22 Most Affordable and Free Summer Camps in Connecticut

Make new friends at Camp Foxfire. ​Photo courtesy of Camp Foxfire

Most kids look forward to getting outside and playing at summer camps in Connecticut. Budding athletes can sign up for sports summer camps in Connecticut, and kids who crave connection with nature can attend summer camp at the beach or summer camp at Connecticut parks. Some kids may want to learn a foreign language, while others may be interested in all of the above. We've rounded up the most affordable and even free summer camps in Connecticut for kids, hitting all of those marks without breaking the bank.

For more summer camps in Connecticut, including picks for Sleepaway Summer Camps and the best STEM summer camps, be sure to bookmark our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town. 

Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids this Spring

Celebrate Holi at Navy Pier this spring in Chicago. Photo by James Richards IV, courtesy of Navy Pier

Is it officially spring yet? No one knows for sure if the last snow of the season is officially behind us in Chicago, but we do know that plenty of fun events await as kids approach spring break and the end of the school year. Flower shows are back in full force with Chicago Botanic Gardens showing off its orchids, Garfield Park Conservatory offering up playful plant-themed knock-knock jokes, and Lincoln Park Conservatory standing tall with its pillars of spring. Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals are another popular theme of Chicago's spring events, with the Field Museum giving kids a chance to Doze with the Dinos, Kid Works Children's Museum hosting a weeklong Dino Works event, and Brookfield Zoo following up its Dinos Everywhere show with an animatronic Ice Age Giants exhibit. And plays and music based on books and fairy tales ignite the minds of kids throughout the city: Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents Jack and the Beanstalk; Chicago Children's Theater is putting on Carmela Full of Wishes based on a recent picture book, and Chicago Kids Theatre acts out modern versions of Rapunzel and the The Ugly Duckling.

25 Fun Spring Activities for Long Island Kids

Explore the magnificent 216-acre Sands Point Preserve. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

It’s been a long, cold winter on Long Island, but it's time to put away those scarves and mittens and start planning some springtime fun. Here is our 2022 roundup of 25 great spring activities for Long Island kids.

Our picks range from spring break camps to fun in our favorite playgrounds and parks and even some quick day trips and getaways.

April showers? No problem. We've included plenty of indoor and virtual activities as well. You can find more seasonal happenings in our Spring Fun Guide or our always updated Event Calendar.

19 Amazing Playgrounds near Orlando for Family Fun

The playground at Tucker Ranch Preserve sports a treehouse feel surrounded by nature.

There are tons of great playgrounds in Orlando and the nearby towns for families to explore and where kids can burn off energy while playing with their friends. When the weather is nice, one of my family's favorite activities is park hopping, where in one day we travel to as many different playgrounds as time allows.

So we’ve rounded up some of our favorite playgrounds for families, from Lake County to Osceola County and in parts in between. These playgrounds are great for local families, visitors who need a break from theme park hopping, and even for throwing birthday parties.

And if you're looking for more ideas for local family fun, check out our roundup of the best restaurants with play spaces for kids in Orlando and our list of 75 things to do in Orlando with kids other than theme parks.

Spring Bucket List: The Best Things To Do in Philly with Kids this Spring

The Philadelphia Children's Festival is back with an exciting lineup of performances. Photo courtesy of Penn Arts Live

Philly springs into action when the weather gets warm, with all kinds of new adventures to enjoy the outdoors. From nature walks to train rides to performances and playgrounds, there are so many ways for Philly families to fill these longer days. Here are over 40 spring activities in Philly for kids to make the most of spring fever. 

In addition, families welcome spring holidays, including Easter, Earth Day, and May Day. Gardens bloom, pick-your-own season at Philly-area farms gets underway, and spring festivals and fairs are held throughout the Philadelphia region. Take a look at our events calendar for more spring events and activities in Philadelphia, as well as our Spring Activities Guide.

Mexico's Velas Vallarta All-Inclusive Family Resort is Eco-Friendly Earth Check Certified

All-inclusive resorts are popular with family travelers because they make life so easy, but all those options can also take a big environmental toll. An all-inclusive resort may create tons of food waste on a daily basis, not to mention loads of electricity for air conditioning and water for washing pool and bath towels. Nobody wants to feel guilty while trying to enjoy a relaxing getaway, so a resort that meets the needs of families and the environment too seems like a real dream vacation. 

Velas Vallarta, a family friendly all-inclusive resort with 10 acres of oceanfront in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has an impressive green initiative that goes beyond the typical superficial hat-tip to eco-friendliness. Their efforts have been recognized by EarthCheck, the world's leading organization in certifying sustainable tourism, with gold and silver status for the resort. Plus, the all-suite resort, with kitchens in every room and a free bottomless mini-bar, offers an affordably luxurious all-inclusive experience. 

The Best Anaheim Hotels near Disneyland for Families

Twsit, turn, then plunge into refreshing waters with a wild ride down the water slide at Disney Paradise Piers Hotel.

Most family trips to Anaheim mean enjoying a couple or more days with the mouse at the happiest place on Earth, the Disneyland Resort. Therefore, finding the perfect place to stay either on Disneyland property, within walking distance, or a short shuttle ride away is essential. We've compiled a list of 10 great Anaheim hotels near Disneyland that will comfortably help you rest those tired feet between rides, enjoy some pool time with the kids, and perhaps even take in a hotel-balcony fireworks show after a long, memory-filled day at Disneyland with your family.

Be sure to check out our Guide to Orange County for all of our local recommendations, from 25 Things To Do in Anaheim With Kids to Great Family-Friendly Restaurants Near Disneyland, and even a guide to visiting Disneyland with your baby.

St. Patrick's Day 2022: Kid-Friendly Events and Parades in Chicago

St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Chicago,  photo courtesy of U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret, (CC BY 2.0)

St. Patrick’s Day parades in Chicago are among some of the best in the country. From the famous Chicago River dyeing to local St. Patrick's Day parades on every side of the city and suburbs, we’ve rounded up some of the best St. Patrick’s Day parades and events for kids. While many of the usual festivities took a break over the past two years, almost all the staple events are back this year, and even some new additions for the wee ones. 

For more fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with kids check out our Funny Leprechaun Tricks and Trap Ideas for Kids as well as our list of the Best Things to do in March with Kids.

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