Heading to the beach is one of the most relaxing and carefree ways to enjoy a family trip. If you live in or visit Houston, you won't be far from the beaches down in Galveston. But, that's not the only place to enjoy the best beaches in Texas and family-friendly activities on a summer vacation. The many seaside havens on the Texas coast each offer unique experiences, but they all have amazing beaches where kids can run wild and build sandcastles to their heart's content while you relax and soak in the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

Whether you stay at a family-friendly campsite, a beach-side hotel, or a rented beach house, you can be sure that your family will enjoy plenty of fun in the sun when you head to one of these 10 best beaches in Texas for families. From north to south, the Gulf Coast of Texas has something to offer everyone. For more water fun in Texas, check out our guide to beaches, lakes, pools, and water playgrounds near Houston.

Families living in the DC area are fortunate to have so many things to do at our fingertips—free world-class museums, amazing destination playgrounds, loads of delicious restaurants, you name it. But when the ocean beckons, we have to drive 2.5 hours or more to find family-friendly beaches near DC. So what's a parent to do when the kids are begging to build sandcastles and splash in the water and you don't have the time or energy for a weekend trip? Just head to one of several parks with beaches near DC.

Most of these parks with beaches near DC charge a small per-person or per-vehicle fee to enter in the summer, and their sandy beach areas are located on rivers or lakes rather than the ocean. Also, some of them don't allow swimming, only wading. Still, families can bask in the sunshine, feel the sand between their toes, and pretend they hear waves crashing ashore.

Here are 10 parks with beaches near DC for family fun by the water. Go early on weekends to avoid the crowds, and don't forget the sunscreen!

My very favorite memories of summer fun include walking the beaches in Connecticut and gathering up every glittering shard of beach glass and shell while exploring the coast. I could spend hours mining through rocks and sand, collecting all of the little treasures left behind by the tides. Fortunately, we can enjoy the unique ecosystem of the Long Island Sound on many of our Connecticut Beaches. Each of the beaches on this list offers the perfect setting for your budding marine life expert. Make sure you check out the tide charts before you hit the road. 

For more ways to teach kids how to protect and connect with our natural environment, check out our Earth Kids Guide. For more stories like this sent straight to your inbox, sign up for newsletters.

Drive-in movie theaters are a blast from the past; a nostalgic reminder of days gone by. All of the drive-in movie theaters in Georgia are historical and have been around since the 1960s, some even as far back as the '40s! But don't let the age fool you —these drive-in theaters are well maintained, have modern movie screens, and show first-run movies. Bonus? The drive-in movie theater offers yummy concessions, often more elaborate than your run-of-the-mill, modern indoor movie theaters. We've gathered the drive-in movie theaters in Georgia for your next family adventure.

Can't make it to one of these drive-in theaters? Check out our tips below for throwing your own outdoor movie party! Creating a neighborhood or backyard outdoor movie night is a great way to enjoy the thrill of outdoor movie watching with the comfort of home!