Take your kids bowling in Los Angeles—it's fun for kids of all ages, is indoors and blissfully cool, and is even a great option for birthday parties. A recent bowling alley birthday party sparked an obsession with the game in my family, and opened all of our eyes to what a great family sport this is. The ingrained turn-taking structure, team camaraderie, and relaxed competitiveness offer kiddos a dose of sportsmanship at a fun pace. Accommodations like gutter bumpers and starting ramps guarantee success for even the youngest bowlers. Seriously, bowling is the unsung hero of children's athletics.

While bowling alleys are a dime a dozen in the Valleys, it can be a little harder to find family-friendly bowling alleys on the Westside and in the heart of the city. But we've tried out every lane to search out the very best ones for kids from Mar Vista to Glendale, and here they are. Check out our Indoor Fun and Play Spaces Guide for LA Kids for more sporty indoor fun, like trampoline parks and rock climbing gyms.

Sure, there are plenty of great indoor play spaces to turn to in Westchester and the lower Hudson Valley—whether your kids are into jumping on trampolines, making art, or going bowling.

But sometimes nothing except a playground will do—and if the weather isn’t ideal for hitting up one of your favorite outdoor parks or playgrounds, taking the fun indoors works too. That’s because there are several places in the area offering up playground-style fun inside, with opportunities to slide, jump, crawl, and hang.

We rounded up a few that work for babies and toddlers up through tweens and even teens—and some that work particularly well for groups of siblings or friends of various ages. Some require reservations, so be sure to check their website or call ahead before you head out.

For even more indoor ideas, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Westchester Kids. And be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar for lots of fun upcoming activities.

No boat, no problem: at Lakeside Watersports, families can hit the water and wakeboard, water tube, and more.

If thrilling fun is your thing, then Lakeside Watersports is your go-to spot in Connecticut for just about any kind of adrenaline-pumping water-based activity. Lakeside Watersports is located in Candlewood Lake’s Echo Bay Marina in Brookfield, just 2 hours from New York. It’s Connecticut’s go-to spot if you want to learn how to wakeboard, tube, waterski, wakesurf, kneeboard, and so much more—all under the experienced eye of the Lakeside staff.

If you want to hit the water without a boat, check out the 10 Best Ponds and Swimming Lakes for Connecticut Kids and other ways to get wet and keep cool in our Connecticut Beaches and Water Fun Guide.

Lounging on a rubber inner tube and soaking up the summer sun while dipping your toes into one of the rivers in Texas is basically a rite of passage. There's no time like the present to introduce kiddos to the great adventure that is river floating in Texas. While any river will do, these eight Texas rivers near Houston are our go-to spots. They all have family-friendly runs (i.e. few or gentle rapids), great tube rental services, nearby accommodations, and gorgeous views to top it all off.

Whether you go for the weekend to enjoy the rivers in Texas or carve out a bit more time to soak in all that river tubing in Texas has to offer, these rivers make the perfect family vacation. Stick with our list of kid-approved river trips near Houston and you won't be disappointed, and for more summer trip ideas, check out our favorite family-friendly lakes close(ish) to Houston.

The Georgia Aquarium brings the wonder of the seas to children and adults from across the Southern region. This magical Atlanta attraction has aquatic creatures represented from across the globe, including those species that reside in Georgia's nearby waters. With animals that impress every child (and grown-up) who visits, and awesome weekly events that cater to every age group, the Georgia Aquarium is a must-see spot!

Orlando schools are back in session and that means the inevitable back-to-school shopping spree! Going beyond standard school supplies like pencils and crayons, many kids want to add to their closets and drawers. Just one growth spurt and your child may require an entirely new collection of pants and shorts! And with all those changing sizes in clothes and shoes, a new wardrobe can get quite pricey. Consignment shops to the rescue! Save money by visiting Orlando thrift and consignment stores for kids. Children can enjoy "new" back-to-school outfits, while parents can enjoy more money in the bank.

There's lots of reasons to shop resale shops! At a time when everything seems to get more expensive by the week, shopping from a thrift or consignment store is a great economic choice. Thrifting supports environmental sustainability, by repurposing clothing that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill. And the profits of some thrift stores go to important causes that help the community, like job-skills training and animal shelters.

Read on and learn about some great consignment stores near Orlando!

Visiting Melville's White Post Farms with kids means an animal-packed outing featuring more than just your usual farm friends. You'll find giraffes, zebras, camels, lorikeets, marmosets, and plenty more, all of which can be fed. Spring and summer are perfect for animal fun, while autumn brings a fall festival. White Post Farms is a must for animal-loving parents and their kids. 

For more fun family outings, check out our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds on Long Island, and be sure to bookmark our updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

If you’re looking for the ultimate escape room in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. An escape room is an awesome and interactive experience for the entire family. Your entire group will need to work together to try and find an escape from the room you’re in. The coolest part about doing this challenge together is the different themes each escape room comes with. There is sure to be a room and theme to fit tweens, teens, and even the littlest member of your group. Check out our escape rooms in Chicago round-up below.

Escape rooms are fun all year round! For other indoor activities in Chicago, check out our Guide to Indoor Play.