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.

New parents are not only among the most sleep-deprived in the population, but they also happen to be some of the most prolific Googlers. With a new baby comes new baby questions, and today’s new parents have the internet at their fingertips–for better or worse. It’s hard to find trustworthy answers in the abyss of information out there, and don’t even get me started on the number of Googled anecdotes that have sent me into my own personal new parent panic. 

We've taken the 10 most Googled new parent questions—some of which surprised us!—and got answers from the experts and our own veteran parents. Read on for real-life tips that really work. And slowly back away from search engines and AI chatbots...

For more expert parenting advice, including potty training tips and developmental milestones for baby's first year, visit our Baby and Maternity Guide.

If you're looking for a new twist on the classic city walk with your kids, the Hi Bye Tiles art scavenger hunt in Gowanus, Brooklyn, is a magical surprise waiting to be discovered. The artist behind the Hi Bye Tiles—whose identity remains delightfully low-key—secretly installs tiny ceramic messages and characters on street corners, brick walls, and lampposts across the family-friendly neighborhood. Each tile is delightfully whimsical, sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy, always smile-inducing. Hi Bye’s art focuses on imagination, humor, and world-building through an ongoing “hidden in plain sight” series of ceramic street art tiles. She’s currently in the middle of a 100-tile project.

On a recent sunny Saturday, my 7-year-old and I found ourselves turning a corner on 3rd Avenue only to spot a yellow banana tile smiling at us while we waited for the bus. Instantly, the walk turned into a hunt. We found six tiles in total that day, and each one sparked a burst of excitement. We've got the lowdown on how to start your own Hi Bye Tile art hunt below, plus more fun secret spots for NYC kids to discover.

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world and one of NYC's top attractions for families. Whether you're a visitor or a local, walking the Brooklyn Bridge with kids should definitely be on your NYC bucket list.

The iconic suspension bridge was built in 1883 and became the first East River crossing to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn. It spans just over 6,000 feet—or 1.1 miles—and is made up of approximately 13,000 wooden planks.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge with kids makes for a great family activity and one that's FREE to boot. Plan a perfect family day in NYC with our Brooklyn Bridge walking itinerary, which includes tips for walking the Brooklyn Bridge with kids, nearby activities on both the Brooklyn and Manhattan sides, and FAQs for a fun and stress-free adventure.

Find all our top things to do in our Visitor's Guide to New York City.

See Rhode Island's massive trolls in Ninigret Park!

Looking for an indoor spot where your little ones can climb, explore, and burn some energy without you having to shell out money for a play space? The Bay Area is home to some truly amazing public libraries that go way beyond books—think treehouse slides, fish tanks, hands-on stations, and cozy corners perfect for a midweek escape or a rainy-day reset. Whether you’ve got a curious toddler or a big kid who loves to get lost in a good story (or a STEM wall), these libraries are meant for families to stay awhile.

From the immersive “Storybook” play spaces popping up in the South Bay to kid-friendly reading rooms tucked into historic branches in San Francisco, these spots offer free, low-key fun that feels anything but boring. We rounded up our favorite Bay Area libraries where kids can actually play, explore, and hang out, not just check out a book and go.

For more budget-friendly indoor fun, check out these free museum days for kids in San Francisco. Let kids keep the indoor fun going at these indoor playgrounds and play spaces in San Francisco, and browse our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for San Francisco Kids. 

Teen birthday party ideas in Westchester and the Hudson Valley may seem tougher to come by than the princess- or pirate-themed fiestas that work for the younger set, but there are lots of options, including parties centered on art, games, rock climbing, or–believe it or not–skydiving.

Read on for a list of options sure to please your older kid. And, if you’re looking for more birthday ideas, check out our Kids' Birthday Party Guide for Westchester Families, which includes info on where to get a great cake.