Ultimate Virginia Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in VA

Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia

The slogan may be "Virginia Is For Lovers", but we say Virginia is for families! There are so many amazing things to do in Virginia with kids, we barely know where to start.

The birthplace of eight US presidents and the site of many Revolutionary War and Civil War battles, Virginia is full of fantastic historic sites to explore, from George Washington's Mount Vernon to Yorktown Battlefield.

There are so many fun ways to spend time outdoors in Virginia, from playing on awesome playgrounds to hiking in Shenandoah National Park to frolicking on the beaches of Virginia Beach.

Virginia is also home to museums galore, thrilling amusement parks like Busch Gardens, awesome neighborhoods to explore such as Old Town Alexandria and Clifton, and so much more.

Here is our ultimate Virginia bucket list for families, featuring 100 of the best things to do in Virginia with kids. We hope checking off this list will lead to loads of fun and lasting family memories!

Ultimate Pennsylvania Bucket List: 35 Things To Do With Kids in PA

Check out the amazing WildWorks Ropes Course at the entrance to the Philadelphia Zoo.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

Pennsylvania has so many great places to visit including Lancaster, Pittsburgh, and the state capital of Harrisburgh. Whether you're taking a trip to the Poconos, or heading out to the Philadelphia suburbs, we've got bucket list items for you! Pack your bags and check out all the amazing things that Pennsylvania has to offer.

Looking for more getaways within driving distance? Check out our roundup of 10 PA Weekend Getaways.

Ultimate New Jersey Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NJ

Romp with the triceratops and other dinos at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia. Photo by Janet Bloom

Check out these iconic things to do in New Jersey with kids—including attractions, events, activities, museums, and more—that every Garden State native really must experience!

I never imagined that I would be raising three kids in New Jersey, but I'm happy with how things turned out, and living here definitely makes it easy to entertain kids.

Our state is crazy expensive, as we all know, but it's also diverse, both in population and geography, so there are plenty of fun things to do in New Jersey with kids of all ages and interests. From the gorgeous Jersey Shore beaches to our plentiful Garden State farms, New Jersey offers tons of incredible kids' activities during all four seasons. We have cool playgrounds, fantastic hikes and parks, and awesome zoos. 

Read on for our list of the 100 best things to do in New Jersey with kids, and don't let those kids tell you they're bored again! For more bucket-list things to do with kids in NJ, check out our Best-Of Guide to New Jersey, which includes our piece on the absolute top attractions in New Jersey to see with kids

Yes, You Can Ride Camels near LA at the Oasis Camel Dairy

Have your cameras ready because these guys move fast when they smell food! Photo by Chuck Rose

The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, CA is a total hidden gem. I’ve been looking for fun things to do with my kids now, and writing about it, for over a dozen years. I know every fun hole in the wall in LA, OC, San Diego, Ventura Counties, and a good bit of the rest of California, too. And I still hadn't been to this camel farm.

Well, let me save you from wasting any more time. Make a plan today to visit Oasis; it’s more than just camel rides, camel feeding, and camel petting. We went when the turkey races were happening, and my son laughed until tears were streaming down his face. There’s also a highly impressive bird show, as well as the cutest little sheep you can meet and feed. 

Read on for all the details, including when to visit, where to stay, where else to go in the hood (hint: someplace else with LOADS of animals is right down the street), and more…

Best Free and Low-Cost Places for NYC Kids to Learn and Play Chess

For a free, friendly game of chess, regulars head to Central Park. Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

When my 8-year-old got a chess set for Christmas and was suddenly interested in learning the game, I found myself scouring the internet for places to play chess in NYC. I was thrilled to discover plenty of free and low-cost options across the city.

Chess has been a popular pastime in the Big Apple for more than a century. Many of the city’s most iconic parks feature tables for chess and checkers, and all of the public library systems offer events where kids can learn and play chess for free.

Read on for 10 places where your budding grandmasters can castle their way to fun, and find more local classes and enrichment opportunities in our Guide to Classes in NYC for Kids.

19 Awesome Things To Do with Kids at Industry City

CREA's interactive games draw kids into a world of fun.

Located within a former industrial storage complex along the waterfront in Sunset Park, Industry City has evolved into a cultural and foodie hub. The eight formerly derelict, city-block-sized buildings, running from 33rd to 37th Streets between Second and Third Avenues, are now home to artist studios, workspaces, great shopping, art exhibitions, a chocolate factory, an international food hall, and even one of our favorite ice skating rinks. Recent additions also include a kid-friendly climbing gym and a tech-powered play space.

Industry City is the perfect spot for shoppers, food lovers, and families, offering a unique mix of tastes, sights, art, and family programming. Read on for 20 ways to make the most of a trip to Industry City with kids.

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