Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Galveston

Spend a day on the sand at Stewart Beach. Photo courtesy of Stewart Beach Park/Facebook

Longing to feel the sand between your toes this summer? Some of the best Texas beaches are located just an hour or so south of the greater Houston area on Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you're looking for a seaside escape for the day, a weekend, or longer, these beaches are all awesome options for some family-friendly summer fun in the sun. For more ideas, activities, and things to do for the whole family, check out our Summer Fun Guide for Houston kids.

CaliCase: The Waterproof Phone Pouch Your Family Needs This Summer—Plus a Discount

For a camping, beach-loving, amusement or waterpark-going family like mine, CaliCase is the summer staple we never knew we needed until we tried it for ourselves. Yes, the world-famous, wearable, waterproof phone pouches truly live up to the hype, enabling you to go handsfree while keeping one of your most prized possessions safe—but also easily available for fly fishing photos and splash pad selfies.

Here are the reasons why my family will be stashing these little lifesavers in our beach bags and backpacks all summer long. And don't miss our exclusive discount for Mommy Poppins readers!

10 Waterfront Playgrounds in NYC

Explore the seaside Rockaway Park. Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

After months of being stuck at home—or at least sticking to your home neighborhood—summer calls for adventure. It's easy to forget New Yorkers have miles of waterfront within city limits, so you don't have to go far to enjoy a cool breeze and beautiful water views. Even better, spend an afternoon at one of these 10 waterfront playgrounds and feel like you’ve escaped the city without ever leaving the five boroughs.

Find more fun places to play this season in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Best Beaches in Chicago for Families

Check out these Chicago beaches for summer day trip destinations.

Who says you need an ocean to go to the beach? Chicago families can get their swimming fix by taking advantage of the “Midwest Coast” of Lake Michigan, or the many smaller lakes (and even repurposed former quarries) dotted throughout the suburbs. The best Chicago beaches for families include easy parking, bathrooms with changing facilities, concession stands for little snackers, and maybe a playground for when kids get tired of the water. Pack up your favorite beach gear and hit one of the best family-friendly beaches in Chicago and the suburbs.

Best LGBTQ Books for Kids To Celebrate Pride Month

Heather Has Two Mommies. Image courtesy of Alyson Books

When my wife and I started to build up our daughter’s library, we felt it was important for her to see our reality reflected in books. We looked for LGBTQ children’s books with fun, positive messages about diversity. We wanted to show her that all families are unique, while at the same time they share common values and traditions. The 25 books listed here are some of our family’s very favorites.

Check out our other great book recommendations for Black History Month and 21 books to teach your kids about racism.

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