Best Family Festivals and Street Fairs in NYC this May

Enjoy the May Fair to welcome spring's arrival at the New Amsterdam School. Photo courtesy of the school

NYC street fairs and festivals are blooming all over this May, from glorious school fairs like Calhoun's carnival-fun-filled fest to the little-kid-friendly event at Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School

Plus, Hippo Playground hosts a Spring Fair complete with pony rides, Randall's Island's Touch-a-Truck Fest returns, there's a Mother's Day Garden Party at the NYBG, and the annual salute to service that is Fleet Week punctuates Memorial Day weekend. Plus, don't miss Mommy Poppins' Spring Fling on Car-Free Montague Street our our very first Family Travel Fest!

Free Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles Summer 2025 for Kids

An outdoor movie is a must-do! Photo courtesy of Downtown Santa Monica

Free outdoor movies in Los Angeles offer a unique and enjoyable way to experience cinema under the stars. From iconic parks to scenic shorelines, these screenings bring communities together for evenings of entertainment and camaraderie. 

Open-air venues provide a relaxed cinematic experience for movie buffs. With food trucks, blankets, and family in tow, attendees can revel in the magic of free outdoor movies in Los Angeles, creating memorable summer moments under the night sky. 

For more summer essentials, discover the best Los Angeles beaches for kids, visit the top splash pads in Los Angeles, and bask in summer traditions with our Ultimate Los Angeles Summer Vacation Guide.   

The JadeWaters Resort Pool at Hilton Anatole Is Gearing Up for Summer

The JadeWaters Resort Pool opens daily for summer at the end of May!

The Hilton Anatole is one of the most family-friendly hotels in Dallas. Not only is it close to downtown, the Arts District, and many other Dallas attractions, but it’s got an attraction of its very own right on the resort property. The JadeWaters Resort Pool, with its Splash and Play Zone perfect for babies and toddlers, two 180-foot slides, lazy river, and pool, is a huge draw for families looking for a Dallas staycation, and the good news is, opening weekend is only a few weeks away.

Discover more family-friendly hotels in Dallas and Fort Worth here

SeaWorld’s New Baby Shark Show and Jellyfish Experience Bring More Family Fun to San Diego

SeaWorld visitors can now catch <i>Baby Shark and Pinkfong’s FIN-tastic Adventure</i>.

Like most toddlers, my two-year-old constantly commands Alexa to “play Baby Shark,” and has her “doo doo doo doo doo doos” down. Needless to say, we couldn’t wait to head to SeaWorld San Diego to check out the two brand new attractions now open: the limited time Baby Shark Mini Live Show and Jewels of the Sea, the immersive Jellyfish Experience!

After an action-packed day exploring the park’s latest additions, plus a few fan favorites, my four kids–ages 9, 6, 4, and 2–confidently declared our visit “one of the best days ever!” So, read on for my rundown on what to expect at the new exhibitions, and take a look at my personal tips for navigating SeaWorld San Diego with kids.

Best Family Vacation Websites and Travel Blogs

The Mommy Poppins travel guide has insider tricks and hacks for traveling with toddlers and kids. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Ever been on a family vacation only to get home and realize you’re more exhausted than before you left? Family vacations with kids can be challenging! You need to pick a great place to go that has enough to interest kids of all ages, find hotels with all the amenities your family needs and is close enough to the action to take breaks if you need them, and find food your picky eaters will eat. On top of that, every aspect of the trip needs to fit into your family's budget.

Luckily, you don’t have to go into it blindly. For planning family vacations, several websites stand out as having been-there-done-that insight into loads of different types of family vacations. In addition to where to travel with your family, these websites help steer you to the best family hotels, family restaurants, and even travel tips for traveling with children. We’ve scoped out the best family vacation websites to help ensure smooth sailing—or flying, driving, train travel… 

Read on for our picks for the top family vacation websites and blogs and why we like them!

Easy Summer Weekend Getaways from NYC for Families

Plan a hiking trip during your visit to the Poconos for a summer weekend getaway. Photo by Ally Noel

Summer travel is on the horizon, and with a slew of kid-friendly escapes just a few hours from New York City, the hardest part of planning a weekend getaway from NYC could be deciding whether you want a woodsy outdoor adventure, a quiet beach town, an island escape, or a historical expedition. No matter what you decide, we've rounded up 10 summer weekend getaway destinations full of fun, and all are less than three hours from NYC by car or train.

You can find more travel inspiration in our Local Day Trips Guide and on our East Coast Family Travel Guide.

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