How to Create the Perfect Backyard Movie Night: Best Outdoor Movie Projectors, Screens, and More

Everything you need (at every price point) for a perfect backyard movie night! Photo courtesy of Canva

Whether you're planning a cozy gathering or an epic neighborhood event, backyard movie nights have become a fun tradition for many families. But you're going to need a few things, like outdoor movie projectors and outdoor movie screens. We researched how to transform your backyard into the ultimate entertainment space with any size budget.

Read on to learn about everything you need to know to set up the ultimate outdoor movie night, from choosing the right equipment at the right price point to setting the scene. 

Bring your event to the next level with our recipe for easy homemade pizza and these irresistible dessert boards, and don’t forget to pick a flick from one of our 75 favorite family movies

100 Stress Relief Activities for Kids

Create a special cozy area where your child relax with a book. Photo by Jody Mercier

In today's fast-paced world, even children can experience stress from various sources, from school pressures to social challenges. As parents, fostering healthy stress relief skills early on is crucial. Engaging kids in activities that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and fun not only helps them unwind but also equips them with lifelong coping strategies.

From creative arts and outdoor adventures to calming exercises, here are 100 stress relief activities for children. Find more stress-busting things to do with kids, including our list of 100 awesome art projects, in our Boredom Busters for Kids Guide.

Kidmoto’s Airport Car Service Offers Safety & Comfort with Up To Five Car Seats

Kidmoto car service addresses the all-too-common challenge of getting families with young kids to the airport safely.

Kidmoto car service lets you book a ride to or from the airport with as many as 5 pre-installed car seats or boosters for the safest and smoothest trip possible.

Forget the stress of lugging a clunky car seat through airport security or gambling on whether the car service you booked will actually show up with the booster you requested. Kidmoto car service addresses the very specific and all-too-common challenge of getting families with young kids to the airport with its reliable fleet of drivers–and immaculate cars–who can not only provide up to five car seats or boosters for any ride, but are specially trained in proper installation.

Read about my personal experience and everything you need to know before booking a Kidmoto ride for your next trip.

Awesome Skate Parks in NYC for Kids and Teens

Harold Ickes Skate Park is free and open to all skateboarders and rollerbladers. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Skateboarding is one of the few sports designed for urban spaces, and while the city is a playground, these skate parks in NYC up the fun factor setting the stage for tricks, flips, and high-flying fun. These NYC skate parks provide a perfectly designed place to practice those skateboarding fakie flips and to grab some air. These skate parks in New York City are great for beginners and seasoned skateboarders alike. Often, inline skaters and BMX bikers join in the fun.

All these skate parks in NYC put safety first. Athletes must wear helmets, kneepads and elbow pads, and kids under age 18 are also required to put on wrist guards. That said, most NYC skate parks are unsupervised and have an enter-at-your-own-risk policy. Some do require parents to sign waivers for children. For more outdoor sports and kid-friendly fun, see our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Westhampton Beach Debuts New Playground

Kids can immerse themselves in the pirate theme at the newly renovated Ria Del Bene Memorial Playground.

Westhampton Beach unveils a new action-packed pirate ship playground experience at Ria Del Bene Memorial Playground. Families with younger and older kids will love the redesigned village play space in Suffolk County. The new equipment transports families with a vibrant, interactive pirate theme that my kids had a blast exploring.

Read on for the nautical details of this new gem on Long Island's playground scene. 

For even more family outdoor adventures check out our Guide to Park and Playgrounds on Long Island and our Ultimate Long Island Summer Vacation Guide.

Orlando Birthday Party Spots for Teens and Tweens That Slay

Nothing like a birthday butterbeer at Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando

Planning a teen birthday can be challenging—it's a tough crowd to satisfy with specific tastes. Luckily Orlando birthday party settings offer a lot of cool elements that teens want. There are awesome outdoor spots perfect for warm-weather birthdays (and since Orlando has moderate conditions, an outdoor teen birthday can happen through much of the year); fantastic indoor spots for specific themes; and there's always a combination of the two settings!

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