25 Things To Do in Anaheim with Kids: To Disneyland and Beyond

Take kids out to the ballgame, where you can see superstars like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

Once a small German farm community that was home to the first commercially grown oranges in Orange County, Anaheim was transformed in the 1950s by the visions of Walter Elias Disney. Since Disneyland opened in July of 1955, Anaheim has continued to blossom with more than just orange trees, and there are dozens of activities to enjoy with the family beyond Disneyland. With theme parks, sports, hiking, museums, art, and culture—Anaheim has it all! If all you're seeing is Mickey, you're really missing out. Let us help you find all the fabulous things to do in Anaheim, whether you're visiting from Los Angeles or you flew in for vacation.

Be sure to check out our Guide to Orange County for all our local recommendations from the Best Anaheim Restaurants for Families to the Best Anaheim Hotels near Disneyland and even where to find this hidden gem that's the Best Beachside Water Park in Orange County—and so many more things to do in Anaheim with kids.

Long Island Restaurants with Fun Entertainment for Kids

Keep the kids busy at Applebee's with games on a tableside tablet. Photo by Anne Caminiti - Momee Friends of Long Island  www.momeefriendsli.com

Fork through our list of Long Island restaurants with fun entertainment options for kids and spice up your dining-out routine. If you are feeling like a slave to the kitchen while you prepare mac and cheese for the third time this week, drop the ho-hum routine and head to one of these local, family-friendly restaurants that serve up food and fun.

A number of eateries in Nassau and Suffolk counties pair kid-sized meals with giant-sized entertainment. So whether you prefer the neighborhood mom-and-pop or the local destination of a national chain, your little ones are guaranteed a fun time and healthy lunch or dinner choices.

For more inspiration, see our guide to kid-friendly dining on Long Island. And while you're at it, check out our list of LI restaurants where kids eat FREE.

Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston with FREE Ice Cream

Come for the queso, stay for the ice cream at these Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.

Taking the kids out to dinner can feel a lot like traveling with the circus; there's usually acrobatics occuring, it's really loud, and there may even be some ill-timed magic tricks. Because of this, eating out is something that we do sparingly, but we all know that sometimes you just need someone else to cook for the night. When that happens, our default choice is Tex-Mex. Free chips, fresh tortillas, gooey queso, and a side of guacamole... Tex-Mex is food heaven for kids! But the Tex-Mex restaurants on our list don't stop there—they also have another perk: free ice cream! 

For more restaurant recommendations, check out our Houston Kid-Friendly Restaurants Guide.

The Amusement Park for Crafty Kids: Crayola Experience Orlando

See the world's largest Crayola crayon at Crayola Experience Orlando.

With dozens of colorful hands-on activities, the Crayola Experience Orlando is an amusement park for kids who love art! Inside this 70,000-square-foot space, you'll find enough creative play opportunities to keep your family busy all day (including a giant, crayon-themed playground). We were there for 4 hours and still didn't get to all of the 27 exhibits! Tickets cost less than $30 dollars per person, making the Crayola Experience a bargain compared to other Orlando theme parks and attractions. The age range of young visitors at Crayola Experience Orlando runs the gamut, from infants to teenagers. So tap into your inner child and get those creative juices flowing...here's your guide to the Crayola Experience Orlando!

Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids

No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird

The city that never sleeps is an incredible spot for a family vacation. New York City’s museums are world-class, its food scene is diverse and ever reinventing, and the city teems with history ranging from colonial times to the 2000s. If you’re planning your next vacation for this urban wonderland, bookmark this list of the top 40 attractions in New York City for tourists.

So, get planning! We’ve got picks for the most family-friendly hotels for your next visit and our guides to Kid-Friendly Restaurants, the best Museums and Galleries in NYC, and the top Parks and Playgrounds offer even more family-friendly picks to explore during your visit to New York City.

Visiting the Santa Monica Pier with Kids: What You Need To Know Before You Go

Taking a ride on the Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel at sunset is one of the top things to do in all of Los Angeles!

Los Angeles is full of iconic tourist attractions, from the Hollywood Sign to Universal Studios. Locals tend to skip many of these areas unless they have out-of-town guests, but some of the attractions are worth a visit any time of year, even if you live here. The Santa Monica Pier is a perfect example of one of these destinations, providing even life-long Angelenos with a full day of fun by the coast. From exploring the historical carousel and the Looff Hippodrome to riding the Ferris wheel and screaming on the rides on the Santa Monica Pier, the Pier is a great place to spend a day in the sun.

While you're in Santa Monica, visit the Cayton Children's Museum, hit the beach, explore Third Street Promenade, and bring along our checklist of the 30 Best Things To Do in Santa Monica with Kids. For more great ways to play tourist in LA, check out our Los Angeles Visitors Guide for Families.

The Sill Opens New Park Slope Store and Coffee Shop

Plants—and coffee, hot cocoa, and more—make people happy at The Sill's new retail location in Park Slope.

Park Slope is indeed one of our favorite kid-friendly neighborhoods in NYC thanks to its great restaurants, activities, schools, and parks. Now there's one more reason to love The Slope: The neighborhood just got a little greener, thanks to the opening of The Sill's brand new retail shop.

The Sill, well-known for its mail-order plant business, has opened a brick-and-mortar store in the heart of Park Slope. Even better: It's partnered with Blank Street Coffee, so you can grab some takeaway snacks while you browse the amazing selection of greenery.

Pages