Have a Bashing Good Time at Farmingdale's iSmash

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The rage rooms at iSmash in Farmingdale can be booked for 20-minute sessions.

Whether you're looking to destroy and decompress or get crafty and creative, iSmash in Farmingdale has your crew covered. This smash-and-splatter paint space brings a unique experience to the heart of downtown Main Street. 

After smashing up a bunch of stuff, my teenage boys said it was the best activity they'd ever done, so this place definitely appeals to a certain audience! 

If you're looking for more out-of-the-box party ideas, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids.

32 June Summer Festivals and Street Fairs in New Jersey for Families

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State Fair Meadowlands is the biggest fair in the New York metropolitan area. Photo courtesy of the fair

Family-friendly summer festivals and street fairs in New Jersey offer fun for all ages and interests this month. With the change of seasons and rising temperatures, fill your calendar with a long-awaited lineup of early summer events that center on everything from music and food to rides and games.

Relish the 17 days of rides, games, food, and fireworks at the action-packed State Fair Meadowlands. Or celebrate the start of summer with a sky of beautiful balloons at Warren County Hot Air Balloon, Arts & Crafts Festival. 

Read on for more than 30 great New Jersey fairs and festivals happening in June. 

Pride, Fete Day, The Roots, Petapalooza, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

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Visit the Petapalooza petting zoo! Photo courtesy En Route

Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your must-do list.

June is packed with exciting events for families in Philadelphia! Kick off Pride Month with the colorful Pride Skate, featuring interactive performances and themed decor. Then join the vibrant Philadelphia's Pride March and Festival, or head to the Franklin Institute for Family Pride Day. Dive into history at Fete Day at Elfreth's Alley, where you can explore 18th-century homes and enjoy colonial games. Don't miss The Roots Picnic at Fairmount Park for a weekend of music and culture. Wrap up the weekend with Family Fun Day Sunday at Spruce Street Harbor Park for crafts and activities every first Sunday of the summer. There’s something for everyone in Philly this June!

96 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

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There's a family-friendly festival for everyone this summer in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Last Fling in Naperville

Summer festivals in and near Chicago stretch across over three months of fun, and there's such a head-spinning number of fantastic fetes with so many different themes, cultures, and neighborhoods, it's easy to find a fair or festival near Chicago for everyone in the family. Foodies of all ages will enjoy Taste of Chicago Rogers Park, kids will love getting creative at Mess Fest at the Du Page Children's Museum in Naperville, and we can't even begin to count all the free music festivals happening this summer.

So while your local playground or pool may beckon and your backyard grill may look lonely, you’ve got to sample a street fair or two this summer. Bookmark this list and get your calendar (and comfy shoes) ready. Check out the Chicago Summer Fun Guide for even more great kid and family activities and outings.

34 Summer Festivals and Fairs in 2024 in Los Angeles for Families

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Kick off summer fun with carnival rides. Photo courtesy of the Fountain Valley Summerfest

Fairs and summer festivals in Los Angeles are an essential SoCal tradition. A good festival has something fun for kids of all ages: rides, interesting foods, live music—all this at an event that parents are genuinely excited about. 

If your kid is a budding buccaneer, head to the Pirate Invasion Festival in Long Beach; Lego master builders won't want to miss the Brick Fest Live in Pasadena, and art aficionados absolutely need to check out the 40th Annual Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival. There's a summer festival for everyone in your crew!

For more summer fun, check out our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids, which includes the best beaches in LA, favorite water parks in SoCal, and everywhere you can jump in a lake in Los Angeles.

NYBG's Newest Installation Invites Visitors to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

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The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.

The New York Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to fall down the rabbit hole this spring, summer, and fall. Its sprawling grounds have been transformed into a collection of curiosities in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the garden-wide exhibition includes contemporary art, beautiful blooms, fantastical foliage, themed sweets and treats, and some creative programming guaranteed to add a little wonder to your next visit. It runs through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

40 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids: Backyard Games, Playground Games, and More

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Jump rope solo, skip with siblings, or round up the whole gang for double dutch.

It's hard to beat classic outdoor games for kids when it comes time to entertain them during the long school-free summer months, at birthday parties, or when they've spent too much time on screens. From hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, these outdoor games are sure to keep your crew, and whichever neighborhood kids stop by, busy for hours. Best of all, you can play almost all of these playground and backyard games listed below without spending any money. Time to  load up the sunscreen, head outdoors, and play!

If you don't mind getting wet, check out these Favorite Water Games to Play With Kids, and keep the party going in the great outdoors with one of the activities from our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.

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