Looking for something to make your child's birthday feel extra special this year? If you're scaling down the festivities, it's the perfect time to go big on the cake. With that in mind, we’ve scoured the five boroughs to find the New York City bakeries crafting the most mind-blowing confections.

These birthday cakes are scene-stealers in their own right and pair with whatever party you've got planned, from alfresco celebrations in local parks and playgrounds to social-distancing ready soirees and simple at-home shin-digs.

Whether you want a twist on a classic birthday cake, gluten-free goodies, or a sculpted replica of your child's favorite character, there's something for everyone in this delicious roundup of New York City bakeries and cake studios.

Woo hoo! After 11 long months, playgrounds in Chicago have finally been given the go-ahead to reopen. Chicago Park District announced Tuesday that after closing in March of 2020, the city’s lakefront, playgrounds, and indoor aquatics centers are cleared to reopen. Which playgrounds? And when? Read on for all the details.

From its sprawling state-of-the-art 40-acre wooded campus, Camp Deeny Riback has been encouraging kids across Morris and Essex County to embrace adventure since 1970. With a focus on Jewish values, the camp prides itself in providing kids with a safe and nurturing environment where they're encouraged to explore new activities, ask questions, take risks, learn important life lessons, and make some forever friends and memories along the way.

I have wonderful memories of playing card games with my family as a kid. The laughs, the late-night snacks, the speedy way my dad would shuffle the cards ... good times! I recently started teaching my four-year-old some simple card games for kids, and I was struck by how captivated she was by these classic card games, all without flashy gimmicks, lights, or sounds. Whether you've got preschoolers or teenagers at home, here are some easy card games that are perfect for your next family game night.

Need more creative ideas to keep your whole family wholesomely entertained? Check out our Boredom Busters guide, not to mention this roundup of the best-ever board games and these brainy puzzle games for kids.

Looking for a dynamic, hands-on nature encounter at summer camp? Does your daughter want to learn how to sail? Is your son looking to step-up his tennis game? All these activities are available in the Houston area, and the guide below can help you narrow your choices for outdoor spring and summer camps.

For more summer and vacation camp ideas, check out our comprehensive camp guide and full directory of camp listings.

You might have seen Starry Night at MoMA or surrounded yourself with a number of original Van Goghs in one of The Met's famed galleries, but you've never seen the artist's works like this.

A brand new Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is heading to New York this June, but you'll have to act fast if you want tickets. The presale site is live, and if its other stops are any indication, they're sure to sell out fast as has happened in Paris and Toronto; it's been the hardest ticket to come by in Chicago, San Francisco, and LA, prompting months-long extensions.

Here’s everything we know about this hot new art pop-up, and why we can’t wait to Gogh.

Whether it's a multi-tiered masterpiece of fondant or a tower of personalized cupcakes, birthday parties with standout birthday cakes are having their day. And while showpiece cakes were already a thing before COVID, with socially distant and virtual parties on the rise, securing a birthday cake that doubles as a centerpiece is becoming an even bigger deal.

The good news is that Houston is home to some of the best cake bakeries around, but that also makes for a lot (we mean a lot) of exceptional bakeries to choose from. Narrowing down which one to choose for your next party can be downright overwhelming.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, we selected a handful of our absolute favorite bakeries from each part of town, ensuring that you get an incredible looking and delectable tasting cake and you get to support a local business. Find yourself in a pinch and need something on the fly? We also included a couple of chains that consistently deliver quality cake! 

Find more party ideas in our Birthday Party Guide for Houston Families.

New York City may be home to 14 miles of beaches, but none of those sandy shores exist in Manhattan. That's all about to change, though. The Gansevoort Peninsula is set to open in Spring 2023, bringing with it Manhattan's first public beach, so get those sand toys ready. 

Construction on the Gansevoort Peninsula is set to begin this spring. It's the latest redevelopment project from the Hudson River Trust, and when completed, will join the recently opened Pier 26, which debuted last fall, and Little Island, one of our most anticipated openings of 2021, in reshaping Manhattan's west side landscape.

Read on for more details and renderings of the spectacular—and sandy—new park.