Catch a Long Island Ducks Game with the Kids: What Makes this Ballpark a Winner for Families

QuackerJack brings tons of fun and entertainment to the crowd at a Long Island Ducks game.

A Long Island Ducks baseball game is a home run experience for the whole family. The minor league Long Island Ducks play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, where my kids were thrilled to attend their first-ever baseball game. 

The Ducks game delivers a memorable day or night of baseball magic and interactive activities for the little ones. Parents love the family time and stadium pricing that won't break the bank. 

Read on for all the family-friendly Long Island Ducks game details to plan an outing, which earns a spot on our list of Long Island’s top attractions to visit with kids.

Best Swimming Pools with Day Passes in New Jersey

Visit Crystal Springs Family Water Resort and spend the day swimming and splashing. Photo courtesy of the resort

Swimming pools in NJ with day passes for families and kids can be found at clubs throughout the state. These facilities allow guests to spend the day swimming without membership or residency.

Many pool clubs also feature splash pads, kiddie pools, water slides, and playgrounds, making a day at the pool one of our favorite summer activities for kids.

Read on for the top NJ swimming pools that offer day passes. You can find plenty more ideas for seasonal fun in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Best Nashville Hotels and Resorts for Families

Nshville Gaylord Familes can enjoy the Groovin' Lagoon at Soundwaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Photo by Tammy Henry for the resort

Nashville, Tennessee, otherwise known as Music City, is the home of country music and Taylor Swift. It is also full of kid-friendly activities like interesting museums, outdoor adventures, great shopping and dining, and—of course—plenty of live music.

Read on for our list of the best Nashville hotels and resorts for families. Whether you are looking for a hotel with a water park, free breakfast, spacious suites, or a location in the heart of the action, we’ve got you covered with these great Nashville hotels.

Be sure to also check out our list of the 60 best things to do in Nashville, TN with kids. And, our Southern States Vacation Guide includes even more fun cities to visit in the South.

Guide to the Best Free Summer Sports Programs in NYC for Kids

Participants in the CityParks Track & Field program can compete in local races or citywide events. Photo by Durst Breneiser/courtesy of the CityParks Foundation

The huge number of free summer sports and outdoor programs in NYC means children can enjoy a summer filled with sports and fresh air while living in the concrete jungle. New York City offers many free summer sports opportunities for kids to learn team sports and try swimming, tennis, golf, basketball, fishing, kayaking, camping, and more.

Of course, registering for these free summer sports programs takes a little legwork and (since many are first come, first served) punctuality. We've got the scoop on free summer sports in NYC and how your kids can vie for spots. You can find more no-cost activities in our Free in NYC Guide, or check out these free and inexpensive summer camp options around NYC.

Prospect Park Zoo Reopening Brings Wild Excitement to Beloved Brooklyn Spot

Greet the baboons, see the sea lions, and enjoy all the fun at the beloved Prospect Park Zoo, which reopened to guests after an 8-month closure.

Good news for Brooklyn families: The Prospect Park Zoo is open for the first time in eight months, and it’s hard to tell who’s more excited—the visitors or the animals.

From the baboon habitat to the emu enclosure, furry and feathered faces spent Memorial Day weekend peeking out at guests for the first time since September 29, 2023, when severe flooding left the beloved zoo—one of our favorite zoos in NYC—underwater, wiping out its electrical systems. No animals were harmed, but the zoo was closed to visitors while repairs were made.

My daughter and I joined the caravan of strollers rolling toward the entrance upon its reopening last weekend. Here's what you can expect during your next visit to the Prospect Park Zoo.

25 Brain-Boosting Baby Games and Activities

Black-and-white toys and books, like this Thremhoo foldout book, are the perfect first tummy-time playthings.

While you probably know that playing with your baby is an important way to boost their brain development, it's important to note that not all baby games are created equal. Certain activities, toys, books, and baby games do a better job than others of stimulating tiny brains, getting babies' creative juices flowing, and developing both fine and gross motor skills.

Here are 25 baby games that will keep little ones engaged and learning during tummy time, while sitting in their high chairs, or whenever you want to have some fun and give their growing brains a boost. See our Baby and Maternity Guide for all other things baby-related, from the best baby registry services to the best first birthday gifts.

MoMi Expands Access with Free Entry to New Public Plaza and Programming

Kids are drawn to the tech-filled installations in the Open Worlds exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image.

The Museum of the Moving Image has just debuted Open Worlds, a new initiative to expand access to the Queens culture spot that delivers on its promise of opening up a new world for museum patrons to relax and enjoy this local gem.

We recently checked it out and are sharing the details of our visit below. Find more cultural gems in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

55 Awesome Free Things To Do in DC This Summer With Kids

Cool off at one of the area's many great splash pads this summer. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Parks

School's almost out, summer is unofficially here, and we're on a mission to keep kids busy and having fun all summer long without breaking the bank. Luckily, there are tons of free things to do in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia this summer with kids, from free outdoor movies to free swimming pools.

Here is a list of 55 free activities for kids and families in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. How many of these free things to do in DC can your family fit in before school starts again? And don't forget: we are constantly updating our event calendar, so keep checking back for more free things to do in DC this summer with kids.

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