It's time to dive into some fun pool games! Whether you’re hitting a local pool or lake, on vacation at a hotel with an amazing pool, or hosting a pool party in your own backyard, these fun water games keep kids active and entertained all day.

We’ve rounded up the best swimming pool games that you can play anywhere because they don’t require props and a few more that you’ll need a good ball, rubber ducky, or pool noodle to play. From Marco Polo to Atomic Whirlpool to Colors, these games will keep kids occupied so mom and dad can catch a breather.

Don’t forget the reef-safe sunscreen for kids and babies, and for lazier days of just floating around, check out our favorite pool and water floats.

I'm always game for a visit to The Met, but sometimes my kids need a little convincing. They don't know how good they've got it, but this week's visit was an easy sell for my 10-year-old, thanks to the launch of The Met Replica, a brand-new, interactive app that mashes up the power of play—in the form of Roblox characters—with The Met's masterpieces, introducing the art in a whole new way.

I turned my phone over to my daughter and let her lead the way on our hours-long quest to find all the artwork highlighted by this new app, and we emerged hours later filled with new knowledge and excitement to return again soon. Find out why this app is a cool new guide to one of our favorite museums in NYC to visit with kids, and get all our tips for the city's top culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for NYC Kids.

An all new Sesame Street Store has opened at Sesame Place in Langhorne and the good news is you don't need a ticket to the amusement park to check it out! The brand new store opened this October and allows guests to shop without paying the admission fee.

Want to know more about Sesame Place? Check out our guide to Visiting Sesame Place with Preschoolers. Don't stop there, we've got plent of amusement park fun in our Theme & Water Parks Guide.

One of my favorite parts of going out to eat as a kid was doing the word searches on the placemats. (Is that a thing everywhere? And can I have free games with my dinner as an adult, please?) Printable word games and word search puzzles can give today's kids that same thrill without heaving to leave home.

There are tons of free printable word search puzzles and word games that will keep your kids entertained and using their brains. Whether you’re looking for car games for a road trip or you just want something to do on a rainy afternoon, we’ve got you covered with the best word search printable puzzles for kids of all ages.

If you're itching for more word games or printable fun, check out our lists of free online word games for kids to play together, games like Wordle for kids, and 100 free printable activities for kids. Our Boredom Busters for Kids Guide also has lots of great activities to cure the doldrums.

Growing up in NJ's Monmouth County, I visited Allaire State Park frequently with my family as a child. Those day trips were filled with playground time, train rides, and old-fashioned candy purchased at the village’s general store. Now I take my own kids there, just like my parents took me.

Allaire is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway, close to the Jersey Shore, and bursting with outdoor fun like family-friendly hiking, bike riding, picnicking, and camping. But what sets this 3,000-acre New Jersey state park apart from other bucolic green spaces are its historic village and working steam train. Read on for the highlights.

Be sure to check out our post on great day trips to New Jersey state parks and more in our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey. 

Please note that the park's dinosaur sculpture exhibit has closed due to vandalism.

NYC's FREE art programs are one of the main reasons my family endures the challenges of raising kids in NYC. Whether your kids are into making theater, music, or fine art, there are myriad art programs in NYC that offer excellent training—and some are 100% FREE. Admittedly, these no-cost, audition-based performing and fine art programs are competitive, but they can be life-changing for talented, motivated kids and teens. Don't worry if your child doesn't get in the first time: Most of these organizations accept new participants annually, and sometimes it takes a few tries. As the mother of an art- and theater-loving daughter, I speak from experience!

Read on to find out how to apply to these FREE art programs in New York City. Deadlines for fall are coming up fast! You'll find more enriching programs for kids and teens, including our top picks for musical theater classes in NYC in our New York City Guide to Kids' Classes.

Spin, climb, and swing at Long Beach's newest accessible playground, Magnolia Park. Located right off the boardwalk, this convenient playground has lots to offer younger kids.

Read on to learn about the unique features of Magnolia Park, and be sure to check out our post on accessible playgrounds and much more in our Playground Guide to Long Island.