Touch-a-Truck, ScienceStock, and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

Embrace the longest nights of the year with extended hours at Old Westbury Gardens. Photo courtesy Old Westbury Gardens

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Hop on massive trucks, sing along with The Tiny Songbirds, and indulge in delicious food at Stew Leonard's Touch-a-Truck event. Or, dive into hands-on science and nature activities at the ScienceStock Festival hosted by the Science Museum of Long Island.

Plus: Help New York State Parks mark its 100th anniversary with a FREE celebration at Heckscher State Park

Keep reading for more of the weekend's best kid-friendly events on Long Island. 

Mermaid Parade, Make Music New York, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

The Mermaid Parade marches down the boardwalk in Coney Island this weekend. Photo by Raven Snook

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

Usher in the summer solstice at Rockefeller Park's Swedish Midsummer Fest or by making some joyful noise with Make Music New York. The Mermaid Parade makes its annual splash on Coney Island, St. John the Divine hosts its Family Pride Picnic, and we've also got the scoop on all the best splash pads and sprinkler parks to help the whole family stay cool!

12 Themed Restaurants and Family-Friendly Dinner Shows in Los Angeles

Pirate Dinner Adventure photo by Aaron Anderer via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Looking for some fun along with your food? From knights and horses to pirates to magicians, there are plenty of themed restaurants in Los Angeles that offer interactive dinner shows for the entire family—after all, this is the entertainment capital of the world! You might land in the middle of a recreated land or find yourself with dinner shows served on the side—every single one of these spots will make your next family meal a bit more magical.

Check out our restaurant guide for more kid-friendly eating experiences in Los Angeles, including restaurants where kids can play while parents eat, gorgeous restaurants with outdoor dining, and even mouth-watering treats that dazzle kids of all ages.

Heat Wave Hot List: Ways to Keep Cool in Chicago With Kids

Paradise Bay Water Park will cool you down all day. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Park District

It can get hard to beat the heat during Chicago's summer months, and this weekend is looking to be a scorcher. We know little ones still need to get out of the house, so keep this list handy and you'll keep cool. We’ve rounded up the ultimate list of beaches, pools, splash pads, and indoor air-conditioned things to do to beat the heat in Chicago. From swimming to splashing and all the great local indoor play spaces and museums, this guide has our favorite ways to take a break, cool off, and have fun.

Check out our Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids for more summer activities in Chicago,

11 Places to Watch Fireworks this 4th of July at the Jersey Shore

Have a blast on the Wildwoods Boardwalk and enjoy an awesome fireworks show. Photo courtesy of Wildwoods

Looking for the perfect spot to watch fireworks at the Jersey Shore with your family? From Cape May to Point Pleasant, the shore offers stunning displays that light up the night sky. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or enjoying a seaside boardwalk, these fireworks shows provide a magical experience for all ages. Here are some of our top picks for watching fireworks this 4th of July down the shore.

Looking for more fun down the shore? Check out our roundup of 70 Awesome Things To Do With Kids at the Shore and don't miss our guide to the Best Jersey Shore Boardwalks and Amusement Parks.

State Fair Meadowlands and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

State Fair Meadowlands returns with more than 100 rides and attractions to check out. Photo courtesy State Fair Meadowlands

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

Indulge in hundreds of rides, games, attractions, and fireworks at New Jersey's famous State Fair Meadowlands on this first official summer weekend. Small-town festivals also take the stage, including Clark's Rock the Block Street Fair.

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend. 

Visiting Quassy Amusement Park in Connecticut with Kids

With rides for all ages, visiting Quassy Amusement Park in Connecticut is fun for the whole family!

Quassy Amusement & Waterpark is one of the oldest and best destinations for kids for some summertime fun. Much loved by everyone, Quassy Park has something for every member of the family from carnival rides, to water play to just playing on the beach. Set on the beautiful shores of Lake Quassapaug, this Connecticut Amusement Park is the perfect spot for a day of family fun! 

For other great places to play, check out our picks for the Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families!

Gorgeous Glamping near NYC for Your Next Family Getaway

Bellfire's glamping resort in the Catskills offers creature comforts like a grill, fire pit, and even a sauna.

If you want to sleep in the great outdoors, but not necessarily on the ground, consider these resorts for glamping near NYC. This elevated form of camping provides hotel-style perks, plus the kitsch appeal of camping.

Think of glamping as an upgraded version of traditional camping, typically with a larger, canvas tent already set up, often with beds, mattresses, and other creature comforts like picnic tables and grills built into your campsite. Most of these destinations for glamping near New York City are open between May and October and can include everything from bathrooms with running water to hotel-quality linens, kitchens, electricity, and even air conditioning.

These glamping spots in New Jersey, upstate New York, and the Poconos are also packed with family-friendly extras, including pools, playgrounds, hayrides, mini golf, giraffe encounters, movie nights, and we even found one glamping site that's home to a ropes course. Most also host tons of nature activities, like biking, fishing, and even face time with farm animals. Some offer hotel-level features, like on-site restaurants. Read on for our full list of where to go glamping near New York City, and find more ideas for a family-friendly getaway in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Pages