Spring Hill Park in Mclean, VA!

Today the kids and I checked out Spring Hill Park in Mclean, VA. Spring Hill Park is part of the Spring Hill Rec Center in Fairfax County.

The park area includes RECenter, astroturf soccer/football fields, baseball fields, walking trails and fenced in playground. The playground is in great shape with a large piece of equipment for the larger kids and toddler size slide for the younger crowd. Both regular and toddler swings are in the area along with picnic benches. The area also has smaller picnic benches for the kids to sit at under the shade of a tree. Restrooms are located inside the RECenter and also porta potties at each individual field.

This is a cute playground great for bringing a picnic lunch or snack. If you live in the area of Spring Hill Road in Mclean you should check it out!

Frying Pan Park & Kidwell Farm in Herndon, VA!

Located in Fairfax County you can find Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA. The park includes Kidwell Farm, Kidwell Farm House, playground, carousel, indoor and outdoor equestrian rings, equestrian trails and Country Store. From May through October the Farmer's Market arrives every Wednesday with fresh produce and meats from Local Virginia Farms. Frying Pan Park also has their own 4-H club for kids to learn the science and basic care of livestock.

Kidwell Farm has lots of farm animals for the kids to check out including sheep, pigs, cows, draft horses, chickens, goats and rabbits. During the spring time all the baby farm animals are being born and when old enough are on display for everyone to see.

In addition to the animals you can also take a tour of the Kidwell Farm House, Smoke House and old farm equipment.

If the weather is nice you can always pack a lunch because there are plenty of places to sit down and eat lunch either by the farm or by the small playground.

 The small playground includes two different pieces of age appropriate equipment but no swings. There is no shade to get away from the sun but restrooms are located both in the indoor equestrian center and by the playground. For a few dollars you and the kids can purchase tickets for the wagon ride and or the carousel. **More pictures to come of the playground area and carousel***

This Fairfax County Park is a gem! The kids always have a great time and strollers and wagons get around the farm very easily. So no matter the age of the child you should check out Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA!

Bready Park in Herndon, VA!

Today was beautiful so we headed out to a new park, Bready Park in Herndon, VA. Bready Park is located right next to the Herndon Community Center and across the way from the Herndon Centennial Golf Course.

The park has two pieces of play equipment in good shape and it looked like they recently had replaced a few of the slides. The equipment doesn't have any shade over it but there are plenty of benches and tables in the shade for the kids to cool off. My youngest was a little bummed that there were no swings though. The indoor restrooms are conveniently located right next to the equipment which was a bonus for this potty trainer. A picnic pavilion is also next to the park and can be rented for events. The indoor and outdoor tennis courts sit adjacent to the park. My youngest was in heaven watching the tennis players hit back and forth. In addition to the tennis courts the park also has two baseball fields and a soccer field. The W & OD Trail runs right by the park so if you live in the area you could just hop on the trail to get to the park.

If you live in the area you should check out this Fairfax County park!

Tysons Pimmit Park in Falls Church, VA!

This week when the weather wasn't too chilly we went out to Tysons Pimmit Park in Falls Church, VA! The park is situated next to the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. There are two ways to enter the park either through the library parking lot or through the Pimmit residential side of the park.

The 6-acre park in Fairfax County has a large grassy area, two basketball courts, and two large pieces of play equipment with a picnic pavilion. The equipment was in good shape when we were there. There is no shade over the equipment but the picnic pavilion is in the center of both pieces of equipment if the kids need to get out of the sun. Restrooms are located in the library but they are a pretty good walk from the equipment.

This was a nice park and if you live near the neighborhood of Pimmit Hills which lies between Route 495, 66 and 267 (Toll Road) you should check it out.

Jhoon Rhee Indoor Playground in Falls Church, VA!

Today we checked the Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do Studio in Falls Church, VA. Once a week they open the studio to children under the age of five to enjoy the padded gym floor and padded building blocks. My boys had a blast playing with the balls and large shapes they could stack and jump on. They can run around without fear of being hurt if they happen to fall down.

When we went there were only a few moms and dads with kids so the kids had the run of the studio. The studio does put a cap at 30 people per session this includes both parents and children. There is a fee per child and they ask that you either call or sign up online ahead of time to ensure your spot. Walk ins are welcomed but there is no guarantee that space will be available. When you pay in person make sure you have cash because they don't accept credit cards unless you reserve your spot online. No snacks are allowed on the mats but you can sit in the chairs and have the kids eat their snack. Restrooms are right there next to the play area. The restrooms were clean and had a large baby changing table. The supervisor does ask that any poopy diapers be put out in the outside trash can near the studio.

My kids had fun running around, listening to music and playing with the other kids. If you live in Fairfax County near the Falls Church area you should check out the studio on those days that the weather won't allow you to be outside. Just follow the signs to the studio as it is tucked back in between Baskin Robbins and another store.

Lakeside Park in Fairfax, VA!

Today we checked out Lakeside Park in Fairfax, VA. I had heard good things about the park and decided to see what it was all about. Lakeside Park is alongside Lake Royal in  Fairfax County in the Kings West Park subdivision of single family homes.

The park is great with walking/hiking trails, basketball court, baseball and soccer field, and play equipment. The best part is the lake where the kids can see the frogs, geese and ducks. The play equipment was newer and included swings. When we went there was no porta potty but when I spoke with a neighborhood mom she said there is normally a porta potty in the parking lot.

This park is great and so close to nature. I do have to add one warning and it's only in the grassy areas by the lake but you have to look out for the goose excrement. The geese seem to stay clear of the playground so no worries when the kids are playing on the equipment.

I can't wait to come back in the spring time and walk the trails around Lake Royal and Crooked Creek!

Deer Forest Recreation Area in Reston, VA!

Since the weather will not make up it's mind I decided to post about Deer Forest Recreation Area located in the Deer Forest neighborhood in Reston. Deer Forest is a neighborhood in the North Point District of Reston and is also known as District 3 to the Reston Association. The park is located off of Reston Parkway just down the way from the North Point Village Center.

The Deer Forest Recreation Area includes a large piece of play equipment and two sets of swings for younger and older children. Even in the winter time the park has tons of shade. There are a few benches and a picnic table to stop and take a break. Right next to the play area is a large grassy area big enough for the kids to run around and play ball. Sadly there is not a restroom for the area but if you have a potty training kiddo you could head over to the North Point Village Center for a public restroom. As in many parts of Reston walking trails cross by the area and wind through the homes. So if you live in the area you may just be able to walk to the park along one of the great trails that wind through Reston. But in case you have to drive to check out the park just  park along Deer Forest Road off of Reston Parkway.

This Fairfax County park is a great community park and located in a very nice neighborhood of single family homes with great older trees and large yards. Just another example of why Reston is a coveted area to settle down.

Play N' Learn Playground Superstore Free Play Days in Chantilly, VA!

Today we checked out the Play N' Learn Playground Superstore Free Play Days in Chantilly, VA! We had heard about the stores Free Play Days from a great Mommy website called SuperNOVAMommy. The Play N' Learn Showroom is tucked back in an industrial park off Route 50 and Stonecroft Blvd. They sell wood playsets, netted trampolines, basketball hoops, and game tables.

The Play N' Learn Free Play Days offer parents and kids a way to get out of the weather while playing on playground equipment in the showroom from 10- 1 on Monday and Thursdays. They also have netted trampolines and basketball hoops for the kids to test out. The showroom flooring is just carpet over concrete so just be aware if the kids fall they might hurt themselves. There are super clean restrooms and water fountains. It was very popular when we went and from what I understand they don't put a cap on attendance and the play time is for the 6 and under crowd.

I talked with one of the sales reps and she told me that if you are a customer of Play N' Learn you can come and play any day as a bonus for buying their product. If you live in the area you should go check out the Free Play Days at Play N' Learn Playground Superstore!

Stratton Woods Park in Reston, VA!

Since the good weather is still upon us we checked out Stratton Woods Park in Reston, VA. This cute park is located off of Fox Mill Road and Fairfax County Parkway.

The 30-acre park has lot of different activities including baseball fields, soccer fields, a tennis court, volleyball court, basketball courts, hiking trails and a playground. The playground equipment was in great shape and in the summer time would have plenty of shade since it sits back in the middle of a nature area. Once you park in the lot you head down the trail to reach the equipment. I didn't see any restrooms but according to the Fairfax County site they do have facilities on the park property.

There are a few picnic tables around the playground so the little ones can take a break or enjoy a snack. My kids really loved this park and I can't wait to take them back in the spring time when the trees are filled out. The great part about this Fairfax County park is it's location to single family homes and townhomes so if you live in the area you should check it out!

Generous George's Positive Pizza and Pasta Place in Herndon, VA!

A few months ago a friend of mine heard about a restaurant in Herndon, VA that was kid friendly, Generous George's Pizza and Pasta Place. We have gone several times over the last six months because the concept of making your own pizza never gets old for the kiddos.

The decor of the restaurant is funky and colorful so great for kids who are normally wiggly when sitting down to eat. When the kids sit down they get their very own chefs hat to put on! The menu offers lots of different Italian options including pastas, pizzas and subs. The reason we go to Generous George's is for their make your own pizza menu. For a reasonable price the wait staff brings out a personal size pizza dough already rolled out along with sauce, cheese and any toppings you have chosen for your pizza. It is your job to put your pizza together and the wait staff swings back by to pick up your newly decorated pizza to throw it in oven. When we were in a larger group this process took a little longer than when we went just as a family. The kids always have such a great time putting their pizzas together "me self" as my oldest son is always saying. If the kids getting wiggly while waiting for their pizzas they could always head into the small game room. The restrooms are also very clean.

Getting to Generous George's is a little odd. GPS is the best way to locate the restaurant that is tucked back in between Strayer University and Sunrise Valley Drive at 2321 Dulles Station Blvd, Herndon, VA 20171. Check it out with the family I'm sure you'll have a good time!

Haley M. Smith Park in Herndon, VA!

Since the weather has been amazingly warm this December the boys and I struck out to find some new parks. We came across Haley M. Smith Park in Herndon,VA located off of Van Buren Street in Fairfax County! The park is situated between newer and older single family homes as well as a few industrial parks.

This park was very nice with newer equipment including swings and lots of grass. It also has a ride on two person airplane and dinosaur.The park includes two baseball/softball fields, a sand volleyball court and soccer field. There is a porta potty and when we were there it was very clean.

This is a very cute park in Herndon. It probably doesn't have a lot of shade in the summer but there are plenty of benches and picnic tables to take a break and a water fountain.