With August upon us and the start of a new school year looming, my kids and I are in a panic about all the fun, summery things to do in NYC we haven't yet crossed off our NYC summer bucket list.

Sure, we've had a lot of fun tooling around the city, enjoying our favorite local swimming pool, reigniting a love for some of the best playgrounds in NYC, chilling out with some kid-pleasing ice-cold treats, and soaking up all the FREE things to do in NYC with kids in the summer. But, there are plenty of great activities we haven't gotten to. So, we've crafted this list of 40 things to do in NYC before summer ends.

For more ideas from Brooklyn to the Bronx, and even at home, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide. Soon summer vacation will be a mere memory.

If you haven't yet crossed everything off your family's summer bucket list, no sweat—there are still so many things to do in DC with kids before school starts (see the 2024-25 school calendars for DC and other local school districts here). Even better, many of these summer events and activities are free! We're talking free summer concerts, free outdoor movies, and more fun that won't cost a dime.

Read on for your family's ultimate end of summer bucket list in DC and its surrounding areas. Our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide has even more fun things to do. Your kiddos will have so many fun memories to share once school starts back up again!

Seabrook is small, but filled with kid-friendly things to do.

Your little baby is turning into a big kid! Whether it's their first birthday or their fourth, you know you want to do something extra special to commemorate this milestone in both of your lives. Planning toddler birthday parties can be tough. You have to consider who to invite, what should the "theme" be, how do you make a cake shaped like their favorite character, and more importantly... do you have enough time to pull it off?

Need more ideas? Be sure to check out our birthday party guide!

Have an animal lover in your family? San Francisco and the Bay Area are full of opportunities to see animals at petting zoos, farms, and nature centers.

With stunning water and mountain views, Seward, Alaska, is well worth a visit for its natural beauty and wildlife. It's also a popular stop for many Alaska cruises. But the cost of activities and dining out—especially after shelling out for a pricey cruise—can strain any family's budget.

Whether you're just stopping by on an Alaskan cruise or planning a longer stay, we've got you covered with mostly free things to do in Seward, Alaska with kids, as well as affordable places to eat as a family. This handy list will help you make lasting memories without breaking the bank.

Find more places to explore in Alaska, like Sitka and Juneau, in our Alaska Family Travel Guide. 

Hit the road for family fun on a road trip from Boston!