Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air

Extreme sports are a perfect way to keep up with extremely energetic kids. Wear them out by trying some high-octane fun and giving them a completely new experience! As an added bonus, extreme sports like go karts, archery, and even axe-throwing can be fun for the entire family! 

Looking for more extreme fun? Check out our list of Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Philly for Kids. For additional high-energy fun, visit our Play Gyms and Sports Centers Guide.

Visiting the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers: Top Exhibits and Things To See with Kids

Explore the life-size sculpture "The Bookstore" at the Hudson River Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

As a longtime Yonkers resident, my family and I have visited the Hudson River Museum and Planetarium on several occasions, and each time we go we discover something new. 

Situated on the banks of the Hudson River, with a spectacular view of the Palisades beyond, the Hudson River Museum and Planetarium has been a cultural institution in Yonkers since its founding in 1919. Its galleries and exhibits offer something of interest for everyone in the family.

If you and your family enjoy visiting local museums, check out our rundown of free museums and museum days in the area and more in our Museum Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids on Long Island

Zip through the air at WildPlay at Jones Beach. Courtesy WildPlay

Extreme sports aficionados on Long Island don't have to go far to get their adventure on, because both Suffolk and Nassau counties offer plenty of businesses catering to thrill-seeking kids.  

Want to go for a spin? Long Island go-kart tracks put kids in the driver’s seat, while ropes courses and axe-throwing venues provide an enduring adrenaline rush. However your child prefers to get his or her adventure fix, you'll probably find it on Long Island. So ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. 

In the meantime, check out our Long Island Guide to Play Spaces and Fun Zones. If your kids prefer to pedal, our guide to Long Island biking trails offers great rides in Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End.

The Barbie Movie: Should You Bring Your Kids?

Barbie is the hit of the summer, but is this toy movie for kids? Photo courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures

The Barbie Movie is taking the world by storm, but the question on the mind of many parents remains-- can I take my kids to see it? The iconic toy is loved by kids and adults alike, but whether or not your kids will actually enjoy the movie sort of depends on a couple of things. So, should you take your kids, or should you call the babysitter?

We talked to a bunch of parents of kids of various ages to get their take on the hottest movie of summer! Read on to see what they're saying.

And if you're looking for a great movie for family viewing at home, check out our Guide to the Best Movies and TV Shows for Kids and the Whole Family.

57 Alternative Activities to Screen Time

Playdough, homemade or store-bought, provides hours of creative play. Photo by Jennifer Murray via Pexels

Can you accurately add up your kids’ daily screen time? With texting friends, social media, video games, and streaming services, it’s almost impossible to track. But all parents can agree that screen time can get out of hand! While it's tempting to let our kids stay glued to these devices, finding alternative activities for kids that are fun and engaging things to do is essential for their development.

Thinking outside the box is the best way to reduce daily screen time for your kids, without them complaining. Need some inspiration? We’ve rounded up our 57 tried-and-true activities for kids, games & crafts, and family fun that will keep kids entertained, happy, and screen-free!

For more ways to cure the boredom blues, check out our list of 100 Things To Do When Kids Are Bored - it’s in our aptly named Boredom Buster Guide that’s packed with games, activities, crafts, and more.

Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach Reopens After a Four Year Hiatus

Slide into muddy fun at Adventure Playground!

Adventure Playground will have you reminiscing and nostalgic for summer camp. This hidden outdoor recreational experience in the center of a Huntington Beach park is like nothing else. Kids will get to channel Tom Sawyer as they float in tubes and slide into muddy waters. If your kids are anything like mine, they'll have their best day ever at Adventure Playground. 

After a long-time closure through the pandemic, Adventure Playground reopened in 2023. It's as wholesome as the Andy Griffith Show, with a mudslide, innertubes, a rope bridge, and tree forts packed with larger-than-life LEGO bricks. Read on for all the details on where to go, how to get there, and what to expect. 

For more adventure, there's the Adventure Playground in Irvine, or you can discover the best playgrounds in Los Angeles and explore more places to climb and slides to conquer in our Guide to the Best Parks and Playgrounds of Los Angeles & OC.  

We Tried Out the $11,000 Massage Chair and You Can Too

Take a luxury massage chair for a spin at OSIM's first East Coast Store at Roosevelt Field Mall.

When I heard the first ever East Coast OSIM Experience Store was opening on Long Island, I couldn’t have volunteered myself any faster to try out the brand’s totally innovative massage chairs and gadgets.

With my husband along for the ride, we headed to OSIM’s beautiful new storefront in Roosevelt Field Mall, where we were able to test drive their newest, luxurious offering, the OSIM uLove 3 Well-Being Massage Chair–pun intended, as this top-of-the-line chair was actually designed in Italy by the same geniuses behind Ferrari!

What was it like to take a spin in this innovative, app-controlled, AI-powered, deluxe massage chair? Get the downlow on the uLove 3 or head over to Roosevelt Field Mall to get a free stress analysis and try it out yourself!

AMNH and More Places to Get Scientific in NYC

Kids can get up close to live insects at AMNH's new Gilder Center. Photo by Drew Kristofik

Sure the American Museum of Natural History is the most well-known science museum in NYC, but curious city kids have so many options, with loads of STEM-inspired spots and science museums in New York that encourage kid-focused scientific exploration and creation. From the American Museum of Natural History to the New York Hall of Science, local maker spaces, brain-boosting playgrounds, STEM-focused camps, and quirky, curiosity-inducing off-beat stores, there are tons of spots for kids to get scientific in New York City. We've rounded up 13 of the best below.

Find more great geeky ideas in our STEM Guide and more cool museums to explore in our Guide to NYC Museums.

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