Hermann Park, in the heart of Houston near the Texas Medical Center and Rice University, is more than just the home of the Houston Zoo. The park stretches over 445-acres, and while it might seem intimidating to explore that much space with kids, we're here to guide you through the top places to see within this urban oasis. Spoiler alert: Your kids can go on a train, pedal boat, AND play in fountains all in one park. 

The day is here: Your Philly baby is turning 1, and it's time for a kids' birthday party.

Family and friends are excited to celebrate this child who has grown and developed so much over 12 months. Your baby might even be walking by now, and it's a great time to get together, eat cake, and have fun. Celebrate this significant milestone for both parents and their little ones with these extra special kids' birthday party spots in and near Philadelphia.

For more birthday party ideas, be sure to browse through our Birthday Party Guide for Philly kids. 

When your summer adventures take you toward the Jersey Shore, make sure to save some time during your journey for these special sweet treats and quick eats. Whether you're in the mood for out-of-this-world soft-serve or craving a fully loaded hot dog, we've rounded up 20 local restaurants in South Jersey and along the Jersey Shore that are ready to fulfill your craving. Find more eats and treats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in New Jersey.

Getting kids out the door and off to school should probably qualify as an Olympic sport, requiring all the patience and planning we parents can summon to make things run smoothly. A good kids' alarm clock can provide much-needed support by helping to establish consistent routines throughout the year, freeing parents up to focus on packing bookbags, making lunches, or whatever other tasks we face before the bus arrives.

For more back-to-school tips, from perfect backpacks for every age to school lunch ideas kids will actually eat, check out our Back-to-School Guide.

It's never too early to share a love of music with your baby. These mommy-and-me music classes for kids in Westchester are a great way to introduce songs into your routine. They can boost your baby's brain power, develop social skills, and foster creativity. These kids activities are also a perfect excuse to let your guard down and boogie to your favorite musical tunes.

Below, we've rounded up 12 mommy-and-me music classes in Westchester for babies and toddlers. Find more classes for kids of all ages in our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in Westchester.

You don't have to visit a mega-metropolis to enjoy an enriching, family-friendly museum visit. In fact, Central and Southern New Jersey have a collection of cool museums for kids where you can explore a battleship, ride a vintage train, gaze at the stars, and even peep a shrunken head.

Find more family-friendly museums with our picks for the best museums for kids in northern NJ.

Of the many things that make Los Angeles kids lucky, one of the best isn’t even in Los Angeles—it’s an aquarium in Long Beach. We love the California Science Center, the Los Angeles Zoo, and so many other classic LA family destinations, but for a joyous, educational, satisfying SoCal day out it’s hard to beat the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The Los Angeles area’s top aquarium is not a one-and-done experience, though. The Aquarium of the Pacific is a destination to visit again and again, with a variety of marine life ranging from tiny, barely visible jellyfish to big playful sea mammals. In fact, for the price of an annual membership, you just might find that your kids form a lifelong bond with a frisky sea lion—but more of that in a moment.

Looking for the 2022-2023 NYC Public School Calendar? Find it here.

If you've got a child in public school, you live by the public school calendar, and after a year of fits and starts, delays, and COVID-induced quarantines and closures, parents are wondering what the new school year will bring. With less than three weeks before the first day of school, we're republishing the public school calendar. Many local NYC preschools follow the public school schedule, too. The New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2021-2022 school year is below, and you'll want to bookmark it now for reference—and to help with planning family vacations and school break camp coverage.

One notable change for the upcoming school year: There will be no snow days. Plan on logging your kiddos on for a day of remote learning whenever buildings are closed for snow or other emergencies.

These are all of the dates you can count on your kiddos being out of school during the 2021-2022 school year.