Outdoor Festivities and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

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Bluey's Big Play:The Stage Show. Photo by Darren Thomas courtesy of the production.

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

Chicago temps are warming up and finally, there's no rain in the forecast, making it the ideal weekend for outdoor festivals to kick off! Check out Lilac Time or Art in Wilder Park, or see one of the first outdoor concerts of the season in downtown Wheaton. Are you all caught up on new episodes of Bluey? Then it might be time to check out her big stage show at the Auditorium Theatre. Or celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Mexico Fest at Navy Pier.

Mother's Day is going to be here before you know it! Plan an activity or a brunch,  and then check out the full line-up of spring festivals—we've rounded up 35 that are family-friendly. 

Have a great spring weekend in Chicago!

Big Art Weekend, Star Wars Day, and More Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend

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Let the Bay Area Discovery Museum be your canvas for creation during Big Art Weekend. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Discovery Museum

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list. ​

May the 4th be with you! Fans can celebrate all things Star Wars this weekend with a screening of The Empire Strikes Back with the SF Symphony in San Francisco or a walk around the park in Livermore to find Mystical Creatures. 

Bay Area museums are also hosting many kid-friendly events this weekend like the Big Art Weekend at the Bay Area Discovery Museum and de Youngsters Day Out in San Francisco. With spring in full bloom, take a stroll through Half Moon Bay at the Coastal Wildflower Day Festival. 

Great Big Family Play Day, Cinco de Mayo, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

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The Great Big Family Play Day is dino-mite! Photo by Gina Ragland

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of our favorite events and activities to add to your list this weekend

It's the biggest party in town, which could only mean one thing: The Great Big Family Play Day returns to the Autry Museum. Expect two days of family fun with everything from kiddie performers to crafts, swag, a dino exhibit, and more swag! 

Of course, the biggest party could also mean the LA County Fair, returning for another year with carnival rides, pig racing, barnyard friends, headliner concerts, and fried everything. And let's not forget the other biggest party, Cinco de Mayo, with celebrations up and down the Southland, including Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in San Clemente, and the Historical Parade and Festival in Venice. 

Free Comic Books, Strawberries, Fitler Fun, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

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Enjoy live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and luscious strawberry-themed food and drink specials at The Strawberry Festival at Peddler's Village. Photo by Paul Berger

Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your must-do list.

May in Philly is buzzing with family-friendly events. From the Annual Colonial Mayfair's historical charm to the adrenaline rush of Monster Jam, there's something for everyone. Don't miss Free Comic Book Day for superhero fun, and indulge in strawberry delights at the Strawberry Festival at Peddler's. Plus, explore art, culture, and diversity at the Barnes Free First Sunday Family Day and Dual Heritage Month Family Day.

Ultimate Family Bucket List: 100 Experiences You'll Remember Forever

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Bringing a fur baby, or other animal, into the family is a fantastic experience for kids and parents.

We've rounded up a whole bunch of childhood bucket list ideas here that run the gamut from baking cookies to big family trips. The bucket list ideas here are all suggestions for a whole host of fun family activities that will give your kids memories that they will remember for their entire lives.

So take some inspiration from our ultimate family bucket list of 100 fun ideas for something fun to do this weekend or a future family vacation. From little things you can do at home to adventures in bravery to Intergenerational outings, here are 100 deposits for your family memory bank!

For more family checklists, check out our Ultimate Summer Bucket List and this fun "I’m Bored, What Should I Do?" List, plus more fun family ideas in our Mommy Poppins Parenting Guide.

Best Family Festivals and Street Fairs in NYC this May

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The Japan Day Parade marches down the west side on Saturday, May 11. Photo by Masaki Hori 2024. Photo

NYC street fairs and festivals are blooming all over this May, from glorious school fairs like Calhoun's carnival-fun filled fest to the little-kid friendly event at Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School, plus Hippo Playground hosts a Spring Fair complete with pony rides, Randall's Island's Touch-a-Truck Fest returns, there's a Mother's Day Garden Party at the NYBG, and the annual salute to service that is Fleet Week punctuates Memorial Day weekend.

You can find even more seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide, and don't forget to check our ever-expanding Family Activity Calendar, where you can look ahead to see all the summer has in store.

Why Rancocas Nature Center is an Awesome Family Destination

Lisa Warden's picture Submitted by Lisa Warden on

Rancocas Nature Center sits on 210 acres of forest in a South Jersey state park.

Rancocas Nature Center has it all for outdoorsy kids and families. The center has many programs for children to learn about the environment and socialize with other kids, or you can go on a peaceful family hike away from the hustle and bustle.  

The non-profit nature center sits on 210 acres of forest in the Rancocas State Park in South Jersey. There are miles of trails where you can meander through multiple different ecosystems. The nature center also provides year-round nature programs for all ages to educate families about their environment.

Read on for tips on visiting this incredible nature center. If you're interested in visiting other nature centers in New Jersey, check out our round-up of the best nature centers in the state.

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