Westchester County and the Hudson Valley are home to several historic homes that offer visitors more than just a glimpse into the past. Many have dedicated kids' programming, annual and seasonal events, fairs and festivals, stunning displays, and exhibitions.

These architecturally stunning homes have been restored or maintained throughout the years (and in some cases, centuries) and offer a peek into prominent, wealthy family life, as well as interactive programming that brings history to life in fun, educational, and unforgettable ways.

Find our story on visiting Storm King Art Center in the Hudson Valley with kids and more ideas for cultural enrichment in our Museum Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids.

Ready for some splishy-splashy fun in the sun? Whether it’s baby’s first beach day or a family dip in the pool, water fun starts with the right baby swim gear. Choosing safe swim gear for babies isn’t just about cute designs—it’s about protecting your little one while they explore and enjoy the water.

We’ve searched high and low to find the best must-haves for baby water safety and fun, including great swim diapers, baby sunscreen, baby bathing suits, and safe water toys to ensure both safety and smiles for infant swimming and toddler swimming.

Check out our Baby and Maternity Guide for more of the best gear and advice for raising baby, including more great water toys in our list of the best toddler and baby bath toys.

We created free, downloadable, printable NYC summer bingo cards for kids as a summer boredom buster!

We're roughly 10 days into summer vacation in NYC, and it might already feel like an endless abyss. Sure, filling those first few days with fun things to do was easy. Then, we had a whole holiday weekend complete with hot dogs and fireworks, and now the going gets tough: There are weeks and weeks to fill with summer activities for kids in NYC. And, you need to do it without spending a fortune. We have hundreds (thousands, really!) of ideas for free and cheap summer fun in our Ultimate New York City Kids' Guide to Summer Fun.

But sometimes you need a jumping-off point, something that gives you a goal, and even puts your kids in charge of picking the activities in a fun and interactive way. Enter these free printable bingo cards. Summer boredom busted! We have both a pre-filled and a DIY summer bingo card for you to use to give kids the reins to design a summer full of fun.

Get ready for an exciting journey through time! Museums and historical societies from Brooklyn to Montauk are collaborating on a summer-long Long Island History Hunt, giving local families fun-filled—and prize-fueled—motivation to inspire a love of local history this summer.

If you choose to embark on this hunt for local lore, you'll visit amazing places where real-life spies, brave patriots, and even a president helped shape Long Island’s past. From the secret world of the Culper Spy Ring to the inspiring story of Theodore Roosevelt, each stop is packed with cool facts and hidden stories that bring history to life.

Speaking of local history, we've outlined our favorite Long Island historic sites for families here, and have an entire Long Island Kids' Guide to Local Museums to inspire more exploration.

From the quiet, tree-lined brownstone streets to the bustling business districts along Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenues, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brookyn has something for everyone. With a deep-rooted history of Black residents, the neighborhood is recognized as one of the earliest free Black communities in the United States. Drawn by its rich cultural history, beautiful architecture, close-knit community, and plethora of Black-owned businesses, Bed-Stuy is one of the best corners of Brooklyn.

Bordered by Flushing Avenue to the north, Atlantic Avenue to the south, Classon Avenue on the west, and Broadway on the east, most of the neighborhood is easily accessible by the A, C, and G trains, along with several bus lines. But one of the best ways to experience Bed-Stuy is on foot.

From community markets to public art to family-friendly restaurants, here are the best things to do in Bed-Stuy with kids. Find more Brooklyn enclaves to explore in our Brooklyn Kids Guide.

Take aim at family fun with paintball for kids in Boston!

Take aim at family fun with paintball for kids in Boston!

Looking to catch some thrills at an amusement park this summer? You're in luck: there's a lot going on at the DC area's theme parks. Both Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA and Busch Gardens Williamsburg turn 50 this year and have opened new roller coasters. Kings Dominion is also celebrating its anniversary all summer long with a Golden Summerbration featuring new entertainment, food, and merchandise.

Six Flags America in Bowie, MD is marking a different kind of milestone—it's officially closing after this summer. You have until November 2, 2025 to visit one last time with your family.

Check out our Washington, DC Theme Parks and Water Parks Guide for more info on the area's fun amusement parks, including our guide to visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg with kids.