Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in Los Angeles Best Things To Do With Kids

Naval ships at port. Photo courtesy of LA Fleet Week Foundation

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Traditionally, Memorial Day Weekend is the start of the summer season and is filled with festivals and fairs galore—this year is no exception. Watch jet planes in action at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro, celebrate the South Bay at Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach, and travel back in time at the Koroneburg Renassaince Festival in Corona. Summer 2025 is off to an epic start! 

Memorial Day weekend closes with tributes to our fallen heroes. Ceremonies will be held at the Nixon Library and several Forest Lawn locations. You can find some of them listed below. 

Looking to get out of town for the long weekend? We've got epic California road trip ideas, the best family-friendly spa resorts near Los Angeles, the best spots to go camping near Los Angeles, and more—all in our Guide to Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from Los Angeles.

21 Classic and Funny Campfire Songs for Any Camping Trip

Gather 'round the campfire and sing some fun songs. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Can't remember the lyrics to your favorite kids campfire songs? We've got you covered.

There's no better way to end a day in the woods filled with hiking games and camping games than sitting around a fire and singing some campfire songs. We've rounded up the most fun, catchy songs to sing along to during your next camping trip, from classic campfire songs to funny campfire songs to campfire songs for preschoolers that are easy to sign along and learn. Some of the videos even have the campfire song lyrics in them. So grab the marshmallows, stoke the campfire, warm up your singing voice, and get ready to sing these 21 campfire songs with kids.

Be sure to check out our Camping Travel Guide for Families for more camping tips and fun.

Free Performances, Water Play, and Green Space? Lincoln Center’s Big Upgrade Has it All

Damrosch Park is getting a major makeover opening Lincoln Center to Manhattan's west side.

Exciting news for NYC families: Lincoln Center is about to get a major upgrade—especially for neighbors and kids on the west side of the complex! A bold redesign is in the works for the Amsterdam Avenue side of its campus, and it’s all about making the arts and outdoor space more accessible, welcoming, and fun for everyone. If you’re looking for more places to play, relax, and catch incredible performances with your kids, this is a project to watch!

A complete reimagining of Damrosch Park is set to bring a huge lawn perfect for picnics, a playful water feature with mist and jets, shaded groves with seating, and a brand-new outdoor performance venue for music, dance, and theater. Read on for all the details, which were designed with lots of input from the community. While the new project is set for a 2028 debut, there are still plenty of things to do at Lincoln Center in the meantime, including an action-packed Summer for the City calendar.

Baby Swimming Lessons in NJ: A Guide for Parents in 2025

Take your little fishies to a class at Goldfish Swim School.

Summer is here, and whether you are joining a pool, going on vacation, heading to the Shore, or sending your kids off to camp, chances are that swimming is part of your plans. While your kids are still young, mommy-and-me swimming (or daddy-and-me) classes for infants and toddlers are a great way to carve out some special time for you and your child to bond while teaching water safety to babies.

These swimming lessons usually run for children 6-36 months—although some start even younger—and involve a parent in the water along with the child. Singing, toys, and water play are often incorporated into these swimming lessons to help children feel comfortable in the water and have fun while learning valuable water safety skills. 

If you are interested in signing your infant or toddler up, read on for a description of swim clubs that offer these mommy-and-me classes throughout New Jersey. 

For more mommy-and-me activities, see our review of the Best Mommy and Me Classes in NJ. Interested in classes for slightly older children? See our review of the best swimming lessons in NJ

2025 Guide to the Best Free Summer Sports Programs in NYC for Kids

Participants in the CityParks Track & Field program can compete in local races or citywide events. Photo by Durst Breneiser/courtesy of the CityParks Foundation

The huge number of free summer sports and outdoor programs in NYC means children can enjoy a summer filled with sports and fresh air while living in the concrete jungle. New York City offers many free summer sports opportunities for kids to learn team sports and try swimming, tennis, golf, basketball, fishing, kayaking, camping, and more.

Of course, registering for these free summer sports programs takes a little legwork and (since many are first come, first served) punctuality. We've got the scoop on free summer sports in NYC and how your kids can vie for spots. You can find more no-cost activities in our Free in NYC Guide, or check out these free and inexpensive summer camp options around NYC.

A Perfect Family-Friendly Cape Cod Vacation Awaits at Ocean Edge Resort

Enjoy s'mores at a fire pit on the private beach as the sun sets!

Cape Cod has always been my go-to for a family summer vacation. I grew up spending summers there, and it still gives me that magical “this is what summer feels like” vibe—laid-back, breezy, and full of family-friendly charm. But staying at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster, MA truly brought my classic Cape Cod vacation to the next level.

It’s the perfect home away from home, with spacious accommodations and every amenity you could need to make traveling with kids easy and enjoyable. Set right on Cape Cod Bay, Ocean Edge has it all—including beach bonfires, oyster tours, a plethora of pools, biking trails, and endless kid-friendly activities. If you're dreaming of a summer escape that blends nostalgia with a touch of luxury, this New England gem is it.

To plan your Cape Cod getaway, check out our Guide to Visiting Cape Cod with Kids.

How To Make a Flower Crown for Kids

How to make a flower crown for kids with live flowers!

Learn how to make a flower crown for kids with only three things and in three easy steps.

Picking flowers at a pick-your-own field or farm is a great way to spend a summer day! I know what to do when I pick too many blueberries (freeze them), pick too many strawberries (jam them), or pick too many apples (sauce them).  But, I was a bit stumped about a project for "what to do with all these flowers!"  

Scrolling through Instagram one day, I was completely inspired by the idea of flower crowns.  There have been so many gorgeous examples floating through my feed, that I just knew I had to learn how to make flower crowns for kids. It turns out they are pretty simple to fumble your way through. Note: this is really fun for kids, but this project definitely requires adult hands, fingers, and patience. 

Read on for step-by-step and picture-by-picture instructions on how to make a flower crown for kids!

To find a flower field near you, check your local Guide to Farms and Pick Your Own Berries & Flowers.

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