Affordable afterschool programs in Chicago can be hard to find, especially with rising prices everywhere. It's important for working parents to have a safe, fun, and educational environment for their kids before and after school, so we've done the work for you and come up with a list of free or cheap afterschool programs in Chicago. Several of these afterschool programs offer hardship assistance, scholarships, or free tuition.

Many of the aftercare options on the list below offer sports, games, mentorship, STEM activities, career planning, homework help, and more. And for more classes for Chicago kids and babies, check out our Best Classes for Kids in Chicago Guide.

Puerto Vallarta has everything that makes Mexico such a popular family vacation destination: warm and sunny weather, beautiful beaches, loads of outdoor activities, delicious cuisine, and family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The city's manageable size and affordability are added bonuses that ensure everyone, from curious toddlers to uber-cool teens to adults in need of a little R&R, has a great time.

Whether you're swimming in the turquoise ocean water, learning to cook a new dish, or relaxing on a hammock while the kids play in the pool, you're bound to make lasting memories in Puerto Vallarta, as my family has over the years.

Here are the 21 top things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids, including great Puerto Vallarta hotels and Puerto Vallarta restaurant options for families. Visit our Best Mexican Family Travel Guide for more great places to visit in Mexico, as well as our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.

By the time the newborn stage is over, you're itching to get out of the house and start finding things to do in Houston with babies. The only problem is where do you even start? Rest easy, mama, because we're here to help! We've rounded up 14 of the best baby activities in Houston. 

Check out our Baby and Pregnancy Guide for Houston Parents for more helpful baby tips.

Located just 90 miles from Chicago, Starved Rock State Park is there for when Chicago families need to get away from school and screen time and head to the great outdoors for the weekend.  The state park is one of several just a 90-minute drive southwest of Chicago, but once you leave the area officially considered the suburbs, you may feel like you're in a different world.

In addition to the wealth of hiking, there are unique places to stay and interesting restaurants to keep our kids entertained for a weekend trip. We also love that we can plan a vacation here at the spur of the moment. Each time we've gone, we have found lodging with less than two weeks notice.

Here's what our family likes to do at and around Starved Rock State Park. For more outdoor family fun, check out our State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids.

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the world's premier art museums, yet often overlooked for its more famous Manhattan neighbor, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. But, the Brooklyn Museum is truly worth a visit, whether you're a local or just visiting. Home to an eclectic permanent collection and a rotation of buzzy, crowd-pleasing special exhibitions, the Brooklyn Museum is located in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building right off of family-friendly Prospect Park and definitely worth visiting with kids. Its calendar is packed with kid-friendly programming and family events. We've got tips about the best exhibits to see, things to do, and places to eat during your visit to the Brooklyn Museum with kids.

We've got all our picks for the best museums to visit with kids in NYC and more tips for NYC's top culture spots in our Guide to Family-Friendly Museums in NYC.

Extreme sports and activities for older kids and teens provide action-packed fun and avoid screen time! From go-karts and zip lining to axe throwing and paintball, we've gathered exciting options for every type of thrill-seeker in Orlando.

Check out the best extreme sports and activities for kids in Orlando. And just a helpful tip: Much to the dismay of Croc-wearing kiddos the world over, most of these activities require closed-toe shoes, so be prepared to wear sneakers or bring them along.

The Atlanta BeltLine is some miraculous combination of exercise trail, tourist attraction, path to historical and environmental exploration, public art gallery, cultural site, and so much more. It is Atlanta's aorta, pumping life throughout the city and connecting various intown neighborhoods together.

This 22-mile loop is a fantastic place to bring your kids and discover what makes the Atlanta BeltLine and the people and places of Atlanta so special. This multipurpose trail hosts wonderful attractions along the way, perfect for kids to discover nature, stop by a playground or skate park, admire art, grab a meal or stop in a shop, and just get out of the house.