50 Cool Things to Do Indoors With NYC Kids on Hot Summer Days

The Transit Museum is one of our favorite museums for NYC kids, and a great place to escape the summer heat.

If you’re looking to escape the summer heat, even just for a few hours during an especially steamy afternoon, check out one of these 50 activities to help you and your kiddos chill. We’re all for loading up on the SPF and heading outdoors when the sun is shining, but once the humidity and heat start to get the best of everyone, it’s time to seek out indoor summer activities with air conditioning. So after you’ve hit every playground, zoo, and water feature in town, here's where to take the tribe indoors for some cool fun. 

Thrill to Zip Line, Ropes Courses, and More at Jones Beach's New Adventure Park

Climb the ropes and ladder courses at WildPlay Jones Beach—if you dare.

WildPlay, an adventure park featuring ropes, bridges and tunnels, as well as a 700-foot zip line that runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, opened in July at Jones Beach State Park. Whether you're conquering your fear of heights or challenging your physical abilities, there's an activity for every level of intensity. In fact, the whole experience makes for a terrific parenting lesson. Read on for our review of Jones Beach's newest attraction.

There are plenty more thrill-seeking destinations on Long Island. Check out these spots for little (and big) adrenaline junkies in your house. Or visit another state park on Long Island and embark on an adventure of your own.

11 Top Hotels with Outdoor Water Parks for Families with Kids

The outdoor water park at Camelback Resort in the Poconos is all about the kids.

Kids generally love the perks of staying at hotels but add on a water park and that regular family getaway suddenly hits thrilling new heights. Think of all the family fun: lazy rivers right outside the door, a room nearby for naptime, instant ways to cool down, and no time wasted stuck in traffic to the local pool or beach.

We've rounded up 11 top U.S. hotels and resorts with water parks where families can chill out and cool off at the same time. Find great places to stay (and play) in Florida, Texas, California, and the East Coast.

10 Free Places to Enjoy Fall Foliage in the Philly Area

One of the most picturesque times of the year is finally upon us! Fall in Philly brings with it lots of awesome outdoor activities for kids, from apple-picking to Halloween haunts, and more, but if you’re looking for an afternoon of free family fun, why not simplify and take a drive, walk, or bike ride to glimpse the fall foliage? Even though Philly is known for its skyscrapers, the city is also home to ample green spaces, which provide a beautiful backdrop this time of year. Here are a few of our favorite spots:

Fall Consignment Sales for Philly Families

Preparing a kid's closet for the cool breezes of autumn can hit a Philly family right in the wallet. But, it doesn't have to. Purchasing children's clothes by shopping local consignment sales is one way to save some cash. Throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, consignment sales offer families a place to buy gently used clothing, toys, baby items, and other childhood staples for a fraction of the retail price. Additionally, when your kids grow out of their clothes or toys, consignment sales provide an opportunity to sell these items for extra money.

Consignment sale organizers can submit their events to our calendar by clicking here. For a list of spring consignment sales, check here.

Santa Monica's Cayton Children's Museum Is a Game Changer!

Photo by Mercie

The long-awaited Cayton Children's Museum opened its doors at Santa Monica Place Mall, moving from its former incarnation as the much loved Zimmer Children's Museum in the middle of the city. While we looked forward to this new museum with great anticipation, we had to wonder: could anything warm our hearts the way the Zimmer did? Spoiler! The Cayton is up to the job!

Keep reading to find out what you can expect on a visit to the Cayton...

Baby Shark Live! Tour Hits the Stage This Fall

 Join the Baby Shark gang at its first live show, opening in October. Image courtesy of Pinkfong

Baby Shark Live!, a stage show based on that viral earworm of a song, is gearing up for a U.S. tour, hitting a city near your family this fall. Just in time for shark week, tickets for this fully-immersive concert are now on sale. We suspect seats will be going fast in cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and NYC.

So what are you and your kiddos doo doo doo doo doo doo-ing this fall? The very first Baby Shark Live! tour will initially stop in over 30 cities and eventually 100. It's presented by the geniuses behind the sensational song, South Korean educational brand Pinkfong, and Round Room Live, the company behind Yo Gabba Gabba Live and PJ Masks Live. As if we all didn’t already have the insanely catchy song permanently stuck in our heads, there's definitely no hope for us now!

Einstein's Workshop: STEM Classes and Fun at Boston-Area Makerspace

Code, build, and be continually inspired by Einstein himself! Photo courtesy of Einstein's Workshop

Picture this scenario: The kids are climbing the walls on a scorching summer day and you absolutely must get them out of the house. Or you desperately need to do some shopping, and dread the idea of dragging the kids along. (Maybe you don’t need to picture either of these scenarios, maybe you’re living one of them right now.)

Enter Einstein’s Workshop, a Boston-area mecca for kids and parents who love Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). You can take your kids to the creative play space for drop-in time, sign up them for summer camp, plan a birthday party, or even pick up a gift for your favorite nerd. The thing is, Einstein’s Workshop isn’t just for the geek chic. It’s for toddlers, families who love games and puzzles, young builders, artistic kids – anyone, really. Keep reading for the 411 on cultivating your child’s inner scientist at Boston’s family-friendly makerspace.

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