By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun The 2020-2021 start of the school year won't look the same for students in Fairfax County Public Schools -- or Northern Virginia in general, or much of the country, for that matter. Most schools are not opening for in-person instruction at the start of the school year due to extended closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning kids will continue with virtual schooling for the time being. But just because Continue Reading...
Make this super-easy photo prop for school photos (first or last day!)
Cox Farms cancels Fall Festival for 2020, announces new option
For families which, after having to forgo so many things this spring and summer, were looking forward to fall, we have some bad news. Well, more like "bad news, good news" -- Cox Farms just announced that it will NOT be doing its legendary Fall Festival (nor its nighttime Halloween event, Fields of Fear). While some businesses, including attractions and entertainment venues, have started to open up again (usually with some restrictions), Cox Continue Reading...
Fourth of July pet safety tips
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun It's almost time for the Fourth of July! That means food, family and friends, and fireworks! As far as your pets are concerned, they probably love food and like (or at least tolerate!) your friends and family, but when it comes to fireworks, most pets are NOT fans. Every year around this time plenty of articles with Fourth of July pet safety tips spring up, and with good reason, too: According to Petfinder, Continue Reading...
2020 Independence Day in DC and NoVa
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Let freedom ring! As much as possible, anyway! To say that the year 2020 is unusual would be a great understatement. In late winter, when the COVID-19 coronavirus began spreading in the United States, no one imagined than keeping social distance and quarantining for a few weeks would become months, with not just spring but summer activities cancelled. And here we are, right before the Fourth of July. What Continue Reading...
Summer camps bring science learning to life
The year 2020 has certainly been anything but typical when it comes to children's learning. With schools closing early in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a slow and troubled start to online learning in Fairfax County, and instructional plans for the fall (and maybe all of the 2020-2021 academic year) still undetermined, parents are looking for ways to supplement their children's learning however they can. Those with elementary Continue Reading...
Area parks open in Northern Virginia
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Good news, Northern Virginia! We are returning to normalcy (albeit slowly) and some things are starting to reopening. As the governor's office announced yesterday, Northern Virginia is entering Phase 1 of the reopening plan during the coronavirus pandemic. As of Friday, May 29, 2020, several park systems are re-opening -- but only partially, and with many restrictions in place. Hopefully we will move Continue Reading...
Leesburg Animal Park Transforms Into Drive-Through Zoo
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Great news! Though the pandemic-related lockdown drags on in Northern Virginia and we still have not returned to normal, a few more activities are popping up that let you get out of the house, show the kids a bit of fun, and still maintain social distance protocols. New to the list is Leesburg Animal Park, a local favorite spot that has transformed its facility into a drive-through zoo! The zoo launched Continue Reading...
Last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
Happy Mother's Day! This Sunday it's all about mom, and while we're not quite back to normal yet, with "safer at home" guidelines still in place, there are still things you can do to honor mothers and support local businesses. Below are some last-minute Mother's Day ideas you can enjoy while still maintaining social distancing. Give her a great breakfast in bed Many restaurants are offering Mother's Day packages to go. One that has several Continue Reading...
Ideas to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Home
It's Cinco de Mayo! It's Taco Tuesday! And unfortunately in 2020 because of the pandemic, it means options are limited for celebrating: no festivals, no big fiestas, and no gathering in large groups at restaurants. But this doesn't mean "no fun!' Here are some ideas for celebrating Cinco de Mayo at home. Try a new recipe It doesn't matter whether you're a master chef, a creative cook, or clueless in the kitchen. This year you've got a "captive Continue Reading...
Latino superstars band at Altisimo Live event to benefit farmworkers
UPDATE 5/5/20: The event now begins at 3 pm ET with a variety show, with the concerts at 7 pm. Planning on staying in this year for Cinco de Mayo? Of course. We all are! But you can still celebrate in a big way with a virtual event that brings together some of the biggest Latino stars and other celebrities from music and film to honor farmworkers. The Altísimo Live! Pop Culture and Music Festival on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, celebrates Continue Reading...
