Summertime means swimming–the kids cool off, get exercise, and are entertained all at once–triple bonus! While NJ abounds with beaches and lakes, many of us prefer the plain old comfort of a chlorine-enhanced, lifeguard-protected swimming pool. For you, the pool-lover, we’ve assembled a list of NJ swimming pool options—some public, some private, summer-only, year-round, indoor, outdoor....take your pick—and then, take the plunge! And for more summer awesomeness, check out our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide.

Toys can be found nearly everywhere these days - convenience stores, pharmacies, and groceries stores - but there is something really special about shopping at an independent toy store. Such places are characterized by personalized service from people who truly love toys and do not take their presence in the community for granted. Consider visiting these family-owned establishments in the Hartford area, which help sustain local communities and guarantee places where your children's names and preferences are remembered.

Many parents recognize the value of being a “team player,” but what if your kid’s team isn’t on the soccer field or in the swimming pool? What if he prefers singing to soccer? Writing to running? Maybe her team is more creative or curious than competitive. Westchester colleges welcome these teens and pre-teens with summer and after-school enrichment programs that let these artistic or scientific individualists come together with like-minded peers.

The MBTA's Blue Line gets a bad rap: It's shorter than the other T lines, such as the Orange and Green lines, and doesn't pass through any particularly hip neighborhoods. But there is a surprising amount of sights families can enjoy at most of the Blue Line's dozen stations. Here's a quick look at the top eight kid-friendly stops along this subway line.

Summertime splashing is right around the corner. Queens parents looking to give their kids a pool refresher or just introduce their tot to the water, will find a number of affordable and grow-with-you swimming classes across the borough. Kids can advance from baby-and-me sessions on up to competitive racing at these community and private pools. 

Read on for great swim classes in your neighborhood, from FREE sessions hosted by the city to a safety-first nonprofit that offers a 30-minute basics lesson. Be sure to check out our Queens Kids Guide for even more ways to explore the borough with kids and find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

New York City's annual Easter Parade was as fabulous as ever in 2016, with creative costumes ranging from the political to the very silly.

New Yorkers always seem to outdo themselves in their Easter attire, including some outlandish bonnets, at this spring tradition. We were there for the Easter Sunday festivities as onlookers and participants crowded onto Fifth Ave between 49th and 51st Streets, and saw all manner of hats and costumes. Read on to see photos of some of our favorites.

Summer day camps come in all shapes and sizes, catering to a variety of ages and interests. We’ve rounded up 13 camps in Somerville and Cambridge that focus on the creative pursuits: fine arts, theater, music, and filmmaking. For more ideas, including wicked cheap day camps and theater camps throughout the Boston area, check out our Summer Camp Guide. 

Beloved children's characters spring to life on stage this season. Our top theater picks for the coming months include musicals starring popular little-kid icons such as Curious George, Peppa Pig, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Runaway Bunny. But there are plenty of cool shows for tweens, too, including an interactive adventure staged throughout Lincoln Center's grounds, a trio of offbeat circus performances and a revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starring theater pros who are still in middle school.

While there are some big Broadway shows debuting this spring, including a musicalization of Tuck Everlasting and Cirque du Soleil's first-ever Main Stem spectacle Paramour, there's no need to shell out big bucks to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience in NYC. A dozen of the 14 shows we're highlighting are just $25—or less—per ticket.