From beautiful parks and beaches to a variety of attractions and entertainment, all of New York City’s five boroughs are family-friendly stops. Summer is a fun time to explore all of it—and our sponsor NYC & Company is "spreading the news" on everything the area has to offer for parents and kids, whether you’re a visitor from another city or a local who wants to play tourist for the day.

We’re at that halfway point of summer and hopefully you’ve filled your days with some quality family time, both indoors and out! If you’ve still got a bucket list full of summer must dos, New Jersey has some great events going on this weekend. Treat your little train lover to a railroad ride during A Day Out with Thomas, stuff yourself silly with sweets at the NJ State Ice Cream Festival in Toms River or set sail along the beautiful Palisades during a Rock’n River Sail excursion. And if you’re looking to take in some awesome summer theater with the kiddos, get tickets to see Aladdin at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman or the pirate adventure Treasure Island at the Somerset Playhouse. Also, you can check out the full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar and don't miss our Summer of Play Guide with 100s of ideas for a fun, playful, and tech-free summer!

Los Angeles is full of museums, including some well-known free ones—The Getty, The California Science Center, and LACMA (free through their NexGen kids program). These free museums are also all huge and often very crowded with summer camps, field trips, and members. Free museum days offer access to many other large museums, and MOTA Day is a free day for several in the Pasadena area. But if you are looking for something a bit smaller, less crowded, or just for something new-to-you, on a day you choose, you still have options. These eight museums, all located in Los Angeles County, are all either free or donation-based - meaning you can get a family of four in for twenty dollars or less. Some may only take an hour to visit, but you may want to spend the whole day at others.

Summer is upon us, and while the younger kids are off at camp, our tweens and young teens are often looking for ways to earn a few dollars.  It's the perfect time for them to launch their own babysitting business and take advantage of the many moms and dads who are looking for a summer babysitter or mother's helper to keep their little guys happy.  There are some great local babysitting courses available that will guarantee that your kids are prepared to handle any situation.  Whether your son or daughter is ready to start their own babysitting business, or if you just want to make sure they are confident when keeping an eye on their younger siblings, these courses are worth checking out.  If you happen to be looking for a new sitter, check out our post on organizing a babysitting co-op in your own neighborhood.

If you and the kids would like to get your aloha on, without the pricey plane tickets, Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP -- how cool is that acronym?!) has landed on the Gold Coast.  Over the last few years, a handful of outfitters have set up shop along the shoreline in Fairfield County, and at Candlewood Lake as well.  Absolutely no experience is required to learn this iconic Hawaiian tradition that doubles as an excellent workout ... and triples as a unique way to tour the county's wetlands.  It's also the perfect solution for someone like me, who gets a little freaked out by the claustrophobic and ultra-close-proximity-to-the-water elements of kayaking.  Even better, you and your teenaged kids can get your zen on over water with a SUP yoga class.  Cue the ukuleles, people! And for more CT Water Fun check out our CT Beach and Water Fun Guide.

Tucked away in Winsted, Connecticut, sits perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Litchfield County.  My first experience at the Gilson Theatre was during a vacation from college, and some friends and I drove in a massive snow storm, up Route 8, for what seemed like forever, to Main Street in Winsted to check out the burlesque theatre turned dinner and a movie spot.  Back then, the crowds were small and the movies were oldish.  Times have certainly changed at the Gilson, but it's just as fabulous a spot as it's ever been and well worth the trip!

Bonjour! Monday is Bastille Day. Don’t give the enfants a reason to storm out; let them eat cake, or at least brie and baguettes. Enjoy a picnic “en plain air” at a local park or by the light house in Long Beach when you catch a dollar movie. There is lots to do at the library and you can brush up on the French Revolution while you’re there (or borrow some of the books in our DIY Kid Lit Camp). Better yet, sign the kids up for French lessons and listen to them parlez, because our five picks for fun this week all have a certain je ne sais quois.

It wasn't until I recently overheard a group of moms passionately discussing party balloon decorations that I realized what a hot topic it is. A really fabulous themed balloon installation can make a young kids' birthday party seem extra special, and at the end you can give them away as fun favors. Even teens and grown-ups aren't immune to the charms of over-the-top balloon art. Bonus: Unlike flowers, balloon centerpieces won't trigger seasonal allergies (though a sudden pop might scare a tot or two).

While pretty much any old party store carries balloons, if you're looking for something unique or customized (and are willing to pay the price... beautiful balloons don't come cheap), you're going to want to go to the experts. We found eight stores and services in NYC that specialize in balloons for all occasions, from kids' birthday parties to sweet sixteens to bar mitzvahs to weddings.