Springfield, IL is just three hours south of Chicago, and while you might know it as the home of Abraham Lincoln, there are tons of other exciting and fun family things to do in Springfield. Wander the halls of the State Capitol, check out the inspiring street art and murals, and check out the latest exhibits at the Kidzeum of Health & Science. Visit just a few places on this list, and your kids will impress you with their new-found knowledge all the way home!

Springfield can be a great educational and fun weekend trip for Chicago kids looking to learn more about history. It can be a fun stop on an excursion to St. Louis or even play a part in a full tour of historic Route 66. If you're looking for other easy trips, check out this guide to family day trips and weekend getaways for Chicago kids. 

Southampton Village sits along a stretch of shoreline on the South Fork of Long Island's East End. Nestled between Hampton Bays and Water Mill, sandy beaches and celebrity sightings are where it's at, especially in the summer. Southampton, NY, is an ideal destination for a family day trip, and visiting on weekdays or getting an early-morning weekend start saves you hours in Hamptons traffic.

Read on for our family-friendly guide to the best things to do in Southampton, NY, with kids, including which beaches to visit, and where to eat and play. And for more kid-friendly activities on the East End, check out our roundup of 55 things to do with kids in the Hamptons and North Fork, or head over to our local Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways to find more enclaves to explore.

It's not too soon to start thinking about next year! School calendars for the largest school districts in Los Angeles County for the 2024-2025 school year are below, and you'll want to bookmark the page now for reference—especially when planning family vacations and booking summer camps. Follow the links for each district below for details on school holidays and semester breaks and to stay up-to-date on any last-minute changes from your local district.

There are no major changes from previous years.  LAUSD is once again sticking with its 3-week winter break despite a false start at shortening it last year. 

From Plymouth Rock to pirates, Plymouth has plenty of fun to offer families.

With summer just around the corner, there is nothing I look forward to more than those long hours of sunshine, taking the kids outside, walking to our local farmer's market and just enjoying the outdoors without the rain and pollen that have kept us housebound for the past few weeks. Hiking, biking and picnicking are great activities for children of any age and can provide years of fun family memories. Here are some of our favorite spots in the Delaware Valley, otherwise known as the Greater Philadelphia area.

Around 20 miles northwest of DC, Gaithersburg is a diverse and vibrant Maryland suburb with a rich history, thriving community, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Once an agricultural community known as Log Town, the city grew after the arrival of the B&O Railroad in the 1870s, which spurred business expansion and drove summer tourism by DC residents escaping the city’s heat.

Whether you’re looking for parks and playgrounds, museums and arts centers, local fairs and festivals, or kid-friendly restaurants, there’s so much for kids of all ages to explore and enjoy in Gaithersburg.

Read on for 25 fun things to do with kids in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for DC Kids includes even more fun suburbs to visit, like Fairfax, Virginia and Kensington, Maryland.

Legoland New York delivers Orlando-sized theme park fun right outside of New York City—and its on-site Legoland Hotel makes it easy to extend your visit into a multi-day Hudson Valley vacation.

From its supersized (and aptly named) BIG Shop to its wet-and-wild Lego City Water Playground, and its only-in-New York Lego Factory Adventure Ride, here are all the things to do and see during a visit to Legoland New York. Find more thrilling theme park adventures in the tri-state area in our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks for Families.

Everyone loves a Jersey Shore beach, but Jersey Shore boardwalks are where the real memories are made.

From frozen custard and funnel cakes to rides and mini golf — and a few that feature water parks and toddler amusements — Jersey Shore boardwalks are regional treasures. Read on for our top picks for Jersey Shore boardwalk fun below, and bookmark our Guide to the Jersey Shore for more help planning your best visit yet.