July is the heart of summer, and while it kicks off with our biggest national holiday and all the parades and fireworks that the Fourth of July brings, the rest of the month seems like it's a holiday desert. Not so! July has Shark Week and Joke Day, Gummy Worm Day, and Pflasterspektakel Linz! You'll have to keep reading to find out what that is, and how to celebrate it with kids...

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day of July, whether it's a reason to have a disco dance party or the perfect excuse to watch an Indiana Jones movie. Be sure to check our local summer guides for more ideas to keep you busy in July and all summer long.

After four years of construction, one of New York City’s most beloved waterfront parks has finally fully reopened—and it's worth the wait. Just in time for summer, East River Park’s southern section welcomes families back with all-new recreational features, re-imagined green spaces, and an incredible hidden layer of protection underneath it all.

Whether you're looking for a sunny place to picnic, shoot some hoops, or just run around and explore, this upgraded park is a must-visit. For more newly renovated parks, check out our list of jaw-dropping new playgrounds in NYC, and for even more fun, bookmark this list of NYC’s best playgrounds worthy of a subway ride.

What is a Labubu, and why are we going crazy for them?

Do you remember wanting nothing so much as a (let's be honest, kind of ugly) Cabbage Patch Kid? I do. Maybe that’s why, all these years later, when my daughter asks, “Mom, when do the Labubus drop today?” I find myself frantically trying to source them—scanning social media for updates, refreshing the browser endlessly, hoping to snag a doll that’s so ugly it’s cute. Just to give her that same feeling of excitement and joy over something she can call her own.

Here's the scoop on what Labubus are, where to buy Labubu figures, what clothes fit Labubu, and what "have a seat" means! 

For a trip down memory lane to remember Cabbage Patch Kids and other classic toys from our youth, check out our list of 100 Classic Toys for Kids.

Nothing beats dining at an outdoor restaurant in the warmer months, especially with kids in tow, and in family-friendly Queens, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy alfresco eats. We don't mean a sidewalk table or two—we're talking an actual yard with ample seating and room for families to enjoy a meal. Outdoor restaurants often provide a more relaxed atmosphere, where kids can be entertained by simple pleasures like a passing butterfly or flowers on a nearby plant, and city noises offer cover for little ones who may forget to use their indoor voices.

We've highlighted several Manhattan eateries with outdoor seating options in the past and a whole slew of outdoor restaurants in Brooklyn, as well as exceptional spots where kids and families can eat and play. Read on to take a closer look at our picks for the best outdoor restaurants in Queens with backyards for kid-friendly dining.

Nick Itkin, 2-time Olympian medalist, is hosting free fencing classes for kids with the newly launched Nick Itkin Foundation at the Los Angeles International Fencing Center. These classes are open to kids ages 6 & up, with equipment being provided by the club. Classes are held every Sunday and are entirely funded by non-profit donations from the community. I have been fencing for 10 years, and I can attest that there is no better sport for kids' minds and bodies.

And the chance to get (free!) instruction from Olympic fencer (and awesome guy) Nick Itkin? Amazing. He gives kids an introduction to the sport and all the basic forms and rules.

I got to speak with Nick Itkin about why he's offering these classes. He walked me through why this is the best sport on earth (I agree!) and how you can get your kids signed up for these lessons. Read on, and if you're looking for more great free activities for kids, check out the Mommy Poppins Los Angeles Guide to Free Activities for Kids. 

Nestled comfortably on the South Shore between Nassau and the East End, Sayville makes a great day trip any time of the year. 

About five miles west of Patchogue, Sayville might be overlooked for the more popular central Suffolk destination. However, Sayville also has a booming downtown area full of restaurants and shops, as well as ferry service to central Fire Island. With delicious eateries, seasonal festivals, and play areas for kids, you can find something for every member of the family. 

We've rounded up all our favorite Sayville destinations for kids and families below. You'll find more fun local communities to explore in our Guide to Suffolk County, plus more fun expeditions in our Guide to Day Trips on Long Island.

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The best things to do, restaurants, and hotels for kids in Pilsen.