Wide, clean, and blanketed with soft sand, the Cape Cod National Seashore boasts miles upon miles of beaches that are great for kids and families. While many Cape Coddians claim their local spot is tops, the following beaches check all the boxes essential for family fun, including plenty of space, fun (but not too intense) waves, and helpful extras like lifeguards, bathrooms, and easy parking that can make a good beach day a great one.

Once you've had your fill of sandcastling and shelling, go explore the region's charming towns for more fun things for kids to do at the Cape. If you want to experience our Massachusetts shoreline with an island vibe, check out our favorite beaches and activities on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, too. Cape Cod happens to be the home of one of our favorite Drive in Movie Theaters In and Around Boston for Outdoor Movie Night with Kids. And if you need to cool off closer to the city, see our list of the Best Sprinkler Parks annd Splash Pads in Boston.

While it's easy to find hiking trails that are dog-friendly, or locate a dog park in Los Angeles, finding a dog-friendly beach is a bit more challenging. In fact, several cities—including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and most of the South Bay—restrict dogs from even walking on the beach. That can make it hard for those of us with dogs to enjoy a day at the beach; once you factor in traffic, you don't have much time by the sea before you have to run home to walk the dog! Luckily, there are a few beaches where your pup can join you on the sand and in the waves, and we've gathered our favorites here.

For more favorite local beaches, including Hidden Gem Beaches Near Los Angeles and the Best Beaches in LA and OC for Families, check out our Ultimate Family Beach Guide for Los Angeles and Orange County.

Disney character breakfasts and dining is a unique and magical experience to include on your next Orlando vacation. At these special Disney dining experiences, kids (and kids at heart) can meet and greet some of their favorite television or movie characters. Many Disney character meals in Orlando have reopened for guests, with modifications, of course. We’ve rounded up a list of Disney character breakfast and dining options open in Orlando.

Planning a vacation this summer? Check out What's New this Year at Orlando Theme Parks. Be sure to also check out our list of the Best Orlando Hotels for Families and Things To Do in Orlando Besides the Theme Parks.

Georgia beaches offers an amazing experience for families to enjoy warm weather and laid-back vibes. Georgia beaches, like those beaches in Savannah, Georgia, including Tybee Island and St. Simon Island, are great weekend trips for Atlanta families. Georgia families can also head out of state and visit awesome nearby beaches kissing the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Honestly, there's no wrong choice when selecting a Georgia beach or one in a neighboring state that fosters a family-friendly vacation.

Intimidated to bring the kiddos into the ocean? Do a dry run (...actually a wet run) and practice skills in smaller Atlanta swimming lakes to adjust to the atmosphere. Our piece about Swimming Lakes and Beaches Near Atlanta may offer some ideas for a closer beach swim. And for more great summer ideas, make sure to peruse our Summer Activity Guide for Atlanta Families!

Heading to the beach is one of the most relaxing and carefree ways to enjoy a family trip. If you live in or visit Houston, you won't be far from the beaches down in Galveston. But, that's not the only place to enjoy the best beaches in Texas and family-friendly activities on a summer vacation. The many seaside havens on the Texas coast each offer unique experiences, but they all have amazing beaches where kids can run wild and build sandcastles to their heart's content while you relax and soak in the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

Whether you stay at a family-friendly campsite, a beach-side hotel, or a rented beach house, you can be sure that your family will enjoy plenty of fun in the sun when you head to one of these 10 best beaches in Texas for families. From north to south, the Gulf Coast of Texas has something to offer everyone. For more water fun in Texas, check out our guide to beaches, lakes, pools, and water playgrounds near Houston.

Families living in the DC area are fortunate to have so many things to do at our fingertips—free world-class museums, amazing destination playgrounds, loads of delicious restaurants, you name it. But when the ocean beckons, we have to drive 2.5 hours or more to find family-friendly beaches near DC. So what's a parent to do when the kids are begging to build sandcastles and splash in the water and you don't have the time or energy for a weekend trip? Just head to one of several parks with beaches near DC.

Most of these parks with beaches near DC charge a small per-person or per-vehicle fee to enter in the summer, and their sandy beach areas are located on rivers or lakes rather than the ocean. Also, some of them don't allow swimming, only wading. Still, families can bask in the sunshine, feel the sand between their toes, and pretend they hear waves crashing ashore.

Here are 10 parks with beaches near DC for family fun by the water. Go early on weekends to avoid the crowds, and don't forget the sunscreen!

My very favorite memories of summer fun include walking the beaches in Connecticut and gathering up every glittering shard of beach glass and shell while exploring the coast. I could spend hours mining through rocks and sand, collecting all of the little treasures left behind by the tides. Fortunately, we can enjoy the unique ecosystem of the Long Island Sound on many of our Connecticut Beaches. Each of the beaches on this list offers the perfect setting for your budding marine life expert. Make sure you check out the tide charts before you hit the road. 

For more ways to teach kids how to protect and connect with our natural environment, check out our Earth Kids Guide. For more stories like this sent straight to your inbox, sign up for newsletters.