The Butterfly Pavilion Ushers in Spring at the Natural History Museum

I spy with my little eye something that can flutter by!

Everyone's all a-flutter at the Natural History Museum because the butterflies are back in town! The Natural History Museum is opening the Butterfly Pavilion on the museum’s South Lawn, offering delightful flutterby time on the same site where the creepier Spider Pavilion usually sets up in autumn. From chrysalis to butterfly, the Butterfly Pavilion is full of magical moments, which is why it rates as one of our 100 things to do with LA kids before they grow up.

Tickets are available beginning on March 5, and these lovely Painted Ladies and delicate Lacewings will be on display all summer long, so everyone will have a chance to see them!

Exploring the New Houston Family Play Tree House at Lincoln Park Zoo

The Houston Family Play Tree House at Lincoln Park Zoo. Photo by Lauren LaRoche

If you’re looking for a free outing in Chicago, the Lincoln Park Zoo is likely already high on your list. The new Houston Family Play Tree House has recently opened in the zoo, making it an even more fun place to explore with kids. Plus, the tree house is located indoors, making it a great stop even if the weather isn’t optimal for walking around the zoo.

This accessible play space is replacing the former Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo and has play features that appeal to children up to about the age of 10. For more fun with kids in Lincoln Park, be sure to check out our Lincoln Park neighborhood guide for some great places to check out with kids before or after your zoo trip.

New NYC Playgrounds We Can't Wait to Visit

Ravenswood Playground's renovations include a spectacular new play structure fit for royalty.

These newly remodeled NYC playgrounds are ready for their close up. The changing of seasons has us anticipating the arrival of spring and sunny afternoons to enjoy these new romping spots. Located in parks from Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, the NYC Parks Department has been on a tear remodeling and rebuilding NYC playgrounds.

So, if you've already visited all of these NYC playgrounds worthy of a subway schlep, we've got you covered with some newly opened or renovated playgrounds in NYC for you and the kids to enjoy. From tot lots to expansive climbing structures and top-notch sandboxes, here are six new NYC playgrounds we can't wait to romp in. Find more places to play outdoors in our Guide to NYC Playgrounds.

25 Top Indoor Birthday Party Places in San Francisco for Kids

​A birthday in an environment the kids will never forget. Photo courtesy of the California Academy of Arts and Sciences

There are so many indoor birthday party places in San Francisco that it will be hard to choose just one. Luckily, kids will have years and years of birthdays in the future, with no shortage of exciting indoor party places in San Francisco to hold those memorable birthday parties. 

A wide range of indoor birthday party spots for all interests and energy levels makes it easy to plan an indoor birthday party in San Francisco and the Bay Area, especially if the weather isn't ideal. From places that let kids learn about animals, science, arts, and interactive activities like inflatables, LEGO, and bowling, there are indoor birthday places for all interests and all ages. We rounded up our favorite indoor birthday party places in San Francisco that pretty much do all the party planning for you while making your kiddo's milestone a special one. These birthday party places might have walls, but they'll still be the life of the party. 

Want more indoor fun? We love these indoor playgrounds when the kids need to release some energy, and these cooking classes for little foodies. Our at-home guide also has tons of engaging activities to try inside the house. 

Portland with Kids: 50 Best Things To Do in Portland, OR

Enjoy the view of Mt. Hood from Pittock Mansion. Photo by Jamie Francis/Travel Portland

Portland, Oregon (say Or-i-gun to sound like a local) is a city of raindrops and roses. It's a funky, weird, totally unique charmer of a town, packed with surprising things to do that delight kids and the kid in all of us.

Sure, it'll rain when you're visiting, unless you happen to visit Portland in the summer when the sun shines until 10pm. But who cares about a little rain, when you can duck into Powell's City of Books, spend a day at OMSI, take a misty hike up Mount Tabor, and indulge in the best our country has to offer in the way of coffee, bread, pizza—and for parents, microbrews.

Read on to discover what to do, rain or shine, in Portland, OR. Just don't forget to bring a raincoat. While you're exploring the great PNW, take a trip up to Seattle and see everything from the Space Needle to the Seahawks. Or discover some gorgeous West Coast beach camping sites to get back to nature.

Visiting the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Visiting Bunker Hill Monument in Boston is a wonderful, free activity to do with kids! Bunker Hill photo courtesy of The Freedom Trail Facebook page

Rising 221 feet above the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston, Bunker Hill Monument has been a feature of the city skyline since 1843. The monument commemorates a single day's fighting in the American Revolution. The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775. The British won the battle. But the Americans showed that a rag-tag group of farmers and merchants could hang in against a global superpower. Their bravery went a long way to convince many colonists that they could win their independence.

Best Breakfast in NYC: Top Family-Friendly Restaurants

Sweetleaf's Rocketfuel is magic for parents, while its Belgian waffles make a mean breakfast in NYC treat for kids.

When it comes to breakfast in NYC, it's hard to beat these 10 family-friendly restaurants. Each of these eateries strikes the right balance of delicious breakfast foods and kid-friendly perks.

Whether you're on the hunt for a doughnut in Brooklyn, a biscuit in Harlem, or classic diner fare in Queens—we've found the perfect breakfast in NYC for you. Find more picks for kid-friendly eats all day long in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

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