Best Family Festivals and Street Fairs in NYC this May

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The Japan Day Parade marches down the west side on Saturday, May 11. Photo by Masaki Hori 2024. Photo

NYC street fairs and festivals are blooming all over this May, from glorious school fairs like Calhoun's carnival-fun filled fest to the little-kid friendly event at Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School, plus Hippo Playground hosts a Spring Fair complete with pony rides, Randall's Island's Touch-a-Truck Fest returns, there's a Mother's Day Garden Party at the NYBG, and the annual salute to service that is Fleet Week punctuates Memorial Day weekend.

You can find even more seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide, and don't forget to check our ever-expanding Family Activity Calendar, where you can look ahead to see all the summer has in store.

Why Rancocas Nature Center is an Awesome Family Destination

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Rancocas Nature Center sits on 210 acres of forest in a South Jersey state park.

Rancocas Nature Center has it all for outdoorsy kids and families. The center has many programs for children to learn about the environment and socialize with other kids, or you can go on a peaceful family hike away from the hustle and bustle.  

The non-profit nature center sits on 210 acres of forest in the Rancocas State Park in South Jersey. There are miles of trails where you can meander through multiple different ecosystems. The nature center also provides year-round nature programs for all ages to educate families about their environment.

Read on for tips on visiting this incredible nature center. If you're interested in visiting other nature centers in New Jersey, check out our round-up of the best nature centers in the state.

Find Your New Best Friend at These NYC Animal Shelters

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Add an animal member to your family from a shelter in NYC. Photo courtesy of Bideawee

A pet can be a friend for life and these animal shelters in NYC help families find the perfect addition. So, if your home has room for a furry friend, here are the NYC animal shelters where you can adopt a new dog or cat. Plus, we've got the lowdown on some lesser-known options for pet adoption and things to consider before taking the plunge if you're a first-time pet owner.

If you're not quite ready to bring home a furry friend of your own, you can explore breeds at the AKC Museum of the Dog in Midtown East or visit one of these cat cafes throughout the five boroughs.

Captree State Park Adds Ropes Course to Beach Playground

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The new ropes course at Captree State Park features a spider-web structure.

The new ropes course at Captree State Park's playground was recently unveiled and it is a welcome addition that makes the well-rounded playground especially great for climbers ages 4-8. On a recent trip, my 6-year-old had a blast exploring the ropes. 

Read on for more info about Captree's ropes course and the rest of the playground on the eastern tip of Jones Beach, and check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks on Long Island for more playground fun. 

23 Best Things to Do in Chicago May 2024 with Kids

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Lilac Time in Lombard. Photo credit: Canva

Looking for things to do with kids in Chicago this May? Here are our favorite kid-friendly things to do in Chicago in May 2024.

Let's be honest. With so many things to do this time of year, how can you possibly decide between them all? This best-of-May guide should do the trick! Parades are back and there are two big ones downtown this month: The Polish Constitution Day Parade and the Memorial Day Parade. Has being outside again got you thinking about nature?  Check out environmentally-themed fun at Chicago River Day or World Migratory Bird Day. Animal-themed music is also big this month, with a Broadway in Chicago presenting Bluey's Big Play and Once Upon a Symphony performing Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Festivals celebrating flowers are blooming in Lombard, West Chicago, and Oak Park this month as well.

There's still time to book a reservation at one of more than 25 destinations for Mother's Day brunch or to plan another activity for Mother's Day. Check out one of our favorite tot lots and toddler playgrounds to get your littlest kids out and moving. Or get away from it all with a hike in or around the Windy City.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in May 2024 with kids in Chicago.

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