When my daughter was in fourth grade, she was struggling socially and academically—but I noticed that any free time she had was used typing away on the computer. Eventually, I took a peek into her writing folder. There were several compelling short stories and poems, way better than the writing assignments she was turning in for school. With the hope that positive affirmation from a source outside of school would inspire her, I sought out kid-focused writing initiatives that might encourage her to develop her budding skills.

As children get older and their interests and personalities develop, special opportunities and internships can foster their passions and develop their strengths. If you have budding artist, writer, or future game designer in your home, take note of these contests and opportunities from the likes of Scholastic and Time to help kids, tweens, and teens explore and showcase their creative work, while boosting their skills and confidence—including two amazing opportunities with deadlines that are right around the corner! 

Where can animal-obsessed kiddos improve their cat selfie skills, help pups perfect fetch and roll over, and interact with adorable adoptable pets every day? On its mission to strengthen the bond between people and pets, LA's new Annenberg PetSpace is hosting a series of week-long summer camps (for kids ages 9 to 12) that are filled with demonstrations, crafts, educational games, and of course loads of animal encounters.

For more than 60 years, Land of Make Believe in Hope, NJ, has entertained and amused families and kids of all ages. Designed as an amusement park where kids and adults can have fun together, there’s literally something for everyone. And the best part is that it’s affordable. The Pay-One-Price policy covers both the amusement park rides and water park, giving you the convenience to move from attraction to attraction without the hassle of endlessly having to reach into your pocket. Parking is also free, and you can even bring your own food and drinks to picnic right inside the park.

Perhaps you visited Land of Make Believe when you were a kid. I know I did. That’s why I was eager to talk a walk down memory lane and introduce my 5-year-old daughter to the thrills and adventures of my own youth. While I found that a lot has changed since then, the essence of this charming amusement park remains.

Read on to experience a bit of this magical-sounding amusement park for yourself.

We’re sure you’ve heard about the cool factor of Bushwick, home to an abundant artistic community and boldly graffitied streets, but the latest hipster neighborhood, bordering Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Ridgewood, actually offers loads of family fun. The once-abandoned warehouses have been transformed into artist studios, galleries, and pizza spots, making the vibrant streets feel like one big adventure.

The rapidly-changing, post-industrial neighborhood of Bushwick offers numerous parks, playgrounds, destination restaurants, and cultural experiences. Plus, it's easily accessible by subway from the L, J, M or Z trains, so even if you don't call Bushwick home, you can still experience this colorful and cool destination. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Bushwick with kids.

Good news for families in and around Westchester: The Westchester Children's Museum has broken ground on a much-anticipated expansion to its already popular space.

Phase 1—now called the Hoch Laager Boardwalk Galleries and spanning approximately 6,500 square feet—opened in 2016 with interactive exhibits, play spaces, and a book nook where children can explore, play, and create. The current capital improvement and renovation project will transform the remainder of its 22,000-square-foot space into a haven for learning and creating. 

For preschoolers and young school-age kids, gym parties are an easy solution to the space limitations of the typical Brooklyn apartment. Young guests get to run, tumble, bounce, and jump around without having to worry about breaking anything or using their indoor voices, while you sit back, relax, and just watch. By the end, they're so tuckered out, even the sugar rush from the cake won't get them going again.

Here are 14 Brooklyn gyms that will make your kid's party extra special and allow guests to celebrate by burning off all their excess energy. Find even more birthday ideas in our Party Guide.

Hollywood is full of things to do with kids—we have collected 25 of them—and you can easily spend the entire day. Which means you will need food! Hollywood is also full of restaurants. But once you weed out the fast food chains and big tourist chains, there are still plenty of kid-friendly local chains and independent restaurants, and we have selected 10 options. There is something for you if you want something quick, something historic or old-timey, or something new and fun. And even if your kids are picky eaters or have food allergies, they will enjoy something from this list!