5 Summer Safety Issues Experts Want Parents to Know

We’ve partnered with Connecticut Children’s to share guidance from their free 2024 Summer Safety Toolkit.

When it comes to kids, summer safety goes hand-in-hand with summer fun–from keeping the ticks away to avoiding dangerous dehydration when temperatures climb. To ensure that families are on top of common warm weather woes, we’ve partnered with Connecticut Children’s to share guidance from their free 2024 Summer Safety Toolkit. As always, the comprehensive kit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate advice from leading pediatric experts 100% dedicated to kids.

Here are five summer safety tips you may not have considered, plus guidance from the pros:

10 Underrated Summer Travel Ideas for Families

Explore Fort Williams Park in Portland, Maine. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

When school lets out for summer, families love to hit the road (or the skies) and travel to new places. But while summer journeys can be glorious, they also come with the downsides of peak travel season—higher prices, heavy traffic, larger crowds, and longer lines.

But it doesn't have to be that way. There are plenty of places across the US that offer many of the things families look for in a summer vacation—beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, engaging museums, and more—but aren't as well-known. That means families can make amazing summer memories with far less hassle.

Here are 10 underrated summer travel ideas for families across the US. Our Family Travel Guide includes even more great summer vacation ideas, including our massive list of the 100 best family vacation destinations.

Legoland Florida: Everything to Know for a Great Visit with Kids

Legoland Florida is filled with rides, fun characters, and even a water park. Photos courtesy of Legoland Florida Resort

Orlando holds its own magic, and one of our family's favorite destinations is Legoland Florida Resort. Specifically designed for children age 2 to 12, Legoland Florida offers rides perfectly suited for my little ones and ensures a seamless experience for a full day of theme park fun with toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids alike.

We love the building and outdoor play opportunities at Legoland Florida, so kids can take a break from ride hopping and flex their creativity. Read on for the top things to do at Legoland Florida, including our favorite rides, places to eat, hours, tickets, and even top Legoland hotel options!

Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families

Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin

Whether you're visiting NYC or live here year-round, taking in a Broadway show is a special family experience. Kids are sure to remember it vividly, and chances are parents won't soon forget the credit card bill. That's why it's important to pick a production wisely, especially when bringing young children to their first Broadway performance.

While Disney juggernauts The Lion King and Aladdin are popular options, there are other kid-friendly choices that aren't as obvious. We've rounded up our top Broadway shows for families and organized them by age appropriateness. Once you've picked a Broadway show, all that's left to do is book tickets. We've got you covered there, too, with our tips to save on Broadway tickets.

If you're looking for more options, browse our Family Activity Calendar for family shows beyond Broadway, and bookmark our Guide to Children's Theater for reviews and recommendations.

Have a Bashing Good Time at Farmingdale's iSmash

The rage rooms at iSmash in Farmingdale can be booked for 20-minute sessions.

Whether you're looking to destroy and decompress or get crafty and creative, iSmash in Farmingdale has your crew covered. This smash-and-splatter paint space brings a unique experience to the heart of downtown Main Street. 

After smashing up a bunch of stuff, my teenage boys said it was the best activity they'd ever done, so this place definitely appeals to a certain audience! 

If you're looking for more out-of-the-box party ideas, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids.

NYBG's Newest Installation Invites Visitors to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.

The New York Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to fall down the rabbit hole this spring, summer, and fall. Its sprawling grounds have been transformed into a collection of curiosities in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the garden-wide exhibition includes contemporary art, beautiful blooms, fantastical foliage, themed sweets and treats, and some creative programming guaranteed to add a little wonder to your next visit. It runs through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

40 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids: Backyard Games, Playground Games, and More

Jump rope solo, skip with siblings, or round up the whole gang for double dutch.

It's hard to beat classic outdoor games for kids when it comes time to entertain them during the long school-free summer months, at birthday parties, or when they've spent too much time on screens. From hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, these outdoor games are sure to keep your crew, and whichever neighborhood kids stop by, busy for hours. Best of all, you can play almost all of these playground and backyard games listed below without spending any money. Time to  load up the sunscreen, head outdoors, and play!

If you don't mind getting wet, check out these Favorite Water Games to Play With Kids, and keep the party going in the great outdoors with one of the activities from our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.

Guide to Fleet Week 2024 with Kids: Salute the Sailors, Tour the Ships, and More Fun for Families

The USS Bataan is set to sail into New York Harbor for Fleet Week 2024. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bradley Rickard

Fleet Week 2024, NYC's annual salute to sea services, returns for its 36th run next week with tons of family-friendly activities from Wednesday, May 22-Monday, May 27, 2024. Fleet Week NYC activities are an annual highlight of Memorial Day weekend in NYC, bringing tons of service members to our shores, plus family-friendly programming at the Intrepid Museum, in Times Square, and at piers along the west side and in Staten Island.

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