With everything from pool play to life-saving skills, these locations offer swimming classes in Philly for the tiniest swimmers and provide great options for introducing young children to the water.

Bubbles and splashing, bonding and safety: for fun, survival, or some combination of both, getting young children into a pool is at the top of many parents’ lists. Starting with caregiver−child swimming classes and progressing all the way to stroke refinement, many of these facilities take your child’s swim journey from infancy through childhood. So get those swimsuits on (you, too, grown-ups) and head to the pool any time of year to learn a lifelong skill and have fun along the way.

For more parent−child bonding, check out these mommy and me classes in Philly, or browse our Philly Classes for Kids Guide to find a class for kids of all ages.

If you’ve ever visited the Hamptons and North Fork on Long Island, you know there are hotels in the Hamptons and nearby to fit every need. There are family-friendly hotels near fishing resorts, country inns near golf courses, and bed-and-breakfasts within walking distance of the North Fork’s celebrated wineries. Families visiting the East End have options, too, from chain hotels near kid-friendly attractions to mom-and-pop guesthouses with private beaches and pools. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite family-friendly hotels in the Hamptons, plus a selection of North Fork hotels, motels, and guesthouses for families.

Find more places to stay and get away in our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Looking for the best baby swimming lessons in New Jersey? Here are our top picks throughout the Garden State.

Summer is here, and whether you are joining a pool, going on vacation, heading to the Shore, or sending your kids off to camp, chances are that swimming is part of your plans. While your kids are still young, mommy-and-me swimming lessons (or daddy-and-me) are a great way to carve out some special time for you and your child to bond.

These swimming lessons usually run for children 6-36 months—although some start even younger—and involve a parent in the water along with the child. Singing, toys, and water play are often incorporated into these swimming lessons to help children feel comfortable in the water and have fun while learning valuable water safety skills. 

If you are interested in signing your infant or toddler up, read on for a description of swim clubs that offer these mommy-and-me classes in New Jersey. 

Find more great things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Family Activity Calendar.

Family road trips can be a great adventure—and also a pounding headache with antsy kids in the backseat—but the newly opened Bluebird Sunapee aims to reinvigorate the family road trip by offering a well-appointed, boutique, roadside motel with welcoming service and upscale amenities waiting to greet you when you put the family car in park.

The innovative new Bluebird Sunapee, in Newbury, New Hampshire, is located steps from the banks of the beautiful Lake Sunapee and within a stone's throw of the Mount Sunapee Ski Resort, making it a perfect jumping-off point for all-seasons adventure. Its proximity to major East Coast cities—1 1/2 hours from Boston, and 4 1/2 hours from NYC—makes it an epic road trip destination for families anxious to explore the great outdoors.

So, load up the kids, brush up on your road trip games, and pack some essentials, then hit the road. Bluebird Sunapee awaits.

Summer means long days at the beach building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and collecting seashells. But what to do with all of those seashells when you get home? You can, of course, simply display them in pretty jars or bowls to remember your family beach days. But you can also step up the fun and create some awesome seashell crafts!

Here are 15 seashell craft ideas for kids of all ages, from toddlers to big kids. These fun seashell crafts are a great way to relive those beach days and bring out your kids' creative sides. For more at-home summer fun, check out our lists of 100 awesome art projects for kids, and 27 water games for kids to play all summer long.

Looking for the best baby swimming lessons in Westchester? Here are eight great mommy-and-me swimming classes to add to your list. 

There is nothing cuter than a baby's first reaction as they dip their toes in the water. However, those initial experiences with water should be enjoyable and take place in a comfortable and safe environment. Parent-and-me swimming lessons are a great way to introduce babies to the water and teach basic swimming skills in a fun setting that establishes a lifelong love of swimming. These baby swimming classes also provide a great bonding experience for parents and their little ones.

We have gathered the details on the top swim schools in Westchester that offer baby swimming classes. Classes are offered for babies as young as 4 months, and many offer toddler transition classes to prepare toddlers to attend more advanced swimming lessons on their own. Many classes include water games, toys, and songs to make learning fun. For more swimming lessons in Westchester aimed at all ages, see our roundup of the top swim lessons for Westchester kids and find more classes in our Guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in Westchester. 

Searching for hidden beaches on the Jersey Shore is a bit of an impossibility. But year after year of hitting the same sandy spots can leave you craving something new. If your family wants to steer clear of the busiest Jersey Shore beaches, we have a few ideas for you. Here are 12 great hidden beaches on the Jersey Shore that are off-the-beaten-path but oh-so-fun to explore this summer and beyond. Just keep them between us, OK?

Bookmark our Jersey Shore Family Guide for more fun seaside picks all summer long.

When it comes to special occasions, it's easy to leave kids with food allergies out of the fun, but NYC is home to myriad gluten-free bakeries and other sweet spots serving treats that include all the fun of a spectacular dessert while leaving out gluten, dairy products, nuts, soy, and other common allergens. Next time you're planning a birthday party or on the hunt for a sweet treat, consider supporting one of these local allergy-conscious sweet shops and gluten-free bakeries in NYC.

Looking for more kid-friendly sweets, treats, and eats? Bookmark our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC for more picks at every meal.