What better way to foster a child's natural love of the outdoors than with a hike in one of New Jersey's beautiful parks?

As a mom of two young boys (ages 3 and 6) and a non-walking baby, any trail my crew is going to explore must be fairly short, clearly delineated, not travel by any crazy drop-offs, not be too steep, have bathrooms somewhat nearby, and meander past interesting scenery. Cheesequake State Park in Matawan perfectly meets these criteria and is a great spot for introducing your kids to hiking—and even lake swimming.

Despite some chains’ efforts to spruce up their movie theaters, there is still nothing quite like a drive-in movie experience—a summer tradition for our family. Perhaps it’s nostalgia—or the fact that my 4-year-old can chatter throughout the movie without bothering anyone (except his older brother). Before the show, kids play Frisbee and tag in front of the monstrous theater screen, and since the movies start on the later side (it must be dark, after all), half of them are clad in pajamas.

The Lower Hudson Valley is home to several drive-in theaters—a real treat, as these theaters are rapidly diminishing across the U.S. We've got details on theaters in our area, as well as useful tips for enjoying the drive-in with kids.

Looking for more ways to spend your summer? Take a look at our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook!

Kids and museums. The two don't always go together like PB & J. Many museums are too quiet, too formal and quite frankly, too stuffy, particularly for a three year old. That being said, there are quite a few great museums that actually cater to children with innovative, hands-on programming designed specifically for kids. From helicopters to Colonial Connecticut to modern art, Fairfield County has many first-class museums featuring history and the arts. Most of our museums are also small, easily accessible and extremely family-friendly. Here's a round up of our favorites:

If you're looking for a way to burn some of your kids' energy, roller skating is a great activity that can be fun for the whole family. Roller skating keeps kids active and having fun, and it makes for a great birthday party, too. There are indoor roller rinks all over the area that are perfect for a rainy day, or head to Blue Cross Riverrink Summerfest for some outdoor fun this summer!

After a long winter, Long Islanders are finally getting some vitamin D thanks to rising temperatures and clearing skies. One way to celebrate the change in seasons is to visit the newly renovated and reopened playground at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center.

One of the most anticipated new features is a spray park Long Islanders, or for that matter, anyone,  can use to beat the heat this summer. Other new features that bring life to the park include swing sets and additional playground structures to rival the best family playgrounds on Long Island.

Check out our Parks and Playground Guide for LI Families or our guide to water parks and amusement parks for other ways to enjoy the warm weather and the outdoors. 

My now 6-year old daughter has been a horse-lover ever since her first pony ride at a town fair. After several casual rides she began begging me for “real” horseback riding lessons. Luckily, we live in a state that has the highest density of horses in the country, and the greater Hartford area has no shortage of options!  Many of these locations offer private and group lessons as well as pony rides and birthday parties. Check out more equestrian camps in the Litchfield County area too.

Have a budding Ansel Adams or Annie Leibovitz on your hands? If your kid is always swiping your iPhone to snap some shots or has requested her own DSLR camera, now might be the perfect time to enroll her in a photography class. And Westchester has a whole slew to choose from, whether you’re looking for a week-long summer intensive or a Saturday session during the school year.

We’ve rounded up six places where kids can get behind the lens and learn everything from lighting to editing their shots in Photoshop.

Looking for more classes for kids? Check out what Westchester has to offer in our Classes Guide and follow us on Facebook!

If you've never been to Wave Hill—a bucolic 28-acre public garden and cultural center in Riverdale—you're missing a truly special NYC green space. Though much smaller than the sprawling 250-acre New York Botanical Garden, Wave Hill offers picturesque views of the Hudson River, sprawling grassy lawns that guests are encouraged to play and relax on, beautifully curated gardens, an art gallery, and unique character all its own.

My family has been visiting Wave Hill since my now-teenage son was just a toddler. With family art projects every weekend, nature and garden walks, and other kid-centered programming, plus comparably inexpensive admission prices, Wave Hill definitely deserves a spot on your summer fun bucket list.