If you want to sleep in the great outdoors, but not necessarily on the ground, consider these resorts for glamping near NYC. This elevated form of camping provides hotel-style perks, plus the kitsch appeal of camping.

Think of glamping as an upgraded version of traditional camping, typically with a larger, canvas tent already set up, often with beds, mattresses, and other creature comforts like picnic tables and grills built into your campsite. Most of these destinations for glamping near New York City are open between May and October and can include everything from bathrooms with running water to hotel-quality linens, kitchens, electricity, and even air conditioning.

These glamping spots in New Jersey, upstate New York, and the Poconos are also packed with family-friendly extras, including pools, playgrounds, hayrides, mini golf, giraffe encounters, movie nights, and we even found one glamping site that's home to a ropes course. Most also host tons of nature activities, like biking, fishing, and even face time with farm animals. Some offer hotel-level features, like on-site restaurants. Read on for our full list of where to go glamping near New York City, and find more ideas for a family-friendly getaway in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

It's Fourth of July week, and while fireworks and parades may dominate the long weekend, kids can also have plenty of patriotic 4th of July fun at home, too. Keep everyone from preschoolers to teenagers entertained with these 4th of July desserts, Independence Day crafts, Fourth of July games, and more. Complement the bangs and whizzes of the holiday with these quieter, craftier Fourth of July activities that many children appreciate more than big booms.

Find more at-home activity ideas in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide, including 100 Awesome Crafts and the Ultimate Summer Bucket List.

In New York City, playgrounds are as much a part of childhood as potty training and the tooth fairy, and having a go-to playground is a real sanity saver for city families. When you live in a tiny apartment, the neighborhood park is your backyard.

While New Yorkers are lucky to have many awesome local playgrounds, some NYC playgrounds are a cut above the rest. These spots offer plenty of space to romp and enough outdoor entertainment to make them worth a schlep on the subway. Without further ado, read on for 21 of New York City's best playgrounds—our NYC playground hall of fame—and find more places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Finding the best travel car seat can be a life saver when traveling by air with small children. A good travel car seat can help your little one sit safely in their airplane seat and in rental cars or rideshares. Some car seats even turn into strollers, or can be easily snapped into a stroller as part of a travel car seat system.

The best travel car seat for your family depends on your budget, your ability and/or willingness to lug the seat through the airport, and the age and size of your child. You should also consider whether you want a seat that can be used for both everyday and travel, or if you're OK with buying a separate travel car seat.

We've found eight top-rate, FAA-approved travel car seats for infants, toddlers, and young kids. Find even more great travel gear, including the best kids' luggage, in our Best Baby and Kid Gear Guide.

What comes to mind when you think of a Sweet 16 birthday party? Black-tie? Formal? Boring??? Not true for Sweet 16 birthday parties in New York City. NYC teens—and their parents!—are a creative bunch. Sure, you can do the dressy party, but New York City teens know how to do it right, with sequin dresses paired with rockin’ sneakers and colorful blazers layered with awesome hoodies.

While we've got plenty of traditional venues where you can host an awesome dance party, our list of the best Sweet 16 birthday party venues in NYC includes a variety of destinations to celebrate this milestone in all kinds of experiential ways. Find more NYC birthday party venues for all ages in our NYC Kids' Guide to Birthday Parties, including our top 15 picks for teen birthday party places.

When talking about swimming lakes near Chicago, we wouldn't blink an eye if your mind automatically goes to a certain great lake. After all, it's hard to miss. While Lake Michigan is absolutely on this list, we've also found 10 other spots near Chicago worth a try. Most of the swimming lakes, quarries, and swimming holes listed below are located in a suburb within 30 miles of the city and promise lots of summer memories for kids. Grab your beach towels and enjoy a day in the sun at one of the swimming lakes near Chicago below.

For more fun by the water check out our round-up of the Best Beaches in Chicago for Families and top Sprinkler Parks and Water Playgrounds near Chicago.

Best things to do with kids in this western suburb of Houston.

New Jersey offers tons of amazing things for families to do over the summer, and we've rounded up more than three dozen of our top picks to create this epic summer bucket list. Whether you're looking for a beach adventure or want to visit a local farm or museum, it's easy to fill your calendar during the long, lazy days of summer.

Be sure to check out our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide for additional suggestions, including our picks for the best water parks, swimming lakes, and amusement parks in the state.