To see, or not to see Shakespeare in the Park with kids? That is the perpetual question when it comes to Shakespeare and other classics. While FREE outdoor mountings of the Bard's iconic plays abound in NYC every summer, some are more family-friendly than others. The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park productions get all the press and feature big stars, but also involve hard-to-get tickets, long run times, and prickly patrons who may give you the stink eye if your child gets fidgety. Happily, lots of other local troupes put on quality, no-cost Shakespeare shows in various NYC parks. These revivals don't require tickets or reservations, are engaging and accessible, and often clock in at less than two hours, so your kids have a better chance of making it all the way through (and if they don't, just leave quickly and quietly—no money wasted!).

I started taking my daughter to outdoor Shakespeare when she was 7 and now, as a teen, she's totally hooked. Here are nine FREE classic shows to enjoy with your kids this summer, plus tips on how to make the most of the experience, and the lowdown on how to get tickets to Shakespeare in the Park if that's atop your list. Find all our picks for kid-friendly theater no matter the season in our Guide to Children's Theater in New York City.

For all the wonderful things they do for their families, our Long Island dads and grandads deserve some extra special attention on Father’s Day. If you haven’t made plans yet, we’ve put together a list of activities to do with dear old dad or grandpa to let them know how much they're loved and appreciated.

So, whether he’s crazy for sports, loves to spend time outdoors, or enjoys creating things with his hands, we hope this roundup sparks some fun ideas for Sunday, June 18. Find more family-friendly options on our list of the best things to do with Long Island kids in June and our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

If this summer is the typical South Florida summer, it's going to be a scorcher! Visit a Miami splash pad to keep the kids cool and entertained. Check out our list of the top 20 sprinkler parks, spraygrounds, and free splash pads in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with a few waterplay areas in the Keys and West Palm Beach areas as well.

For more ideas for things to do today with kids, check our South Florida Activities Calendar, or dip into our Miami Summer Activities Guide.

We recently visited Aquatica, SeaWorld’s awesome water park, for the ultimate summer outing to beat the Florida heat! This was my first Aquatica visit with all three of my kids (ages 5, 9, and 12), and we had a blast! There is truly something for every age to enjoy at this tropical oasis. Not only is Aquatica Orlando home to many fun water slides and pool areas, guests can also get a glimpse of sea life as well, making Aquatica a truly unique Orlando vacation.

Traveling with family can be a serious investment. After shelling out for plane tickets, you still have to book a hotel, cover the cost of meals, maybe rent a car, and more. Package deals and all-inclusive resorts can be a great way to save, but even better is choosing a hotel or resort where kids stay free.

Many hotels and resorts offer "kids stay free" promotions at certain times during the year, while others allow kids under a certain age to stay free all the time. These "kids stay free" deals often include free meals and on-site activities for children.

Whether your destination is in the US, the Caribbean, or Mexico, here are 10 family-friendly hotels where kids stay free. For more great plays to stay, check out our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide.

From pregnancy to college, this parenting thing is always throwing us curve balls. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a team of top doctors and experts on call to share trustworthy advice along the way or even prepare us with information before we need it? That’s where the toolkits from Connecticut Children’s Hospital come in: created by top pediatric experts and backed by one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation, they offer expert advice on the topics parents need to know about.

In the hospital’s latest kit, What to Expect Through Life Stages, fetal care experts, pediatric physical therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists share guidance on kids' health and well-being for each stage, from pregnancy right through to those tricky teen years. Take a look at some of the standout articles below, from understanding babies’ developmental milestones to helping teens make big decisions about their futures. You’ll find even more articles in the toolkit, so click through for additional advice at each stage.

If you have questions for a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, you can easily request a virtual or in-person appointment at Connecticut Children’s here.

Legoland New York keeps adding to its attractions. In its third season of operation, the mega Hudson Valley theme park debuted its long-anticipated Water Playground and we got an early look at the wet-and-wild fun.

From how to nab coveted reservations, to all the other fun in store this season, here are our parent-and-kid-tested tips for visiting the Legoland New York Water Playground. Coming from afar? Consider pairing your theme park visit with an overnight at the on-site Legoland New York Hotel, too.

As the school year winds down, many parents start to worry about the dreaded summer slide, or learning loss that can happen over summer break. The good news is, there are so many fun ways to keep kids learning and reading over the summer. One way is to take part in a summer reading challenge.

Summer reading challenges are a fun and engaging way to incentivize kids to read by offering them rewards like free books, pizza, movie tickets, and more. We've rounded up eight national summer reading challenges offered by bookstore chains, libraries, and companies. Don't forget to check for any local summer reading challenges sponsored by local businesses, sports teams, and libraries as well.

Need some book suggestions for your child's summer reading list 2023? Check out our lists of 100 kids' books every child should read before they grow up, children's books about women leaders, kids' books about race and social justice, and LGBTQ books for kids. Happy reading!