As a kid, I was convinced that I could count the things to do in Naperville on one hand.  I was either wrong or a lot has changed in the last several decades because now that I have kids, I feel like I'm frequently shuttling my kids out to fun activities near Nana and Papa's house.

Beautiful parks are plentiful throughout Westchester and Lower Hudson Valley—and while picnicking, hiking, and gorgeous views are great, what kids tend to care about most are the playgrounds.

These seven fun spots are a step above your average local playground and all are worth the drive. All boast imaginative play structures, shade, and other amenities that add up to a day of fun for the whole family, so start planning your trip now.

For even more outdoor activities, check out our Summer Activity Guide for Westchester Kids.

Summer day trips from Long Island highlight the vast riches of the area, with fabulous destinations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York City, and upstate New York within striking distance.

The dozens of options we've rounded up below will make a welcome change of scene when you get tired of the same parks, playgrounds, and pools in your neighborhood. 

To keep tabs on what's happening back on Long Island, meanwhile, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide.

The New Jersey amusement parks we profile below are perfect for the younger set, with gentle thrills and kid-friendly amusements. Some, like Storybook Land and Land of Make Believe, are geared exclusively toward toddlers and preschoolers, while others, like Morey's Piers and Jenkinson's Boardwalk, offer a solid selection of kiddie rides in addition to bigger thrills.

We've limited our list of amusement parks to those located in New Jersey—to search for more tot-friendly spots in surrounding areas, check out our list of best amusement parks for preschoolers near NYC.

When the weather is nice, there is no shortage of fun venues for outdoor kids' birthday parties in the DC area. Whether it's a fun park or playground, a hands-on zoo or animal park, a wet-and-wild water park, or a thrilling sports or activity center, there is a great outdoor birthday party spot for kids of all ages and interests.

Here are 15 great places for outdoor kids' birthday parties in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Check out our DC Kids' Birthday Party Places Guide for more great ideas for your child's special day, including our lists of the best parks and playgrounds for kids' birthday parties and fun indoor birthday party places for kids.

The struggle is real for us Valley moms: you want to do fun things with your kids in LA, but you don't want to crawl down the 405 (or 101, or 10... take your pick) in rush hour traffic all the way home. Enter Discovery Cube LA. Pasadena has Kidspace (and the Southern California Children's Museum), Santa Monica has The Cayton, Downtown LA has the California Science Center, and Irvine has Pretend City; we get Discovery Cube LA: San Fernando's finest children's museum. 

When I told my kids we were going for a visit, they shrieked in excitement. "I can't wait to do the hockey games!" my oldest exclaimed. "Can we go in the laser room?" my five-year-old asked. "Can I stand in the tornado?" My three-year-old begged. The Discovery Cube LA is so educational, entertaining, and engaging that I'm buying myself a season pass (no really, I am!).  

Want to find more amazing museums for your kids? Check out our best museums guide and take advantage of the free museum days at many of these spots. 

The heat and humidity of the Philadelphia area can sometimes be unbearable. What better way to beat the heat than cooling off with delicious ice cream? We have rounded up some sweet ice cream spots to visit throughout the summer months. From cone and cups to sundaes and milkshakes, everyone in the family can find a refreshing treat.

Now the big questions: Which flavor will you chose, and more importantly, will you order jimmies or sprinkles to top it off? Read on to discover some of our favorite places to get frozen delights. 

For other ways to stay cool, visit our posts on Best Swimming Lakes, Free Splash Pads, Spraygrounds, and Sprinklers, Best Free Swimming Pools, and Free Beaches in New Jersey.

Have you heard of these parks and other kid activities?