Best Things To Do at Westbury's Samanea Mall, a Long Island Entertainment Destination

 Golf simulators at X Golf in the Samanea Mall allow players to practice their swing. Photo by the author

The Samanea New York Mall is a rebrand and reboot of the Source Mall in Westbury, and its many options make for a fun outing. The mall has a diverse roster of stores and venues that offer dining, arts, and entertainment–with a bunch more on the way. 

Here is the scoop on what's open, coming soon, and planned for the future. Similar to New Jersey's American Dream Mall, Samanea seeks to flip the script on the outdated shopping mall concept. 

For more fun local escapes, check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

NYC Car Services with Car Seats for Babies and Kids

Whether you need help getting around the city or being whisked to the airport, these car services with car seats are a godsend for NYC parents.

It can be hard to find NYC car services with car seats. Whether you're headed to the pediatrician, the airport, or just visiting New York City, the question of where to find car services with car seats in NYC is one we often hear from tourists and locals alike.

If you have a car seat of your own, taxi drivers are required to let you install it. I've had anxious drivers balk, but I've always made them wait. Pro tip: Keep your door open until everyone's buckled in to force the issue!

For those days when you don't feel like lugging your car seat to and from JFK or up and down the pediatrician's steps, call one of these local NYC car services with car seats. We've rounded up some of our staff favorites for service in all five boroughs. Just remember to specifically request an infant or a toddler seat depending on your child's needs. If you're looking for more parent-tested NYC tips, we've rounded up 25 good-to-know tips for NYC parents.

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia

The DC Department of Parks & Recreation offers a variety of affordable summer camps, including football camp. Photo at Edgewood Rec Center, courtesy of  DC Parks & Recreation

Summer break is magical for kids, but summer camps near DC can sure be expensive. If you’re looking for a day camp that will keep your kids happy, safe, and entertained without breaking your budget, we’ve found 14 summer camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that are reasonably priced and full of fun—plus a FREE virtual camp!

From traditional day camps to coding and STEM camps to music and art camps, there’s an affordable summer camp option to fit every child’s interest—from preschoolers all the way through teens—in the DC area. Registration has already begun for many of these popular camps, so sign up soon!

For more summer camps in the DC metro area, including great picks for preschool summer camps near DC, be sure to bookmark our Washington DC Summer Camp Guide and our< a href="https://mommypoppins.com/directory?area=116&keys=camps"> Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Toddlers have their own soft space to play at the National Children's Museum. Photo by Jason Dixson Photography courtesy of the museum.

When the weather is bad and the kids need to burn some energy, head to one of these top indoor playgrounds and play spaces in the DC area.

While getting kids out of the house to blow off steam is a must for everyone's sanity, it's not easy on cold, hot, or rainy days. But there are lots of indoor playgrounds in DC and beyond that allow kids to crawl, run, jump, climb, and play to their hearts' content—without causing a storm inside your house. Many of these indoor playgrounds include extra perks like free WiFi, cafes, fun classes, and more.

Here are 21 of the best indoor playgrounds and play spaces in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids on those bad-weather days. For more ideas for indoor fun near DC, from awesome trampoline parks to amazing indoor water parks, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC.

Best Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Orlando

Jump into fun at the City of Winter Park summer camp!

Summer will be here before we know it, and that means its time to start looking at Orlando summer camp options for the kids! We've rounded up budget-friendly summer camps in Orlando and Central Florida (for the purpose of this article, we've capped the camp cost at $200 per week or less). There are so many fun summer camps near Orlando, so don't let hefty costs get in the way of a memorable summer camp experience for kids!

Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Westchester

The Play Place in Elmsford is one of Westchester's top indoor play spaces.

Indoor playgrounds and play spaces have long been the stuff of winter fun for Westchester kids. These local play spaces are ready to meet the moment for the times when you need a change of scenery to beat the winter blues.

If you're looking for other ways to keep kids busy indoors this winter, check out our Westchester & Hudson Valley Winter Activities Guide, and bookmark our Family Activity calendar for more resources.

Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Toddlers and Preschoolers on Long Island

Once Upon a Treetop's  interactive city is designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo by Gina Massaro

While many indoor playgrounds and play spaces on Long Island cater to a range of ages, some parents feel more comfortable when areas are designated for younger children. With that in mind, we've rounded up a list of fun and imaginative play spaces for toddlers and preschoolers on Long Island.

At most of these locations, children ages 5 and younger are the primary focus and they can play freely without fear of being knocked down or bumped into by older crowds. These venues also offer age-appropriate equipment and activities for toddlers and preschoolers.

For more fun seasonal ideas, check out our winter fun list for Long Island kids, as well as our Guide to Play Spaces and Fun Centers on Long Island.

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