I'm always game for a visit to The Met, but sometimes my kids need a little convincing. They don't know how good they've got it, but this week's visit was an easy sell for my 10-year-old, thanks to the launch of The Met Replica, a brand-new, interactive app that mashes up the power of play—in the form of Roblox characters—with The Met's masterpieces, introducing the art in a whole new way.

I turned my phone over to my daughter and let her lead the way on our hours-long quest to find all the artwork highlighted by this new app, and we emerged hours later filled with new knowledge and excitement to return again soon. Find out why this app is a cool new guide to one of our favorite museums in NYC to visit with kids, and get all our tips for the city's top culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for NYC Kids.

An all new Sesame Street Store has opened at Sesame Place in Langhorne and the good news is you don't need a ticket to the amusement park to check it out! The brand new store opened this October and allows guests to shop without paying the admission fee.

Want to know more about Sesame Place? Check out our guide to Visiting Sesame Place with Preschoolers. Don't stop there, we've got plent of amusement park fun in our Theme & Water Parks Guide.

One of my favorite parts of going out to eat as a kid was doing the word searches on the placemats. (Is that a thing everywhere? And can I have free games with my dinner as an adult, please?) Printable word games and word search puzzles can give today's kids that same thrill without heaving to leave home.

There are tons of free printable word search puzzles and word games that will keep your kids entertained and using their brains. Whether you’re looking for car games for a road trip or you just want something to do on a rainy afternoon, we’ve got you covered with the best word search printable puzzles for kids of all ages.

If you're itching for more word games or printable fun, check out our lists of free online word games for kids to play together, games like Wordle for kids, and 100 free printable activities for kids. Our Boredom Busters for Kids Guide also has lots of great activities to cure the doldrums.

Growing up in NJ's Monmouth County, I visited Allaire State Park frequently with my family as a child. Those day trips were filled with playground time, train rides, and old-fashioned candy purchased at the village’s general store. Now I take my own kids there, just like my parents took me.

Allaire is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway, close to the Jersey Shore, and bursting with outdoor fun like family-friendly hiking, bike riding, picnicking, and camping. But what sets this 3,000-acre New Jersey state park apart from other bucolic green spaces are its historic village and working steam train. Read on for the highlights.

Be sure to check out our post on great day trips to New Jersey state parks and more in our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey. 

Please note that the park's dinosaur sculpture exhibit has closed due to vandalism.

NYC's FREE art programs are one of the main reasons my family endures the challenges of raising kids in NYC. Whether your kids are into making theater, music, or fine art, there are myriad art programs in NYC that offer excellent training—and some are 100% FREE. Admittedly, these no-cost, audition-based performing and fine art programs are competitive, but they can be life-changing for talented, motivated kids and teens. Don't worry if your child doesn't get in the first time: Most of these organizations accept new participants annually, and sometimes it takes a few tries. As the mother of an art- and theater-loving daughter, I speak from experience!

Read on to find out how to apply to these FREE art programs in New York City. Deadlines for fall are coming up fast! You'll find more enriching programs for kids and teens, including our top picks for musical theater classes in NYC in our New York City Guide to Kids' Classes.

Spin, climb, and swing at Long Beach's newest accessible playground, Magnolia Park. Located right off the boardwalk, this convenient playground has lots to offer younger kids.

Read on to learn about the unique features of Magnolia Park, and be sure to check out our post on accessible playgrounds and much more in our Playground Guide to Long Island.

Looking for the best things to do with preschoolers in Philly? We've rounded up the top picks for keeping the under 5 crowd entertained!

The struggle is real—when your kids are little it can be hard to keep them occupied long enough to even plan the next activity. But there are so many things to do with preschoolers in Philadelphia! These are some of the best years, so get out there and have some fun together.

Looking for more fun for your preschooler? Ou guide to the Best Classes for Preschoolers and Toddlers in Philadelphia is perfect for you. If you're on a budget, there are plenty of Free Indoor Play Spaces for Philly Kids, too!

Swimming lessons teach kids one of the most important life skills—one that will keep them safe in pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. Lucky, there are plenty of swim schools in the DC area that offer swimming lessons for kids, from beginner swimmers as young as 3 months old to experienced swimmers looking for a competitive edge.

Dive into our list of 12 great schools that offer swimming lessons for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Then find more kids' classes and programs—including baby swimming classes in DC—in our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC. You can also check our directory of classes to find the perfect class for your child.