Inclusive Playgrounds for Long Island Kids with Special Needs

The climbing bridge at the LATCP playground at Eisenhower Park is a draw for kids of all ages. Photo courtesy of Let All The Children Play

Inclusive playgrounds allow kids of all ages and abilities to come together in an environment that facilitates shared play. Long Island has so many great playgrounds where kids can just be kids, but here is our list of accessible playgrounds that also include equipment and/or layouts suitable for children with special needs or disabilities.

Looking for more playground fun? See our lists of the best playgrounds on Long Island and the top playgrounds for toddlers. For a complete overview of parks, playgrounds, and family fun hiking trails, check out our guide to Long Island parks and playgrounds.

School Start & End Dates: 2019-2020 Academic Year Calendars for LA County Schools

NOTE: California public schools are performing distance learning due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Whether they will open again or resort to summer school is up in the air. Below is the 2019-2002 LAUSD school calendar. Or click if you are looking for the 2020-2021 LAUSD school calendars.

Summer vacation ain't what it used to be. The majority of SoCal school districts now opt for an August start date, with vanishingly few stragglers sticking with the old-school, post-Labor Day start. And beware assuming that school starts and finishes roughly when it did last year, because schedules seem to change all the time. 2020 is a leap year, and that extra day may impact the school calendar as well.

This year Alhambra is first out of the gate, leading the back-to-school race with a pool-party-pooper start date of August 9; but in a radical change of course, Torrance goes from last man standing to a late August start. Hermosa Beach is now the only district on our list with a September start date, with classes beginning on September 5. 

Wondering where your district fits in, and how much time you have left for these 50 Free Things To Do in Summer? Bookmark our list below with start and finish dates for the 2019-2020 school year all over LA County. And if what you read makes you wonder about what other school options are available to you, maybe our school guide can help.

May GoList: Best Things to Do With Houston Kids This Month

May is a great month for Houston kids because school is basically over and summer is basically here. It's also great because one of Texas' best seasons officially beings: Water park season. And there are plenty of options in and near the city, from the new Hurricane Harbor (formerly SplashTown) to Schlitterbahn.

This month you can party with the family for Cinco de Mayo (and grab a margarita or three afterward), head to Galveston and swim at one of our favorite beaches. t's also a great time of the year to visit your local farmers' market for some fresh produce and handmade goods.

If you haven't had time to make summer camp plans for your kids yet, let us help you out. Our guide has ideas for outdoor camps, science-themed camps, art camps, overnight camps, and even free camps. Read on for more family fun this month.

10 Budget-Friendly Staten Island Birthday Party Spots for Kids

Kids N' Shape has fabulous 2-hour birthday parties where kids can romp in soft blocks.  Photo courtesy of the venue

Although we have a ton of ideas for kids' birthday parties for every budget in New York City, celebrations in Manhattan or Brooklyn typically cost more than they do in other boroughs, especially when compared to Staten Island. You might not already know it unless you live on Staten Island, but this borough offers a ton of great, affordable birthday party options—ice skating, roller skating, bowling, museums, park and zoo parties, and even a few surprises.

If you're not a Staten Island resident, getting to the island for a party may take a little more effort and planning to schlep a group of kids on the ferry (which will probably be totally cool to them, by the way) or by car, but with the cash you'll save, it just might be worth it. And if you do live on Staten Island, read on for a few ideas to bookmark for your next birthday party.

Mother's Day Freebies on Long Island

Moms can enjoy free admission to Harbes Family Farm Barnyard Adventure on Mother's Day. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

While moms should be honored every day, they all deserve to be extra spoiled on Mother's Day. And it just so happens, there are a few places on Long Island offering FREE items and/or admission to moms on this special day. Some even extend the courtesy all weekend, from Saturday, May 11 to Sunday, May 12. 

If you're looking to treat mom to a Mother's Day brunch, check out our roundup of select local restaurants, complete with kid-friendly menus.  Of course, if the outdoors is more mom's thing, check out our roundup of spring fairs and festivals. Either way, pamper mom on her special day. 

Top 10 Delaware County Playgrounds Your Family Needs to Check Out

Drexel Lodge Park courtesy of Delco Historical Sites

Delaware County, often referred to as Delco, may be on the small side, but it is one of the most populous counties in the state as many families of young children are opting to live or move to Delco for the beautiful parks and trails. And with this abundance of young families and parks comes loads of fun playgrounds to choose from. A great bonus is many of these playgrounds are ideal for families with multiple children, supporting various ages and stages. While there are a ton to choose from, a few are real standouts and worth the trip even if you don't live in the area—here are our top 10 picks!

From Parties to Scouts, Why Annenberg PetSpace Is Such a Great Place To Bring Kids

Photo courtesy of Annenberg PetSpace

We just got word that Annenberg PetSpace's new summer camp is already full for the season—that didn't take long! But even if you missed it, there are still a whole bunch of wonderful reasons to bring kids to explore this unique, critter-focused community space, many of which are free. The center has educational programs and play opportunities that include story hours, classes, scavenger hunts, birthday parties, and more—all created to strengthen the bond between pets and people. If you thought Annenberg PetSpace was just an adoption center, get ready to take a closer look.

Best Playgrounds in Chicago: Destination Play Zones Worth the Trip

Photo courtesy of the Maggie Daley Park Facebook page

Chicago families are lucky to have a world-class parks system with hundreds of great playgrounds. Thanks to a city initiative, over 300 playgrounds in Chicago have been refurbished or newly built since 2013, with the goal of ensuring that every Chicago kid has a place to play within a ten-minute walk of home.

But even in a city packed with great parks, some Chicago playgrounds are a cut above the rest. The spots on our best-of list have plenty of space to climb, slide, swing, and play, while also offering something special or unique that makes them worth the trip. Check out our Chicago playground hall of fame, and get out to play at a new-to-you park this weekend.

For more playgrounds in Chicago fun, we’ve also included some incredible destination playgrounds in the Chicago suburbs.

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