Kids can conserve water and lead the charge in making your home a water-wise place!

We know many kids love to play games with water, especially in the hot summer months when it's a fun way to beat the heat. But with many areas experiencing droughts and kids in many parts of the world unable to access clean water, it's important for kids to see H20 as a precious resource. But that doesn't mean saving water is a chore—in fact, it's fun for kids to be the agents of change. Armed with these fun methods to save water, put your kids in charge of policing family water usage and saving water in the bathroom, kitchen, yard, and laundry room. You can even let them give you a ticket when they catch you wasting water!

Looking for more ways to save the planet? Check out our Earth Kids Guide and make sure you're signed up for the Earth Kids Newsletter!

Expansive and diverse much like its home borough, a visit to Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids is arguably the main family attraction in Flushing. With so much to see and do in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids—including the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Museum, Queens Zoo, the Queens Botanical Garden, a carousel, an amusement park, and multiple playgrounds, plus the famous Unisphere and mega splash pad at the Fountain of the Fairs—it's more than a single-day excursion.

So bookmark this list of the 25 best things to do in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids and pick out a few things to do, then save the rest for next time. My family has explored the park time and again, and there is always something new to see and old favorites to revisit. Find more fun places to romp and explore in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

Mini-golf courses on Long Island may be miniature in size, but they deliver outsize fun. So stop putter-ing around and get on the green.

Miniature golf is one of those outings the entire family can enjoy. Some venues are part of larger amusement parks on Long Island that also offer kid-friendly fun such as arcades. Others are situated in county or state parks or beaches you may already be planning to check out this summer. Whatever the location, these courses offer a wonderful day or night of fun on the cheap.

If your family is ready to graduate to more advanced golf experiences, check out these par-3 golf courses on Long Island where kids can learn the game. Are you looking for other ideas for active family fun? Take a look at our rundowns on biking with the fam and hitting local hiking trails.

You can find more great things to do in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar. 

In Chicago, there are amazing, unique, and free spaces to take your kids if you know where to look. The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of those hidden gems. For an optional donation, you and your family get transplanted into a pre-historic Chicago landscape, a lush dessert oasis, a tropical forest, and more. The best part is that almost all of the conservatory can be explored no matter what the weather is like outside. If you’re looking for a fun and inexpensive outing with your family on a rainy or cold day, this is the place. During the warmer months, you can take advantage of the beautiful and expansive 10-acre outdoor garden. 
 
For more amazing places to explore with kids, check out our guide to the Top Tourist Attractions in Chicago: Best Things to See and Do with Kids.

“Mom! That must be why they built this dinosaur park! Because they found these bones here!” My six-year-old cried as he unearthed the bones of a T-Rex at the Dino Excavation Zone at Recreation Park in East Long Beach. 

His eyes grew wide with wonder as he dug out a massive skull sunk into the ground. In his mind, he had just made a historical discovery, and who was I to burst his bubble? The Dino Excavation Zone worked its magic and my kids felt like true paleontologists at Long Beach’s newest playground. 

Recreation Park in East Long Beach got a major upgrade with a Jurassic-themed playground perfect for kids of all ages. The new space just opened in June and is the perfect reason to take a trip to Long Beach! Looking for more awesome playgrounds for kids in Los Angeles or even the best splash pads in town? We've got all that and more in our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

Located in the heart of Orange County, Goshen is now well-known as the home of Legoland New York. However, the town of Goshen is a family-friendly destination in its own right. In 2021, Smithsonian Magazine named it one of the 15 best small towns to visit in America. Goshen boasts a vibrant downtown and arts community, and it is surrounded by the natural wonders of the Hudson Valley.

Goshen is also home to the oldest active harness racing track in the world. It is surrounded by picturesque horse farms, and horses are a recurring theme in the town's activities and artwork. Visitors can take a stroll through the quaint downtown, which is festively lit in the evenings, and check out one of the many restaurants and gastropubs. Or take the kids for some thrill rides at the nearby Castle Fun Center or Urban Air Adventure Park. For outdoorsy adventures, get out and explore the local nature on the Heritage Trail or at the Stewart State Preserve. 

Read on for our favorite things to do with kids in this historic Hudson Valley town, conveniently located off Route 17 and just south of I-84. And for more family fun ideas in the Hudson Valley and Westchester, check out our Family Day Trips Guide. 

Fire Island has it all: gorgeous beaches, quaint communities, outdoor dining and waterfront hotels, boating, camping and hiking, and even a historic lighthouse. It’s the perfect vacation destination for families, whether for a quick day trip, a weekend getaway, or an extended stay.

About 31 miles long and 1,300 feet across at its widest point, Fire Island is a skinny sandbar between Babylon and Center Moriches. At its western end is Robert Moses State Park; Smith Point County Park is at its easternmost point, and in between lies Fire Island National Seashore. Cars are not allowed on Fire Island—only bicycles and little red wagons—which adds to its laid-back vibe.

With 17 distinct communities, there is always something going on. Here are some of our picks for the top things to do while you're there.

Find more great things to do this summer in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

Put your kids on the swings and your feet in the sand at beachfront playgrounds along the Jersey Shore. The beaches of New Jersey are home to playgrounds that are like giant sandboxes, with colorful play structures and ocean views. Swing by some of these beachy-keen playgrounds on your next day trip or vacation to the Shore—and check out our bonus pick in northern New Jersey.

Please note that some of these playgrounds may require fees for beach entrance during the summer months. Find more great things to do on hot New Jersey days in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Family Activity Calendar.