Destination Playgrounds in the DC Area: 15 Play Spaces Worth the Trip

Kids of all ages and abilities will love the colorful equipment at Clemyjontri Park. Photo by the author

Families in the Washington, DC area are fortunate to have an abundant selection of neighborhood playgrounds and parks for kids to play, explore, and work out their energy. The playgrounds on this list take it a step further with unique themed play equipment, splash pads, mini golf, trains and carousels to amp up the fun.

When you’re looking to spend the whole day at the park, these 15 playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Virginia are worth the drive.

Best Amusement Parks, Theme Parks, & Water Parks within Driving Distance of Houston

Photo courtesy of ZDT's Amusement Park

Summer fun in Houston is not complete without a visit to an amusement park or water park. Between the epic roller coasters and high-flying swings at amusement parks, and the slippery slides and raft rides at water parks, Houston area theme parks have enough thrills and spills to keep kids cool all summer long.

If you'd rather stay indoors at the peak of our hot summer months, you could check out Guide to Indoor Fun for Houston Kids. Or maybe you'd prefer to splurge on a local resort with a great pool. But for good old-fashioned summer thrills, there is nothing like the Texas amusement parks below.

Best Amusement Parks Near Philadelphia for Preschoolers

Have a child obsessed with trucks? Visit Diggerland in West Berlin, NJ

It's hard to imagine a more thrilling summer day for a preschooler than riding bumper cars, spinning in teacups, or pretending to be the conductor on a miniature locomotive. Fortunately, there are plenty of amusement parks near Philly that offer plenty of fun for the preschool set. So we've rounded up our favorite ones with extra kiddie rides, or those designed precisely for preschoolers. 

Even a restrictions begin to ease, managing the safety of guests during the pandemic remains a priority. All parks are operating under some form of reduced capacity, requiring face masks outside of water parks and dining, and maintaining physical distancing in accordance with state and local mandates. Other precautions include temperature screenings, contactless payments, and other measures to reduce hand-to-hand contact, and online registration for tickets to control crowd size. Be sure to check each park’s website for the current rules in place, as well as any updates to events or operations before you go.

And don't forget to check out our Summer Activities Guide for Philly Kids, which is filled with amazing warm weather activities for little ones.

Best Amusement Parks Near Los Angeles for Preschoolers

Kids are in the drive seat at Pacific Park. Photo by Matt Matasci

Southern California is world-famous for family-friendly theme parks like Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, but the swoops and thrills of many of the rides can be too much for younger kids. That doesn't mean you have to wait until kids grow up to visit your favorite amusement park—you just need to know the secrets to finding the rides, play spaces, and dedicated spaces that are best for preschoolers. Also, the LA area has several amusement parks with gentle rides and tame attractions that provide just the right amount of thrills for toddlers and preschoolers.

Skip the uncertainty of wondering if an amusement park is age-appropriate for your preschooler with this handy guide, filled with insider tips and secrets to getting the most out of these theme parks with even the youngest members of the family.

See Riverside Park South's Recently Renovated Transformation

Riverside Park South provides a lovely bridge between the concrete jungle and the Hudson River, and warm weather means it's time to explore this new green space now.

The long-anticipated opening of Manhattan's Riverside Park South has arrived at last. Officially opened in October 2020, the new section of the park spans from West 65th Street to 68th Street is a perfect green space to visit this spring. This Upper West Side park is one of the top destinations for neighborhood families, offering expansive outdoor spaces for NYC families to enjoy. The new section offers playgrounds and more family-friendly amenities to explore.

Read on for details on the project, plus what renovations are still in store. Find more fun places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds for New York City families.

Visiting the TGR Exotics Wildlife Park: Unique Animal Encounters and Tours, from Sloths to Kangaroos

Photo courtesy of TGR Exotics Wildlife Park

Zoos are a big deal for us. Whether it's a big name zoo like the Houston Zoo or a local area petting zoo, there is something about getting to see unique and exotic animals up close that sparks joy and ignites imagination in my kids, which is why TGR Exotics Wildlife Park turned out to be such a great find for us. 

Located down an inconspicuous side road in Spring, the wildlife park could be easily missed if not for the large animal silhouettes and colorful "Go Wild" sign adorning the fence. We recently visited for a home school day tour and left with big smiles, a wealth of animal facts, and all the tips and tricks for visiting the park. 

Best Leave-in Conditioners and Detangler Sprays for Kids

Leave-in conditioners make managing those epic knots so much easier. Photo by Meghan Rose

These leave-in conditioners and detangling sprays are a key pro-parent hack for no-more-tears!

Leave-in conditioner has become a year-round, must-have product in our household. It is crucial to taming the tears for any long-haired kids after swimming or in early mornings when rushing to get hair brushed before school. My bathroom is littered with multiple bottles of hair detangler sprays, and now I'm happy to share the five products that finally brought peace to our marathon combing sessions.

We also have epic battles about great sunscreen in our house. So I went and got expert opinions on the best reef-safe sunscreens for kids and babies, and now we have tangle-free hair and protected skin every morning. Whew.

What’s New at the SoCal Amusement Parks in 2021

Avengers will assemble at the new Avengers Campus. Photo courtesy Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort

You know how they say, “You don’t know what you’ve got 'til it’s gone?” Well, we SoCal denizens actually did. We knew we had the best theme parks, all within an easy drive. We took kids for birthdays, soaked up the atmosphere on holidays, and waved our annual passes around like keys to a magical kingdom. When all the amusement parks closed last year, we knew what we were missing.

But now all the amusement parks have reopened, and many of them have spent the past year building and creating. From the new Avengers Campus at Disneyland to the new Lego Movie World at Legoland (and everything in between), here’s what’s new at SoCal theme parks in 2021.

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