Your Essential Beach List: Best Baby Beach Gear, Umbrellas, Wagons, and Tips for a Fun Beach Day

A pile of buckets goes a long way with young kids at the beach.

I vaguely remember going to the beach with a cute little beach bag that held just a towel, a bottle of sunscreen, a book, a water bottle, and maybe a snack. Going to the beach with my three kids, however, requires a mountain of beach chairs, towels, a heap of toys, two coolers, and a wagon to haul everything.

I’ve tried my share of beach gear over the years (I grew up in a beach town and now we live near the Jersey Shore), but to make sure I had left no stone unturned, I also polled our readers and everyone at Mommy Poppins for their picks on the very best things to bring to the beach with kids. Everything on this list will make your next day at the beach easier, less sandy, and a little more like, well, a day at the beach.

Best Summer Camps in Suffolk County for Kids

Kenwal Day Camp offers a wide range of activities and caters to kids ages 3-16. Photo courtesy of the camp.

Summer camp season in Long Island means new adventures, experiences, and life-long memories for kids across the region. We've rounded up 17 of the top summer camps across Suffolk County that cater to kids of all ages, from infants to teens.

These Suffolk County summer camps offer activities and events that will keep kids happy all summer. Be sure to click through to each camp to verify offerings, including half-day and full-day options, door-to-door transportation, and travel programs for older campers. Many of these local camps hold open house events or offer tours virtually or in-person, so do some legwork and find the one that suits your needs.

Find specialty camps and more in our Summer Camp Guide and Camp Directory

Best New VR Experience in Atlanta: Horizon of Khufu Amazes Kids and Parents

My kids LOVED exploring the pyramids of ancient Egypt by way of the Horizon of Khufu VR tour. Photo by Melanie Preis

Go back in time to the land of ancient Egypt through the ultimate VR experience at Horizon of Khufu. This immersive, virtual reality trip takes families back 4,500 years into the mystifying world of the pyramids, hieroglyphics, mummies, and King Khufu himself. My kids and I LOVED this VR experience — read below to learn more what it's like to travel through time and space...without ever leaving Atlanta!

Best Strawberry Picking in Philadelphia and Summer Strawberry Festivals

At Johnson's Corner Farm, it's all about the berries.

The start of strawberry picking season in the Philadelphia area is a sure sign that summer fun is right around the corner. Strawberry picking is a great way to connect with nature and get outside for some healthy treats. Some of the sweetest summer memories are made nibbling on fresh, vitamin-C-rich berries out in the fields. It's the perfect outdoor activity for a day of family fun!

We've compiled a list of great local farms to go strawberry picking near Philadelphia where families can fill a basket and enjoy plenty of other activities too. For more fun on the farm, check out our Farms & U-Pick Guide. Looking for more outdoor summer activities? Check out our roundup of the Best Water Parks near Philly.

Flyover Chicago: Experience the City from Navy Pier

Enjoying Flyover Chicago. Photo courtesy Flyover Chicago

Have you ever wanted to make like a bird and soar above the Chicago skyline? Flyover Chicago, Navy Pier's latest attraction, gives families the chance to coast through the air above the Loop to take in all the sights and sounds of the city (without the hassle of actually being up there). Best for kids ages 5 and up, this unique local ride-and-show combination is 30 minutes of wow-worthy scenery from angles you might not have even imagined.

Read on to get all the details on Navy Pier's latest attraction, and when you're done, check out this list of all other awesome things to do at Navy Pier with kids

33 Things To Do with Los Angeles Babies Before They Turn 1

There's something to explore in every season at Kidspace. Photo courtesy of Kidspace Children's Museum

Los Angeles babies get places like Hollywood, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Beverly Hills as their playgrounds from the moment the little starlet is born. On the topic of firsts', a baby's first year is a collection of memories waiting to happen—for Mom and Dad, anyway!  

Los Angeles is the best place on earth to raise kids, and it’s filled with magical moments and places you can enjoy with children. World-class museums, restaurants, and entertainment will make your kiddo quite the cultured connoisseur from a very young age. Plus, living in LA means (almost) never being trapped indoors with a fussy baby. Here are our favorite ways to introduce your little Angeleno to the joys of SoCal living. Pack a diaper bag, sling a stroller in the back of the car, keep this checklist handy, and explore LA, baby-style.

From baby classes to baby stores, we've got baby's whole first year covered and then some in our Los Angeles baby guide

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