Family Fun at Virginia State Parks

Virginia is known for its mountains, beaches and history, and Virginia State Parks offer all that and more. Whether you choose to spend the day on the trails, boating, fishing, learning about nature, or just enjoying a picnic, make Virginia State Parks part of your family’s healthy lifestyle. Come along with Kara Asboth of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and learn about Shenandoah Valley family fun at Virginia State Parks. Family Fun at Virginia State Parks There are now 41 Virginia State Parks, and four are part of the...

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Best Pet Friendly Places in the Blue Ridge

Shenandoah Valley fun isn’t just for families. Include your furbaby on your next Kids Trail adventure. Here’s a rundown of the best pet friendly places in the Blue Ridge, along with important travel and safety tips. And learn how traveling with your animal companion benefits both your pet and you! The Best Pet Friendly Places in the Blue Ridge With its wealth of hiking trails, you’ll find plenty of pet friendly places in the Blue Ridge. And while it’s great to follow the Adventures of Chase the Kampground Cat on Facebook, dogs rule the Blue R...

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13 Fun Free Family Things to Do

Whether it's a day trip or a weekend adventure, try some of these 13 fun free family things to do in the Shenandoah Valley. Enjoy scenic beauty and outdoor activity. Experience agricultural heritage and delicious locally sourced food. 13 Fun Free Family Things to Do According to Virginia Tourism Corporation, “top motivators for travel this year are disconnecting and taking a break from everyday life.” Let these 13 fun free family things inspire a break with the Valley’s outdoor lifestyle. #1 - The Shenandoah Valley’s scenery and abundance ...

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Cooking with Your Kids 9 Great Reasons

Cooking with your kids not only makes memories, it’s a great way to learn and grow. Check out these 9 important reasons to get into the kitchen as a family. Learn about age appropriate skills and try some easy, delicious recipes. Cooking with Your Kids - 9 Important Reasons From toddlers to teens, cooking does more than just provide a meal. Here are 9 great reasons why your kids should develop some culinary skills: #1 Good Nutrition Habits: Kids are more inclined to eat healthy when they have a hand in preparing a meal. Inspire that habit ...

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Explore the Family Fun Activities around Winchester, VA

The Heart of the Virginia Kids TrailThe Winchester area is the heart of the Kids Trail. In town, you’ll find walking tours and nature trails along with a terrific children’s museum. Once you’ve covered Winchester, take the family to nearby Clarke County. Or head down the interstate to Stephens City, Middletown, Front Royal, and Shenandoah County. I-81 makes area attractions minutes away.Stops to Make in WinchesterDowntown Winchester offers several historical walking tours. For instance, did you know George Washington had a surveyor’s office...

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5 Numbers for Good Health – 95210

Looking for an easy way to stay on track with family fitness goals? Think 95210 for good health. Learn how these 5 little numbers add up to a well balanced lifestyle. Think 95210 - 5 Numbers for Good Health The 95210 approach for good health started over a decade ago through a partnership between INOVA Health Systems and local school districts. Winchester’s Valley Health Wellness Services has been promoting the plan since 2012. Pre-Covid, Wellness Services spread the word through attending local health and resource fairs as well as its own We...

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Get Ready to Garden!

With increasing interest in sustainability and locally sourced food, now’s the time to get ready to garden. We have 3 great ways to garden, whether you’re contained to a terrace or have room to grow, along with suggested veggies and planting techniques. Read on to learn about the benefits of family gardening. Get Ready to Garden! As spring approaches, you may be thinking about last year’s grocery store shortages and how you can provide more sustainability to your family. A garden is the perfect answer. And it will provide more to your family...

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Best Winter Hikes for Outdoor-Loving Families

Screen time is on the up and up, due in large part to pandemic-prompted distance learning in school districts across the state. To offset this rise in eyeballs on screens, it's time to get the kids outside, on a scenic hiking trail in the Shenandoah Valley. Best Winter Hikes for Outdoor-Loving Families Even in winter, there's loads of active family fun to be had on our hiking trails, like scrambling rocks, skipping stones across streams and ogling frozen waterfalls. We asked Erin Gifford of Go Hike Virginia to share her best winter hikes fo...

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Winter Family Adventures

While we wait for vaccines to make their way to our communities, there are still winter family adventures that incorporate COVID safety. The Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains offer a host of outdoor activities considered to be “lower risk” by health professionals such as those at Johns Hopkins. And we’ve also found some indoor ways to make learning fun for your whole “quaran-team”. Winter Family Adventures and COVID Safety When you’re dressed for the elements, winter is a great time to explore. The area is home to not only the Shenan...

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Check Out These Shenandoah Valley Holiday Happenings

Happy Holidays! Looking for Shenandoah Valley holiday happenings? We’ve put together a great list of ideas. As always, take your mask, practice social distancing, and check social media for the latest updates before you visit. Shenandoah Valley Holiday Happenings Christmas parades and town tree lightings are uncertain at best right now. But you still want to get into the holiday spirit. Try one of these light shows shining this season in the Shenandoah Valley. Walking Through a Winter Wonderland. Clearbrook Park. Now - January 3. This annu...

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