"Random acts of kindness"... this phrase has been used a lot since the mid 90s, when the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation was formed. Random acts of kindness are all about doing nice things for friends, family, and strangers—from simple acts like sharing a smile to larger endeavors such as volunteering at a charity—just for the sake of doing them. The idea is that spreading kindness brightens the day of both the giver and the receiver and encourages the receiver to perform their own random acts of kindness, creating a contagious wave of good deeds.

Of course, adults aren't the only ones who can benefit from random acts of kindness. Teaching kids kindness from a young age helps them learn good manners and respect, increases their own happiness and self-esteem, and helps them grow up to be kind adults.

Need some inspiration? Here are 25 random acts of kindness ideas to share with your children. The list includes random acts of kindness that kids of all ages can do at home, in the community, and at school. For more ways kids can show kindness to their loved ones and to the Earth, check out our list of 101 questions to ask grandparents about their lives and our ideas for how kids can help fight climate change.

If you’ve got a little animal lover in your family, then these 10 New Jersey animal encounters are a must-do. From our favorite local zoos and aquariums to rescues and family-friendly interactive farms, there are many opportunities to interact with cute creatures throughout the state.

Enjoy more animal encounters in the Garden State at these top local petting zoos and consider a farm birthday party for your kid's next milestone if they just can't get enough furry facetime.

Hooray for Hollywood! LA's most famous 'hood offers so many more things to do than glitz and glam, t-shirt shops, and infamous nightclubs. Believe it or not, Hollywood is also a go-to destination with kids in tow—from hiking to the Hollywood sign to watching celebrities get a star on the Walk of Fame. Check out our favorite things to do with kids in and around Tinseltown. And if you've got out-of-town guests looking for Hollywood movie set sightseeing, we've got that covered, too. 

Hollywood might be one of the main stars of Los Angeles, but from the beaches to the mountains, there's so much more to uncover. Explore LA like a native Angeleno with a 3-day LA itinerary from a local, enjoy these top attractions to do in LA with kids, and browse even more LA bucket list ideas in our Los Angeles visitor's guide for families. 

These New York jokes for kids are guaranteed to make even the most hardened city dwellers crack a smile.

We love to hear our kids giggle, and we love New York City, so we've rounded up these NYC jokes for kids to make your family laugh out loud...or groan! Either way you'll get a reaction! These New York City jokes for kids tackle well-known neighborhoods, streets, and buildings in New York, and even our beloved baseball teams.

Need more jokes for kids? Get your kids laughing with our school jokes for kids or our big list of hilarious jokes for kids! We also have Mom jokes and Dad jokes that will surely help the most tired parents crack a smile.

The best family vacation spots in the US aren't always the most popular ones (no hate towards Disney World, New York City, Washington, DC, or Los Angeles, of course). America is a big country, and there are so many great places to visit that may not be on every family's radar. There are lots of benefits to visiting places that are off the beaten path, including fewer crowds, lower prices, and the thrill of discovering something new and different.

Here are 15 of the best family vacation spots in the US that are off the beaten path. These places in the northeast, south, midwest, and western part of the country offer plenty of things to do with kids, including beautiful beaches and parks, family-friendly museums and cultural institutions, delicious restaurants, and all of sorts of other fun activities and unique places to explore. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more amazing family vacation destinations.

Looking for children's birthday party entertainers in Houston? We have 15 Houston birthday party entertainers who will come to your home.

As parents, we want to make our children's birthday parties unforgettable, and planning one such party is definitely not monkey business. One easy way to do this is to bring whatever it is that your kid loves (animals, princesses, superheroes, magic - you name it) to life right in your very own home or event space. Yes, I did say easy. No, really; hear me out. These 15 excellent Houston birthday party entertainers provide everything from live animal shows to princess tea parties, face painting, balloon art, and more; and they bring the show on the road so you can host your event where it's convenient for you. Don't forget to check out our birthday party guide for more fun and easy ideas your little ones will remember for a lifetime.

You weren't always looking for fun indoor places where your kids could hang out. It’s like you blink, and one day you have a teenager. Although there is always time for family time, sometimes teens and tweens need a little bit of freedom, and these spots are sure to do the trick. With a little spending money and a group of friends, these spots are Mommy Poppins-tested and teenager-approved! From Stamford to  New Haven, and Hartford to Norwalk, there are a lot of family-friendly options for Connecticut families. But these spots truly go above and beyond to offer a little something extra for teens—even if it's just a good photo op.

Connecticut has so many fun indoor places to enjoy with the family. When it's a special celebration, regardless of the season, these fun indoor birthday party places for kids in Connecticut make a memorable day. And you can stretch those entertainment dollars with free museums in Connecticut to visit with kids. 

Looking for the best indoor ice skating rinks in Westchester? Read on for top options throughout the county. 

Whether it's winter or summer, many of us have kids who are eager to lace up. To help you out, we've got the scoop on indoor ice skating rinks in Westchester.

Ice skating is rapidly becoming one of my family's favorite activities. We are happy to find active ways to enjoy the cold weather. Some rinks are geared more toward the budding 3-year-old hockey star and some are better places for birthday parties. Read on for the scoop on indoor (or covered) rinks in Westchester.

Check out our rundown on workouts for Westchester families to try together and other fun activity ideas in our Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, & Fun Zones for Westchester Kids.