Youth baseball is an iconic part of childhood for millions of American families, whether it’s Babe Ruth Leagues, PONY baseball, or Little League baseball. And there are plenty of good reasons for parents to get their kids into baseball or softball. For many of us, baseball gets children outside just as spring lands on our doorsteps. Kids learn to succeed as individuals and as part of a team. They get activity away from screens. And baseball and softball remain two of the safest sports in terms of injury according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Read on for tips, resources, and simple Little League baseball drills you can do at home with your little slugger. For more at-home exercises for kids, check out our push-up challenges for kids and our ultimate list of exercise games and indoor activities.

Great outdoor dining is a lovely way to savor these first sun-filled days of spring, and it makes the dog days of summer in the city tolerable, at least in my book. An hour sitting on a shady patio, sipping a cold drink, steels me for the rest of the week. Even as the pandemic eases, outdoor dining is still the safest way to go when you want to eat out.

Of course, eating out with kids is never as simple as that, so we’ve selected not just sublime outdoor dining spots but ones with enough room to roam. Hopefully, these family-friendly Manhattan restaurants with patios, backyards, and more outdoor dining setups, ranging from the Battery up to Inwood, make you forget you live in a yard-less New York City apartment.

Find more kid-friendly restaurant suggestions in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

The Pocono Mountains draw families to Pennsylvania from the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, and beyond for their picturesque landscapes and outstanding family resorts. Plus, there are so many things to do in the Poconos with kids all year long, from skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in the winter to hiking, swimming, and boating in the summer. Many Poconos resorts boast zip lines, adventure ropes courses, and other outdoor activities for families, plus indoor fun for kids like arcades and bowling. And some Poconos family resorts, including the popular Camelback Resort and Kalahari Resort Poconos, even have indoor water parks offering hours of splashy, weatherproof fun.

We've rounded up eight of the top Poconos resorts for families, including Poconos all-inclusive resorts, so you can see which one best fits your next Poconos family vacation.

You want to grab a bite out with the kids and the local pizza joint isn't going to cut it—but asking your wiggly, tired kids to sit quietly in a nice restaurant is like lighting a firecracker and then hoping it won't explode. New York City's diverse selection of food halls is the perfect solution.

Despite their historic mall­-culture reputation, the model of a casual food hall with multiple food options is enjoying a bit of a renaissance, and not just in suburbia. Right here in NYC, food halls are gaining major foodie clout with excellent vendors, artisan marketplaces, and appealing perks (and sweet treats) for families with kids. It's the perfect eatery for families: There's a food option for everyone, minimal wait times, multiple bathrooms, and no one notices if your kid tantrums or drops half their meal on the floor.

Read on for 18 outstanding food halls in NYC offering top-notch eats, spacious seating, and lots to do in the surrounding neighborhoods, including Battery Park, Chelsea, Midtown, Dumbo, and more.

Check out our Guide to Family-Friendly NYC Restaurants for more dining in just about every neighborhood to satisfy every finicky palate.

Taco Tuesday makes meal planning and cooking on a busy weeknight fun and easy. It's one night a week that you know for sure what’s for dinner and that your kids will actually eat! Here's my secret: master a basic taco seasoning recipe (the best one ever is below) and anything can turn into tacos. I've also included my favorite recipes for a few more easy taco meals: shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, fish tacos, and classic beef tacos. Consider Tuesday night's dinner planned with these quick, easy, and delicious tacos. You can go from "Mom, I'm hungry" to eating in under 30 minutes. 

Find more yummy (and quick) things to make for dinner, like No Cleanup Necessary Sheet Pan Dinners Kids Love or Easy Crockpot Recipes for Family Dinner in our Easy Recipes Guide.