Ahhh, Universal Studios Hollywood. Everyone knows that when you drive down the 101, you see LA’s beloved one-eyed Minion peeping at you from across the road. You notice Hogwarts, rising into the sky on a hill, and you may have asked yourself (probably countless times) “Should we take the kids there? Is it worth it?” As a local mom of four, I’m here to tell you, yes, Universal Studios Hollywood is absolutely worth a trip. 

We took our boys and a buddy, ages 5, 7, and 8, for a birthday celebration and had the most memorable day. We want to make your day memorable too, so read on for a local’s tips and tricks to maximize your day at Universal Studios Hollywood. 

 Be prepared to visit any LA-area theme park with this guide to all the best Los Angeles theme parks!

Galena, Illinois, a city rich in history and charming surroundings, is less than three hours away from Chicago, making it a perfect getaway for families. Once a hub for commerce by way of the Mississippi River, its legacy is worth exploring. Grown-ups and kids will love everything from learning about its most famous resident—former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant—to the abundance of nature, shopping, and more. Here are 22 things you must do in Galena, Illinois with kids.

Looking for other fun adventures near Chicago? Check out everything to do in Napierville, Springfield, and Lake Geneva, WI

DC panda lovers have two giant reasons to celebrate! The Smithsonian National Zoo announced in May that it will welcome two new giant pandas from China by the end of 2024—Bao Li and Qing Bao. After saying goodbye to pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji in November 2023 during a series of events called Panda Palooza, this is welcome news for a city that has grown to cherish these animals.

Read on to learn all about the new giant pandas coming to DC. Then check out our guide to visiting DC's National Zoo with kids.

Consider indoor batting cages with the summer heat in full swing (get it?!). Softball and baseball lovers and batting newbies alike will enjoy these awesome Orlando batting cages to cool off and hone their skills. Indoor batting cages are great ways for Orlando kids and teens to touch base with friends, parents, and even siblings! Cool off this summer and hit it out of the park with these awesome Orlando batting cages below.

Batting cages in Westchester and the Hudson Valley let you experience the particular summertime joy of the sound and the feel of a bat hitting a ball. The fun is not limited to warm weather, either, as there are indoor and outdoor batting cages to keep the hits coming all year round.

Read on for the top batting cages in the region, and check out our Guide to Sports in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for more stories like this.

We’ve put together this list of the best bowling alleys for Long Island families so that you can find a great bowling spot no matter where you live on LI. From bumpers and ramps for toddlers to glow-in-the-dark game nights for tweens and teens, each venue offers a little something extra.

Most of these bowling alleys also offer specials during school breaks and some have after-school youth bowling leagues. 

Find more fun family outings in our Guide to Indoor Fun and on our always-updated Event Calendar.