If your child pirouettes in the kitchen, buffalos down the hallway, or freestyles to the radio, a dance summer camp may be the perfect way to pass the summer break. From recreational summer day camps to more rigorous ballet boot camps, first-time dancers through pre-professionals have lots of ways to explore their love of dance throughout New Jersey. We've found 12 dance summer camps in New Jersey with programming for toddlers, teens, and everyone in between.

For even more summer camps in New Jersey, including our picks for affordable summer camps in the Garden State and STEM summer day camps, check out our Guide to Summer Camps in New Jersey and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Enter The Art Farm, and it’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of Manhattan. This out-of-the-ordinary learning center is full of unexpected surprises. Situated in a bustling corner of the family-friendly Upper East Side—a neighborhood it’s called home since its founding 20 years ago!—this nature-focused spot is a haven for animals and animal lovers alike.

From preschool to after-school, summer camp to drop-in classes and birthday parties to baking, The Art Farm seemingly has it all. Read on to learn about our visit, which was full of new, furry friends and even some chinchilla kisses.

Here's some news that will chase the clouds away: Cookie Monster, Elmo, and the whole gang are coming to sunny Southern California. The new Sesame Place San Diego opens March 26, 2022, adding to the growing list of incredible SoCal Amusement Parks for kids. From Super Grover’s Box Car Derby to Ernie’s Twisty Turny Tunnels, read on to discover what rides and characters await young FOE (Friends of Elmo) at this new theme park.

If you head to San Diego to visit Sesame Place San Diego, don’t forget to check out our San Diego Family Guide for tips on Visiting the San Diego Zoo Like a Local, plus the 50 Best Things To Do in San Diego with Kids and so much more.

Prepare to be spellbound…Harry Potter: The Exhibition is finally open at the Franklin Institute, and it’s every bit as magical as fans of the franchise would expect. A collection of immersive experiences capture the Wizarding World kids have come to love from the stories and blockbuster films. Original props and costumes are displayed alongside themed interactive installations, giving Potterheads a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite characters, scenes, and settings.

Team Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw can all personalize their journey at registration kiosks before entering the exhibit. From there, some 18,000 square feet of Potter-themed galleries wow guests, including simulated wand duels, potion mixing, and of course, a game of Quidditch. The exhibition hops a broomstick and flies out of town in September, and we recommend booking tickets immediately as weekends are selling out fast.

Chicago is known as The Third Coast because of its gorgeous Lake Michigan skyline, but another body of water brings beauty to the city as well. The Chicago River and the Riverwalk that has developed along its banks has become a destination for tourists and locals alike, especially in the warm summer months when visitors can dine outside. Operable drawbridges and CTA trains that cross the river add extra interest to the area for kids. 

Some of the best restaurants on the river in Chicago operate only from April or May through October, while others are year-round fixtures. They become destinations during major events like the dyeing of the Chicago River and the Chicago Marathon, but they're truly relaxing at any time of year. Try to make a reservation at one of these top-notch riverfront restaurants in Chicago for the best results!

For more tips on dining out with kids in Chicago, check out our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurants Guide.

We all have a sweet tooth, if we're being honest, and we all deserve to feed it something a little extra special from time to time.

Check out our roundup of stellar dessert spots in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that offer classic recipes and wild, colorful, over-the-top creations you never knew existed. There's something incredible and oh so edible to be found at each of these spots.

For more inspiration, check out our guide to kid-friendly dining in Westchester and Hudson Valley.

There are many best-of lists when it comes to can't-miss restaurants in NYC, but in compiling this list of the must-visit, family-friendly restaurants in NYC, we decided to be tourists in our own city, revisiting some classic favorite restaurants, while exploring a few newcomers, too. All told, we've pulled together this list of 20 can't-miss, must-visit, kid-friendly restaurants in NYC. 

Follow out footsteps for a real taste of the Big Apple, which includes everything from hot dogs to cupcakes and pickles to pastrami. If this whets your appetite for an NYC vacation, you can find more must-do activities on our list of the 50 top family-friendly attractions in NYC, and find all our kid-friendly dining picks in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

Play detective, CIA agent, or Indiana Jones while the whole family bonds over a fun and exciting challenge. A Connecticut escape room can accomplish all of those things and more, and we’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing, kids’ birthday party, or weatherproof indoor activity.

Most Connecticut escape rooms have rotating themes, so we recommend checking websites before arrival. Escape rooms usually cater to older kids, so if you're bringing little ones, be prepared to help them out. For more great places to have a blast inside, browse our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

Note: Due to Covid 19, most escape rooms have begun employing cleaning routines between groups and limit the number of participants to a group as well as require masking. Keep in mind, many themes include mature topics that are not suitable for all kids.