One of the best things about raising kids in New York City is that a unique cultural experience is usually just a short walk, bus, or train ride away. Most cultural institutions in NYC host special family programming, festivals, workshops and language programs, and NYC's Japan Society, formed in 1907, offers a varied and rich calendar of events for kids, all set against a beautiful backdrop of indoor gardens, including a waterfall.

If you are fascinated by Japanese food, film, and folklore, but short on time or money to travel abroad, the Japan Society is an affordable alternative for the culture-seeking family. During my visit, one Japan Society member and father of two children ages 3 and 4 put it best, “It gets me as close as I can to experiencing Japanese culture without having to go to Japan.”

With summer camp registration starting before you've even put the families' winter coats away for the season, it's really easy to fall behind. Fortunately, even if you haven't spent a single minute thinking about camp, there's no need to panic—yet. 

Sure, some programs fill up quickly with returning campers who get first priority, but there are so many awesome programs that still have availability. You'll find specialty camps for every interest, camps for preschoolers and toddlers, cooking camps, tech camps, arts camps, and traditional, general interest country day camps where your kids will breathe fresh air all day and come home dirty and tired...you name it. We've rounded up over 25 of our NYC area camp partners that still have spots for summer 2019 as of this writing. To find by location, click to open the map at the bottom of the post.

For even more New York City-area camps, check out our comprehensive Summer Camp Guide and browse hundreds of programs by location, age, and type in our NYC Summer Camp Directory.

Summer is finally here! Don't get stir crazy - there are lots of things to do with the kids this month, like checking out a brand new super hero exhibit at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, kayaking on Kinder Lake at Disccovery Green, hanging out with dinosaurs at the Houston Zoo, and celebrating Father's Day in unique ways dad will love. Miller Outdoor Theatre also has a great lineup of children's performances you can enjoy for free all month, or you can catch a movie at Studio Movie Grill for just $1.

This month you can also cool off at a Houston area splash pad, or if you're feeling adventurous, head to a nearby water park. For the movie fanatics, be sure to check out our roundup of free and cheap summer movies. If you are still looking for last-minute summer camp options (no judgment), check out our comprehensive camp guide for ideas from art camps to science camps. Read on for more family fun this month.

As the last day of school breathes down our collective necks, there are those among us who—dare I say it—have not yet figured out summer camp. No shame here; you are among friends. In fact, we'd like to help by sharing a few great summer camps that we happen to know still have space available. Open the map at the bottom of the page to search by location. And remember, we have more camps to peruse in our camp guide and directory!

You read that right - Candytopia, a candy museum, sanctuary and interactive exhibit, is coming to Houston this summer. Kids of all ages will love this sugary experience, and it makes for an exciting indoor break from the excrutiating Houston summer heat.

Looking for a new way to cool off this summer? How about slipping down a blow-up water slide and splashing into a beautiful NJ lake?

That's exactly what Lacey Township had in mind—so it's installing a huge new inflatable water park in Lake Barnegat (2nd Lake) in Forked River, which is slated to open in late June. Intended for swimmers ages 8 and older, the "hydro-playground" will combine slippery waters slides, bouncy inflatable climbers, floating balance beams, monkey bars, and more.

Not heading down the shore this summer? Residents of northern NJ can check out the water park at Lewis Morris County Park's Sunrise Lake Beach Club.

When you're not attending a graduation or crafting keepsakes or special treats for dad, we know you want the lowdown on the best things to do with your kids this month. June brings the start of summer and school vacation, which makes it the perfect time of year to get active, get outdoors, and explore nature. It's also a great time to introduce your kids to Boston's rich cultural scene, with festivals and performances filling our events calendar throughout the month. Don't forget to bookmark our summer fun guide for even more ideas for making the most of the sunshine and extra free time for family.

With school winding down and camps just getting started, June really is the perfect month to devote to family fun. It's Connecticut Trails Day from June 1st to 2nd, so consider kicking off the month with one of these short, easy hikes that are perfectly suited to kids. Highlights this month include lots of festivals, front porch concerts, fireflies and pirates. Of course our Summer Fun Guide and events calendar are chock-full of more ideas, but if we had to choose our very favorite June activities, these picks would make our top 25. Have fun out there!