Author: Meghan
Arlington County VA Playgrounds

Powhatan Springs Park – Children’s Rain Garden

- by Meghan - 1 Comment

The parking lot is closed on rainy days because the rain garden is attached to the skate park. However, the sidewalk access is always available and there is plenty of street parking nearby. The rain garden isn’t very big, so this is a good outing to sandwich in between a couple of errands (or at the tail end of an errand on the way home, so you won’t be about town with soaking wet kids) because it doesn’t take long to explore the whole area. It offers a lot of learning “bang” for not a lot of time “buck,” so we definitely plan to return for future visits.

Read More
Fairfax County Playgrounds

Pohick Bay Regional Park Playground

- by Meghan - 1 Comment

The playground is themed with woodland details, and the equipment is both challenging and fun. There are some fairly uncommon climbing toys that were new to my kid. (As you may have noticed, he gets to go to a lot of playgrounds, so that’s saying something.) There are four benches for parent seating, the parking is ample and fairly close, and the restrooms are not far off. We were there on a weekday afternoon. Aside from a few sort-of busy periods, we had the place to ourselves. If you get bored on the playground, there is the covered observation deck by the restrooms (I’m told you can spot eagles from that vantage point) and, of course, throwing rocks in the river from the beach to extend your fun.

Read More
Recommendations

Recommendation: Hilda at Reflections in McLean

- by Meghan - Leave a Comment

I have a curly-top kid who didn’t like getting his head wet. His whole life, washing his hair had been a struggle. And since he was bald for a great deal of his life, he was pretty big by the time hair cutting came up. What we needed was someone who not only could make his curly hair look good without giving him a buzz cut, but someone who could navigate this quirk of his without making it worse. I am lucky enough that the awesome stylist, Hilda, who cut my own hair when I was a child is still available at Carla’s in McLean. (And, by the way, she makes MY hair look great, too, even during the whole Post Partum Hair Loss phase.)

Read More
Fairfax County Playgrounds

Treasure Island Mini Golf

- by Meghan - Leave a Comment

If you are looking for someplace to go for your child’s first miniature golf experience, you can’t go wrong at Treasure Island miniature golf at Pohick Bay Regional Park. The kids loved the cute pirate theme, but what will really float your boat is that the self-contained miniature golf area is not near any busy roadways, is shady, and has good visibility across the entire play area.

Read More
Northern VA Great Outdoors

Nall’s Produce

- by Meghan - Leave a Comment

Nall’s Produce is more than just a produce stop, although it’s very definitely that, too. It’s a destination. Kids will love their annual pumpkin tunnel, but it’s worth a visit just on a regular day, too. Not only can your kiddo visit the chickens, ducks, geese, and koi, they can help you pick out plants for your garden, and pull them in a Radio Flyer wagon to get a ticket written up before you go inside to pay. They can pick out a piece of fresh fruit to buy and eat as a snack or learn the names of all the potted perennials. Reluctant vegetable eaters might even get a little excited about trying new foods if they see them being stocked by forklift!

Read More