19 Free and Cheap Online Summer Camps in 2021

Find an online summer camp to fill an hour (or several) of your kid's time.

Need to fill a week or two of summer camp this summer? Or, not ready to send the kids back to a full-time day camp? Good news: There are a number of FREE online summer camps from top-notch organizations and nonprofits that still have open weeks!

These virtual camps from the likes of 4-H Club and UNICEF are open to kids all over the US, from Boston to Los Angeles, so kids in cities thousands of miles apart have a chance to meet and connect with kids they might otherwise never have known. We love that most won't cost you a cent and might just help fill a few hours of your kid's day with some really fun summer activities. Find more virtual summer programs in our Camp Directory, or check out our local Summer Camp Guides for in-person options.

Long Island Children’s Museum Reopens Seasonal Sensory Garden and Popular Permanent Exhibits

Seasonal outdoor sensory garden, Our Backyard, has returned to LICM for the summer.

Yes, Long Island Children's Museum is open—inviting families to explore 13 interactive exhibits, weekly early childhood classes, and even a newly reopened seasonal garden!

Located on Nassau County's well-loved Museum Row, this popular destination makes the perfect day trip for families across Long Island and New York City. Enhanced safety measures—like timed entry and continued mask wearing—make the Museum a safe option where kids of all ages can explore, play, and learn. Plus, a thoughtfully designed sensory room, monthly "Friendly Hours" with altered lighting and sound, and extensive resources for visitors with disabilities mean everyone is able to enjoy the Museum.

What’s Safe? Your Guide to Summer Fun With Not-Yet-Vaccinated Kids

Connecticut Children's is the only health system in the state that's 100% dedicated to kids.

Keeping up with ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines has been hard for parents and, with the world starting to reopen, we're all trying to figure out once again where our kids fit into the picture. Now that summer's here, parents of young children just want to know what activities they can safely do and what they still need to sit out while the under 12 crowd remains unvaccinated.

At Connecticut Children's—the only health system in the state that's 100% dedicated to children—pediatric experts have been monitoring the COVID situation very closely since the start of the pandemic. Read on for helpful guidance from some of Connecticut Children's top specialists, as we all try to navigate this "next normal" with our families.

CLOSED: The Kiddie Clubhouse: Syosset's New Play Space

 Whip up dinner or dessert in the kitchen at The Kiddie Clubhouse.

*Updated December 2022: This play space is now closed.*

Whether your kid loves to build, climb, or create, there is plenty for them to explore at The Kiddie Clubhouse in Syosset. The roughly six-month-old play space lets little Long Islanders chalk a masterpiece, scale the rock wall, toss a bean bag into a cityscape, and so much more. Parents are always close by, whether they're watching from the comfortable lounge area or getting in on the fun in the play space.

Read on for more details on this new addition to the toddler play space scene, and check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island for more fun places to play.

The Stunning Redwood Sky Walk: Take Your Family To the Treetops

Photo courtesy of Redwood SkyWalk

Just when you thought California’s redwoods couldn’t be any more captivating, the new Redwood Sky Walk at Sequoia Park Zoo opened this June, just in time for a summer family road trip up the coast. The Redwood Sky Walk is a series of bridges high in the sky that connect platforms in the trees, lifting visitors up for spectacular views and an up-close connection with the canopy. Read on for a peek at this new experience in the trees of Eureka.

Find more California family vacation ideas kids love in our California Family Travel Guide. We've also rounded up the coolest (affordable!) California vacation rentals for families, so you know where to stay as you explore.

50 Things We Can't Wait To Do This Summer With Westchester Kids

 Visit Boundless Adventures, a family-friendly adventure park for thrill-seekers. Photo courtesy of the venue

Summer 2021 is upon us, and it's going to be hopping. From outdoor adventures to special events, we've rounded up more than 50 fun things to do with kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Bookmark this summer bucket list as a guide to planning scrapbook-worthy summer excursions.

If this jam-packed resource isn't enough, there’s even more seasonal fun to choose from in our Summer Fun Guide and our Activity Calendar, which is constantly updated.

10 Philly Arboretums and Gardens for Kid-Friendly Fun

The Tulip Treehouse at Winterthur is a  location right out of The Hobbit. Photo courtesy of Bob Lietch for Winterthur Garden

Why just stop and smell the roses when you can do so much more? The Philadelphia area is home to some of the most beautiful arboretums and gardens in the country, and many offer a slate of kids’ programming to complement the floral experience. From fairy-tale inspired woods to treetop rope climbs, scavenger hunts, koi feedings and more, you can easily get lost among acres of nature-inspired activities during a day with the fam at these places.

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