Submitted by Ally Noel on
Whether you call them hand pies, toaster pastries, Pop Tarts—or just plain ol' delicious!—these treats sweeten up any family morning. Frozen pie crust simplifies this homemade Pop-Tart-style pastry recipe. It's easy to follow and comes together faster than you might realize. Kids can fill these, and top them, with their preferred flavors, from jam to chocolate and sprinkles.
Submitted by Arianna Menon on
Visiting Joshua Tree National Park is an otherworldly experience: groves of twisted trees and giant boulders create enchanting settings so unique, you might think you have stepped into a fairy tale—or landed on an alien planet. Approximately a two-hour drive from Los Angeles and a stone's throw from Palm Springs, this park is great for a family camping adventure or just a day hike because it captures everyone’s imagination. Stroller-friendly trails make it a great option for little trekkers, as do several walks easy enough for young kids (or tired grown-ups) to maneuver. But teens and tweens who never tire won't run out of rocks and boulders to climb over.
Read on to get the latest information on what's open, what to see, and how to explore this spectacular local national park. Spending the night? Check out our 10 Favorite Joshua Tree Airbnbs, Hotels, and Campgrounds for Families.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on
Editor's note: As of April 21, 2021, the opening day has again been delayed. Organizers hope the attractions will open sometime during summer 2021. The Sea Life Aquarium at the American Dream entertainment complex in New Jersey has set its grand opening date for Tuesday, May 4, 2021. With a "city under the sea theme," its interactive exhibits showcase more than 3,000 sea creatures from jellyfish to sharks. Opening alongside the attraction is a Legoland Discovery Center. Both were slated for spring 2020 openings but saw their debuts pushed back by the pandemic.
The first Sea Life to open in the Northeast, the New Jersey aquarium joins nine other locations across the U.S., including aquariums in San Antonio, Texas, Orlando, Florida, and Carlsbad, California.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on
Large-scale, step-inside, immersive art displays are having their moment in NYC, but you don't have to wait until the late-spring Van Gogh Exhibition to step inside a sprawling art-filled space. Artechouse NYC, located in the lovely and packed with family-friendly amenities, Chelsea Market, has just debuted a brand new show, and it's worth adding a visit to your calendar.
Read on for our Artechouse NYC review and find more fun art-inspired destinations in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibitions.
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
One New Jersey town has found a unique way to give its businesses a little lift. Giant, light-up seesaws have been installed in Westfield as part of its Glo Downtown promotion, and organizers hope these whimsical playthings attract visitors to its streets.
The seesaws are part of the touring public art installation dubbed Impulse, which features 15 illuminated, sound-producing seesaws, each holding up to four riders at a time. It's been installed in the North Avenue Westfield Train Station parking lot. The Impulse seesaws, which previously appeared in New York City, Montreal, Australia, London, and Boston, are FREE to ride and available daily through Sunday, March 21.
Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on
For quarantine babies, the first year of life probably looked a little different. That doesn’t mean their birthday should be any less special. It’s your baby’s first birthday and you’ve been parents for a year—that’s something to celebrate! To help you with some special first birthday ideas, we’ve rounded up a few fun ways to host a quarantine birthday party for babies, with social distancing in mind.
Because a first birthday is also a celebration for the parents, we're going beyond just first birthday cakes and serving up treats for adults, too. Whether it’s virtual or in-person, we've got plenty of first birthday party themes and ideas to help mark this momentous occasion safely. Happy quarantine birthday, baby.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on
With one more week before daylight time savings begins, we've found something fun to light up your evenings: Domino Park has debuted a new public art display, Reflect, from artist Jen Lewin.
The installation in the park's popular summertime sprinkler area had us running, jumping, frolicking, and generally enjoying its colorful interactive nature. Read on for the details, and find more great public art to explore in Lower Manhattan, too.
Submitted by Lisa Johnston on
For many Westchester and Hudson Valley families, transportation to and from summer camp is a crucial component in the decision-making process. Having pick-up and drop-off services can make the overall experience more enjoyable for campers and parents alike.
To help you find a camp to match your transportation needs, we’ve rounded up 20+ camps that provide busing to and from their facilities, either door-to-door or at a central location. Whether your kid is into sports or STEM, rowing or rocketry, these camps offer lots of great activities.
Find more local summer camps in our Camp Guide, or search by age, interest, and location in our Camp Directory.
