Pride Celebrations, Roller Skating, and More Fun Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend

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Spend the day at a summer festival on beautiful Lake Merritt. Photo courtesy of 5th Annual Lakefest Oakland

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list. ​

This week has summer county fairs, pride celebrations, and tons of free events now that summer is here and school is out. Go roller skating for free with a live DJ this weekend in San Francisco for Live at Thrive City, celebrate the Summer Solstice with music at Make Music Day in San Jose, and enjoy a day of kid's activities and beer gardens for parents at Oakland's Lakefest. 

Read on for more of our top picks for the weekend, which include music and movies in the park, Woodies on the Wharf, and so much more!  

Movies in the Park, Hispanic Fiesta, Chinese Lanterns, Arts Fest, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

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The Lantern Festival in Philadelphia’s Historic District hosts dozens of massive, intricate, handcrafted lanterns such as dragons, tigers, rabbits, and more. Photo by Jeff Fusco for Tianyu

Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your must-do list.

Looking for family-friendly activities in Philly this weekend? Don’t miss the Kidchella Music Festival at Smith Playground on Friday, featuring live music and art stations. For a magical evening under the stars, catch Outdoor Movie Night at Peddler's Village or Movies in Oxford Memorial Park. And if you're up for cultural exploration, visit the Chinese Lantern Festival in the Historic District, showcasing stunning handcrafted lanterns. With options like Concilio's Hispanic Fiesta and the Manayunk Arts Festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Don't miss the Haddon Township Pride Parade and events, or the vibrant West Park Arts Fest in Fairmount Park, featuring performances and interactive activities for all ages. Read on for more top weekend picks!

NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep

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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

In New York City, playgrounds are as much a part of childhood as potty training and the tooth fairy, and having a go-to playground is a real sanity saver for city families. When you live in a tiny apartment, the neighborhood park is your backyard.

While New Yorkers are lucky to have many awesome local playgrounds, some NYC playgrounds are a cut above the rest. These spots offer plenty of space to romp and enough outdoor entertainment to make them worth a schlep on the subway. Without further ado, read on for 21 of New York City's best playgrounds—our NYC playground hall of fame—and find more places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Best Lightweight Travel Car Seats and Strollers for Air Travel

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Finding a great travel car seat can make or break a trip with kids.

Finding the best travel car seat can be a life saver when traveling by air with small children. A good travel car seat can help your little one sit safely in their airplane seat and in rental cars or rideshares. Some car seats even turn into strollers, or can be easily snapped into a stroller as part of a travel car seat system.

The best travel car seat for your family depends on your budget, your ability and/or willingness to lug the seat through the airport, and the age and size of your child. You should also consider whether you want a seat that can be used for both everyday and travel, or if you're OK with buying a separate travel car seat.

We've found eight top-rate, FAA-approved travel car seats for infants, toddlers, and young kids. Find even more great travel gear, including the best kids' luggage, in our Best Baby and Kid Gear Guide.

Best Venues for Sweet 16 Birthday Parties in NYC

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Grab your besties and celebrate a Sweet 16 in NYC at one of these local venues. Photo by Beah S,

What comes to mind when you think of a Sweet 16 birthday party? Black-tie? Formal? Boring??? Not true for Sweet 16 birthday parties in New York City. NYC teens—and their parents!—are a creative bunch. Sure, you can do the dressy party, but New York City teens know how to do it right, with sequin dresses paired with rockin’ sneakers and colorful blazers layered with awesome hoodies.

While we've got plenty of traditional venues where you can host an awesome dance party, our list of the best Sweet 16 birthday party venues in NYC includes a variety of destinations to celebrate this milestone in all kinds of experiential ways. Find more NYC birthday party venues for all ages in our NYC Kids' Guide to Birthday Parties, including our top 15 picks for teen birthday party places.

11 Swimming Lakes Near Chicago To Cool You Off This Summer

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Little girl running on the beach. Photo courtesy of Visit Lake Geneva

When talking about swimming lakes near Chicago, we wouldn't blink an eye if your mind automatically goes to a certain great lake. After all, it's hard to miss. While Lake Michigan is absolutely on this list, we've also found 10 other spots near Chicago worth a try. Most of the swimming lakes, quarries, and swimming holes listed below are located in a suburb within 30 miles of the city and promise lots of summer memories for kids. Grab your beach towels and enjoy a day in the sun at one of the swimming lakes near Chicago below.

For more fun by the water check out our round-up of the Best Beaches in Chicago for Families and top Sprinkler Parks and Water Playgrounds near Chicago.

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