All parents want their children to learn to swim—it builds confidence, fitness, and helps keep kids safe. And kids love the water! But not everyone has the pool access or the funds for even group lessons at a private swim school (which can run over $30 per hour). The good news is that if you are willing to forego the bells and whistles of top-of-the-line facilities, there are many other options out there, at quality facilities. Many of these locations also offer affordable swim teams, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, and adult swim lessons, too. Consider how much better the whole family will feel around water—whether at the beach or the water park.

Every once in a while we parents get an opportunity to re-experience a treasured childhood memory with our own kids. If you grew up here in Southern California, odds are that you made it to a grunion run at least once when you were a child. If you're from elsewhere, chances are that you thought this was total urban folklore. Well, it's no myth; there really are SoCal fish that jump out of the ocean at midnight and slither up the beach when the moon is full. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro has been hosting grunion runs with a front row seat for this peculiar phenomenon since 1964. I remember cooking out on the beach with friends and family, bundled up and waiting for those squirmy silver fish to appear. The hot dogs were usually a bit burnt, and the sand was wet and cold, but it was a night of adventure and marine biology that I never forgot.

We were instant fans of the adventure playground on Governors Island when it debuted in 2016 and are pleased to report the free-play haven returns for a third season, opening its gates to the public on Saturday, May 5 under a new moniker: The Yard.

The Yard will be open for FREE play every weekend during Governors Island's public operating season. Governors Island officially opens on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 and its season runs through Halloween.

Parenting takes a village. Finding the right parent group can give you an instant support network to share the highs and lows of parenthood, especially if you’re new to the game and especially if you live in a busy, overwhelming urban area like New York City! Many parent groups host events and social gatherings, while some offer valuable seminars and discussions. Other groups serve as classifieds where you can swap and sell baby gear, and many offer a place to simply connect with like-minded people.

We've pulled together a sampling of some of the city’s best neighborhood and citywide groups for moms and dads. Fortunately, there are so many great ones that we had a hard time whittling down the list. Most are free or include low annual dues. Read on for more details, and be sure to check out our NYC Baby Guide for more ideas for exploring and enjoying NYC from pregnancy to preschool.

The answer is yes: Yes, it is worth paying a visit to the latest in LA's series of selfie-inspired "museums"—the recently opened Candytopia in Santa Monica Place. Yes, kids of all ages love this place, and yes, you'll feel like you got your money's worth.

Westchester has tons of classes for kids of all ages—and babies are no exception. Whether you’re interested in introducing your little one to yoga and gymnastics, or even have her start learning a foreign language, you’ll find something in our area. Here we’ve rounded up a few classes to try, for babies anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months old.

Looking for even more first-year fun? Read our round-up of Mommy & Me music classes—and be sure to check out our Event Calendar for daily events. 

Taking a road trip just to go on a sleepover probably isn’t something you’d think to do, but that’s about to change with the Smithsonian’s Sleepover Series. This summer, kids can experience an overnight adventure at one of three Smithsonian museums, each with its own adventure. Just a two hour drive from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. means you and your elementary- and middle school-aged children could solve a mystery, explore outer space, or sleep beneath a 50-foot whale.

April showers bring May flowers, and along with all the colorful blossoms come an array of springtime celebrations. The Hartford and New Haven areas are bursting with exciting outdoor family festivals in April, May, and June. These eleven events feature crafts, delicious treats, family-friendly activities, and boundless fun. So head outside with the children and enjoy all that spring in Central Connecticut has to offer.