California Reopening: Everything Families Need To Know

It's time to play! Photo courtesy of Pretend City Children's Museum

Yay! The great California reopening is happening! The Dodgers can play to capacity crowds. Disneyland can sell all the tickets—and we can bring out-of-town guests, too. Kids are out of school, but pretty much every Califonia school is pledging to return in-person, 5 days a week in the fall (or summer, since we have a ridiculously early start). Museums, theme parks, zoos, restaurants, and more are all open. But does California reopening mean no more masks? Is social distancing a thing of the past?

As California reopens fully this week, we're looking at what that means, what's reopening, and everything in LA that's now open for kids...

Cool Things For Kids to Do at the Philadelphia Flower Show

The Grand Habitat exhibit will remind kids of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax.

For the first time in its 193-year history, the storied Philadelphia Flower Show is being held outside, taking over FDR Park in South Philly. This year’s event, appropriately themed HABITAT: Nature’s Masterpiece, provides a welcome change of scenery for both flora and families, making use of an existing kid-approved landscape to showcase the nation’s largest horticultural event. 

Learn all the coolest sights for kids to catch at the show below, as well as all the need-to-know information about the venue, special events, and ticketing. And don’t miss more must-do’s in our Summer Day Trip Guide.

10 Lavender Farm Day Trips for Families Near Philly

Get lost in the colors at Hidden Valley Lavender Farm.

Let me take you down, ‘cause I’m going to lavender fields.

Lavender season in Philadelphia is upon us, and these 10 farms, all within 75 miles of the city, offer visitors so much more than just a view of the fragrant purple plant. Relaxation, animals, U-pick, and special events can be found at these lavender farms in Pennsylvania and central and southern New Jersey.

For more quick escapes, see our list of great family day trips and weekend getaways from Philly.  

Best Family-Friendly Boat Rides on Long Island

Power around Greenport Harbor aboard the solar-powered electric launch Glory.

Set sail this summer for boating, sightseeing, whale watching, marine critter catching, or just a good time out on the water. These Long Island boat tours are ideal for families eager to create nautical adventures and lasting memories.

Here are 18 voyages we think are especially worthwhile. For more seasonal Long Island adventures, check out our Guide to Summer Fun and this list of 25 things we can't wait to do with Long Island kids.

Volunteer With Mott Haven Fridge to Deliver Free Food to Needy Neighbors

Mott Haven Fridge was born of necessity during the pandemic and needs more volunteers to serve New Yorkers in need.

As the so-called "Summer of New York City" approaches, and the city rebounds from the effects of the pandemic, there's still plenty of work to do to ensure all New Yorkers are on an even footing. A lack of access to healthy foods was particularly problematic during the pandemic, and the need persists, but local org Mott Haven Fridge is building a network of FREE fridges all across the Bronx and Upper Manhattan and looking for a few good volunteers to help keep them stocked.

Read on for details on this family-friendly volunteer opportunity, and find more ways to make giving back a part of your summertime routine.

Pawp Offers Affordable 24/7 Online Vet Care with Emergency Coverage

Pawp is a new pet insurance alternative that lets pet owners talk to a vet online and helps cover unexpected medical bills for emergency care.

If you have a pet in the family, you know the stress of your cat's mysterious middle-of-the-night tummy troubles or one of those panicked trips to the nearest emergency clinic following a freak sock incident with the dog. Well, the creators of Pawp clearly know that stress too, and they've created a new pet insurance alternative that gives pet parents access to online vet care while also helping to foot the bill if you find yourself in the midst of an emergency.

Of course, pet insurance can be pricey and it still doesn't cover all medical costs, so Pawp set out to eliminate the need for expensive veterinary visits due to issues that can be resolved at home. For $19 a month, the platform gives members instant and unlimited access to a team of on-demand online vets. These experienced cat and dog pros can answer questions about everything from diet woes to skin concerns, and help you determine what issues warrant emergency call-the-babysitter-for-the-kids care and what can probably be taken care of at home. Pawp also offers members a $3,000 emergency fund that can be used at any in-person clinic if the unexpected happens.

For pet-loving families, this one-of-a-kind platform is a game-changer, enabling you to talk to a veterinarian anytime about anything—plus, the perks don't stop there.

Hit the Roll-A-Rama Rink at the TWA Hotel for Retro Fun

The Roll-A-Rama Rink is the latest addition to the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport.

The opening of the TWA Hotel has made JFK more than an airport—it's now a destination in its own right. There's the rooftop pool, swanky hotel rooms, trendy restaurants, museums, cool design and architecture, and now, a seasonal outdoor roller skating rink smack in the middle of the tarmac. Riding the roller skating craze that's taken over New York of late, the TWA's new Roll-A-Rama Runway Rink is the perfect way to stretch your legs before getting on your flight or following a long ride on the A train. Read on for the details on this retro-inspired destination. If you're not up for a trip to JFK, we've got the details on more roller skating rinks in the city and nearby 'burbs, too.

New Playground Opens in Cranford’s Nomahegan Park

The towering new playground structure at Nomahegan Park packs tons of fun with its twisty slides, wobbly bridge, and tons of challenging climbing structures.

Families living near the pretty Nomahegan Park in Cranford, New Jersey, recently gained an exciting new playground. Living just a 15-minute drive away, my family couldn’t wait to check out the new addition to this popular Union County park.

The new playground area includes a separate toddler section, accessible swings and ramp, and a multi-tiered larger playground for ages 5 and up, which is loaded with climbing opportunities, twisty slides, a wobbly bridge, and plenty more to explore. The playground, which opened in late April, replaced a dated, much smaller playground.

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