Houston has no shortage of sprawling suburbs to explore. Located about 20 miles southeast of downtown Houston via Highway 288, the city of Pearland is home to some of the area's best family-friendly playgrounds and parks, indoor activities, and stellar shopping. Take a look at our list of the top spots to play and explore with kids in this quaint community. 

For more fun things to do in towns around Texas, check out our Weekend Getaway Guide.

We get it: We're parents, too. No matter how much we WANT to entertain our kids, sometimes the bank account doesn't allow for a big-ticket afternoon. That's when we have to search a bit harder for budget-friendly or free entertainment options. 

Before we get into the big list, here are three of our favorite savvy tips for saving money in Atlanta: 

1. Atlanta CityPASS: If you know your family likes to visit Atlanta's big attractions a couple times each year—like Zoo Atlanta, The Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola—then this pass is for you.

2. Library Passes: Many local libraries, like ones in Fulton County, offer passes that families can use for destinations like Zoo Atlanta, Center for Puppetry Arts, and Chattahoochee Nature Center. 

3. Georgia Aquarium FREE Birthday ticket: Visit the world's largest aquarium on your birthday (and bring your ID or birth certificate) to see the whales, sharks, and dolphins for FREE. 

Read on for even more ways to save with free admission to cool museums, sports centers, outdoor areas, nature centers, and more that will delight your kids without denting your wallet.

Remember to visit our Atlanta events calendar for the most up-to-date options for family fun.

Governors Island is one of my family’s favorite New York destinations. Located a mere 800 yards from Manhattan in New York Harbor, you feel like you’re in a different world devoid of cars and traffic. It’s one of New York’s most unique green spaces with a variety of activities, entertainment, food, and art exhibits, and now, it's not just a daytime destination, thanks to Collective Governors Island, a full-service glamping resort with stunning views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor.

Forget make-shift tents, sleeping bags, and canned food synonymous with old-school camping. At Collective Governors Island, you're welcomed with upscale accommodations, plush beds, spa-like amenities, and artisanal meals and snacks. I recently “glamped” with my family, and we had an amazing time at this urban escape—despite hurricane-like weather.

Read on for more details and what you need to know about glamping on Governors Island.

When the temperature rises, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven! These 12 easy recipes will delight your family’s sweet tooth while keeping the kitchen as cool as a popsicle. Once your child knows how to use a stand mixer and a measuring cup, most of these no-bake dessert recipes can be done independently (or with just a little supervision). While a few of these no-bake desserts require the help of a microwave for melting, nothing will turn up the heat in your kitchen. Stay cool while watching your child whip up something delicious. 

New Jersey offers several scenic spots where you can enjoy river tubing and rafting. Whether you opt to head west to go tubing on the Delaware River or hitch a ride around one of New Jersey's swimming lakes, there are plenty of options, including gentle tubing and paddling adventures suitable for children age 4+, so the whole family can enjoy this classic summer thrill.

Find more wet-and-wild fun at these local inflatable water parks and in our Summer Fun Guide.

With school supplies evolving from the Trapper Keepers and Scooby Doo lunch boxes of our childhoods to pricey tablets and fancy headphones, savvy parents' money-saving tips and tricks for back-to-school shopping have also come a long way. And, after spending far too much of the last few summers clipping coupons and hunting for promo codes myself to tackle expensive supply lists, cash back apps are one modern-day hack I'm totally adding to my shopping arsenal this year.

Now, with programs like Ibotta, you can download a free app or browser extension, create an account, and immediately start earning cash when you shop online or in-store. By saving special offers to the app, syncing your online shopping accounts, or even submitting photos of receipts after an in-person shopping trip, there are a number of ways to earn cash back on your purchases with minimal extra effort. Plus, the network of participating partners is so huge—including popular retailers like Walmart, CVS, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walgreens, Costco, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s—that I truly can't believe I haven't been using this rewards program all along.

Now, to take some of the stress out of tackling long school supply lists at a time when so many families could use a little extra support, Ibotta is offering 100% cash back on select learning essentials and groceries on top of the usual savings. Read on to learn more about Ibotta's cash back app, and find out how to secure your free gear before it's time to pack up those backpacks.

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia offers endless adventures for the entire family: from the magical carousel to heart-pumping roller coasters, there's an activity for everyone. Although it was a scorching hot 100-degrees for our recent visit, my husband and our three children (ages 6, 10, and 13) plus their grandmother, all had a wonderful time! It's a great place to create memories together—you just need a good game plan. Below are my tips for planning a visit to make sure your whole crew has a wonderful day.

For more inside tips and tricks to enjoying all the best theme parks and water parks in SoCal (including how to get discounted tickets to all the amusement parks!), check out our guides to Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Legoland California, and more.

Sometimes all you want to do during New York's hot and humid summer is lounge around a pool all day. While New York has plenty of FREE public swimming pools, the rules can be overbearing, and it's nice to have some options that offer more amenities. At these beach clubs and private pools, you'll find extras like food, lounge chairs, cabanas, beach access, and amazing views. We've rounded up seven outdoor, family-friendly swimming pools offering day passes, and we even include a trio of state park pools to deliver big fun without breaking the bank. Find more cool options for the season in our Summer Fun Guide.