Bowling is a perfect indoor family activity when you find yourself with spare time (sorry—couldn't resist). At about age 5, children really start enjoying it, making it an ideal family outing. Bowling birthday parties are a hit for the school-age set, and most of these family-friendly bowling alleys in NYC offer party packages.

There are traditional bowling alleys—think leagues, snack bars, pro shops—in the outer boroughs, but Manhattan's spots tend to cater to grown-ups. Don’t worry, though: Kids can still find lanes—you just have to know when to go. Here are our favorite family-friendly bowling alleys in NYC.

Find more fun things to do indoors with kids in NYC, from Play Cafes Where Families Can Nosh and Play to Kid-Friendly Rock Climbing Walls in New York City and more, in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Return to the Mesozoic Era at the Long Island Children's Museum, where animatronic dinosaurs like the stegosaurus, apatosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex move and roar above visitors' heads. Interactive features make this exhibit one not-to-miss, especially for paleontologists in training.

Check out our full review below and don't miss our Guide to Museums for Long Island Kids.

“Good.” “Fine.” If these are the only things you hear from your kids when you ask how their day is going or how school was, you're not alone. Pulling a multi-syllabic response is harder than pulling teeth! But kids' minds are full of questions, thoughts, and feelings that they don’t always know how to—or want to—express. If only you had the right questions to ask. That's where these conversation starters for kids come in.

This list of conversation starters for kids can be a helpful tool to open the lines of communication and learn more about how your children see the world. It includes great questions to ask your kids about school, friends, emotions, and—for the bravest among us—how we’re doing as moms and dads. These conversation starters will get your kids laughing, thinking, and even responding. Throw them out over dinner, in the car, or anytime you just want to check in.

We’ve got plenty more ideas for how to unplug, laugh, connect, and share in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide, where you’ll find the 100 Hardest ‘Would You Rather’ Questions for Clever Kids and 101 Fun Facts That Will Blow Your Kids’ Minds. For more fun ideas delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters.

If your child pirouettes in the kitchen, buffalos down the hallway, or freestyles to the radio, a dance summer camp may be the perfect way to pass the summer break. From recreational summer day camps to more rigorous ballet boot camps, first-time dancers through pre-professionals have lots of ways to explore their love of dance throughout New Jersey. We've found 12 dance summer camps in New Jersey with programming for toddlers, teens, and everyone in between.

For even more summer camps in New Jersey, including our picks for affordable summer camps in the Garden State and STEM summer day camps, check out our Guide to Summer Camps in New Jersey and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Enter The Art Farm, and it’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of Manhattan. This out-of-the-ordinary learning center is full of unexpected surprises. Situated in a bustling corner of the family-friendly Upper East Side—a neighborhood it’s called home since its founding 20 years ago!—this nature-focused spot is a haven for animals and animal lovers alike.

From preschool to after-school, summer camp to drop-in classes and birthday parties to baking, The Art Farm seemingly has it all. Read on to learn about our visit, which was full of new, furry friends and even some chinchilla kisses.

Here's some news that will chase the clouds away: Cookie Monster, Elmo, and the whole gang are coming to sunny Southern California. The new Sesame Place San Diego opens March 26, 2022, adding to the growing list of incredible SoCal Amusement Parks for kids. From Super Grover’s Box Car Derby to Ernie’s Twisty Turny Tunnels, read on to discover what rides and characters await young FOE (Friends of Elmo) at this new theme park.

If you head to San Diego to visit Sesame Place San Diego, don’t forget to check out our San Diego Family Guide for tips on Visiting the San Diego Zoo Like a Local, plus the 50 Best Things To Do in San Diego with Kids and so much more.

Prepare to be spellbound…Harry Potter: The Exhibition is finally open at the Franklin Institute, and it’s every bit as magical as fans of the franchise would expect. A collection of immersive experiences capture the Wizarding World kids have come to love from the stories and blockbuster films. Original props and costumes are displayed alongside themed interactive installations, giving Potterheads a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite characters, scenes, and settings.

Team Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw can all personalize their journey at registration kiosks before entering the exhibit. From there, some 18,000 square feet of Potter-themed galleries wow guests, including simulated wand duels, potion mixing, and of course, a game of Quidditch. The exhibition hops a broomstick and flies out of town in September, and we recommend booking tickets immediately as weekends are selling out fast.

Chicago is known as The Third Coast because of its gorgeous Lake Michigan skyline, but another body of water brings beauty to the city as well. The Chicago River and the Riverwalk that has developed along its banks has become a destination for tourists and locals alike, especially in the warm summer months when visitors can dine outside. Operable drawbridges and CTA trains that cross the river add extra interest to the area for kids. 

Some of the best restaurants on the river in Chicago operate only from April or May through October, while others are year-round fixtures. They become destinations during major events like the dyeing of the Chicago River and the Chicago Marathon, but they're truly relaxing at any time of year. Try to make a reservation at one of these top-notch riverfront restaurants in Chicago for the best results!

For more tips on dining out with kids in Chicago, check out our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurants Guide.