As my 14-year-old twins have gotten older, they and their friends have been wanting to spend more time together in the evenings and at night. But sometimes they get bored of being at each other's houses, and let's be honest—us parents don't always want a bunch of teenagers hanging around at night. However, we also don't want to worry too much about their safety when they go out after dark.

Luckily, there are many safe places in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia where teens can hang out and have fun with their friends. Some of them, like rec centers and malls, are free or cheap. Others will require your teen to spend some part-time job or birthday money, or to beg you for some cash (and can you really put a price on a few hours of peace and quiet?).

Here are 15 safe and fun teen nighttime activities in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Find more ways to entertain the big kids in your life in our Teen and Tween Activities Guide!

Kids' parties evoke images of indoor gyms, party games, and cake. But what to do when your kid is no longer little? Teens want to have fun, too, and these birthday party places near Philadelphia will help you celebrate in an age-appropriate way. For more birthday party ideas for teens, tweens, or the tiniest party-goers, check out our guide to 30+ Indoor Kids' Birthday Party Places Near Philly. 

Explore the best of the Inner Cape with a visit to Falmouth and Woods Hole!

Looking for a fun, scenic, and kid-friendly bike ride in Los Angeles? The Strand—also known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail—is a coastal gem perfect for families.  

As much as Los Angeles is consistently making improvements, the bicycling infrastructure in Los Angeles leaves quite a bit to be desired. This is doubly true for families who want to ride in the city with their kids. While it may not be advisable to take an epic 10-mile bike trip down Venice Boulevard (even if it does technically have bike lanes), there are several off-street bike paths throughout the metro. The crown jewel? The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, better known by locals as The Strand. 

While you're biking The Strand, you'll pass by the Santa Monica Pier, and many LA beaches for kids and families. For more essential things to do in LA, check out our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families. 

Think about summer on Long Island, and ice cream immediately comes to mind. In the Hamptons and on the North Fork, there are scoop shops serving ice cream and other kid-pleasing confections.

From sticky fingers and sugary lips, ice cream can be a messy treat. But just one lick of these homemade ice creams on Long Island's East End makes it all worth it—even the calories! That's why we've rounded up the best ice cream shops in the region.

We've found more sweet treats at these old-fashioned ice cream spots on Long Island, and you can take a peek at our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide for all the seasonal fun out east!

Nothing makes you feel like your home is riddled with safety hazards quite like a newly crawling baby–but there are a number of hidden babyproofing concerns that are important to consider for toddlers and kids too.

From heirloom cribs to corded blinds, parents may not realize some of the dangers that are right under our noses. That’s why we’ve partnered with the experts at the Window Covering Safety Council to share some of the hidden hazards in the home that you need to know. Take a look at this list and make sure you’ve got your babyproofing bases covered.

The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa is one of those spots that has everything a family needs for a quick staycation. Amazing pool? Check. Great food? Check. A location that’s a few minutes away from fantastic family fun? Check! I recently spent a weekend at this popular North Texas hotel, and if you need a way to beat the heat and get the kids out of a summer slump, this is the place to do it. 

If you're looking for more fun summer ideas, check out our guide to the best activities, deals, and things to do in DFW. 

Since moving to Olivebridge—just 15 minutes from the stunning Ashokan Reservoir—my family has discovered the joy of slow nature days filled with fresh air, epic views, and easy trails for little legs, so if you're looking for a perfect day in the Catskills, look no further.

Whether it’s scooting along a waterside path with my sons, spotting eagles in the sky, or finishing the day with a stroll in the family-friendly town of Woodstock, here are my favorite things to do with kids near the beautiful Ashokan Reservoir. We've got more ideas for local outings on this list of the best things to do in the Catskills with kids and in our Family-Friendly Guide to Day Trips and Getaways.