10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants with Room to Play in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on

Relaxing on the patio with good food and drinks is something that, prior to kids, we used to love to do... and then we had kids and going out to eat became nothing short of a nightmare that quickly got nixed from our weekend plans. Where we once sat back and talked uninterrupted about our respective weeks, we now went through constant rounds of "don't touch that!" and, "honey, leave those nice people alone." All seemed lost, and we resigned ourselves to spending our evenings out at Chick-fil-A... until we found restaurants with play spaces for kids (and the skies parted and the sun shone through!).

Talk about a game changer - it's like these restaurants knew that us parents needed a space to unwind a bit with the kids in tow, and they delivered with patios that opened up to enclosed playgrounds, sand pits (ok, this one is a catch-22 because of sand everywhere) and toys. So when you find yourself wanting to let someone else do the cooking and need a venue that caters to your kids without being solely for them, look no further than here. (However, if you are looking for something outdoors to do with the kids one evening, be sure to check out these free movies under the stars!)

Swim Philly Pop-Up Pool Project: Public Pools with a Fun Twist

Submitted by Cait Sumner on

The heat of summer is upon us. Kids haven't been out of school that long yet and already they're getting fidgety. One of the many great things that Philly has to offer its communities is the sheer number of free public pools- there are over 70 outdoor pools! Philadelphia has more outdoor public pools per capita than any other city in the country.

If you're looking for more free water fun this summer, be sure to check out our roundup of the city's free spraygrounds.

Weekday Picks: Sawdust Art & Craft Festival, Shakespeare, Anime, and 75¢ Floats

Submitted by Kathie Bozanich on

The Sawdust Art & Craft Festival kicks off in Laguna Beach this week. The summer-long event features a Children's Art Spot and demonstrations by artists and craftspeople, including glass-blowing, ceramics, and jewelry-making. Families can make a day of it in Laguna by visiting the nearby Art-a-Fair, also opening Friday, and the Festival of Arts, which is host to the unique Pageant of the Masters, beginning next week.

Continuing the arts round-up, families can brush up their Shakespeare at one of the Southland's free summer festivals: Shakespeare by the Sea celebrates its 20th year with productions at 24 sites throughout LA and OC, including Taming of the Shrew at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro this week, and the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival is underway with the Independent Shakespeare Company's Measure for Measure kicking off the season. Our review from last year has all the key info for enjoying this festival.

And, since we cannot live by art and Shakespeare alone, there are also plenty of free concerts, free movies and movie festivals going on—pretty much one for every day this week.

Here are some picks for the week; there's much more to be found on the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar. Read on for our favorite outings this week.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Hoops, Fireworks, and Free Children's Museum; June 26-30

Kelley Heyworth's picture Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on

Can't wait for July 4th festivities? There's plenty of excitement to keep kids entertained before the sparklers come out next week. You can start Independence Day activities off with a bang in Somerville, where the fireworks display is an annual tradition not just for town residents, but lots of Boston-area families. Another way to burn some energy is to sign the kids up for a one-day basketball camp in Westwood, where a former Celtic and some other top coaches will be in attendance to provide tips (and inspiration). A classic puppet show will delight littles on Monday, and there are some special science activities in Acton and Boston this week, too. Looking for more ways to close out June? Check out our Events Calendar for more fun ideas this week and beyond. 

Weekday Picks for Westchester Kids: Fireworks, Fireman's Carnival & Parade

Submitted by Susan Miele on

School's out for the summer, and Mommy Poppins has you covered! As June comes to a close, the fun shifts from predominantly happening on weekends to predominantly happening seven days a week! If you’re nervous about not having enough to keep your kids busy, fear not, because we’re populating our Event Calendar with options Westchester kids won’t want to miss. In fact, there's so much going on this week that we even have extra events!

Towns are busy gearing up for Independence Day celebrations, and a Westchester harbinger of July 4 is the annual Fireman's Carnival. A FREE concert at Ridge Hill will help you get over the midweek hump, And if you haven’t yet been sparked by this new trend, you can make your own vision board—a collage mantra to help visualize your dreams.

These are just a few of our top picks for the week. Read on for the rest, as well as additional details—and don't forget to sign up for our weekly newsletters!

Weekday Picks: Fireflies, Fireworks, and Strawberry Shortcake, June 26-30, 2017

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on

Last week was our first full week of summer vacation, and one thing is clear: if we're going to make it through this summer with our sanity and our sense of humor in tact, I'm going to have to up my planning game. Fortunately, there's no shortage of things to do! Free outdoor family concert and/or movie series are up and running in West Hartford, Trumbull, Westport, and Groton (for more ideas, check the events calendar). 

You'll have your pick of early Independence Day celebrations on Friday night in Stamford, Hamden, and Killingly among many others--for a full run down of more than 40 fireworks celebrations across the state, click here. Check back here often and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest so that you don't miss a thing. Happy Summer!

100 Free Things To Do This Summer with Kids in New York City

Stephanie Ogozalek's picture Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Summer is the season of FREE in NYC—and here it comes. There's no-cost fun everywhere you turn, from festivals, outdoor movies, and concerts, to kayaking, and fireworks. With the public school break upon us, and the kids are itching to play (and swim), we've rounded up FREE things for families to do every single day of summer vacation. Starting with Thursday, June 29 and running all the way through Wednesday, September 6, 2017, we've compiled the best FREE children's entertainment in NYC all summer!

Of course, this list isn't comprehensive. There are literally hundreds of FREE fun events happening across our city this school break. You can find more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Summer Fun Guide, including beach day trips, FREE splash pads, and more. Peruse our Events Calendar for more events.

Still searching for a summer camp for a week or two? Check out our NYC summer camp directory and guide.

Great Summer Fairs and Festivals for Long Island Families

Submitted by Thien August on

The smell of funnel cake is in the air as fairs and festivals kick off the summer season on Long Island. Summers are perfect for spending time outside with the family and getting to know your neighbors and community.

From old-fashioned street fairs to ethnic celebrations such as Native American powwows and the Highland Games, these family-friendly events are sure to leave everyone smiling. Festivals take place in Nassau and Suffolk counties and all the way to the East End. For more seasonal fun, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide.

Weekday Fun: Family Fun Night, Carnivals, Movies on the Beach

Submitted by Laurie R on

Now that school is out, the kids will have plenty of excuses to stay up late, especially with all the evening fun this week has to offer. Spend summery nights at the beach with Jenkinson’s Kiddie Beach Show and Movies on the Beach. After-hours farm fun awaits at Applegate Farm Family Fun Night and Johnson’s Corner Farm Family Fun Nights. And carnivals are popping up everywhere, including the Leonia Sports Booster Carnival and Wall Township Fair.

Read on for our best children's events the week of June 26–30, and don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar and Summer Fun Guide for even more things to do day and night.

4th of July Fireworks Cruises for Families in LA and OC

Submitted by Martha Hall on

We landlubbers love our fireworks, don't we? Whether we're in a back yard lawn chair, or pushing the kids up a ladder to the roof, or being wowed by a sky full of flare and color at the local pier, we don't want to miss this very American 4th of July custom. Well, if you think the view from the shore is stunning, try witnessing the spectacle from a boat. That's a holiday memory your kiddos won't soon forget! Several small cruise boats set sail this Independence Day, with 2-3 hour tours to delight you and your first mates. Snuggle on deck under a blanket and watch the sky come alive as the water sparkles below. Read on to find a boat leaving a port near you.

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