Summer's in full swing, and if you haven't planned a great getaway, there's still time to pull off a memorable and budget-friendly family vacation on the East Coast. 

From Washington, D.C. to New England, there are lots of great places for East Coast families to unwind and enjoy some family time not too far from home. Here are 12 family vacation ideas that won't break the bank.

Find more great vacation ideas in our Family Travel Guide. 

The best blueberry-picking farms in New Jersey offer the perfect summer activity for the whole family: The bushes are low, the berries easily pop off the plants, and your family can literally pick hundreds without breaking the bank. Luckily for us, blueberries are the official state fruit of New Jersey, and they are plentiful throughout the Garden State.

We’ve assembled this Guide to the Best Pick-Your-Own Farms in New Jersey, so read on for our recommendations on where to go blueberry picking in New Jersey with kids. Find tons of other great things to do in the Garden State this season in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Princeton, NJ, is well-loved for its perfect mix of historical charm, trendy artistic feel, and sophisticated shopping and dining. At just 17 square miles, there's no shortage of things to do with kids in this Central NJ town. 

Read on for fun ways for families to have a great time in Princeton and the inside scoop on hotels and where to eat. And be sure to check out the Mommy Poppins Day Trips in NJ Guide for other great destinations in the Garden State. 

We've rounded up a whole bunch of childhood bucket list ideas here that run the gamut from baking cookies to big family trips. The bucket list ideas here are all suggestions for a whole host of fun family activities that will give your kids memories that they will remember for their entire lives.

So take some inspiration from our ultimate family bucket list of 100 fun ideas for something fun to do this weekend or a future family vacation. From little things you can do at home to adventures in bravery to Intergenerational outings, here are 100 deposits for your family memory bank!

For more family checklists, check out our Ultimate Summer Bucket List and this fun "I’m Bored, What Should I Do?" List, plus more fun family ideas in our Mommy Poppins Parenting Guide.

A new dinosaur museum is coming to New Jersey that's perfect for dino lovers of all ages. The Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University, in Mantua Township, N.J., is slated to open in summer 2024, and early signs point to it being a blast from the prehistoric past. 

Read on for all the details about this dinosaur museum, which will include life-size recreations and virtual reality experiences. And, check out our Guide to Museums and Art for New Jersey Kids for more on museums throughout the state. 

Ever wonder what it would be like to dig with an excavator, drive a real dump truck, or find out for yourself just how high a telehandler really goes?

Each year, amusement park goers line up by the thousands to get their fix of adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, dizzying spinners, and fast water slides. It's always fun to ride old faves, but if your family is craving something brand new, you're in luck. From Six Flags Great Adventure rolling out a huge new coaster and a unique glamping resort to fun little kid attractions at Sesame Place, and sky gondolas at Legoland, we've found more than a dozen brand-new attractions to explore at nearby amusement parks during summer 2024.

Get a first look below and find more local theme park news in our Kid-Friendly Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks.

Looking for the best sing-along songs for kids? Check out our ultimate list!

Kids love learning catchy tunes, and there are so many great reasons to indulge them. Sing-along songs for kids are the perfect way to pass the time during long car rides, lines, and walks to school. Whether it's Christmas carols, classic campfire songs, or other types of music, singing with your child helps them learn, make connections, and bond with you. So, sing out loud and proud!

Here are 100 great sing-along songs for kids, from ABC and dinosaur songs to patriotic and Disney tunes. Our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids includes even more fun ways to pass the time with your kiddo.