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The Saguaro in Palm Springs, California, beckons families with its pool and more.
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Belize is the perfect tropical vacation destination for families.
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Toys make perfect first birthday gifts for budding toddlers! But which ones? We've got you covered.
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Skip the candy and the plastic that ends up in a landfill with these creative goody bag and party favor ideas. Photo courtesy of Hannah Rodrigo/Unsplash
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Kids can play these daily word games alone or with a friend. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Sea otters really don't want to get lost! Photo courtesy Joe Robertson/CC BY 2.0
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These questions to ask grandparents help kids get to know their favorite people a little better.
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It's time to plan the ultimate Bluey birthday party!
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Adorable? Yes. Useful? No way. Babies don't need shoes.
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Starface's star-shaped pimple patches make kids look and feel awesome while dealing with pimples.
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Kudos diapers use four times more plant-based materials than competing brands. Photo courtesy of Shark Tank Products
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Grab your list and head out for a scavenger hunt with the kids!
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Now we can send you articles about things to do in your neighborhood that match your interests!
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One top tip is getting kids involved from the planning stage, and they'll want to help cook! Photo by Brooke Lark, via Pexels
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Just one kid composting can save 400 pounds of food waste a year. So yes, one kid can make a difference! Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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Disney turns 100 and there will be celebrations from coast to coast. Photo courtesy of Disneyland
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It's easier than you'd think to turn a simple paper lunch bag into a festive piñata!
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Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Trader Joe's how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: for being inexpensive, gourmet and friendly.
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Snuggle up with one of these beloved bedtime stories for kids. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Screen time doesn't have to be a solo activity with these fun, free online games for kids to play with friends.
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Take a spin around the lazy river at Mandalay Bay.
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SingleCare offers major savings on more than 10,000 prescription drugs through its free app.
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The outdoors are a natural playground for curious kids.
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Are you brave enough for some of these spooky ghost stories?
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A perfectly packed lunchbox helps kick the school blues. Photo courtesy of www.YumboxLunch.com
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Revel in the dirty hands! Outdoor activities help kids sleep better and jumpstarts their imaginations.
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Rent a gorgeous backyard pool like this for your family for an hour or a day. Photo courtesy of Swimply
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Alphabet Soup. Photo courtesy of foodwithfeeling
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Gather 'round the campfire and sing some fun songs. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
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These funny jokes for kids will have them laughing in no time!
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Things like having a children's museum with a view like this make it easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Discovery Museum
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Kids can give parents tickets if they forget to turn off the water to soap hands or brush teeth!
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A zip line and more await at Portland's Eagle's Nest Treehouse. Photo courtesy of julian@hipcamp
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Did you know a pillow fight is a great way to get proprioceptive input? Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Find a bare patch of soil to place your seed bomb. Spread them far and wide! Photo by the author
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The Outdoor Play Plaza at Greensboro Children's Museum in North Carolina.
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Enjoy stunning views of the Thames River.
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Taco Tuesday makes meal planning easy and dinner kid-pleasing.
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Enjoy the clear turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos.
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Our guide to living a more earth-friendly life.
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Plan the perfect at-home kids' birthday party with these ideas and tips. Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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girl making apple pie courtesy of canva
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Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
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This Week: Join Mommy Poppins on Our Special Family Cruise Series, NYC Restaurants with Backyards, Best Summer Shows for Kids

7/25/13 - By Raven Snook

The big news this week (besides the fact that we no longer feel like we're melting) is the announcement of our new series of Mommy Poppins Family Cruises—and we have you to thank for it! Back in June, we hosted an outing in New York Harbor on Manhattan by Sail's Clipper City Tall Ship. Tickets sold out quickly and many readers were disappointed they got shut out. That inspired us to organize four additional fun-filled family cruises, each with a unique theme and enriching kids' activities. Check our post for more info and if a sail piques your interest, book your tickets so you don't miss out this time around.

Summer fun continues to be our primary focus on all of our sites. In NYC, we rounded up restaurants with backyards where kids can play. New Jersey's got a list of natural swimming holes and a post about this weekend's awesome-sounding hot-air balloon festival (both things you can't find in NYC). Our Boston site has a parent review of DreamWorks' new animated flick Turbo, and if you're off to the Hamptons, our Long Island site has lots of great weekend event picks as well as the best places to catch family theater in the area.

Since the big vacation month of August is coming up, be sure to check our Travel site for inspiration. We just posted about the fabulous Fairmont Southhampton family resort in Bermuda. If you can't get there for summer break, there's always the holidays.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

We kicked off the week with a wonderful guest post about free kayaking with kids in NYC, written by local parent bloggers from Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors New York City.

When you eat out, are your kids more interesting in playing than dining? Then try one of these NYC restaurants with backyards, the latest addition to our NYC Family-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

Not all seasonal fun takes place outside. We reviewed four fantastic summer shows for families.

Our biweekly links roundup includes info on Wi-Fi in select NYC parks, new Summer Streets attractions and the last game for a beloved bowling alley

Our month-long focus on Inwood continued with an in-depth look at two neighborhood green spaces: Inwood Hill Park and Isham Park

Our first Mommy Poppins Family Cruise on Manhattan by Sail's Clipper City takes place on Sunday, August 4. Don't delay, get your tickets today!

Best bets for this weekend include a no-cost Dan Zanes concert at Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day, the annual Rockaway Beach Sandcastle Contest and SpaceFest at the Intrepid.