"Free summer activities in Atlanta" is our favorite phrase when it comes to this time of year. ("Cheap" is a close second!) More importantly, kids are happy and worn out playing at a free park or splash pads. Since an Atlanta summer usually requires water, air conditioning, evening shade (or all three), we've kept those prerequisites in mind while gathering the best free kids activities in Atlanta this summer!

You don't have to leave Philly to enjoy everything summer has to offer! Whether you’re looking to cool off in the city, take a day trip to the shore, or explore new local events, this list will help you make the most of your family’s summer break. 

Read on for our top summer activities for kids to plan out a summer the entire family will enjoy. And don't forget to check out our Summer Guide for hundreds of more ideas.

San Francisco restaurants where kids can play while parents eat are a bit of a unicorn. However, there are plenty of these restaurants and breweries out there, you just have to know where to find them. That's why this list exists. These are the spots where kids can play while parents eat, sip something cold, and maybe even finish a conversation. From beer gardens with sandboxes to cafes with play zones, these places were made for families to enjoy a meal out of the house. 

In addition to browsing this list to find Bay Area and San Francisco restaurants where kids can play, discover restaurants where kids eat free in San Francisco. 

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Big Bend National Park in southern Texas is an excellent destination for families looking to spend time together "off the grid." The park is vast, rugged, and remote, spanning more than 800,000 acres along the border of the US and Mexico, right in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Big Bend is one of the least visited national parks, but I'm here to argue that should not be the case! Big Bend offers amazing hiking, memorable wildlife viewing, adventures on the Rio Grande river, and spectacular stargazing at night. Visiting does require serious planning because it is so far removed from modern civilization (cell phone service, for example, is unreliable at Big Bend). Yet a trip here may just change your life, as it did for me and my kids.

Read on for our guide to visiting Big Bend, including itinerary ideas, a Big Bend National Park map, where to eat, and lodging and hotels near Big Bend National Park. Check out our US National Parks Family Travel Guide for more national parks to visit with kids, including our top-ten list of family-friendly national parks.

Outdoor water parks and lazy river rides give kids and families a fun way to cool off in Miami and South Florida.

Your guide to weekend fun on the cheap.