If you haven't spent time at one of the two Chicago zoos recently, get ready for a real treat! With tons of upgraded structures and many new animals at the Brookfield Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo, you might end up as excited as you were on your first visit as a kid. To help make your trip the best it can be, check out the latest updates, news, and events happening in 2024. Don't forget to wear your walking shoes because it's going to be a long—and fun—day. 

Looking for more fun things to do with kids in Chicago? Be sure to check out our top indoor playspaces perfect for snowy or rainy days, the best laser tag and paintball spots for kids in Chicago, and, of course, 100 things to do with Chicago kids before they grow up. 

Looking for a way for your active kids to burn off some energy and have some fun? Instead of playing video games at home, get out and get those kids moving with paintball or laser tag! Help them to use up their energy, as well as build strategy and teamwork skills at these laser tag, and paintball locations near Philadelphia. These laser tag zones and paintball arenas are also a great option for birthday parties!

If your kid is more into puzzles than running, exercise their brains with nearby escape rooms. For more great birthday party ideas, check out our Birthday Party Guide.

Nestled next to the Hudson River, the bustling little city of Poughkeepsie, NY, is packed with family-friendly destinations. This Dutchess County destination is located an hour’s drive from White Plains, around 90 minutes from the George Washington Bridge, and it’s easily accessible via Metro-North.  

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do in Poughkeepsie, with both indoor and outdoor options to suit any type of day trip.

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As we all know, Long Island is a great place to be a parent and raise kids, with parks galore, plenty of fun things to do all year long, and no shortage of places that cater to children. So here's a handy list showing you how to take advantage of all of that as a new parent or a soon-to-be-parent. 

Don't forget to bookmark our Baby Guide for New and Expecting Long Island Parents for more baby tips and content.

Named for its location at the top of the Watchung Mountains, the town of Summit, NJ, is worth the trip. The six square miles that make up this great town offer the perfect mix of city chic and outdoor fun. Summit boasts an eclectic downtown that's teeming with boutiques and restaurants.

In addition, the town's great parks, recreational facilities, and outdoor attractions make for a fun family trip. Check out some of our favorite Summit destinations and attractions below. 

For even more great North Jersey towns, check out our Guide to Great Small Towns in Northern NJ. 

You may have noticed that Mommy Poppins started to produce our own family events last year. This year, we’ve rebranded our epic events under the PLAYTOPIA name with CAMPTOPIA in February, PLAYTOPIA and Seaport Kids x SPRINGTOPIA in March, and we’re excited to announce BABYTOPIA, our first baby show, on April 13!

Our mission, with our partner Brooklyn Bridge Parents, is for PLAYTOPIA events to create exceptionally fun, educational, and interactive events where families can play together, discover local small businesses and brands, and create community. So far the feedback has been terrific and we’re confident that when you see one of our “TOPIA” events promoted, you'll know it’s going to be a world of fun. 

BABYTOPIA presented by PediaGROW is a free event for new and expectant parents and families with toddlers through nursery school-aged kids. Join us there to meet local businesses for young families, plus discover top gear brands and services that make life through pregnancy and early parenting easier, more fun, healthy, and smart.

Add waterfall hikes near Los Angeles to your winter bucket lists. Winter weather means waterfall hikes near Los Angeles tend to be at their peak.

Some of these beautiful gems hide their light under a dry bushel in drought years, so when the (rare) precipitation pours into Los Angeles, step into nature and admire the impressive flowing waters. But don't forget an extra pair of socks when embarking on waterfall hikes near Los Angeles because your feet might get wet from those creek crossings. 

If your little one is a burgeoning adventure enthusiast, take them on these beginner hikes for toddlers or level up the difficulty on these best hikes for families. Find all our favorite hikes for kids in our hiking and camping guide for Los Angeles families. 

When the mountains are calling, a ski vacation in the Catskills is always the answer. Nestled amidst the breathtaking peaks of the Catskill Mountains lies Hunter; a winter wonderland that has beckoned adventurers and skiing enthusiasts alike for generations. The charming, amenity- and activity-filled town of Hunter, plus the cozy Bluebird Hunter Lodge nearby provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable group ski trip and some new memories this winter.

I grew up in a ski family, and have many fond memories of vacations just like this one. I have countless anecdotes of days spent learning how to turn my skis and carve through snowy slopes, followed by evenings spent nestled among loved ones who shared their own tales. Over the years, these memories have faded slightly, but what has remained is a feeling of “cozy” accompanied by a healthy dose of laughter and warmth.

Bluebird Hunter Lodge provided the perfect setting to rekindle some of those fading memories and recreate them with my family and friends. Enjoy a sneak peek at this lovely Catskills hotel, where we enjoyed apres ski spreads of cocoa and cookies, hung out around the fire, and spent our nights playing Pictionary in our pajamas, and find more local destinations in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.