Is Mardi Gras kid-friendly? If you think of Mardi Gras as a raucous, bawdy, booze-fest, you might not think it’s a very family-friendly event. But, for locals, Mardi Gras is for families.  

I took my nephew to New Orleans for Mardi Gras to celebrate his tenth birthday and I think it’s safe to say that he had the best 10th birthday weekend imaginable. Everywhere we went, we were surrounded by other families and saw first-hand how much people cater to kids at Mardi Gras to make sure they have a great time. Not only did we see anything “adult”, but it was actually an educational trip where we learned a lot about New Orleans and the history and culture of Mardi Gras. 

If you want to plan a Mardi Gras vacation for your family, I’ve created a three-day itinerary that will give you the best of kid-friendly Mardi Gras, plus many other kid-friendly activities to explore New Orleans and its history and culture.  For more New Orleans fun, check our other article, The Best Things To Do in New Orleans With Kids.

At the newly opened Brooklyn Museum education center, kids don't just look at art—they actually become the artists. Named the Toby Devan Lewis Education Center, this large welcoming space invites kids of all ages—and their adults—to get hands-on and contribute to the museum's exhibit.

Guided by friendly museum workers, kids can try their little hands at everything from crafting with clay to making their own zines. Check out what the Brooklyn Museum's new education center has to offer visitors, and start planning your trip to the Brooklyn Museum to explore this newly renovated space.

Baltimore, Maryland is an incredibly kid-friendly and walkable city full of history, culture, and fun. The famous Inner Harbor offers the impressive National Aquarium, the fantastic Port Discovery Children's Museum, family-friendly restaurants, museums and science centers, and more. And the city is heaven for transportation lovers, with train museums and boats galore.

Baltimore's proximity to our nation's capital doesn't hurt, either. With only about 40 miles separating Washington, DC from Baltimore, it’s easy to visit both cities in one weekend.

Here is our list of 50 fun things to do in Baltimore with kids, including family-friendly Baltimore hotels and restaurants. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more fun cities to visit across the US and beyond.

When it comes to birthday party places in Brooklyn, local tots have plenty of choices. Entertaining the under-age-5 crowd, plus a small army of their closest friends (and parents), can be tricky. Lucky for us, the borough of Brooklyn is filled with perfect birthday party places to please the diverse interests of enthusiastic toddlers and preschoolers.

Animals, arts and crafts, and even just tumbling around for a few hours are all options at these birthday party places in Brooklyn for preschoolers and toddlers. Read on for our list of 19 top toddler birthday party places in Brooklyn, and find even more birthday party inspiration in our NYC Kids' Birthday Party Guide. You can also use our directory to find more venues, plus party entertainers and supplies.

Throwing a toddler birthday party is special, memorable, and let's be honest, chaotic! Your own preschooler is energetic enough and now you're tasked with entertaining their equally enthusiastic friends (and parents). Fortunately, many Atlanta birthday party venues for toddlers and preschoolers make the process easy. 

Atlanta toddler birthday spots have something for every interest and budget when it comes to epic birthday celebrations. And best of all, most of these Atlanta birthday spots allow parents to relax while the staff sets up, cleans up, and most importantly, keeps kids busy. Read on for our toddler birthday party favorites and find even more birthday party inspiration in our Birthday Party Guide for Atlanta Kids!

Looking for the best indoor party places on Long Island? Check out our picks spanning Suffolk and Nassau counties. 

As the mom of a November baby, finding a great birthday party spot can be tricky because of the temps and forecast. We've found, though, that choosing indoor party places means you never have to worry about the weather ruining the special day. 

Read on below for our list of the top Long Island indoor party spots for kids of all ages–from babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to grade schoolers and even hard-to-please tweens and teens. 

For more birthday party ideas, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids and our list of Long Island's Top Birthday Party Places.

New Jersey laser tag and paintball venues both feature running, hiding, and shooting at your opponents. Kids will race through rough outdoor terrain to avoid the harsh splat of incoming paint pellets, or dart from cover to cover in a darkened arena trying to dodge laser beams.

Teens, tweens, and older kids will feel the rush of competition as their teams try to stay alive in the game. Both are great for older kids' birthday parties or family outings.

Most paintball venues allow players age 10 and up, while laser tag is appropriate for children as young as 5 or 6. Check websites for age limits, drop-in hours, party packages, equipment rentals, and reservations. 

Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids for more great indoor play spots. 

Little daredevils don't have to go far to experience extreme sports. We've rounded up 11 destinations for extreme sports in Westchester and the Hudson Valley where families can experience a thrilling adventure ranging from skydiving to ropes courses, go-kart racing, ax-throwing, and more.

Read on for our top picks for extreme sports destinations for kids nearby, and find more fun things to do in our Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones.