Summer day trips from Long Island highlight the vast riches of the area, with fabulous destinations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York City, and upstate New York within striking distance.

The dozens of options we've rounded up below will make a welcome change of scene when you get tired of the same parks, playgrounds, and pools in your neighborhood. 

To keep tabs on what's happening back on Long Island, meanwhile, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide.

The New Jersey amusement parks we profile below are perfect for the younger set, with gentle thrills and kid-friendly amusements. Some, like Storybook Land and Land of Make Believe, are geared exclusively toward toddlers and preschoolers, while others, like Morey's Piers and Jenkinson's Boardwalk, offer a solid selection of kiddie rides in addition to bigger thrills.

We've limited our list of amusement parks to those located in New Jersey—to search for more tot-friendly spots in surrounding areas, check out our list of best amusement parks for preschoolers near NYC.

When the weather is nice, there is no shortage of fun venues for outdoor kids' birthday parties in the DC area. Whether it's a fun park or playground, a hands-on zoo or animal park, a wet-and-wild water park, or a thrilling sports or activity center, there is a great outdoor birthday party spot for kids of all ages and interests.

Here are 15 great places for outdoor kids' birthday parties in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Check out our DC Kids' Birthday Party Places Guide for more great ideas for your child's special day, including our lists of the best parks and playgrounds for kids' birthday parties and fun indoor birthday party places for kids.

The struggle is real for us Valley moms: you want to do fun things with your kids in LA, but you don't want to crawl down the 405 (or 101, or 10... take your pick) in rush hour traffic all the way home. Enter Discovery Cube LA. Pasadena has Kidspace (and the Southern California Children's Museum), Santa Monica has The Cayton, Downtown LA has the California Science Center, and Irvine has Pretend City; we get Discovery Cube LA: San Fernando's finest children's museum. 

When I told my kids we were going for a visit, they shrieked in excitement. "I can't wait to do the hockey games!" my oldest exclaimed. "Can we go in the laser room?" my five-year-old asked. "Can I stand in the tornado?" My three-year-old begged. The Discovery Cube LA is so educational, entertaining, and engaging that I'm buying myself a season pass (no really, I am!).  

Want to find more amazing museums for your kids? Check out our best museums guide and take advantage of the free museum days at many of these spots. 

The heat and humidity of the Philadelphia area can sometimes be unbearable. What better way to beat the heat than cooling off with delicious ice cream? We have rounded up some sweet ice cream spots to visit throughout the summer months. From cone and cups to sundaes and milkshakes, everyone in the family can find a refreshing treat.

Now the big questions: Which flavor will you chose, and more importantly, will you order jimmies or sprinkles to top it off? Read on to discover some of our favorite places to get frozen delights. 

For other ways to stay cool, visit our posts on Best Swimming Lakes, Free Splash Pads, Spraygrounds, and Sprinklers, Best Free Swimming Pools, and Free Beaches in New Jersey.

Have you heard of these parks and other kid activities?

The Financial District is a booming family neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. Towering office building to high-end condo conversions were followed in short order by family-friendly businesses. There are excellent schools, unique playgrounds, indoor play spaces, and off-the-beaten-path museums.

It’s hard to tell now with all the modern skyscrapers, but the Financial District—aka FiDi—is the oldest settled part of NYC and a great place to learn about the city's storied history. Plus, almost every subway line stops in the Financial District, making it a super-convenient neighborhood to explore. Read on for our top 30 picks for things to do, see, and eat with kids in the Financial District and find more fun neighborhoods to explore in our Manhattan Kids Guide, which includes looks at the nearby enclaves of the South Street Seaport and Battery Park City.

With 14 fun and colorful themed play areas designed for preschoolers and suitable for kids up to 8 years old, Peppa Pig World of Play Chicago invites kids to step into the whimsical world of the beloved animated series.

As the mom of a couple of Peppa fanatics, I recently brought two of my girls over to Peppa Pig World of Play Chicago–and my kids certainly couldn’t get enough of it! Located in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois, the indoor playground welcomes children into an oinktastic world of imaginative play while providing a safe place to jump, climb, slide, and explore.

Scenes and sets from Peppa Pig come to life with super engaging, interactive elements and safe, age-appropriate play equipment. And, Peppa Pig meet and greets are included with the cost of admission! Here’s everything you need to know about this must-visit Chicagoland indoor playground.