| Page 275 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Free in May: 29 Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Thu, 05/04/2023 - 7:00am

Meet the horses after the (free) polo matches at Will Rogers State Park.

Summer break for kids in Los Angeles is just around the corner, and so are the summer camp fees, family vacation expenses, and a TON of ice cream trips. Before the summer budget blows up, use the month of May to enjoy some of the fabulous free events all over the city. Whether it's free Memorial Day weekend celebrations, budget-friendly excursions, outdoor adventures, or checking out a new museum, here are free family things for kids in Los Angeles to do in May.

Discover all the free activities and events near you in our Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles Guide, which includes a roundup of all the Free Museum Days in Los Angeles, plus a list of 60+ Birthday Freebies for Kids.

Free in May: 32 Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 05/03/2023 - 10:51am

Katonah Museum of Art is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Pollack Family Learning Center with a free event. Photo courtesy of the center

May is always packed with festivals, performances, and other family fun, but this year is particularly loaded with amazing, FREE things to do. We've rounded up dozens of great events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that don't cost a single dime. From Cinco de Mayo parties to comics fests to sheep shearing, there's something for every age and taste.

Check out loads more fun things to do in our Best of May post. And be sure to take a look at our Free Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley Families for even more ideas.

Strong Museum of Play Sets Summer Opening Date for $65M Expansion

Submitted by Laurie Riihimaki on Wed, 05/03/2023 - 10:37am

The Strong National Museum of Play is adding 90,000 square feet of new exhibitions to its footprint this summer.

The Strong Museum of Play has good news for summer travelers looking for a fun, new, kid-friendly vacation destination. The Strong National Museum of Play, located in Rochester, New York, is set to debut its $65 million expansion to guests Friday, June 30, 2023.

This new expansion adds more than 90,000 square feet of fun, immersive exhibits for children and adults, seemingly cementing The Strong Museum's place on our list of the 100 things to do in New York state with kids before they grow up.

Exhibits being unveiled bounce between classic and modern including a life-size, board game-inspired park and video games that allow guests' avatars to immerse themselves in electronic gameplay

No matter your age, The Strong National Museum of Play's expansion offers an excuse to pack your car and hit the road to one of our favorite upstate destinations for families.

Easy School Spirit Week Ideas: Crazy Hair Day, Anything But a Backpack Day, and Beyond

Submitted by Ally Noel on Tue, 05/02/2023 - 11:04am

All you need for Crazy Hair Day are some cupcake baking cups! Photo by the author

These easy Spirit Week ideas will see you through the days when your kids forget to tell you the day's theme minutes before you run out the door!

Spirit Weeks are great for building community and keeping kids entertained during the weeks leading up to school vacations. But they can be rough on unsuspecting parents. At some point in your kid's school career, you will be forced to buy all the hair accessories at your favorite 24-hour store the night before Crazy Hair Day. It can’t just be me whose kiddo freaked out that her “Anything But a Backpack” wasn’t original enough, can it?

This list of tried and true tips will help you survive even the most last-minute of spirit days. Once they're out the door, take a minute to laugh over these Funny Parenting Memes That Will Make You Feel Seen. And if you had a teacher cool enough to pick easy themes for Spirit Week, you might want to thank them with one of these Teacher Appreciation Gifts They’ll Love.

Top Tween and Teen Summer Camps in NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 05/02/2023 - 10:30am

Dig up some bones at a Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Education Summer Camp. Photo courtesy WCS

Summer camp is a great way for tweens and teens to explore their interests, make new friends, and stay active during the summer. Whether they're interested in sports summer camps, film summer camps, theater summer camps, or STEAM summer camps, there are tons of summer camps in NYC for teens and tweens to find the right fit.

We've rounded up the best summer camps in NYC for teens and tweens below, and you can find more summer camp options like the best free and cheap summer camps and the top sleepaway summer camps in the Northeast in our Guide to Summer Camps in NYC. You can also search our Camp Directory to find summer camps by age, interest, and neighborhood.

Frost Science Museum: Miami's Must-See Family Attraction

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 04/30/2023 - 9:23am

Get close to underwater creatures at the Frost Science Museum's massive aquarium. Photo by Jackie Jones

The Frost Science Museum, with a whopping six levels, hundreds of hands-on exhibits, an aquarium, and a planetarium, is a must-see Miami attraction. Prepare to spend all day at the 250,000-square-foot Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which explores the human body, the science of flight, and the solar system, among its many STEM-friendly displays. Frost Museum is located at the picturesque waterfront Maurice A. Ferré Park, not far from the Miami Brightline train station.

Read on to map out your ideal day at the Frost Museum, and for more ideas on planning kid-friendly Florida trips, check out our Florida Family Travel Guide.

Naples, Florida with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in Naples, FL

Submitted by James Smith on Sat, 04/29/2023 - 11:40am

Naples, FL makes for the perfect family beach vacation.

A haven for retirees and those fleeing Northeast winters, tony Naples, FL on the Gulf Coast is a surprisingly family-friendly destination. Miles of sun-drenched beaches share the city with gardens, a zoo, nature centers, museums, and more, making it a pleasant experience for families looking for a reprieve from the theme parks and pirate festivals of Florida’s north. Naples, FL also offers unrivaled natural scenery and environmental wonders.

Here are 30 of our favorite things to do in Naples with kids, from beaches and baseball to the best kid-friendly hotels and restaurants Naples, FL has to offer. Check out our Florida Family Travel Guide for even more family vacation ideas in the Sunshine State, from Amelia Island to West Palm Beach to the Florida Keys.

Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 7:34pm

Take the birthday kid out to a fun restaurant in Houston for a special night. Photo courtesy of The Melting Pot

There's something about going out to a fun, kid-friendly restaurant for a birthday dinner that just feels ... special! Give your kiddo that on-top-of-the-world feeling when you treat them to a festive meal where they get to experience fun desserts, exciting themes, interactive dining experiences, and more. Whether you're looking to celebrate your best birthday boy or girl with a nice family dinner out or want to throw a birthday bash at their favorite local restaurant, we've rounded up the best Houston hot spots that are sure to be a hit.

From fabulous fondue dinners to comfort food with a Wild West backdrop to afternoon tea, these 13 family-friendly (and birthday-friendly) Houston establishments will make the birthday kiddo the star of the show or offer bonuses like games and rides for an extra-special meal. For other eateries around town, look at our guide to Houston's kid-friendly restaurants. Or for some party planning ideas, check out these Birthday Venues Near Houston that Won't Break the Bank.