The best beaches in San Francisco are sure to be a popular summertime tradition for families in the Bay Area and visitors alike to play in the sand and splash in the surf. 

From sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean to calm bay waters, lagoons, and lakes, the best shorelines near San Francisco are all within a one-hour drive from the city, and many are accessible via public transportation. Don't forget the snacks for scenic sand-lined picnics on the coast, beach towels, sunscreen, and a few extra clothing layers for that chilly Bay Area breeze. Jump in to discover the best beaches in San Francisco to build magical summer memories. 

There are so many fun and free things to do during a San Francisco summer, from urban hikes in San Francisco, and free outdoor movies in the Bay Area. Find more seasonal splendor in our Ultimate San Francisco Summer Kids Summer Vacation Guide.  

Treat yourself (and your kids) to LA's best ice cream. There are tons of places to choose a scoop! Like Hollywood stars, some ice cream shops are more famous than others, and Angelenos have strong opinions on which boulevards and freeways to cross for that perfect ice cream cone.  

Connoisseurs of the creamery have been slinging LA's best ice cream and frozen treats all over the county (and into Orange County, too), from classic scoops to creative flavors to the swirliest, smoothest soft serve and refreshing paletas. With a world-class restaurant scene, and beautiful weather year-round, you don't have to save ice cream for those special occasions like birthdays, road trips, after sports games, or even summer, for that matter. But what's a better ending to a summer evening than an ice cream cone? 

If sweet treats are on the mind, don't miss out on the most insane, over-the-top LA desserts, the coolest spots for fro-yo, and even more for sweet tooth cravings in our Restaurants Guide for Los Angeles and Orange County Families. 

Orlando is located in the central part of Florida, allowing residents and tourists to experience summer day trips throughout many parts of the state, all within a few hours' drive. We've rounded up our favorite summer day trips from Orlando, all within a drive of three hours or less. From theme parks and zoos to state parks and beaches, these Orlando day trips are all just a hop, skip, and jump away. Bonus: Check out these cool car games to occupy the kids during the car ride, and these road trip essentials to stay organized and comfortable!

State parks near Chicago offer the perfect family summer road trip. These state parks in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana are all under a 3-hour drive from downtown. There are campsites available for both tents and RVs. There are multiple trail options for hiking, beaches for swimming, and fun places for kids to fish, picnic, and kayak. The Illinois State Parks all offer free admission. 

Summer is a great time to make a weekend out of hiking and swimming and everything else that state parks near Chicago have to offer. For more summer fun check out our picks for the Best Stroller Hikes, Hikes for Kids, and the 10 Campgrounds for Tent Camping near Chicago with Kids.

Freeport, Texas is located only an hour south of downtown Houston, making it the perfect day or weekend trip for Houston families. With nearly 30 miles of coastline, Freeport is most famous for its nearby beaches, including Surfside Beach, Bryan Beach, and Quintana Beach County Park. On a smaller scale than Houston's closest beach city, Galveston, the over-100-year-old Freeport has a range of cute family-friendly attractions in the city or close at hand. If your family enjoys hiking and spotting wildlife, they can experience natural beauty at the vast Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, east of Freeport.

Freeport is on the banks of the Brazos River, and the city and surrounding area are home to several affordable hotels and restaurants. So, if you want a fun trip to the coast, check out our recommendations for what to do, where to stay, and where to eat in Freeport!

For more ideas on summer activities, check out our Summer Fun Guide for Houston families and our Beaches and Lakes Guide.

If you love the idea of camping with kids—but not the idea of sleeping on the ground in a flimsy tent—then glamping just may be the answer.

Glamping is an elevated form of camping that gives families a true nature retreat with more luxurious accommodations—think glamping tents and cabins with beds, bathrooms, kitchenettes, electricity, and other amenities. It's like combining the rustic feel of camping with the comforts of a hotel, and it's a fantastic way to make family memories in the great outdoors.

Read on for 17 of the best glamping spots in the US for families. Then check out our Camping Travel Guide for more places to go camping with kids, from East Coast beach camping sites to RV campgrounds.

When it comes to summer weekend getaways, there's nothing better than a beach town. There are lots of great family beach towns for tri-state area families to visit. From the many beach towns along the Jersey Shore to picturesque beach towns on Long Island and cute Connecticut spots, these beachy weekend getaways are all easy to visit from Midtown Manhattan, and a few are even reachable by public transportation.

Once there, you’ll find kid-friendly beaches, of course, as well as lots of options for fun—from family-friendly restaurants and amusement park rides to mini golf, ice cream shops, and quaint downtowns to stroll. And, while we’ve compiled this list of beach town getaways with weekends in mind, you can opt for a day trip or even extend your getaway to a week or more.

Looking for more summer travel ideas? Bookmark our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways and our Ultimate Kids Summer Vacation Guide for all our top picks.

Bring some snap, crackle, and fizz to your 4th of July festivities—without the fire hazard—by making colorful, homemade fizzy chalk fireworks. This STEM activity adds some sizzle to your summertime sidewalk chalk using just a few basic ingredients: baking soda, cornstarch, food coloring, and vinegar. And if being festive and educational isn’t enough, note that this project kept my kids busy for a solid 45 minutes. So occupy the littles while you fire up the barbecue and watch them delight in their bubbly explosions that are fit for the 4th.

For more science fun, check out our 64 favorite science experiments for kids or these super simple science activities for preschoolers. All this and more can be found in our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids.