When I think of the long, lazy days of summer from my childhood, one of my favorite memories is visiting the local waterpark. Hours of water slides and tubing around the lazy river is always a summer day well spent. So when a free weekend popped up on the schedule, my family jumped at the chance to hop in the car with the camper in tow and head to Grand Prairie for a weekend road trip and a day playing at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark. 

Summer is traditionally the season for spending as much time outside as possible. Except sometimes it’s just so…hot. Our top picks to beat summer's heat include indoor play spaces, museums, and local shopping destinations where kids can play—all while enjoying some industrial AC. Find more fun things to do inside—in any season—in our Guide to Indoor Fun.

During the hot days of a DC summer, chances are you are looking for a way to cool off—ideally in the water. Pools and splash pads are great, but if you want to try something a little different, why not take the kids kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding? These activities are very beginner-friendly, and there are plenty of places to go paddleboarding, canoeing, or kayaking near DC.

Nothing beats a day on the river—floating, swimming, or enjoying a whitewater rafting adventure. In fact, whitewater rafting in the Philadelphia area is one of the most enjoyable, fulfilling activities I can think of to do as a family.

If you are eager to enjoy some outdoor family fun or just want to escape these 90-degree summer days, we have compiled the best whitewater rafting and tubing in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. For more water fun, check out our roundups on the Best Places for Canoeing and Boating and the Best Swimming Lakes near Philadelphia.

Fans of Friends—both fanatic and fair-weathered—flock to Perimeter Pointe to see sets, costumes and memorabilia from the 90s sitcom that launched "The Rachel." Since viewers can now watch Monica, Chandler, Ross, Joey, Rachel and Phoebe nightly in reruns or through streaming services, the show has found a younger fan base. For both original fans and new, The Friends Experience: The One in Atlanta does not disappoint. We checked it out to see if it was more of an adults-only activity or a family-friendly event. 

New England has plenty of big, splashy water parks from Rhode Island to Maine, but if a nearby summer adventure suits your family best, look no further than Connecticut. Ranging from a large theme park to a sandy beach, these water parks offer both thrilling slides and little-kid-friendly fountains.

For more ideas for cooling off this summer, check out our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide and  Mommy Poppins Theme and Water Park Guide. 

Don't like the weather in Boston? Wait five minutes! That means summer days or winter days (and any day in between) could turn into a rainy day, but just because the weather calls for rain, it doesn't mean the day needs to be dreary. From free museums to indoor play spaces, here are 25 ways to keep kids active and entertained when showers put a damper on outdoor plans.

For even more great (dry) kids' activities, check out our indoor fun guide; and don't forget to keep tabs on our events calendar, which is packed with plenty of fun activities—inside and out—for every day of the week.

Toys are awesome, but homemade toys are even better, especially ones that are as easy to make as this toy parachute. Gather some commonly found household items to create your very own toy parachute in minutes. It's also a great hands-on science experiment for kids.