Long Island’s East End is an ideal summer destination for vacationers and residents alike. And, despite the Hamptons' hoity-toity reputation, it's easy to find family fun while on a budget.

From beautiful beaches to interactive playgrounds to museums and historic lighthouses, the Hamptons offer something special for everyone in the family. 

Read ahead for our incredible list of free and affordable Hamptons activities for kids. For even more summer fun, check out our Family Guide to the Hamptons and North Fork, and our story on Family-Friendly Hotels in the Hamptons and on the North Fork.

If we had to list our top parent-approved pastimes, backyard science experiments for kids are a hot contender for the #1 spot because kids have fun learning while soaking up a little vitamin D in the great outdoors. Instead of your house becoming the lab, with these 15 messy science experiments, all that measuring, mixing, and tinkering can take place on the grass, driveway, or a stretch of sidewalk.

Kids can learn to harness the power of the sun or water, and learn concepts ranging from molecular chemistry to basic physics in these outdoor science activities for kids. Several experiments are easy enough for even young children to do independently, but parents might want to get in on the (re)action, too! Find more science activities for kids in our STEM Guide for Kids, our big list of science experiments to do at home, and loads more summer fun on our Ultimate Summer Bucket List Ideas with 100 (Mostly) Free Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids.

In June, NYC bakeries and restaurants whip up rainbow-adorned desserts to celebrate Pride. These special snacks are delicious, photogenic, and made to show support and spread joy.

From glittery cupcakes to rainbow milkshakes, there’s something to suit every sweet tooth. Bonus: Sales of several of these limited-edition sweets support local LGBTQ community organizations.

Read on for a list of local NYC businesses rolling out special treats this month. Be sure to check out our rundown of the best things to do in NYC with kids in June 2025, which includes great Pride celebrations, and take a look at our story on the best LGBTQ books for kids to celebrate Pride Month.

When it comes to 2025 summer fireworks shows in NYC, there's no denying Macy's 4th of July fireworks are the main event in New York City. But that's certainly not the only bang-up display in town this season. While some of the summer fireworks shows in NYC honor our nation's birthday, others just celebrate summer in the city and take place everywhere from ballparks to city parks.

Read on for all the free summer fireworks shows in New York City this season and find more fun things to do in our Ultimate NYC Kids' Guide to Summer.

I know I’m not the only one stressing about the cost of everything this summer. I’m Meghan, the Mommy Poppins Managing Editor and a parent of twins, so I know how expensive summer can get with camps, outings, vacations, childcare, and more. That’s why I charged our team of amazing parents here at Mommy Poppins to create what I’m calling our “Summer of Savings!”

In a world of AI articles and chatbots, Mommy Poppins is nothing but real moms and dads who are out there every day, checking out the inside scoop on all the stuff to do with our own families and figuring out how to solve the parenting problems we’re facing ourselves. We live across the country and our kids run a huge range of ages and interests. And we've been out there, scouring the country for fun things to do in our regions and on vacations that our kids will adore and that won't cost a fortune.

The end results are our awesome local Summer Guides where, in addition to thousands of ideas for fun (mostly FREE and budget-friendly) things to do with kids this summer, we've also reached out to some of our favorite local businesses to ask them for exclusive deals, discounts, and savings for you.  

Read on for the scoop...

Little Rock, Arkansas is a city with a robust political history, a mild climate, and tons of things for families to do—especially those who enjoy time outdoors. Just under two hours west of Memphis, Tennessee, Little Rock is the state's capital and its most populous city.

Set on the banks of the Arkansas River, Little Rock has a way of feeling like a big city and a small southern community all at the same time. This area may be home to a US president, yet the city still seems quaint and unintimidating. Little Rock boasts top-notch museums, world-class hiking, and great restaurants, making it an ideal travel destination for families.

Read on for our top 25 things to do with kids in Little Rock, Arkansas, including where to eat and where to stay while in town. Check out our Southern States Vacation Guide for more fun cities to visit in the South!

It's not too soon to start thinking about next year! School calendars for the largest school districts in Los Angeles County for the 2025-2026 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.

Contrary to what you might think, you don't need to invest in expensive equipment or even leave New York City to pitch a tent and go camping. The Urban Park Rangers offer FREE overnight family camping in city parks at select times and locations throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Bonus: They bring almost everything you need for a night spent under the stars, including the tent.

The program has opened registration for its annual sleepovers, and we've got all the details on how to snag a spot to one of these cool camping trips. If you're more of a savvy DIYer, consider planning a family getaway to one of these campsites near NYC with extra family-friendly perks.