At the Early Childhood Center at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue on the Upper West Side, creative play-based learning and a commitment to helping kids build a strong Jewish identity are top priority. And with select spots available at the popular Manhattan nursery and pre-K program for kids ages 18 months to 5 years, applications are now open for the 2021-2022 school year.

Camping is a wonderful way to explore the outdoors while spending serious quality time with your family—and you can do it all for much less money than you'd spend at a Boston-area hotel or vacation rental home. While Massachusetts is home to many campgrounds and campsites, we have selected eight that go out of their way to create a kid-friendly experience that combines adventure and creature comforts.

Whether you are camping in a fancy lakeside yurt or a pop-up tent in your backyard, make downtime and evenings fun with these camping games to play with kids.

Are your little animals getting too wild inside of your house? Take them out to one of the Chicago area's many zoos or aquariums. These venues offer a chance to learn about wildlife, get outside, and support nonprofits that help animals around the world. Most Chicago families know about the two big zoos: Lincoln Park in the city and Brookfield Zoo. But families with younger kids might prefer some of these smaller zoos that require less walking, for those with shorter attention spans and little legs. Also, with a short drive across the border into Wisconsin or Indiana, kids can see a variety of animals that can't be found at the Chicago zoos!

To meet animals that are a little bit less wild, check out our list of favorite farms near Chicago. Or take a hike to see animals in the actual wild.

If you're staying in town and plan to visit multiple attractions in the Chicago area (we’re looking at you, people with visiting relatives you’ll be squiring around town), it’s worth it to look into a Go City - Chicago sightseeing pass to save money on entrance fees to attractions like the Navy Pier, Field Museum, the aquarium, and the planetarium.

Want a dance class for your kid? You live in the right city for this kids' activity! Whether you want your kid to learn to be just a little more coordinated or you dream of the "World of Dance" competitions, tiny dancers can bust a move at a hip hop class or twirl in tutus in ballet class at the perfect dance class in the Los Angeles area. From ballet classes on the Westside to hip hop classes in the Valley to tap dance classes in Orange County, toddlers through teens are sure to find a class that fits their dancing dreams.

Get your ballet shoes on and "chasse" through these dance class options that include the top kids programs in LA and surrounding neighborhoods. And don't forget to check out our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in Los Angeles for other great baby classes, toddler classes, and big kid classes in LA.

A visit to the family-friendly New York Botanical Garden is a treat in any season, but a trip now means not only close encounters with the garden's living collection but also the larger-than-life art of Yayoi Kusama.

Kusama: Cosmic Nature opened at the garden last weekend and runs through Halloween. Read on to learn more about the exhibit and why it's worth a visit—or two—before fall.

The Pine Barrens, or the Pines, is a beautifully diverse, protected eco-system that stretches over seven counties in New Jersey and is home to approximately1.1 million acres of forests with varied plant and animal life. The region also houses a multitude of rural and urban towns, with residents embracing the Pines and celebrating its beautiful bounty over the four seasons with festivals, outdoor activities, eateries, and folklore—watch out for the Jersey Devil!

Whether you are headed to the area to attend an event, searching for outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and fishing, or simply want to drive through to spot changing flora and foliage in the fall or spring, the Pine Barrens do not disappoint. Read on for our favorite things to do with kids in the region, and read our roundup of state forests and parks to explore for more outdoor adventures.

If you’re driving an hour from Los Angeles to Orange County with two kids for an activity, the destination had better be worth the battle with traffic! Pretend City in Irvine is well worth any drive, boasting 17 interactive, interconnected exhibits built as a kid-scaled city. For hours, my kids explored their creativity and imagination, pretending to be cashiers and customers at Trader Joe’s, putting on a performance at the amphitheater, working on a farm, replacing a car’s muffler, and more. Find out what makes Pretend City so special and why it’s one of the must-visit children’s museums in Southern California for any and every family with young kids.

Why should cheese and crackers have all the fun? These dessert charcuterie boards can make any day sweet! It is not difficult to assemble one of these trays once you have the right ingredients and supplies in your kitchen. Dessert boards are no-cook, easy dessert recipes that are perfect for celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just to add a little fun to a night at home. You can use any flat surface to build your dessert board—we like to use a deep tray with handles, but a cutting board, serving tray, or any flat surface is a perfect stage to show off your delectable dessert creations.

From s’mores masterpieces to movie night treats, these five dessert boards will let you indulge your family’s sweet tooth. Find more dessert recipes and sweet kitchen inspiration in our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.