Get ready to check off a bunch of boxes in one outing: outdoor time, local history, exercise, easy drive, and totally FREE—right down to the parking. This little known canyon in the Santa Clarita Valley offers hiking through a special piece of California's past, pulling together Native American history, Hollywood movie locations, and the site of the very first discovery of gold in California. All of this is set amidst a variety of native flora and fauna, with guided ranger activities and a nature center, making Placerita Canyon a great choice for a day's excursion.

They say you never know what you might discover in your own backyard. Well, in honor of summer, we've put together a list of some travel-worthy attractions just outside Connecticut's proverbial backyard, with no destination farther than an hour away (depending where you live in the state, of course.) From beloved children's authors to time-traveling adventures, these museums are sure to please the kid in everyone. Plus, you're bound to discover something new just beyond your backyard. 

Summers in Philly are filled with swimming excursions, camping trips, and family vacations to the Jersey shore. But by summer's end, kids are bored and already worried about the start of a new school year. You might be looking to get out of the house and break that cabin fever for a few hours without breaking the bank! We've rounded up some of the best free events around Philly happening in August. To see additional upcoming events, check out our event calendar. For more free fun, be sure to check out our free outdoor movie post and free outdoor concert post!

In our house, birthdays start out with cupcakes (or cake!) for breakfast.  It's our perfect family tradition that ensures that the best part of the birthday celebration doesn't get upstaged by a full belly! 

But hey, cupcakes aren't just for (birthday) breakfast anymore! They are the perfect-sized treat that have earned their own specialized bakeries and even food trucks. So whether you need cupcakes for a special occasion, or you are are just plain hankering for a cake-fix, try one of these local bakeries in Fairfield County for delicious cakes or cupcakes.

For birthday party ideas, make sure to check out our Party Guide. 

If the purpose of art is to make us think about and see the world from a different perspective, taking your kids to see creative works is a double whammy. Kids always seem to see the world with fresh eyes, so having an art-venture is a super fun way to get a new POV as a family.

The city is bursting with FREE outdoor art over the summer, as well as several new exhibits just for kids. But we recently stumbled upon some extra fun, interactive art happenings that although not necessarily designed for kids, are actually perfect for them. Most of these close as summer winds down and fall blows in, so read on to get the scoop now.

After months of construction, the highly anticipated Watsessing Park Spray Park opened on July 20. Located on Glenwood Avenue near Dodd Street in East Orange, the 3,000-square-foot addition to the 69-acre park provides deep sea–themed water adventures to keep your kids cool this summer.

While New Jersey residents are no stranger to the cheap thrills provided by local spraygrounds, those living in Essex County have been forced to drive to neighboring communities for free water fun. But thanks to this new spray park, now you can cool off not too far from your own backyard.

Making its debut right in the middle of a string of 90-plus-degree days, I couldn't think of a better place to take my 4-year-old daughter to beat the heat. With her swimsuit on and beach towels in tow, we were excited to check out this cool new spot.

The fun of free (and almost free) outdoor summer movies for Westchester kids continue through August, and we've got the scoop on where and when. As a bonus, many of these movies are "classics" from the '80s and '90s, so you get the added coolness of sharing a piece of your own childhood with your kids. 

Don't miss out on your last chance to laze under the stars on a blanket with some popcorn. (And you can even bring your own snacks—no sneaking necessary!)

Looking for more summer fun, outdoor and otherwise? Consult our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook.