While “Montessori” probably conjures up thoughts of wooden toys and independent play, there’s a whole lot more to understand about the teaching method that’s used across many of New York City’s most popular private preschools and elementary schools. Yes, specially-designed materials and child-led activities are definitely part of the package, but there are many differentiators that set the Montessori style apart from a more traditional approach to education. With a focus on children’s individual interests and needs, the approach promotes hands-on, self-paced, collaborative learning, which tends to really resonate with kids and parents alike.

The teaching experts at Guidepost Montessori offered to provide their expertise and breakdown the features you’ll find in a tried-and-true Montessori school. With over 80 campuses across the United States and Asia–including five locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, plus virtual programs, Guidepost is the largest Montessori network in the world, empowering and nurturing kids ages 0 to 14 for more than 7,000 families across the globe.

Summer memberships come in handy as the costs to entertain kids over the next couple months really start to add up. If your kids develop a deep devotion to the Bronx Zoo, like ours did, a single visit can cost almost as much as your electric bill. And, for us, that's where purchasing a zoo membership came into focus.

A family membership can also help make other favorite summertime destinations more affordable: botanic gardens, museums, and—naturally—pools and beach clubs. While the city's outdoor pools don't require summer memberships, they do get crowded, so we've rounded up some other options for family-friendly memberships, including pool memberships, zoo memberships, and more spots for summer fun indoors and out. No matter your family's interest, take note: While the initial investment of a family summer membership can be pricey, do the math and consider how frequently you'll visit. You're likely to find that these family membership deals are worth the splurge. Looking for a family membership for the cool weather months? Check out these family memberships worth buying for winter.

Summer means hot days, no school, and lots of time to hang out with friends. With no one having to wake up early, there is no cooler or more epic hangout than a summertime sleepover. And what's a sleepover without fun sleepover games, plenty of snacks, and delicious desserts?

Here are 10 fun sleepover games for kids to play this summer, plus 10 delicious sleepover snacks and desserts. For even more ideas, check out our lists of 50 easy summer desserts and snack recipes kids will love and 25+ water games for kids to play all summer long. Then pull out the sleeping bags and get ready to throw the ultimate slumber party.

During the heat of summer, it's easy to find FREE swimming pools in NYC to dive into. What's a little more difficult, though, is making sense of their rules.

Read on for everything you need to know before you go to a FREE swimming pool in NYC and find more wet-and-wild ways to beat the heat in our Guide to Sprinkler Parks and Swimming Pools in NYC.

Arlington National Cemetery is one of the oldest and most famous cemeteries in the US. Established in 1864, this hallowed ground serves as the final resting place of over 400,000 veterans and their spouses and children. Service members from every major American war are interred there, as well as many famous Americans including Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and astronaut John Glenn.

With its rows and rows of perfectly aligned, identical white headstones, Arlington National Cemetery is a truly breathtaking sight. But while it is indeed a solemn place, it is also a wonderful place to visit with kids and teach them about American history. Arlington National Cemetery's beauty and historical significance have landed it on our lists of 100 things to do in DC with kids before they grow up and the top tourist attractions in DC.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Arlington National Cemetery with kids.

Dubbed "The Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls lives up to the name. Bushkill Falls is a must-do for hiking and nature-loving families. Its varying trails with different difficulty levels make it accessible to most families, and every trail has an amazing view of the falls. The fun doesn't end with the hike, either. There are multiple activities and food options that make Bushkill Falls a popular destination for Northeast families. 

If you've got a little kitchen helper on your hands, it might be time to find one of the best cooking classes in the San Francisco Bay Area for kids! Cooking not only helps with math and problem-solving skills, but it’s also a great confidence booster and bonding activity. We’ve rounded up our favorite cooking classes for kids in the Bay Area that run the gamut from nut-free kitchens to classes that teach yoga and breathing alongside cooking, for a whole body approach. Most schools offer not only cooking classes for kids, but also camps and birthday parties—so you can get your young chefs in the kitchen for any occasion.

Then bring all that sous chef energy home and get cooking with our 100 Top Easy Recipes for Kids and all our favorite recipes in our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.