Mamaroneck's Marine Education Center is an under-the-radar destination for families. Situated on the Long Island Sound in Harbor Island Park, the small size of the building and staff belies the extensive offerings of this STEM treasure. What’s more, visiting is FREE! Whether you’ve got curious kids or aspiring marine biologists, read on to learn more about this Westchester gem.

When you've had your fun inside, explore the rest of the attractions in the park, including one of our favorite playgrounds and a top-notch seasonal splash pad.

There is nothing like a walk in the woods to clear your mind, and the sights will undoubtedly excite your children. When you're ready for an outdoor adventure, consider one of these South Jersey hikes, where you can spot everything from beavers and fish in a creek to songbirds flittering about and the occasional quail or deer. In addition to wildlife, you can find manmade structures to hide in, wooden bridges to traverse, and a rope swing to glide on if you’re daring enough.

Find more great green spaces and hiking spots to explore in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds, and we'll look forward to seeing you on the trails!

Walking into the High Score Pinball Arcade inside the Westfield South Shore Mall immediately transported my husband and I back to our youth. After lamenting to our 10- and 12-year-old sons about how we had to save our quarters for arcade trips, our collective eyes glimmered at the dancing lights, pinball bells, and flickering scoreboards.

Read on for the inside scoop on this family-friendly outing and find more local arcades for old-school fun all across Long Island.

There's no denying it—kids love diving into a sandbox, running their shovels and hands through the grains of sand, dumping a full bucket over, and generally getting their hands dirty. Though NYC parents might get grossed out at the thought of what could be lurking in our uncovered, urban sandboxes, it's hard to refuse one of a preschooler's most beloved sensory experiences. So pull up a bench (and your cup of coffee; you'll be here a while!), and check out these eight toddler-tested, mom-approved NYC sandboxes. We've done our best to find the cleanest ones across the city. Besides, you can always wash their hands in the nearby sprinklers or park bathrooms when you're finally able to get them out.

About 12 miles south of Boston is Hingham, a coastal town located right on Boston Harbor. Hingham is known for its Fourth of July fireworks on the harbor, a Main Street filled with historic homes, and stately trees that offer beautiful canopy covers in the warmer months, a charming downtown, and the home of the South Shore Conservatory and Derby Academy. Eleanor Roosevelt once designated Hingham's Main Street as “The most beautiful Main Street in America.” 

For visitors, there are at least 4 main reasons to love Hingham: Seaside town. Check. Quaint. Check. Non-touristy. Check. No fast food. Check. Families in the Boston area who are looking for something fun to do should plan a visit to Hingham for a wonderful experience. 

Who can resist the urge to pop that bubble wrap once it comes floating loose from a package? Certainly not any kids we know!

Well, instead of shooing them away from the box as they ready their stomping feet, try one of these 10 clever ways to let kids play with it, get messy with it, and generally have some fun with bubble wrap. It's actually one of our secretly fun exercise games for kids. Also, you're demonstrating some healthy plastic upcycling practices, too. Win-win. Go ahead and add a little "pop" to your playtime. These kid-tested crafts and games will have you engineering roads and creating beautiful swirls and whirls of color and design.

There's no better time to experience the thrills of your favorite amusement park time than Summer 2021. Many parks are helping friends and family make up for lost time with special summer rates that you won't want to miss. Here's how to score ticket deals at area theme parks and water parks in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, all of which are an easy day trip for NYC-area families.

With deals this hot, you might be able to check out more than one of these new-in-2021 rides.

Riverside Park is our family’s backyard and home to some of the best playgrounds in the city, but what's the best of the best in this four-mile stretch of nature that spans Manhattan's west side from 72nd Street to 158th Street? We set out to find out, and our parent-tested results are here. We've ranked the playgrounds of Riverside Park based on their amenities, accessibility, and how much family-friendly fun they inspire.

Once you've had your share of romping in Riverside, be sure to check out our rankings of the best playgrounds in Central Park, Prospect Park, and Brooklyn Bridge Park, too.