If you love the outdoors, you’ve probably checked out some of the state parks near Houston, like Lake Livingston or Huntsville. However there is a hidden gem within Houston itself that offers a similar experience. You won’t believe the great features of Lake Houston Wilderness Park for families:

• Free for kids aged 12 and under and only $3 for adults.
• Close by – located in the City of Houston boundary near New Caney.
• Nearly 5,000 acres of forest, 2 lakes, and a creek.
• Overnight camping in tents, shelters, or cabins.

So grab your backpack and enjoy the great outdoors for the day or the weekend. We provide ten great ideas for family activities in Lake Houston Wilderness Park, as well as details of what to know before you go, nearby attractions, and restaurant ideas.

If this article inspires you to travel further afield, you can check out some of the United States national parks. And to learn more about places to explore in the Houston area, try these 11 Amazing Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails.

The City Point Brooklyn complex has so much to offer families. It's a dining, shopping, and entertainment destination with offerings for all ages. Parents can appreciate the convenience of Target and Trader Joe’s, while specialty retailers cater to unique interests, and the whole family can enjoy the sleek dine-in movie theater and the vast DeKalb Market Hall, one of our favorite local food halls in NYC, with its delicious offerings from dozens of vendors.

We've rounded up the best things to do with kids at City Point Brooklyn below. You can find even more things to do nearby in our roundup of family-friendly destinations in Fort Green and Clinton Hill.

Watching Thanksgiving movies is part of many families' Thanksgiving traditions, much like watching football or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And gone are the days of having to gobble up Thanksgiving dinner by a certain time to catch whatever special is airing on network TV. With so many streaming platforms, there are a variety of Thanksgiving movies for kids and families to watch at any time.

Whether it's an animated Thanksgiving special, a family-friendly football film, or even a holiday classic to get everyone in a festive mood, here are 20 of the best Thanksgiving movies and specials for kids and families. For even more Thanksgiving fun—including hilarious Thanksgiving jokes and fun Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities—check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families.

Editor's note: KPOP the musical plays its final Broadway performance on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
If your kids are fans of K-pop, you won't want to miss seeing KPOP the musical, an original production that's landed on Broadway and our list of the best Broadway shows to see with kids this season. Starring current and former K-pop stars, KPOP the musical is a lively and energetic show that will have you dancing in your seats.

Fresh off a viewing of KPOP the musical with my 12-year-old daughter and her friends, here's what you need to know about bringing your kids to this new Broadway show. Find more great productions for all ages in our Guide to Children's Theater and Shows in NYC.

Your local rock-climbing gym combines fitness, thrills, and fun. It's the perfect way to get the kids moving and out of the house and still stay indoors when the weather isn't cooperating. Check out these 10 New Jersey facilities for open climbing, with options for beginner through advanced climbers!

Check with each facility about age requirements and which sections are best to try with kids. Some facilities recommend a staff-belay booking if you're new to climbing.

Take a look at our rundown of indoor obstacle courses and other great options in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for NJ Kids. 

Immersive art experiences have been popping up all over town in the past year, but the new Wonderland Dreams exhibit that's taken over a cavernous Midtown space is like nothing we've ever seen before. This Alice in Wonderland-inspired canvas is brought to life by the magical brushstrokes of artist Alexa Meade. Its sprawling 30-room walk-through is full of colorful props, stunning photo-ops, and inspiring backdrops that left us smiling long after we left the exhibit.

Read on for more details of our visit to Wonderland Dreams and bookmark our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for more kid-friendly art adventures to enjoy.

WowMoms World, which recently opened in Mineola, is a luxury play space that also offers services for caregivers. The relaxing space is set up so that children can play or take a class while caregivers or parents enjoy a manicure, a bite to eat, or even take a class themselves. This unique business–which currently has other outposts in Canada and Florida–truly has the entire family in mind. 

Check out our roundup of affordable after-school classes for Long Island kids and other ideas in our Childcare Guide to Long Island. 

No traffic, comfy seats, and an element of adventurous fun—these are all reasons why my family has fallen in love with the Brightline train, the high-speed rail service that connects West Palm Beach to Miami (with a stop in Fort Lauderdale). Anyone who lives in South Florida can tell you that the roads between these cities get congested, especially on a Friday afternoon. The Brightline presents another option for travelers. For kids and their parents, it also means an experience they're unlikely to forget. 

So what exactly can you expect aboard the Brightline? And when does this South Florida train service expand to other cities in Florida? Read on for all of the details, including a special Miami Polar Express Christmas Train. And to find out about more of our favorite train rides in Florida, check out our 10 favorite scenic train rides in Florida.