NOTE: California public schools are performing distance learning due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Whether they will open again or resort to summer school is up in the air. Below is the 2019-2002 LAUSD school calendar. Or click if you are looking for the 2020-2021 LAUSD school calendars.

Summer vacation ain't what it used to be. The majority of SoCal school districts now opt for an August start date, with vanishingly few stragglers sticking with the old-school, post-Labor Day start. And beware assuming that school starts and finishes roughly when it did last year, because schedules seem to change all the time. 2020 is a leap year, and that extra day may impact the school calendar as well.

This year Alhambra is first out of the gate, leading the back-to-school race with a pool-party-pooper start date of August 9; but in a radical change of course, Torrance goes from last man standing to a late August start. Hermosa Beach is now the only district on our list with a September start date, with classes beginning on September 5. 

Wondering where your district fits in, and how much time you have left for these 50 Free Things To Do in Summer? Bookmark our list below with start and finish dates for the 2019-2020 school year all over LA County. And if what you read makes you wonder about what other school options are available to you, maybe our school guide can help.

May is a great month for Houston kids because school is basically over and summer is basically here. It's also great because one of Texas' best seasons officially beings: Water park season. And there are plenty of options in and near the city, from the new Hurricane Harbor (formerly SplashTown) to Schlitterbahn.

This month you can party with the family for Cinco de Mayo (and grab a margarita or three afterward), head to Galveston and swim at one of our favorite beaches. t's also a great time of the year to visit your local farmers' market for some fresh produce and handmade goods.

If you haven't had time to make summer camp plans for your kids yet, let us help you out. Our guide has ideas for outdoor camps, science-themed camps, art camps, overnight camps, and even free camps. Read on for more family fun this month.

Although we have a ton of ideas for kids' birthday parties for every budget in New York City, celebrations in Manhattan or Brooklyn typically cost more than they do in other boroughs, especially when compared to Staten Island. You might not already know it unless you live on Staten Island, but this borough offers a ton of great, affordable birthday party options—ice skating, roller skating, bowling, museums, park and zoo parties, and even a few surprises.

If you're not a Staten Island resident, getting to the island for a party may take a little more effort and planning to schlep a group of kids on the ferry (which will probably be totally cool to them, by the way) or by car, but with the cash you'll save, it just might be worth it. And if you do live on Staten Island, read on for a few ideas to bookmark for your next birthday party.

While moms should be honored every day, they all deserve to be extra spoiled on Mother's Day. And it just so happens, there are a few places on Long Island offering FREE items and/or admission to moms on this special day. Some even extend the courtesy all weekend, from Saturday, May 11 to Sunday, May 12. 

If you're looking to treat mom to a Mother's Day brunch, check out our roundup of select local restaurants, complete with kid-friendly menus.  Of course, if the outdoors is more mom's thing, check out our roundup of spring fairs and festivals. Either way, pamper mom on her special day. 

Delaware County, often referred to as Delco, may be on the small side, but it is one of the most populous counties in the state as many families of young children are opting to live or move to Delco for the beautiful parks and trails. And with this abundance of young families and parks comes loads of fun playgrounds to choose from. A great bonus is many of these playgrounds are ideal for families with multiple children, supporting various ages and stages. While there are a ton to choose from, a few are real standouts and worth the trip even if you don't live in the area—here are our top 10 picks!

We just got word that Annenberg PetSpace's new summer camp is already full for the season—that didn't take long! But even if you missed it, there are still a whole bunch of wonderful reasons to bring kids to explore this unique, critter-focused community space, many of which are free. The center has educational programs and play opportunities that include story hours, classes, scavenger hunts, birthday parties, and more—all created to strengthen the bond between pets and people. If you thought Annenberg PetSpace was just an adoption center, get ready to take a closer look.

Chicago families are lucky to have a world-class parks system with hundreds of great playgrounds. Thanks to a city initiative, over 300 playgrounds in Chicago have been refurbished or newly built since 2013, with the goal of ensuring that every Chicago kid has a place to play within a ten-minute walk of home.

But even in a city packed with great parks, some Chicago playgrounds are a cut above the rest. The spots on our best-of list have plenty of space to climb, slide, swing, and play, while also offering something special or unique that makes them worth the trip. Check out our Chicago playground hall of fame, and get out to play at a new-to-you park this weekend.

For more playgrounds in Chicago fun, we’ve also included some incredible destination playgrounds in the Chicago suburbs.

We all work so hard to teach our children to be kind and inclusive to one other, so why not play somewhere that celebrates many different kinds of ability? A growing number of playgrounds are working to create play structures and activities that are accessible to all kids of all physical capabilities, including Boston's newest playground Martin's Park set to open this June. From ramps to swings to sensory play areas, these 11 playgrounds are designed to make sure all kids have a blast playing outside. And if you're looking for even more outdoor fun, consider a day trip to these brain-boosting playgrounds or hop in the car for a new adventure and visit one of these drive-worthy spots.