There's more than beach bumming to do in Galveston.

Springfield, IL is just three hours south of Chicago, and while you might know it as the home of Abraham Lincoln, there are tons of other exciting and fun family things to do in Springfield. Wander the halls of the State Capitol, check out the inspiring street art and murals, and check out the latest exhibits at the Kidzeum of Health & Science. Visit just a few places on this list, and your kids will impress you with their new-found knowledge all the way home!

Springfield can be a great educational and fun weekend trip for Chicago kids looking to learn more about history. It can be a fun stop on an excursion to St. Louis or even play a part in a full tour of historic Route 66. If you're looking for other easy trips, check out this guide to family day trips and weekend getaways for Chicago kids. 

Southampton Village sits along a stretch of shoreline on the South Fork of Long Island's East End. Nestled between Hampton Bays and Water Mill, sandy beaches and celebrity sightings are where it's at, especially in the summer. Southampton, NY, is an ideal destination for a family day trip, and visiting on weekdays or getting an early-morning weekend start saves you hours in Hamptons traffic.

Read on for our family-friendly guide to the best things to do in Southampton, NY, with kids, including which beaches to visit, and where to eat and play. And for more kid-friendly activities on the East End, check out our roundup of 55 things to do with kids in the Hamptons and North Fork, or head over to our local Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways to find more enclaves to explore.

With summer just around the corner, there is nothing I look forward to more than those long hours of sunshine, taking the kids outside, walking to our local farmer's market and just enjoying the outdoors without the rain and pollen that have kept us housebound for the past few weeks. Hiking, biking and picnicking are great activities for children of any age and can provide years of fun family memories. Here are some of our favorite spots in the Delaware Valley, otherwise known as the Greater Philadelphia area.

Around 20 miles northwest of DC, Gaithersburg is a diverse and vibrant Maryland suburb with a rich history, thriving community, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Once an agricultural community known as Log Town, the city grew after the arrival of the B&O Railroad in the 1870s, which spurred business expansion and drove summer tourism by DC residents escaping the city’s heat.

Whether you’re looking for parks and playgrounds, museums and arts centers, local fairs and festivals, or kid-friendly restaurants, there’s so much for kids of all ages to explore and enjoy in Gaithersburg.

Read on for 25 fun things to do with kids in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for DC Kids includes even more fun suburbs to visit, like Fairfax, Virginia and Kensington, Maryland.