I vaguely remember going to the beach with a cute little beach bag that held just a towel, a bottle of sunscreen, a book, a water bottle, and maybe a snack. Going to the beach with my three kids, however, requires a mountain of beach chairs, towels, a heap of toys, two coolers, and a wagon to haul everything.

I’ve tried my share of beach gear over the years (I grew up in a beach town and now we live near the Jersey Shore), but to make sure I had left no stone unturned, I also polled our readers and everyone at Mommy Poppins for their picks on the very best things to bring to the beach with kids. Everything on this list will make your next day at the beach easier, less sandy, and a little more like, well, a day at the beach.

Go back in time to the land of ancient Egypt through the ultimate VR experience at Horizon of Khufu. This immersive, virtual reality trip takes families back 4,500 years into the mystifying world of the pyramids, hieroglyphics, mummies, and King Khufu himself. My kids and I LOVED this VR experience — read below to learn more what it's like to travel through time and space...without ever leaving Atlanta!

Check out the sweetest CT strawberry picking farms and strawberry festivals.

The start of strawberry picking season in the Philadelphia area is a sure sign that summer fun is right around the corner. Strawberry picking is a great way to connect with nature and get outside for some healthy treats. Some of the sweetest summer memories are made nibbling on fresh, vitamin-C-rich berries out in the fields. It's the perfect outdoor activity for a day of family fun!

We've compiled a list of great local farms to go strawberry picking near Philadelphia where families can fill a basket and enjoy plenty of other activities too. For more fun on the farm, check out our Farms & U-Pick Guide. Looking for more outdoor summer activities? Check out our roundup of the Best Water Parks near Philly.

Have you ever wanted to make like a bird and soar above the Chicago skyline? Flyover Chicago, Navy Pier's latest attraction, gives families the chance to coast through the air above the Loop to take in all the sights and sounds of the city (without the hassle of actually being up there). Best for kids ages 5 and up, this unique local ride-and-show combination is 30 minutes of wow-worthy scenery from angles you might not have even imagined.

Read on to get all the details on Navy Pier's latest attraction, and when you're done, check out this list of all other awesome things to do at Navy Pier with kids. 

Los Angeles babies get places like Hollywood, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Beverly Hills as their playgrounds from the moment the little starlet is born. On the topic of firsts', a baby's first year is a collection of memories waiting to happen—for Mom and Dad, anyway!  

Los Angeles is the best place on earth to raise kids, and it’s filled with magical moments and places you can enjoy with children. World-class museums, restaurants, and entertainment will make your kiddo quite the cultured connoisseur from a very young age. Plus, living in LA means (almost) never being trapped indoors with a fussy baby. Here are our favorite ways to introduce your little Angeleno to the joys of SoCal living. Pack a diaper bag, sling a stroller in the back of the car, keep this checklist handy, and explore LA, baby-style.

From baby classes to baby stores, we've got baby's whole first year covered and then some in our Los Angeles baby guide. 

Finding things to do at Walt Disney World for teens and tweens may seem challenging at first glance —they’ve outgrown "kid stuff," like Disney Junior Play and Dance, but aren't quite ready for frightening rides, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I lived through this phase with my two boys. Fortunately, however, I discovered that Disney World offers a wide range of rides, shows, meals and other activities to peak the interests of tweens and teens.

Parents, take a look at our top 15 things to do at Disney World with teens and tweens and you will become the GOAT of your family trip!

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are filled with petting zoos where animal-loving kids can see furry friends up close and personal. Many of these spots also offer kid-friendly activities and fun things to do in addition to the chance to see, touch, and feed horses, goats, cows, pigs, chickens, alpacas, and more.

Read on for our top picks for local petting zoos, and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Spring Activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.