire to explore.
While imagination, and supporting it, is an important part of a child’s growth all throughout the year, this spring, we’re putting extra emphasis on fostering imagination. The spring season is all about growth in a literal sense—flowers are blooming, the grass is getting greener, and we’re each filled with a desire to be outside, create, and engage with the world around us. In the spirit of supporting this springtime energy, we’re sharing four reasons why imagination is a crucial part of every child’s development.
Imagination Can Help Children Experience Joy
Gratitude instills in children an abundance mentality. When they take note of all the good around them and are present for what they already have, they can experience a greater sense of joy. Imagination plays an important role in helping children build an awareness of all the good in their lives.
When a child is in play mode, they might see an everyday object like a box or a paper plate, and their imaginative minds get to work dreaming up all the possibilities of what it can be. By encouraging your child’s imagination, you’re supporting the immense joy they can experience in even the simplest things. And because of that, they’re reminded of all the beauty the world around them holds. Encouraging imaginative play and helping your child cultivate an appreciation for moments both big and small can be a wonderful way to practice gratitude together.
Imagination Boosts Children’s Self-Esteem
Self-esteem refers to feeling good about oneself from the inside out. By letting their imagination guide the way, children can practice problem-solving and come up with creative solutions for the obstacles they’ll inevitably face. When children play pretend, using their imagination to become a new character, they practice what it’s like to be another person or creature. Playing make-believe allows kids to practice social skills, work through difficult situations and channel their creativity. Strengthening these skills can help children build a stronger sense of self and confidence because of all their imagination allowed them to be.
Imagination Lets Children Practice Being Their Authentic Selves
When children engage in imaginative play and pretend to be someone else, they build a stronger sense of empathy and understanding for what it’s like to live in another person’s shoes. Embracing and celebrating others’ differences is a central part of supporting others in being their authentic selves. What’s more, trying on different personas can help children identify and gain clarity about what feels true to who they are.
Imagination Engages Children’s Creativity
Creativity is all about exploring our imagination. When children engage their creativity, they’re able to practice valuable skills like emotional regulation, problem solving and cognitive flexibility. By encouraging creativity and imagination, caregivers are empowering children to try new things and take chances.
3 Ways Caregivers Can Support Their Child’s Imagination
Now that you know why imagination is such an important element of a child’s development, let’s get to the how. There are so many things that we, as caregivers, can offer children that support their imagination. We’re breaking down our top three favorites that you can get started with today.
Unstructured Down Time: These days, it seems like every minute of our lives is scheduled, and we know how tempting it can be to do the same for our children. We get it: We all want the best for our kiddos and to give them as many opportunities as possible. However, carving out unstructured time for play is essential for supporting not only their imagination, but their independence and growth as well. The next time your child says they’re bored, let them lead the charge in deciding what to do. By encouraging them to embrace boredom, they learn to entertain themselves, developing interests that may even turn into passions as they grow.
Joining Your Kids in the Play: What better way to encourage play and imagination than by setting an example yourself? Jump into role-playing with your child or let them take the lead in creating a made-up game. Playing with another person teaches children important social skills like collaboration, compromise and how to work with others. When you play together, children can practice identifying and responding to your feelings. This is a great opportunity to learn skills like empathy and conflict resolution!
Open-Ended Toys: Open-ended toys offer space for children to explore and create using their imagination. With the freedom to play without any structure or expectations, children are inspired to make up stories and create their own rules. Here’s more good news: there are countless open-ended toys out there. Examples include art supplies, cars, dolls, creatures and objects found in nature. Another great thing about open-ended toys is that they can help children process and express their emotions. They might use them to work through an event or a new situation. You might be surprised by how long these objects will keep your child engaged, but here’s the truth: There’s nowhere a child’s imagination can’t take them.
Imagination is a beautiful thing. It lets us share stories, shapes our relationship to others and to ourselves, and it helps us make sense of the world around us. By encouraging your child’s imagination, you’re giving them the chance to learn and practice key skills that’ll support them all throughout their lives. At Slumberkins, we’re passionate about fostering imagination, and we hope you’ll join us along this journey of emotional growth.
Do you have a story you’d like to share with our readers? We’d love to hear it! Sign up to contribute your story on our Voices Network.
Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen are co-founders of Slumberkins, a children's brand supporting social-emotional learning for children. Kelly has a dual master's degree in family therapy and school counseling, and Callie has a master's degree in teaching. Both are passionate about teaching children social-emotional skills to thrive in our modern world.
F stands for free this February! This weekend, the District is home to a number of family-friendly events au gratis and we’ve shared our favorites below. Grab your favorite red outfit and hit the rink for a free ice skating session or head to Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park for a hands-on educational lesson about the Underground Railroad. For some splurgy fun, check out Disney on Ice at Capital Arena. More best bets are below.
Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate!
The gangs all here! Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and stars from Toy Story 4, Frozen, The Lion King, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Snow White, Mulan, Finding Dory and Pinocchio make up this megastar event on ice. Fri.-Sun.Event details.
Hop to It! Bunny Story Time & Crafts
Head to Old Maryland Farm for a rabbit-themed family event. Guests will start off with a farm-related story followed by a craft that features their favorite furry friend from the book. And don’t miss the meet–and-greet with bunnies before you leave. Sat. Event details.
Robotics Workshop
Learn about building and programming robots with a local, award-winning Vex IQ Robotics Team. This workshop, geared towards kids 8-13, is the perfect intro to the world of robots and requires no prior experience. Sat.Event details.
Black History Month Family Day
Bring the whole family for a self-guided exploration of Montgomery County’s Black history at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Drop by the Visitor Center to pick up take-home activities (for ages 5-12) and trail maps to explore the Underground Railroad Experience Trail on your own. This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and get exercise as a family. Sat.Event details.
Free Open Ice Skating
Grab your skates and hit the ice for some physical activity that is sure to warm your heart! Wear red to receive one free open skate session general admission and skate rental at Herbert Wells Ice Rink in College Park, MD. Sat.Event details.
Puppet Friends in Storyland
Enjoy a nature-filled story time with Owen Otter and Randy the Raccoon. Post puppet show, a naturalist will lead you through a nature-themed craft! Your little ones will play, laugh, and dance with their puppet pals while they work on social skills, early literacy development, listening, communication, fine motor skills, attention span, and creativity. Fri.Event details.
Barbie has been hard at work as usual. In a new press release, Mattel announced that she has partnered with a team of neuroscientists at Cardiff University on a multi-year study on the developmental impacts of doll play and that the latest findings are now ready. The study has some interesting information on just what exactly kids say while playing and its relation to playing with dolls and understanding emotions.
Published in Developmental Scienceand titledDoll Play Prompts Social Thinking and Social Talking: Representations of Internal State Language in the Brain, researchers used state-of-the-art functional, near-infrared spectroscopy equipment to examine brain activity while kids played with dolls and on tablets. They found that children used internal state language (ISL)––talking about others’ thoughts and emotions––more when playing with dolls than when playing on a tablet. So why is that important?
Researcher Dr. Sarah Gerson believes that “When children create imaginary worlds and role play with dolls, they communicate at first out loud and then internalize the message about others’ thoughts, emotions and feelings. This can have positive long-lasting effects on children, such as driving higher rates of social and emotional processing and building social skills like empathy that can become internalized to build and form lifelong habits.”
Using ISL allows kids to hone their social skills with real people, resulting in strong emotional development as they mature. Since children were so strongly impacted during the pandemic when it comes to interacting with peers, the researchers at Cardiff University assert that doll play provide a necessary outlet for kids to practice skills, scenes and interactions that can be used in real-life.
“Internal state language can indicate that a child is thinking about other people’s thoughts and emotions while playing with dolls. These skills are really important for interacting with other people, learning from other people, and navigating a variety of social situations. It becomes important for making and sustaining friendships, and how they learn from their teachers, and parents,” says Gerson.
Looks like it’s time to grab the box of Barbies and get all the kiddos playing. The research suggested that the study findings are gender neutral and that doll play is critical for everyone.
As parents, we’re constantly told that too much screen time is bad. We’re told of all the negative reasons why we need to cut the cords and un-glue our children’s eyes from fast-moving digital stimuli.
And as parents, we get it.
We understand why too much screen time is bad. We understand we should get them off the couch and into the great outdoors. But do we understand that nature play has more benefits than simply being an alternative to screen time?
Nature play for children has multiple lifelong benefits not only for our children but also for our planet! Here’s how:
Children who spend more time in nature and with wildlife have better brain and overall development. In other words, they grow to be more well-rounded people.
While there are many benefits of nature play for children, let’s take a look at the top ways:
1. Provides Physical Activity According to the AACAP, children ages 8-12 spend 4-6 hours on screens every day. This is causing kids to become too sedentary, which, in turn, can lead to sleep problems, unhealthy weight, and insecurity issues.
The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. However, as we’ll learn from the following benefits, the type of physical activity matters.
Any physical activity is good. Unstructured physical activity out in nature is even better.
2. Promotes Imagination & Creativity
Studies have also shown that kids who spend more time outdoors in nature do better in academics such as math, science, technology, and the arts. This is likely because there are no fixed rules to follow.
With nature play, children are free to make their guidelines and games. Such opportunities are great for creating and using their imagination which is vital to proper cognitive development.
3. Helps Build Problem-Solving Abilities
When children are involved in unstructured play, it helps them solve problems such as who goes first and what rules should be followed.
Of course, you will want to supervise the play for younger children. However, try to give kids a chance to work together on resolving problems before stepping in.
4. Develops Higher Levels of Social & Emotional Intelligence
Unstructured nature play helps teach teamwork and social skills. The children must learn to take turns, share, listen to each other, make decisions, and create imaginary scenarios.
Since the kids are creating the playtime, it allows ample time to learn independently among their peers.
5. Inspires Appreciation of Nature & Wildlife
The importance of nature play in early childhood is clear, but how does it relate to conservation? It’s simple. The more you can get children involved with nature, the better off both will be.
If you can get your kids interested in nature and wildlife, they will want to get involved to help make the world a better place. Perhaps they’ll want to plant more trees, or maybe they’ll want to support wildlife initiatives by preserving different species of animals.
In the end, it doesn’t matter how they decide to help. The important thing is they want to help.
Nature play nurtures kids to be happy, healthy, and caring. What more could we want as a parent?
So, don’t just turn off the screens for the sake of screen time. Turn off the screens and turn up the nature play. Your kids (and our planet) will thank you for it.
Ingrid Simunic is an award-winning communications strategist with a passion for nature and wildlife conservation. As a published Ph.D., she is also an award-winning author of the children's book series, Elliot's Adventures. Ingrid has the joy of collaborating with her son from concept to finish, incorporating his humor as a vital ingredient.
We all know the importance of STEM education for kids—that’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for anyone scratching their heads. And yes, we need the next generation to harness the power of the sun and wind for energy, solve myriad health crises and save the planet. But exposure to the arts—be it music, theater or the visual and performing arts—is essential for kids’ development as well, and often enhances whatever science-leaning learning children are engaged in. Read on to learn the benefits of arts education for kids and why it matters.
It'll boost their school achievements.
Jamie Salka
For the record, your child does not need to be a prodigy or virtuoso to reap the benefits of arts of all kinds. A recent Kinder Institute for Urban Research study of third to eighth graders showed arts-learning experiences in school reduced disciplinary infractions, increased compassion for others and boosted achievement in writing, while also improving school engagement and college aspirations.
If there’s a superfood of artistic disciplines, it’s music. Just listening to music activates multiple areas of the brain, but learning how to play an instrument, and practicing it over time, is like a pro-level workout for our grey matter (Neuroscientists know this thanks to brain imaging technology like fMRIs and PET scanners, which enable us to see where in the brain activity is occurring.).
Playing an instrument engages the brain in its entirety, a phenomenon that is most significant because numerous parts of the brain are being stimulated at the same time. Playing an instrument engages the more analytical right hemisphere of your brain, as well as the more creative, left hemisphere. This combination, as well as the flow of information between the two sides of the brain, supports the development of higher-level executive functioning, such as creative problem-solving.
You know what they say: you can't stop the music. It’s not a stretch to say that receiving some kind of music education can help your child become a more well-adjusted individual and provide them with some valuable life skills. A Harris Poll of American adults found that 70% felt music education developed their ability to be effective team players in their careers, and two-thirds reported it helped them become disciplined problem solvers.
But beyond all that, time and again, music education has been cited as aiding in language development and acquisition and spatial-temporal skills, the latter of which are key in the areas of math, engineering, architecture and computer science. Childhood music lessons have long-term benefits as well, helping to mitigate memory loss and cognitive decline in old age.
They'll master social skills.
Kids on Stage
Working as part of a large group is central to the theater arts, performing arts such as dance and even visual arts such as film. The experience helps develop an appreciation of the value of teamwork and how different people bring different skills to a task. Enjoying or participating in the arts also develops a person’s capacity for empathy and compassion. The New Victory Theater, dedicated to presenting and bringing diverse performing arts productions to young audiences, observed the impact of arts education in schools through its program called “New Victory SPARK.”
According to Lindsey Buller Maliekel, VP, Education and Public Engagement at New 42, early findings of the data reveal that kids’ access to and engagement with the performing arts supports kids’ impulses to try new things; the capacity for self-reflection and an appreciation of someone’s life that is different from their own, and an increased perspective and interpersonal skills that strengthen teamwork. Additional benefits included increased hope, optimism and resilience. “These benefits feel particularly relevant as kids negotiate in a world that has a lot of ambiguity!” she says.
They'll experience increased engagement.
iStock
Arts education is linked with high academic success, and a 2012 National Endowment for the Arts study found that arts education can be especially helpful in supporting students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. At-risk youth with high arts participation had better attendance, standardized test scores and a significantly lower dropout rate than their counterparts with no arts education. Additionally, students of the arts were more likely to attend and graduate from college.
They'll have better self-esteem.
iStock
Yes, nailing that solo or soaking in applause during a curtain call is an effective way for your kid to get a self-esteem boost. But the even better news is that according to a 2019 study, just engaging in artistic pursuits such as music-making or listening, drawing or painting has a positive impact on a child’s self-esteem. (It’s even better if you play music with your kid; drawing is effective as a solo activity.)
