A ride on the NYC Ferry is a great way to see New York City from a new point of view—and cruising on the water is so much more exciting for jaded city kids than taking the boring old subway—especially during the summer. The NYC Ferry system makes it easy and fun to hop on a boat for a day trip to a not-so-distant shore.

While we're big fans of all the family activities you can enjoy on Governors Island, and riding the FREE Staten Island Ferry is on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids before they grow up, the NYC Ferry has opened up tons more waterfront neighborhoods to easy exploration. Here are our favorite things to do near NYC Ferry stops, plus a couple of longer ferry rides that will whisk you away to nearby shores for a daycation.

These school jokes for kids keep giggles going, even if there's stress about heading back to school.

Whether your family is sad vacation time is over, glad to get away from the boredom of the long summer break, or a bit of both, it’s time to think about going back to school! Your kids can laugh with old and new friends with their favorite school jokes for kids. New teachers and routines can be stressful as well as exciting, so try slipping a note with one of these funny jokes into school lunchboxes, to make your little scholar laugh and show them you’re thinking of them!

And you don’t need to stick to school-themed jokes. Check our list of howlers in these funny jokes for kids. We also have Mom jokes and Dad jokes that will be sure to make the whole family giggle.

There's nothing sweeter on a hot summer day than an ice cream sundae and we've rounded up the best ice cream parlors in NYC to get an over-the-top ice cream sundae. We owe a debt to whoever invented the delicious combo of ice cream, syrup, and toppings—this yummy treat is a delight.

The delectable ice cream sundaes below go far beyond your typical scoop with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry on top to include special touches like unlimited toppings, candy coatings, and sundaes fit to feed your entire family. If you're looking for more sweet shops to grab a scoop, bookmark our list of 14 great ice cream parlors in NYC, and find more showstopping desserts for all seasons and occasions on this list of the most insane desserts in NYC.

Don't toss out those empty toilet paper rolls and paper towel tubes just yet. They're the perfect canvas for some awesome crafts for kids. And toilet paper roll crafts aren't just for little ones. They can be used by everyone from preschoolers to make simple animals and mummies, all the way through tweens and teens to make more advanced projects like desk organizers and wall art.

Here are 20 fun and easy toilet paper roll crafts for kids of all ages. Once you use up all those toilet paper rolls, repurpose your empty cardboard boxes with some of our 50+ cardboard box crafts and activities for kids. Let your family's creativity run wild!

When it comes to wet-and-wild summer fun, here's a fresh idea: Why not plan a river tubing day trip or go white water rafting near NYC? After all, you’ve likely already visited some local beaches, swam in our favorite FREE swimming pools, and (of course) hit up a splash pad while attempting to beat the summer heat.

Most of these destinations for river tubing and white water rafting near NYC clock in at around two hours from Midtown Manhattan, making them perfect for a day trip or quick late-summer weekend getaway—some even offer family-friendly camping packages, too. So, read on for our top picks for river tubing and white water rafting near NYC, and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Summer Fun in NYC for Kids.

Florida's Everglades are world famous—mostly for alligators, but there is more to this enormous wildlife area than big toothy reptiles. Everglades National Park's swamps and mangroves cover 1.5 million acres of South Florida, with the broader Everglades region extending many miles beyond that. A full vacation exploring the waterways of the Everglades is a tropical treat, but there are also easy options for day trips from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Armed with the right info, an airboat ride through the Everglades to greet a few alligators can be an easy and exciting afternoon outing.

During my childhood, Santa Clarita was home to Mountasia. It was your typical family fun center with a 90s vibe. We’re talking fluorescent lights, multi-colored, ugly carpeting, hokey prizes, and purple walls. I loved it. During COVID, the lack of business put it under, and this Valencia mainstay closed for good. 

Thankfully, MB2 swooped in and saved the day. The company acquired the Valencia property and spent months recreating it into something cool and new, while retaining that  classic family fun. What has emerged is my favorite new place to bring my kids for a whole day of fun. Spend the day with bumper boats, go karts, bowling, VR, arcade games, laser tag, axe throwing, mini golf, and more. Read on for what to expect and more tips about visiting the new MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita.

If you need to keep kids from climbing the walls at home, check out the best rock climbing gyms for kids and top mini golf courses in Los Angeles! Find all this and more in our Los Angeles Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones.

Toddler-friendly hiking trails and nature walks are ideal after your baby officially graduates from a stroller and starts to assert independence, and Long Island is home to many amazing parks and preserves. 

Read on for our roundup of 15 trails across Long Island that aren't too taxing for little legs. All are sure to exercise your little one's muscles and stimulate their brain.  

For other outdoorsy-activity ideas, be sure to check out our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks on Long Island.