If you’re looking to keep your kids entertained for an hour or two in a way that doesn’t involve electronics, we have two words for you: Escape rooms.

Despite the pandemic, escape rooms remain among the hottest crazes to hit Long Island in recent years, popping up throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Originally targeted to adults, many LI escape rooms are now perfect for tweens and teens, whether it’s for a birthday party, a school or camp field trip, Saturday afternoon play date, or a family night out.

We’ve put together a list of some of Long Island's most popular escape room venues for kids. Check individual websites for details since prices vary, as do the number of rooms available, how many people each holds, difficulty levels, and age restrictions. Themes occasionally change also. Try one or more. Each offers a unique way for kids to use their imaginations, develop team-building and problem-solving skills, and most of all, have a blast.

Want your kids to put down the video games? Bring them to one of these cool Los Angeles escape rooms where they can jump into a real-life, puzzle-solving experience. Escape rooms immerse teams of kids or families into all kinds of crazy situations, from solving a murder on the Orient Express to a journey through the city of Atlantis. Each escape room tests kids' ingenuity and ability to explore spaces, find clues, and solve mysteries as a team—all while the clock is ticking.

We've rounded up our favorite escape rooms for kids of all ages that you'll find from the Valley to the South Bay and at all points in between. They're great for birthday parties or even just "I'm bored" days. For more outings that are perfect for birthdays or family fun days, check out our Guide to the Best Sports Centers and Fun Zones in Los Angeles.

Little sleuths and code-breakers can show off their detective skills at one of these family-friendly escape rooms in New Jersey. Getting locked inside a room with your kiddos to solve a murder mystery or foil a cyber-attack adds a fun twist to family time and can be a cool alternative to other indoor fun zones, like these family-friendly arcades and trampoline parks.

Every child deserves to have a great camp experience, including little ones with big plans this summer. Summer camp for preschoolers involves fun, active programming, reliable leadership, and creative camp themes. Luckily, Orlando is full of awesome summer camps perfect for preschoolers!

Mommy Poppins knows how tough it can be to manuever the long lists of Orlando summer camps for preschoolers so we've gathered some excellent camps to peruse. Taking into consideration the needs of Orlando's youngest campers, we've collected camps that will be great options. So pack that sunscreen, fill up the water bottles, and label the swimsuits —it's time to take a look at preschool camps near Orlando!

Need more summer camp ideas? Check out our Orlando Summer Camp Guide and get lots of wonderful ideas and leads on the perfect camp for your kiddos!

Whether you have a prima ballerina, hip-hop superstar, or a jazz performer, we’ve got the lowdown on the best dance summer camps on Long Island. Options range from summer day camps for total beginners to summer intensives for those ready to dance at the next level. Kids from Great Neck to Montauk will flip for these summer dance camps. 

For more summer camps on Long Island, including picks for preschool summer camps across Long Island, be sure to bookmark our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our camp directory, where you can search for camps by type, age, and town. 

For months, my toddler refused to host different foods on the same plate. Goldfish and graham crackers in one bowl were cause for a tantrum. Cucumbers on the same surface as strawberries led to a full flail. One desperate day I arranged some healthy snacks in a rainbow, and lo and behold, his usual disgust gave way not quite to joy, but at least curiosity—a huge win. After stepping it up to food faces, animals, or silly scenes, I officially found my picky-eating toddler hack. 

Here are 12 go-to ideas for creative food creations that are also healthy snack ideas for kids. And I promise, you need no special food, tools, or artistic ability to turn these healthy snacks into tasty masterpieces! Check out our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids for more simple and fun meal ideas, like 25 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids, and 100 School Lunch Ideas Kids Will Actually Eat.

Does your child love to dance? Let them dance the summer away at one of the many dance-focused summer camps in Westchester. Whether your child is a beginner or seasoned performer, these camps are sure to have an option kids love. 

We’ve rounded up a number of dance camps offering summer day programs in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. With instruction in a variety of styles, from ballet and jazz to hip-hop, Bollywood, and musical theater, the programs range from instructionally intensive dance programs to fun, traditional-style camps with dance as an elective. Many of the camps have virtual options as well so students can participate from the comfort of home. Plus, a number of the studios, including Steffi Nossen, offer adaptive classes for kids with special needs.

For more summer camps in Westchester, including picks for Preschool Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, be sure to bookmark our Westchester Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.