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.

While there are no full-fledged outdoor water parks in NYC, you don't have to go too far to find awesome water parks for kids. Below, we've rounded up 17 of our favorite water parks near NYC for families.

These tri-state area water parks include water parks in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, plus in-state picks like the spectacular Splish Splash water park on Long Island.

No two are alike: Each one of these water parks for kids near NYC has different experiences and thrills, and all are within a two-hour drive of Midtown Manhattan.

Find more summer thrills in our Theme and Water Parks Guide, including indoor water parks for kids near NYC to explore on those rainy or cold days.