When the weather is mild, it's easy to explore cities north of Boston with walkable downtowns, plenty of activities, and waterfront vistas. For Boston families looking to fill a day enjoying the salty air, the North Shore has a lot to offer. Although summer is over, is the sea still calling? A low-cost destination, walkable towns are particularly attractive for spending a crisp autumn afternoon or a spring day. So take out that baby stroller, grab a few snacks for the kids and some bottled water, and head to one of these historic downtowns. These coastal communities on the North Shore are great to visit on a Saturday or Sunday.

For more adventures with kids, see our lists of fun New England fall day trips, best fall activities in Boston, and great hikes near Boston.  

If you’ve never considered binary decision-making to be loads of fun, then you’ve probably never played a few rounds of "Would You Rather." The concept is simple: present a pair of hypothetical situations and decide which of the two you’d prefer. In recent years, the idea has morphed into game formats and exploded in popularity, with books, websites, and YouTubers compiling lists of scenarios that get kids to weigh risks, benefits, and outcomes.

These 'Would You Rather' questions give kids a set of free, play-it-anywhere games to play with friends. Test out the hardest "Would You Rather" questions right at the dinner table for a little tech-free family entertainment. Once they burn out on brainteasers, try these top board games for kids or a round of exercise games to get everyone moving.

As summer turns to fall and a new school year is about to begin, parents everywhere are looking for after-school classes. Now entering the ring: boxing. These boxing classes for kids in New York City are a great option. The sport helps kids to build confidence, patience, fitness, and learn self-defense.

We've rounded up seven boxing gyms in NYC offering boxing classes for kids. Find more enrichment opportunities in our Guide to Classes and Activities for New York City kids.

When some people think of karate, they imagine epic martial arts battles seen in movies or on TV.  But those images don’t really represent what karate is all about. Westchester County has a number of karate classes to introduce kids to the self-discipline, mental attitude, coordination, spirituality, and respect the sport requires.

So whether you are looking for a fun and healthy activity for your child, or you want to expose them to the full range of skills martial arts offer, Westchester County karate classes have a program that is right for your child. With that in mind, read on for details on some of the best local karate classes available.

See our guide to kids classes in Westchester for even more inspiration.  

Essex County is home to so many amazing family-friendly towns, but Verona is definitely one of our favorite small towns in New Jersey. Nestled between Montclair and West Orange, Verona enjoys proximity to these great communities but has a distinct personality and flavor that's all its own.

Verona is probably most well known for Verona Park, a 54.32-acre park with a lake bordered by Lakeside and Bloomfield Avenues, situated in the southern part of town. It's the fifth-largest park within the Essex County Parks system. But, Verona is also home to an actual castle. Not to mention, the town is a robust hub of excitement that's easily walkable, with a slew of fantastic eateries and shops to visit. With a population of about 13,000 residents, Verona caters to its diverse community with engaging family-friendly events and cultural entertainment throughout the year. It's the best of both worlds—small-town charm coupled with the perks of a big city.

Read on for 25 of our favorite things to do in Verona. Come for the park but stick around for so much more!

At least once a quarter, usually coinciding with the change of seasons, someone in my family decides it's time to escape to the woods and hit the hiking trails. But really, there's no need to head upstate or to the 'burbs to get your outdoor fix. Our fair city is home to more than 300 miles of hiking trails and 10,000 acres of unencumbered nature.

We have sampled enough parks around NYC and spent enough time exploring the great outdoors to confidently share this list of family-friendly hiking trails within city limits. These hiking trails vary in length, scenery, and difficulty. Some are just right for little legs, and all reward hikers with views of water, bridges, and yes, gorgeous fall foliage. No matter what borough you call home, we hope you have a blast lacing up and hitting one of these hiking trails. You can find more outdoor places to play and explore in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

“New phone, who dis?” As they head back to school, your kids may have renewed their pleas for a cell phone. Of course they want one—cell phones and smartphones are omnipresent in our lives. While having a phone might be practical (and feel inescapable), many parents struggle to come up with rules that will not only keep their kids safe but will stop them from turning into zombies! 

While experts all have their own opinions, I know that the best advice comes from the been-there done-that parents in the trenches. That’s why I turned to our readers and got their (your!) best tried and true tips and tricks for making sure your whole family is on the same page when it comes to those new cell phones.