We recently visited Aquatica, SeaWorld’s awesome water park, for the ultimate summer outing to beat the Florida heat! This was my first Aquatica visit with all three of my kids (ages 5, 9, and 12), and we had a blast! There is truly something for every age to enjoy at this tropical oasis. Not only is Aquatica Orlando home to many fun water slides and pool areas, guests can also get a glimpse of sea life as well, making Aquatica a truly unique Orlando vacation.

From pregnancy to college, this parenting thing is always throwing us curve balls. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a team of top doctors and experts on call to share trustworthy advice along the way or even prepare us with information before we need it? That’s where the toolkits from Connecticut Children’s Hospital come in: created by top pediatric experts and backed by one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation, they offer expert advice on the topics parents need to know about.

In the hospital’s latest kit, What to Expect Through Life Stages, fetal care experts, pediatric physical therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists share guidance on kids' health and well-being for each stage, from pregnancy right through to those tricky teen years. Take a look at some of the standout articles below, from understanding babies’ developmental milestones to helping teens make big decisions about their futures. You’ll find even more articles in the toolkit, so click through for additional advice at each stage.

If you have questions for a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, you can easily request a virtual or in-person appointment at Connecticut Children’s here.

Legoland New York keeps adding to its attractions. In its third season of operation, the mega Hudson Valley theme park debuted its long-anticipated Water Playground and we got an early look at the wet-and-wild fun.

From how to nab coveted reservations, to all the other fun in store this season, here are our parent-and-kid-tested tips for visiting the Legoland New York Water Playground. Coming from afar? Consider pairing your theme park visit with an overnight at the on-site Legoland New York Hotel, too.

As the school year winds down, many parents start to worry about the dreaded summer slide, or learning loss that can happen over summer break. The good news is, there are so many fun ways to keep kids learning and reading over the summer. One way is to take part in a summer reading challenge.

Summer reading challenges are a fun and engaging way to incentivize kids to read by offering them rewards like free books, pizza, movie tickets, and more. We've rounded up eight national summer reading challenges offered by bookstore chains, libraries, and companies. Don't forget to check for any local summer reading challenges sponsored by local businesses, sports teams, and libraries as well.

Need some book suggestions for your child's summer reading list 2023? Check out our lists of 100 kids' books every child should read before they grow up, children's books about women leaders, kids' books about race and social justice, and LGBTQ books for kids. Happy reading!

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a newbie, an overnight camping trip with the kids can be a great experience for the whole family. It was visions of tent camping and afternoon hikes that prompted my husband, two children, and I—plus our friends and their two kids—to book an overnight stay at North-South Lake Campground in Haines Falls last summer.

One of our favorite family-friendly campgrounds for families, this New York state-run facility offers plenty of creature comforts (bathrooms!) and had enough to keep kids occupied (playground! lake!), but not so much that they’d get overwhelmed.

Here’s a closer look at what we did during our family camping trip to North-South Lake Campground. Find more picks for exploring nearby in our Outdoor Fun Guide.

Whether you call it mini golf, miniature golf, or putt-putt, you'll find tons of places to play throughout New Jersey. The Garden State apparently has a thing for the game—there are dozens of mini-golf courses throughout New Jersey, and most of them have already reopened for the 2023 season.  

We're highlighting nearly the best courses in the state, from the Jersey Shore to Northern NJ. These courses have imaginative themes that range from pirate shipwrecks and African safaris to a medieval castle. Read on to find the perfect New Jersey miniature golf course for you.

For more things to do this summer, from spray parks to amusement parks, don't miss our Summer Fun Guide for NJ Kids.

Visiting the Central Park Zoo is one of the best ways to spend a day in Central Park with kids. From carriage rides to carousels, Central Park is full of possibilities for children of all ages, but you can't miss taking a walk around the Central Park Zoo, where children under 3 are always FREE.

Nestled on the east side of the park near 64th Street and 5th Avenue, the Central Park Zoo feels like a natural extension of the tranquil green space. Limestone carvings of animals adorn the brick buildings and are reminders of the history of this iconic spot. Here are our kid-tested (and parent-approved) highlights for visiting the Central Park Zoo, including where to see sea lions and how to find bathrooms.

For more things to do in the city with kids, check out our guide on the best things to see and do with kids in NYC and our list of the best zoos and aquariums in NYC, too.

Miami beaches are vacation destinations for tourists all year long—perfect spots for relaxing beach days with kids; staying active with fun outdoor games and sports; and enjoying nightly concerts nearby. We have compiled a list of some of the best Miami beaches and South Florida beaches in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties for families of all shapes and sizes.

Need more ideas to do this summer? Check out our Summer Activities Guide for South Florida Kids to stay busy, as well as features about Frost Science Museum, Free Summer Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals in Miami, and a Visitor's Guide to Naples, Florida.