For American Girl fans, dressing up the perennially-popular dolls and visiting the store or cafe may be the ultimate treat. But things are about to get even more exciting as the iconic characters take to the stage for the first time in American Girl Live, an all-new musical for kids featuring original songs and wholesome, heartfelt fun.

Although the show won't start touring North America until January 2019, tickets are already on sale for certain shows, including those visiting Mommy Poppins cities and states, including theaters in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Boston, and Connecticut. (Sounds like tickets to a performance could be the perfect gift this holiday season, Mom and Dad.)

Make the most of what Houston has to offer and fill up your iCloud storage with memories at the same time by snapping shots of your little ones at some of the city's most photogenic spots. Picture-perfect smiles are not included in our list of recommendations for the best places to take shareable photos of your kids.

Summer nights are long and lazy. And I don't know how it goes in your house, but in mine bedtime gets a little bit fuzzy around the edges. There are few things better than a movie for the whole family on a balmy summer night (or, in some cases on a hot summer morning or afternoon), and when that movie is free (or nearly free), well, I say bring it on! There are loads of summer movie series in Connecticut; most of them are outdoors, a lot of them are free, and even the ones that aren't are so very inexpensive you will be loading up the car as soon as you're done reading this. Pop the corn, grab a blanket, and head to one of these fun family movie series this summer. 

If your kid is fascinated by dinosaurs, chances are everything in your home revolves around the prehistoric creatures, including your family vacations. Your nearby natural history or kids' science museum is a great bet for a quick trip to study major fossil displays. For an even bigger thrill, families might want to check out one of the many outdoor dinosaur parks, from full amusement parks to nature walks and mini fossil digs.

We've rounded up a list of 10 great places for dinosaur lovers across the country. These dinosaur-themed attractions offer up-close encounters with lifelike creatures, thrilling rides, impressive fossils, and more fun things to do and see for kids, including dino-theater.

For more family vacation ideas—that may, or may not, involve dinosaurs—check out our United States Family Travel Guide.

Thanks to the residential boom in Lower Manhattan, the borough's southernmost point is more family-friendly than ever. Streets that once were the domain of Financial District workers running for their offices are now just as likely to be full of strollers and newly-walking tots. The many new playgrounds that have been constructed or renovated in this area make downtown Manhattan a part of the city you don't want to miss for family fun.

The playgrounds on this list offer fun things to do for all ages but are especially great for toddlers—because as all parents of toddlers know, finding a playground where your little one won't get run over by bigger kids is no small feat. Fun equipment, appropriate climbing structures, infant swings, thoughtful layouts, and a bevy of sandboxes await you at these downtown playgrounds, all located south of Washington Square Park. Time to get swinging!

What was Philadelphia like 250 years ago in the time of the Revolutionary War? That’s the question "Revolution Place,” the new discovery center at the Museum of the American Revolution hopes to answer for kids, especially those aged 5-12 years old. This new exhibit has been a goal of the Museum since it opened a year ago, and the space creates a next level hands-on museum for kids who are interested in playing dress up and learning about history. I had a chance to check out the new feature with my two little ones (aged 1 and 5 respectively). Read on for our review, and be sure to check out other great museums for families in Philadelphia!

Enjoying a film on the big screen in the great outdoors is as much a summertime tradition in Boston as taking in music at an outdoor festival. Bring a picnic dinner and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show at one of these outdoor summer movie series in and around Boston. Movies usually begin at dusk, but you'll want to arrive early for the best viewing spots and to take advantage of pre-movie entertainment when offered.

Rainy, steamy, and sticky summer days in New York City have met their match. If you’re in desperate need of indoor activities that will engage and inspire the whole family (in the air conditioning!), check out ColorLab, a new family art studio at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) in Crown Heights.

The just-opened studio space within this top NYC kid museum encourages kids and adults to create collages, sculptures, drawings, and other artworks, through independent exploration, hands-on collaboration, and experimentation—and you get to take your creations home.