Looking for ways to beat the heat on Long Island? Here are 26 awesome things to do during a heat wave.

Deep summer usually brings high temps and plenty of humidity, leaving Long Island families scrambling to find ways to cool off. Whether you want to bask in the sunshine or chill in central AC, there are plenty of options in both Nassau and Suffolk counties to help you beat the heat—and all are guaranteed fun for every age. After all, you want to enjoy every bit of summer before school begins. 

Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar. 

If you're suffering from hot-weather burnout, don't sweat it: New Jersey has tons of things to do to help the whole family chill out when the temperatures soar. From beaches on the Jersey Shore and splash pads in parks throughout the state to blissfully air-conditioned bowling alleys and cool arcades, we've got the best ways to beat the heat during the hottest days of the year.

Check out even more refreshing activities in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide–and stay cool, NJ!

As summer weather sizzles, we're searching for the best things to do to beat the heat in New York City. There's no denying the heat and humidity can get under the skin of even the most tropical-weather-loving New Yorker. To beat the heat, my kids (and my inner child) insist any outing includes water, industrial-strength air conditioning, or a visit to a local ice cream parlor.

While we enjoy hitting NYC's FREE public pools and running around the sprinklers (oh yes, I get in there, too), lately, we've been longing for more diverse destinations. That inspired us to round up 50 ways to beat the heat in New York City this summer.

Water safety and swimming are critical skills, which is exactly why British Swim School uses a gentle survival-first approach to effectively teach kids and infants from 3 months and up how to swim.

Between busy school schedules and jam-packed weekends, I recently found myself staring down another summer with a 4-year-old and 7-year-old who still hadn’t learned the first thing about swimming. So, when I heard my kids had an opportunity to take a couple of lessons with British Swim School, I jumped at the chance to enroll them at a nearby pool.

The best all-inclusive resorts for families feature more than just great food, fun activities, and beautiful beaches. They also have amazing kids clubs, where parents can drop kids off for supervised fun while they relax by the pool or hit the spa.

But not all kids clubs are created equal. While some have basic toys and games, others offer a full program of arts and crafts, sports, themed parties, and more, as well as cool spaces with playgrounds, video game hubs, and even water parks.

Here are 12 resorts with incredible kids clubs in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. While most of them are all-inclusive resorts, we've also added a couple that are not all-inclusive but have spectacular free kids clubs. Check out our Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels for even more great places to stay.

The lavender fields are bursting in Los Angeles! I took my kids on a trip to 123 Farm just as the lavender was in the beginning stages of blossoming, and it's promising to be a bountiful and beautiful summer. 123 Farm is the largest organic lavender farm in California, growing over 90 varieties of lavender; on a visit to the farm you can see, taste, and discover all things lavender. (You can also meet a few adorable farm animals.) While the lavender is not to be picked, it is most certainly to be posed in, so come with a camera in hand because these fields are family photo and Instagram-worthy.

For more flower adventures in the summer in Los Angeles, when the spring wildflower blooms have finished for the year, visit Tanaka Farm's Hana Field for stunning sunflowers.

How much can you bring home when you go berry picking and peach picking in Connecticut? And how many berries will sneak their way into your little ones mouths? There are several types of delicious berries and fruit on farms all over Connecticut. Bring your kids and strap a bucket around their necks so they can "help." Peaches, rasperries, blueberries, and even nectarines and plums are ripening right now. So pull out your favorite recipe and hop in the car!

In, July blueberries and blackberries are ready for eating. Late July and August are perfect for peaches. If you decide to make jam with your pounds of pickin's, try this Homemade Pop Tart Recipe. And for more great summertime ideas, browse out Connecticut Summer Fun Guide.

Note: Due to a freeze, 2023 is not a great year for peaches; some farms lost their pick-your-own crops.

While visiting Dinos Alive, I thought about Robert Baaker, a world-renowned paleontologist, who once said “It’s very simple why kids are crazy about dinosaurs - dinosaurs are nature’s Special Effects."

I know my kids are crazy about them. Our family has so many toys and has watched countless dino movies. Every trip to the first floor of the Houston Museum of Natural Science never fails to amaze. So when we heard Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience had opened in Houston, we headed over to check out what all the up-rawr was about.  

We think you should too, but first, here’s some info on what to expect on your visit. Also, be sure to check out our Houston Children’s Museums and Exhibits Guide for more fun places to explore and beat the summer heat.