Sports Summer Camps on Long Island for Kids

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Lacrosse Academy operates several summer camps across Hempstead's parks. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

There are plenty of summer camp options on Long Island, and choosing among them might be dizzying. If you have a budding athlete on your hands, a sports summer camp is worth considering. From basketball summer camps to lacrosse summer camps, multi-sport summer camps, and more, we've found a slew of sports summer camps on Long Island for kids.  

For more summer camps on Long Island, including picks for preschool summer camps across Long Island, dance summer camps on Long Island, and the best affordable summer camp options nearby, be sure to bookmark our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

How to Plan a Kids' Birthday Party At Home

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Plan the perfect at-home kids' birthday party with these ideas and tips. Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels

Planning a kids' birthday party can be as stressful as it is fun. You've got to think about the food, the guest list, the decorations, and so much more. But before you can get to all those details, you have to decide where the party will be. And if you're on a budget—or you just want a more private event—having the birthday party at home can be a great option.

To help you plan the perfect birthday bash, we've rounded up loads of kids' birthday party ideas, from yummy kids' birthday party food and festive decorations to fun party favors and birthday party games for kids. No matter what birthday theme your kiddo is into or how many people you’re inviting, we have ideas for every size party and budget. By following our tips and tricks, your next kids' birthday party is sure to be a stress-free success.

For more kids' birthday party ideas and inspiration, check out our ultimate Birthday Party Ideas Guide. Party on!

Golf Summer Camps and Classes in New Jersey for Kids

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Kids can hone their swings at Skyway Golf Course's summer camp. Photo courtesy of the club

Junior golfers can perfect their swings this summer at these golf summer camps and classes in New Jersey. Golf courses throughout the Garden State host group lessons, summer camps, and clinics where golfers as young as 7 learn fundamentals of the sport based on age and ability. Taught by PGA professionals, most of these golf summer camps are booked by the week and may run half- or full-day sessions. 

For more summer camps in New Jersey, such as affordable summer camps and STEM summer day camps, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town. 

22 Most Affordable and Free Summer Camps in Connecticut

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Make new friends at Camp Foxfire. ​Photo courtesy of Camp Foxfire

Most kids look forward to getting outside and playing at summer camps in Connecticut. Budding athletes can sign up for sports summer camps in Connecticut, and kids who crave connection with nature can attend summer camp at the beach or summer camp at Connecticut parks. Some kids may want to learn a foreign language, while others may be interested in all of the above. We've rounded up the most affordable and even free summer camps in Connecticut for kids, hitting all of those marks without breaking the bank.

For more summer camps in Connecticut, including picks for Sleepaway Summer Camps and the best STEM summer camps, be sure to bookmark our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town. 

Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids this Spring

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Celebrate Holi at Navy Pier this spring in Chicago. Photo by James Richards IV, courtesy of Navy Pier

Is it officially spring yet? No one knows for sure if the last snow of the season is officially behind us in Chicago, but we do know that plenty of fun events await as kids approach spring break and the end of the school year. Flower shows are back in full force with Chicago Botanic Gardens showing off its orchids, Garfield Park Conservatory offering up playful plant-themed knock-knock jokes, and Lincoln Park Conservatory standing tall with its pillars of spring. Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals are another popular theme of Chicago's spring events, with the Field Museum giving kids a chance to Doze with the Dinos, Kid Works Children's Museum hosting a weeklong Dino Works event, and Brookfield Zoo following up its Dinos Everywhere show with an animatronic Ice Age Giants exhibit. And plays and music based on books and fairy tales ignite the minds of kids throughout the city: Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents Jack and the Beanstalk; Chicago Children's Theater is putting on Carmela Full of Wishes based on a recent picture book, and Chicago Kids Theatre acts out modern versions of Rapunzel and the The Ugly Duckling.

Mexico's Velas Vallarta All-Inclusive Family Resort is Eco-Friendly Earth Check Certified

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All-inclusive resorts are popular with family travelers because they make life so easy, but all those options can also take a big environmental toll. An all-inclusive resort may create tons of food waste on a daily basis, not to mention loads of electricity for air conditioning and water for washing pool and bath towels. Nobody wants to feel guilty while trying to enjoy a relaxing getaway, so a resort that meets the needs of families and the environment too seems like a real dream vacation. 

Velas Vallarta, a family friendly all-inclusive resort with 10 acres of oceanfront in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has an impressive green initiative that goes beyond the typical superficial hat-tip to eco-friendliness. Their efforts have been recognized by EarthCheck, the world's leading organization in certifying sustainable tourism, with gold and silver status for the resort. Plus, the all-suite resort, with kitchens in every room and a free bottomless mini-bar, offers an affordably luxurious all-inclusive experience. 

The Best Anaheim Hotels near Disneyland for Families

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Twsit, turn, then plunge into refreshing waters with a wild ride down the water slide at Disney Paradise Piers Hotel.

Most family trips to Anaheim mean enjoying a couple or more days with the mouse at the happiest place on Earth, the Disneyland Resort. Therefore, finding the perfect place to stay either on Disneyland property, within walking distance, or a short shuttle ride away is essential. We've compiled a list of 10 great Anaheim hotels near Disneyland that will comfortably help you rest those tired feet between rides, enjoy some pool time with the kids, and perhaps even take in a hotel-balcony fireworks show after a long, memory-filled day at Disneyland with your family.

Be sure to check out our Guide to Orange County for all of our local recommendations, from 25 Things To Do in Anaheim With Kids to Great Family-Friendly Restaurants Near Disneyland, and even a guide to visiting Disneyland with your baby.

St. Patrick's Day 2022: Kid-Friendly Events and Parades in Chicago

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St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Chicago, photo courtesy of U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret, (CC BY 2.0)

St. Patrick’s Day parades in Chicago are among some of the best in the country. From the famous Chicago River dyeing to local St. Patrick's Day parades on every side of the city and suburbs, we’ve rounded up some of the best St. Patrick’s Day parades and events for kids. While many of the usual festivities took a break over the past two years, almost all the staple events are back this year, and even some new additions for the wee ones. 

For more fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with kids check out our Funny Leprechaun Tricks and Trap Ideas for Kids as well as our list of the Best Things to do in March with Kids.

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