New York City kids are lucky to live in the shadow of some of the world-class museums and cultural institutions, and summer's arrival brings with it a spate of new (or nearly new) museum exhibits and exciting pop-ups that are perfect outings on days when you need to mix up your usual summer routine of hitting the swimming pool or splash pad.

We've found 10 museum exhibits, interactive pop-ups, and immersive installations worth your time this summer, ranging from Disney-inspired magic at CAMP to an activist-inspired look at Title IX at the New-York Historical Society. No matter your children's ages, here's where to find some cool culture this summer. Be sure to bookmark our Museums, Galleries, and Exhibit Guide to NYC for more picks and tips like when you can visit these top institutions for FREE.

If you're looking for a family-friendly getaway near NYC, it's hard to beat a trip to the brick-built wonderland that is Legoland New York, and if you really want to up the ante on family fun, consider pairing your theme park visit with an overnight at the kid-centered Legoland NY Hotel.

From the moment you step in the door of the Legoland NY Hotel, it's clear kids are in for a treat, and there are enough grown-up touches to ensure adults are happy, too. Read on for our review of our overnight at the property and find more family-friendly escapes in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Roller fever is taking the city by storm this summer and nowhere is that more evident than at the newly opened DiscOasis in Central Park. Located at the revitalized Wollman Rink, The DiscOasis offers plenty of old-school fun with an interactive, immersive experience that marries roller skating with a funky soundtrack, a garden of disco balls, shimmering lights, and plenty of epic people-watching.

Want to share this roller disco fever with your kids? Read on for our review of visiting The DiscOasis with kids, and learn how to score deeply discounted tickets to this family-friendly event that's lighting up Central Park through Saturday, October 1.

If you've got active kids and hop-happy toddlers to entertain, nothing cures the bad-weather blues like a trip to a trampoline park or an indoor bounce inflatable park. 

NYC is home to several high-flying trampoline parks, where fun includes trampolines, long bouncy slides, tunnels, and obstacle courses. Best of all each trampoline park near NYC included in our list hosts regular open-bounce sessions, so your kids can jump all they want for one low price. Find more ideas for indoor activities in our Top Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones Guide.

A day at the beach doesn't have to leave you water-logged or sandy-soled if you plan to spend it at the waterfront New York Aquarium in Brooklyn. The 14-acre park on the action-packed Coney Island boardwalk is home to more than 500 species and is the oldest, continually operating aquarium in the United States, having opened its doors at Lower Manhattan's Castle Clinton in 1896.

Read on for our favorite things to do and see at the New York Aquarium with kids, and find more fun destinations for an animal encounter in this post on the best zoos and aquariums in New York City.

We're always on the lookout for a family-friendly resort where kid-friendly fun takes center stage, but sometimes mom and dad need something a little extra from a weekend getaway. Enter these family-friendly spa resorts near NYC. At these local spa resorts, you'll find plenty of kid comforts, family-friendly hotel rooms, and parent-friendly perks that range from couples massages to facials and meditation classes CBD pedicures, and more indulgent treatments.

It turns out you can have it all—a fun escape for kids combined with a relaxing spa experience for parents. Treat yourself at these spa resorts in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and consider it a mini-vacation from your vacation.

Find more fun, family-friendly getaways near NYC in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Year after year, teachers continue to prove how amazing they are! Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 is the time to show teachers how much we care, what a massive impact they have on our kids' lives, and how truly deserving they are of our appreciation.

We surveyed a whole bunch of teachers and found out the gifts they really want for Teacher Appreciation Week. Their answers are simpler than you might think—a heartfelt thank-you, the realization that students have listened to them, and coffee!

Read on for our top ideas for teacher appreciation gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. You can also find more inspiration for homemade gifts in our roundup of 100 Crafts for Kids.