Hotel Xcaret Mexico: An All-Inclusive Adventure in Playa del Carmen

With lush reefs and crystal-clear waters,  Xcaret is a fabulous place to snorkel. Photo courtesy of Xcaret Parks

While my family has stayed at many great all-inclusive resorts, we were particularly impressed by our recent trip to Hotel Xcaret Mexico in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya. Set between the Mayan rain forest and the Caribbean Sea, the five-diamond Hotel Xcaret (ISH-kah-rhett) offers stunning views and plenty of family fun. But what really sets it apart is its unique All Fun Inclusive concept, which gives guests access to all seven Grupo Xcaret parks.

The Grupo Xcaret parks offer all sorts of natural and cultural experiences such as zip lining, water adventures like snorkeling and whitewater rafting, cave tours, live entertainment, monster truck rides, a wacky town full of optical illusions, and so much more.

The thrill factor of my family's adventurous trip to Xcaret was off the charts, and I highly recommend Hotel Xcaret Mexico for your next warm and sunny family vacation. Read on to learn all about it, and check out our Mexican Family Travel Guide for more cool vacation spots in Mexico.

How to Celebrate Passover as a Family (and Make it Fun for Kids)

An illustrated Haggadah encourages kids to read the story of Passover and the Passover Seder. Photo by Melanie Preis

Passover 2023 is almost here—time to add some crunchy matzah to your shopping list of tasty spring treats. We're going into detail about the when, what, why, and more of this Jewish holiday, including its hallmark delicacy: matzah! Whether you're Jewish or not, you've probably seen boxes of these large, flat "crackers" lining the aisles of your local grocery store each spring. Read on to learn more about matzah, as well as how to celebrate Passover (also known as Pesach) as a family and make it fun for kids of all ages.

For more tips on celebrating Passover with children, check out our list of 10 ways to make Seders more fun for little kids.

Visiting NYSCI with Kids: Guide to the Best Things To Do and See

Connected Worlds mesmerizes children with its interactive features and fun animations.

The New York Hall of Science is one of Queens' most unique, kid-friendly museums, and as a mom to a teen, tween, and toddler, it's a relief to have a space that caters to all of them. For families looking for an intentional, captivating way to introduce children to STEM-focused concepts and activities, a visit to NYSCI is a must-do. I've got tons of tips for the best things to do and see while you're at one of our favorite local science museums in NYC.

Following devastating flooding from Hurricane Ida, NYSCI underwent extensive renovations and restoration, but it's fully open and functional again leading to rejoicing from families, students, teachers, and, indeed, science-loving New Yorkers of all ages.

Find more ways to get scientific with kids in our Guide to Science Experiments and STEM Activities for Kids and our NYC Museum Guide, which includes our top picks for space museums nearby plus more cool culture spots for families to visit no matter their interests.

Coolest Vintage and Thrift Stores for Teens in NYC

L Train Village offers a micro-chain of well-stocked and well-organized thrift stores in NYC. Photo by the author

These thrift stores in NYC are the perfect antidote to teens changing style whims. Seasoned parents can tell you that shopping for kids becomes a lot harder as they age. Teens are still trying to find their own unique style, so there's no need to spend a fortune on trendy items they will outgrow or that go out of style quickly. Kicks, rocker tees, jeans, funky bags, and accessories are all in high demand and easily found in multiple at vintage stores and thrift shops in NYC. Teens have a blast browsing racks hunting for that perfect T-shirt or pair of jeans.

NYC abounds with vintage and thrift shops. We've rounded up a selection of thrift stores in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx that offer a large and varied selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories for teens. Have some cash on hand and get ready for a vintage shopping spree. Find more age-appropriate activities and destinations in our NYC Tween and Teen Guide.

The Ultimate Guide to Philly Area Playgrounds for Toddlers

Explore the Children's Discovery Garden at Sister Cities Park. Photo courtesy of Matt Stanley

We found the best tot lots and toddler playgrounds in Philly where the little ones can let off their steam.

Like a lot of things in those early years, going to a playground with a toddler can feel treacherous. Everything is a little too big so you find yourself helicoptering your kid's every move. That's why tot lots are perfect for the smallest kiddos. With fun interactive areas, smaller steps and slides, and baby swings, these pint-sized playgrounds mean kids can have a little more independence while they play (and so can you!). If you’re looking for fun, safe playgrounds ideal for younger kids, we've got a list of some great tot lots in the Philadelphia area.

For more on Philly's best outdoor play spaces, visit our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Philadelphia. Need rainy day activities? Look no further than our favorite indoor play spaces and playgrounds.

Best STEM Summer Camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area for Kids

LEGO, Minecraft, and coding? Sign us up! Photo courtesy of TechKnowHow

STEM summer camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area are hugely popular, which makes sense because this is home to the technological hub of Silicon Valley. 

From LEGO camps to robotics, Minecraft, and space missions, the Bay Area knows how to do STEM. We probably don't need to tell you that the Bay Area is the birthplace of so many tech startups and pioneers, so who knowsSTEM summer camps might inspire your kiddo to be the next Steve Jobs. Kids can immerse themselves in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and they'll have so much fun at camp that they'll hardly realize they're attending an educational summer camp. Discover our favorite STEM summer camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area. 

We've got plenty more camp options for your budding scientist like free and cheap camps, sleepaway camps, and more in our San Francisco Summer Camp Guide. You can also find free coding for kids websites and apps.

Columbia with Kids: 25 Best Things To Do in Columbia, SC

Take a free tour of the South Carolina State House, the state's capitol building.

Though Columbia, SC may not get the publicity of neighboring cities like Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina's capital city has plenty for families to love. Located in the center of the state, "Soda City" boasts top-notch museums, attractions for animal lovers, delicious restaurants, and beautiful hotels. It's a somewhat small city with wide streets, a walkable downtown area, and a youthful vibe (it's home to the University of South Carolina). Columbia, SC is also full of the southern charm and hospitality you'd expect from a city in the South. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever encountered such polite folks!

Here are our 25 favorite things to do in Columbia, SC with kids, including great family-friendly restaurants and hotels in Columbia, SC. Check out our Southern States Vacation Guide for more places to visit in the sunny South.

Visiting the ICA in Boston with Kids: What You Need To Know Before You Go

Show your kids a magical world of creativity at the ICA, Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art. Photo courtesy of the ICA Museum

Located on Fan Pier in the Seaport District, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is one of the top destinations for families in Boston. Inside, kids will find amazing displays of modern art. The works at the ICA span different media, with painting, sculpture, and so much more. Kids and parents will be floored at the ways these artists express themselves. The museum's striking main building is situated in one of Boston's most vibrant neighborhoods: the Seaport. Make visiting the ICA part of a day out in Boston, or spend the whole day at the museum!

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