Best Sandbars Near Orlando and Central Florida for Families Interested in Adventure

Anclote Key, made up of four islands off the Gulf Coast's Tarpon Springs, is a popular gathering place for boaters. Photo courtesy Visit St. Pete-Clearwater

Central Florida sandbars are popular gathering places for Florida boating families. These Florida families love sandbars because of shallow and safe waters, offering children an ideal space to play and swim right off the boat! The opportunity to explore, beachcomb, and create amazing memories along a coastal environment further solidifies sandbars as great destinations for family outings. 

Sandbars sit along coastlines, near island shorelines, or within river channels. Coastal sandbars are visible above the water's surface during low tide, but usually become submerged during high tide. Read on for our list boat-accessible sandbars around Central Florida, including saltwater sandbars within a 2.5-hour drive from Orlando, as well as sandbars at Orlando's lakes and springs. Don't have a boat? No problem! Enjoy smaller sandbars along Florida's beaches during low tide.

For more water related family fun, check out our Guides to the Best Shark Tooth Beaches in FloridaTop 10 Natural Springs Near Orlando, and Exciting Lakes for Water Activities Near Orlando.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in New Jersey: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More

Make your way through the ropes course at TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park. Photo courtesy of the park

New Jersey offers a variety of extreme sports and thrilling activities for daring kids, including axe throwing, scuba diving, aerial obstacle courses, and parasailing.

We’ve rounded up exciting options across the state for every type of thrill-seeker, from go-karts to indoor skydiving. We've grouped the activities into indoor and outdoor fun, so you can choose your adventure based on the weather. If you’re looking for more teen-specific fun, check out our New Jersey Tweens and Teens Guide.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air

Extreme sports are a perfect way to keep up with extremely energetic kids. Wear them out by trying some high-octane fun and giving them a completely new experience! As an added bonus, extreme sports like go karts, archery, and even axe-throwing can be fun for the entire family! 

Looking for more extreme fun? Check out our list of Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Philly for Kids. For additional high-energy fun, visit our Play Gyms and Sports Centers Guide.

Visiting the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers: Top Exhibits and Things To See with Kids

Explore the life-size sculpture "The Bookstore" at the Hudson River Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

As a longtime Yonkers resident, my family and I have visited the Hudson River Museum and Planetarium on several occasions, and each time we go we discover something new. 

Situated on the banks of the Hudson River, with a spectacular view of the Palisades beyond, the Hudson River Museum and Planetarium has been a cultural institution in Yonkers since its founding in 1919. Its galleries and exhibits offer something of interest for everyone in the family.

If you and your family enjoy visiting local museums, check out our rundown of free museums and museum days in the area and more in our Museum Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids on Long Island

Zip through the air at WildPlay at Jones Beach. Courtesy WildPlay

Extreme sports aficionados on Long Island don't have to go far to get their adventure on, because both Suffolk and Nassau counties offer plenty of businesses catering to thrill-seeking kids.  

Want to go for a spin? Long Island go-kart tracks put kids in the driver’s seat, while ropes courses and axe-throwing venues provide an enduring adrenaline rush. However your child prefers to get his or her adventure fix, you'll probably find it on Long Island. So ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. 

In the meantime, check out our Long Island Guide to Play Spaces and Fun Zones. If your kids prefer to pedal, our guide to Long Island biking trails offers great rides in Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End.

The Barbie Movie: Should You Bring Your Kids?

Barbie is the hit of the summer, but is this toy movie for kids? Photo courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures

The Barbie Movie is taking the world by storm, but the question on the mind of many parents remains-- can I take my kids to see it? The iconic toy is loved by kids and adults alike, but whether or not your kids will actually enjoy the movie sort of depends on a couple of things. So, should you take your kids, or should you call the babysitter?

We talked to a bunch of parents of kids of various ages to get their take on the hottest movie of summer! Read on to see what they're saying.

And if you're looking for a great movie for family viewing at home, check out our Guide to the Best Movies and TV Shows for Kids and the Whole Family.

57 Alternative Activities to Screen Time

Playdough, homemade or store-bought, provides hours of creative play. Photo by Jennifer Murray via Pexels

Can you accurately add up your kids’ daily screen time? With texting friends, social media, video games, and streaming services, it’s almost impossible to track. But all parents can agree that screen time can get out of hand! While it's tempting to let our kids stay glued to these devices, finding alternative activities for kids that are fun and engaging things to do is essential for their development.

Thinking outside the box is the best way to reduce daily screen time for your kids, without them complaining. Need some inspiration? We’ve rounded up our 57 tried-and-true activities for kids, games & crafts, and family fun that will keep kids entertained, happy, and screen-free!

For more ways to cure the boredom blues, check out our list of 100 Things To Do When Kids Are Bored - it’s in our aptly named Boredom Buster Guide that’s packed with games, activities, crafts, and more.

Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach Reopens After a Four Year Hiatus

Slide into muddy fun at Adventure Playground!

Adventure Playground will have you reminiscing and nostalgic for summer camp. This hidden outdoor recreational experience in the center of a Huntington Beach park is like nothing else. Kids will get to channel Tom Sawyer as they float in tubes and slide into muddy waters. If your kids are anything like mine, they'll have their best day ever at Adventure Playground. 

After a long-time closure through the pandemic, Adventure Playground reopened in 2023. It's as wholesome as the Andy Griffith Show, with a mudslide, innertubes, a rope bridge, and tree forts packed with larger-than-life LEGO bricks. Read on for all the details on where to go, how to get there, and what to expect. 

For more adventure, there's the Adventure Playground in Irvine, or you can discover the best playgrounds in Los Angeles and explore more places to climb and slides to conquer in our Guide to the Best Parks and Playgrounds of Los Angeles & OC.  

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