Jersey City's RPM Raceway Expands with World's Longest Go-Kart Track

Get into the action at Jersey City's RPM Raceway, which has just debuted the world's longest indoor go-karting track.

The world's longest indoor electric go-karting track has opened at RPM Raceway Jersey City, just outside of NYC, so if you've got daring kids who feel a need for speed, this indoor go-karting track is a must-visit. Dubbed the RPM Raceway MegaTrack, this new experience is the fruition of a six-month, multi-million dollar renovation project.

To get a taste of the action, I recruited my teen and his best friend to be my test drivers. More laps than I could count later—and plenty of playful trash-talking—it was clear this visit to RPM Raceway Jersey City would not be our last. Read on for all the details on our visit to RPM Raceway Jersey City, its MegaTrack, and the rest of the attractions at this action-packed indoor fun spot, which is close enough to NYC to make for an easy day trip, too.

We've got more top picks for teen-friendly fun in our New Jersey Tweens and Teens Guide.

Climate Change: How One Kid (You) Can Take Action

Just one kid composting can save 400 pounds of food waste a year. So yes, one kid can make a difference! Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Climate change is an overwhelming problem, but kids of any age can be part of the solution. For kids who are growing up hearing doomsday headlines almost every day, climate change can feel too big to tackle. However, one of the best ways to tackle climate anxiety is to take charge of what you can control. Even one kid can make a big difference when it comes to climate change.

Here are the best things to do to make a difference for the planet at any age, from reducing individual (and family) carbon footprints to becoming a youth activist. Then, read about more climate-saving actions you can take in our Earth Kids Guide and sign up for our Earth Kids newsletter for more ideas and activities every month.

Free Things To Do for Winter Break in NYC

Join Prospect Park Alliance for school recess programs daily from Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24. Photo courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance

February's Winter Break always seems to sneak up on me. We're barely into a post-holiday groove, and yet again, we've got a full week off from school to fill. While we've already rounded up 25 fun-filled Winter Break activities for the week, many of them come with a high price tag. To give your budget a bit of relief, we've got 25 free things to do during February's Winter Break Visit our Free in NYC Guide for more money-saving options for school break or any day you need to entertain your kids on the cheap.

NYC Puppet Shows, Workshops, and Festivals for Kids

The charming Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre presents reimagine classics with the old-school art of marionette puppet shows. Photo courtesy of the City Parks Foundation

These puppet shows in NYC are the perfect first-time theater experience. Even if your kids can't sit still for more than five minutes, chances are they'll make it through a puppet show. The colorful characters are captivating, the stories are often adaptations of familiar fairy tales, the tickets are FREE or cheap (and certainly a lot less than nabbing seats for our favorite Broadway shows). Puppet shows are also short, and if your kids make silly faces at the stage, the puppets won't get offended (and neither will the puppeteers—they get it).

While the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park is the best-known destination for children's puppet shows in New York City, there are many other companies regularly mounting puppet shows for families, and a few offer birthday party packages.

A few other NYC theaters, notably the New Victory, also present puppet shows, like the upcoming Baobab and Wink. DR2 Theatre is also hosting a return engagement of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. Be sure to check our Event Calendar for even more puppet fun, including a variety of interactive Puppetsburg puppet show productions.

LEGO, American Girl, and CAMP Stores Make Westfield Century City Best LA Mall for Kids

 Climb the outdoor web-like play structure at Westfield Century City. Photo courtesy of Luckey Climbers.

The Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles is hands down the best mall in LA for kids. And it only keeps getting better with recent additions like the American Girl Store and The LEGO Store. 

This attractive outdoor shopping mall and celebrity hot spot (we’re looking at you, J-Lo, and J-Law) make it feel like you arrived at a luxury vacation spot in the middle of the city. From swanky family lounges to interactive stores, special holiday events, a movie theater, and even an escape room, it’s easy to spend several hours discovering all the family-friendly pockets. We’re here to help guide you through the hidden spots, like the pirate ship in the play space, amid the cacti feng shui. 

Shop beyond the mall at the best baby stores and black-owned businesses, and browse our restaurant guide for Los Angeles and Orange County families for other favorite spots to dine with kids (besides Eataly and other favorite noshes at the Westfield Century City mall!).

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in San Francisco

Kids can explore all that San Francisco has to offer this summer. City Kids Camp photo courtesy of San Francisco City Impact

Summer camps in San Francisco will be taking place before you know it. That means it's already time for planning and registrations, and those summer camp registrations usually begin in February. It's no secret that summer camps can be costly, especially if you have more than one kiddo, but luckily there are some fantastic free and affordable summer camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Trust us when we say you'll be glad to have something booked for the kids to keep them busy and active. 

There are options galore for free and affordable summer camps in San Francisco that include sports camps, coding camps, nature camps, STEM camps, and so many more camps to select. These free and affordable summer camp options will let curious minds wander and create summer camp memories that kids will fondly look back on. We’ve rounded up the best free and cheap summer camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area. 

Cost-savvy parents will also love free museum days, and if the little ones are too young to start camp, take them to a baby and toddler class. If you're full steam ahead on summer planning, check out our summer activities guide for San Francisco Bay Area kids

Best Breakfasts in Houston for Kids and Families

Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze

Looking for restaurants serving breakfast in Houston? Check out one of these kid-friendly breakfast restaurants for when the kids are up early.

Where is the best place to take kids for breakfast in Houston? Whether you prefer eggs and bacon, breakfast tacos, pancakes, migas, donuts, or masala eggs, we've got the answer for you. All parents know that eating out with kids can be challenging, especially in the evening when they're tired. So why not take your kids out first thing in the morning and enjoy delicious food when they are at their best? Then they're fueled and ready for a busy day. We've picked independent and chain restaurants that we know will welcome you and your kids to fill up on breakfast treats. If your kids have woken you up early, these restaurants are open early to serve you breakfast, and some have an online waitlist, so you don't need to stand in line with hungry kids!

Don't worry if you miss your early morning dining. Some choices serve all-day breakfast, or you can check out our full restaurant guide for more ideas on family-friendly restaurants in Houston

Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center

There are so many museums in Chicago! Here are our favorite museums for kids in Chicago.

Chicago has a lot to offer for kids: great food, the tallest building in the U.S., trains, and the lakefront. But one of its biggest draws is its wealth of amazing museums. Sure, the half dozen children's museums in the city and suburbs are a huge draw, but there are at least as many museums that appeal to the whole family. Learn about anything from science to history to art to writers in museums in downtown Chicago, in the neighborhoods, or in the suburbs. For the record, we had a tough time narrowing this article down to our favorite dozen, so click through the links to see some additional favorites at the end of the article, or check out our Chicago Museum Guide.

Of course many of these museums have their own free days, and many of them have fun events geared toward families and listed on our calendar. But whether you're going for a specific event or just to have fun, you should have a great time at any of these fantastic (and educational) museums for kids and families.

Pssst...you can save on some of these museums and other top attractions in Chicago with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass.

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