Volunteering as a family is an enriching way to spend time together while building values like empathy and compassion. There are many volunteering opportunities for kids throughout the DC area, so families with children of all ages can experience how rewarding it feels to contribute to their community.

You can find a cause to fit any child's passion, from addressing food insecurity to cleaning parks to helping animals. Opportunities range from one-time events to ongoing service projects. There are also annual volunteer programs organized around holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, Earth Day, Thanksgiving, and the winter holiday season.

Here are 25 volunteering opportunities for kids and families in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Our lists of DC Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Summer Service Trips for Teens will give you even more great ideas for giving back.

The San Francisco cable cars are the most entertaining and iconic way to travel from one part of the city to the next. And riding San Francisco's beautiful cable cars with kids only adds to the fun! San Francisco cable cars provide a wonderful peek into the past for the entire family on this National Historic Landmark. 

The steep San Francisco hills, the fresh air, the gorgeous city scenery, and the charming, chipped paint on the handrails all make riding the San Francisco cable cars a unique and memorable experience. Here's everything you need to know about riding the San Francisco cable cars with kids. 

For more must-do activities in San Francisco, see these tips for visiting Golden Gate Park with kids, and work your way through this list of 100 things to do in San Francisco with kids before they grow up. 

Griffith Park is a true oasis for kids. Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, it offers endless family-friendly activities. You could spend days in Griffith Park with all there is to do. 

Nature trails cater to little explorers, leading them through the park's green landscapes. The iconic Hollywood Sign serves as a backdrop for family photos and panoramic views, creating a magical setting for outdoor adventures. There's even some Disneyland history. Whether marveling at animals in the Los Angeles Zoo or playing conductor at Travel Town's vintage train collection, Griffith Park is a diverse and captivating playground for kids to learn, play, and make cherished memories. 

For more iconic attractions for kids in Los Angeles, discover all there is to do in Hollywood with kids, read these tips about visiting the Santa Monica Pier with kids, and find more things to do in our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families. 

We've canvassed South Florida, including Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale for the best playgrounds for kids of all ages. 

When the mercury hasn't dipped too low, bundle up the kids and fend off winter blues with one of these winter walks on Long Island.

Long Island is home to several state parks, preserves, and historical grounds that provide family-friendly hiking trails, serene natural beauty, and breathtaking views—even in the middle of winter. So, grab your warmest coats and boots and head for the hills (so to speak).

Don't forget to check out our Winter Fun Guide for more ways to enjoy Long Island's breathtaking beauty in any season.

Summer internships can make your average, high-achieving, New York City kid really stand out from the rest of the equally high-achieving pack when it comes time to apply to colleges. In an era when applications have become increasingly competitive—leaving schools to look for more than good grades, great test scores, an outstanding essay, and a list of after-school activities—these summer internships in NYC offer kids hands-on, real-world experience, and some even include leadership opportunities.

NYC summer internships come in various formats, paid and unpaid, regular and intermittent, educational and creative, with some also offering school or volunteer credit. The primary thing summer internships in NYC for teens tend to have in common is the due dates to apply are usually long before most teens have started thinking about their summer—or college—plans.

To make sure your teens don’t miss out on any opportunities, we've rounded up 18 great summer internships in NYC for teens. Most are accepting applications now. Find more teen-friendly happenings in our Tween and Teen Guide to NYC.

A trip to the Southwest isn't complete without a stop in Scottsdale, Arizona—especially as an add-on to a Phoenix family vacation. There are so many things to do in Scottsdale with kids, from hiking and biking the gorgeous surrounding trails to learning (and possibly meeting) the cowboys that call it home.

I grew up in this beautiful city northeast of Phoenix, which was once a suburban region. Now, Scottsdale's picturesque appeal, great schools, elite resorts, and countless attractions have made it one of the most popular Arizona cities to both visit and live in.

Check out this list of 40 things to do in Scottsdale, AZ, including some awesome Scottsdale hotels for families. And if you're already traveling westward, take a look at our Guide to the Best Vacations Out West, including articles about nearby Sedona and Colorado Springs.

Make the most of winter with these day trips from Boston!