Top 20 Events for Kids to Celebrate the Start of Atlanta Schools

Submitted by Melanie Preis on

Families sample tons of ice cream flavors, all for a great cause! Visitors to the 20th Annual Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin' are treated to locally churned ice cream flavors plus some fun giveaways. Photo by the author

Most Atlanta kids start school in early August...even if it does still feel like blistering summer. Transitioning from the carefree days of summer to scheduled routines can be tough for kids of all ages (don't get us started on the school bus pick-up time). Atlanta students deserve a pat on the back for making the responsible adjustment, especially since academic calendars in Atlanta start so early. We've got great ways to reward your students' return back to school!

14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC

Sonia Gonzalez's picture Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on

Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

New York City is unlike any other place in the world, but sometimes we still need a break and these family-friendly weekend getaways near NYC are a great excuse to skip town for a weekend with the family. You don't have to travel far to feel like you're a world away.

We've rounded up 14 of our favorite kid-friendly weekend getaways near NYC for families—all are within 3 hours of NYC. If you're looking for other comprehensive guides to weekend getaways near NYC, check out our definitive list of the Hudson Valley's top attractions, our exhaustive survey of family-friendly options in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, plus our list of New York State's top attractions for families.

33 Best Things To Do in Pasadena With Kids

Submitted by Martha Hall on

Experience the Arroyo Adventure at Kidspace Museum

If you're working your way down our bucket list of 100 things to do before your LA kids grow up, you might notice how many of those are fun things to do in Pasadena—and we're not just talking about the Rose Parade. The inland, foothill community rivals Santa Monica for family-friendly, walkable streets and a variety of arts and entertainment. It's also one of the oldest communities in the LA area, which gave it a head start on collecting cool stuff.

Let the tourists spend their days in Hollywood because there's more going on most weekends in Pasadena, a city so bursting with kid and family-friendly activities that we had a hard time picking the best of the best. 

35 Things to Do with Preschoolers in DC Before They Turn 5

Submitted by Christine Mooney on

The National Children's Museum has spaces and activities just for preschoolers. Photo by Jessica Caso Photography

Parents have just a few short years before their little ones head to kindergarten. Luckily, DC-area parents can really make the most of that time thanks to all the fun things to do with preschoolers in the area. From fantastic free museums to incredible destination playgrounds, there are so many ways to have fun with little ones.

Here are 35 things to do with preschoolers in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia before they turn 5. Have a blast checking these items off your list, then extend the fun with our list of 100 things to do in DC with kids before they grow up.

19 Best FREE Toddler Music Fun: Music Classes, Storytimes, and Singalongs

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on

Check out the listings below for FREE classes across Philly.

Toddler and baby story times and music classes offer invaluable enrichment for young children and their families. These engaging programs foster early literacy and musical skills, promote social interaction, and ignite creativity. By participating, families can build strong bonds and support their child's developmental growth in a fun and supportive environment. There are many free options throughout Philly and in the suburbs for families to enjoy.

Don’t miss out on these fantastic events—read on to find out more and add some rhythm, joy, and learning to your family’s routine. Looking for more preschool fun? Check out our Preschooler Activity Guide.

Robot Restaurants and Other Fun Automated Spots in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar! Photo by Maureen Wilkey

While 2024 doesn't look exactly like the future we watched play out on The Jetsons, one exception may be the robot restaurants popping up all over Chicago. We found a dozen restaurants (and one hotel) with robot servers delivering food or drinks, and some with robots helping in the back of the house. They were a great impetus to get our kids to try new foods with a little added fun!

For more restaurant fun in Chicago, check out these themed restaurants, the best restaurants with room for kids to play, and the best breweries and beer gardens for families in and near Chicago. 

How to Create the Perfect Backyard Movie Night: Best Outdoor Movie Projectors, Screens, and More

Submitted by Ally Noel on

Everything you need (at every price point) for a perfect backyard movie night! Photo courtesy of Canva

Whether you're planning a cozy gathering or an epic neighborhood event, backyard movie nights have become a fun tradition for many families. But you're going to need a few things, like outdoor movie projectors and outdoor movie screens. We researched how to transform your backyard into the ultimate entertainment space with any size budget.

Read on to learn about everything you need to know to set up the ultimate outdoor movie night, from choosing the right equipment at the right price point to setting the scene. 

Bring your event to the next level with our recipe for easy homemade pizza and these irresistible dessert boards, and don’t forget to pick a flick from one of our 75 favorite family movies! 

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