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  • Year in Review: These are the 10 stories parents loved most on our website in 2019
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Year in Review: These are the 10 stories parents loved most on our website in 2019

Moms, dads, aunts, uncles and everyone in between agree that if you’re looking for fun things to do with kids in the region, your first stop should be Northern Virginia Magazine. Here are the family-themed stories our readers loved the most this year.

By Editorial December 24, 2019 at 7:56 am

Some of the best things about living in Northern Virginia are its family-friendly events, great school systems and safe housing, making it a desirable region for those raising a family. As such, Northern Virginia Magazine covers family-themed stories weekly (we even have an e-newsletter that’s sent out every Thursday). Below, find the top 10 family stories our readers loved most in 2019.

family at spa together with face masks on
Photo by Alena Ozerova
10. “8 NoVA spas that offer kids’ treatments”

You’re never too young for a little pampering. Make a spa day extra special with these kid-friendly treatments designed for you and your mini-me to enjoy together.

father and son wearing fake mustaches and glasses
© Sunny studio / stock.adobe.com
9. “10 Father’s Day events the whole family will love”

Dad might want to spend the day just “resting his eyes,” but these events were worth spending some time off of the couch on Father’s Day 2019. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming June issue, which will feature events coming to the region for Father’s Day 2020.

pink flowers in a silver bucket with sign that says happy mothers day
Photo by Myimagine / stock.adobe.com
8. “9 unique and fun things to do with your mom for Mother’s Day”

We listed out the best local Mother’s Day events for sharing the day with your mom and celebrating the special relationship between you and her. Our May 2020 issue will once again list out need-to-know information on the best Mother’s Day events around Northern Virginia.

alison starling, peter alexander, and their two kids
From left to right, Peter Alexander, Emma (4), Ava (6) and Alison Starling. (Photo by Aaron Spicer)
7. “Family spotlight: Here’s how news anchor Alison Starling and TODAY co-anchor Peter Alexander get it all done”

Alison Starling of WJLA/ABC-7 News and her husband, Peter Alexander, co-anchor of Weekend TODAY, share what their parenting timeline looks like in NoVA.

little boy in birthday hat near his birthday cake
Looking for a great birthday spot for the kids over the summer? Here are 10 sure to please (indoors and outdoors). (Photo by Rahel Daniel)
6. “10 birthday party venues your kids (and their guests!) will love”

These NoVA locations know how to party. All you have to do is send out the invitations.

pencils and paint
© Anaumenko / stock.adobe.com
5. “These are the best day cares and preschools in NoVA, according to readers”

The list includes more than 85 day cares and preschools throughout the Northern Virginia area, with details like class size and educational philosophy.

busy bees fairfax corner location
Photo courtesy of Busy Bees
4. “Busy Bees opens third location at Fairfax Corner”

After years of success at its Falls Church and Chevy Chase locations, Busy Bees added another city to its list in 2019.

kids walking a tight rope course at summer camp
stock.adobe.com
3. “Happy campers: The best NoVA summer camps for kids”

Endless summer? Nah, it only feels that way when you’re trying to fill it with experiences that will keep your kids fulfilled and enriched throughout the dog days. And while it might never feel normal to map out your kids’ entire summer before the season begins, here’s something that might make you feel a bit better about it: a massive list of camps chosen by our readers as the best of the best.

halloween pumpkin
© tomertu / stock.adobe.com
2. “46 places to take the kids trick-or-treating (and trunk-or-treating!) in NoVA this year”

This year for Halloween, we knew many parents were worried about being out late on a school night or trekking down dark neighborhood streets. So, we compiled a list of safe community events that were costume-worthy and stocked with sweet treats. Come next Halloween, we’ll do the same thing, and might even add in a fun, spooky story or two.

1. “34 traditional summer camps your children will love this year”

Is it really summer without a traditional summer camp experience? Here are the best camps around NoVA.

For more fun family stories, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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