Submitted by Ally Noel on
Looking for a change of scenery? Want to get away from it all? Well, the adventure that you seek may be no farther away than pitching a tent in your own backyard. A backyard camping trip is a perfect activity for the whole family or as a special occasion sleepover for kids' friends. Unplug those devices and recharge with a healthy dose of outdoor fun with the kids.
Submitted by Jessica Laird on
If you're spending the summer out east, you'll be happy to hear that registration is open for Ross Summer, the much-loved Hamptons camp known for serving up immersive week-long specialized programs, for-credit academic courses, high-level athletic training, and even early childhood options. Built on the foundation of Ross School—an innovative PreK-12 day and boarding school located in East Hampton—Ross Summer offers three enriching summer programs for kids ages 2 to 18. Read on to find out which one is the best fit for your family.
Submitted by Danielle Smith on
Six Flags Great Adventure is getting a Jurassic upgrade with the brand new Xpedition Dino, an immersive attraction that lets kids walk or ride among 30 life-like dinosaurs, built to move and roar just like the real ones did millennia ago.
Read on for details on the new larger-than-life experience, and find more great attractions in our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks.
Submitted by Martha Hall on
Beach is what SoCal is all about, but with so much sea and sand around it can actually be hard to choose which is the best beach for kids and the whole family. In the years when sand-filled diapers and tired little legs feel challenging, you want to be sure you've chosen a beach that will pay off with great summer memories.
You could head for a beach with a playground (we know some good ones), but for just enjoying the wonderful Pacific Ocean with easy parking, bathrooms, snacks, or other amenities, we love to return to the dozen beaches below. Gather the shovels, sandwiches, and sunscreen, and go west, young families!
Submitted by Elyse Andrews on
We’re lucky here in Massachusetts to have so many beautiful beaches to choose from when the temperature soars. With lots of room to dig, play, and swim, a stretch of sand on the edge of the salty surf might be the perfect place to take kids in the summer. But with so many Boston area beaches to choose from, it can be tough to know which ones are really right for families. So we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite sandy spots to visit each summer—all within an hour of Boston! For more things to do in and around the city, check out our Boston Summer fun guide.
Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on
In the Midwest, there's nothing like summer on a lake. From kayaking to jumping off the swim pier, kids make memories that last a lifetime. To help plan a relaxed, sandy, summer vacation, we've rounded up our favorite family-friendly lake resorts. These resorts near Chicago range from lake resorts on nearby Geneva Lake or Green Lake to northern lake resorts in Door County, Wisconsin and Northern Michigan.
Each of these resorts features outdoor and indoor swimming options, water recreation, quaint nearby towns, and family-friendly suites, cottages, and accommodations. Parents can also enjoy nearby or on-site spas, golf, and plenty of lakeside sunsets.
Seeking even more inspiration for summer travel? Check out our Family Travel Guide for loads of family travel destinations, whether you're looking for day trip inspiration or you are ready to book a longer holiday at a family-friendly resort.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on
If 2020 was the year of the park, with New Yorkers flocking to green spaces in record numbers, park-going in 2021 is next-level thanks to Little Island, aka the floating park, which opens to the public today. The 2.4-acre park far out-punches its tiny footprint, thanks to the uber-creative use of space and a robust programming calendar to match.
One of our most anticipated openings of 2021, Little Island is set on tulip-shaped platforms adjacent to 13th Street in the Hudson River. Its structure is meant to look like a floating leaf, and crossing the bridge from the mainland to the park transports you to an entirely different world, with winding paths, stunning landscaping, and plenty to explore, see, and do.
Read on for all the details on this cool new west side addition, which will make a splash on New Yorkers' plans for summer fun. Find more destination parks in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.
Submitted by Erin Real on
Westport is one of the prettiest coastal towns in all of Connecticut. Located 50 miles from New York City, it's also a definitively family-friendly locale. Over the years, Westport has become one of the most affluent suburbs in America. This culturally rich New England town doesn't international flavor yet retains its old New England small-town charm. Life in this lovely place really does revolve around the family, and there is no shortage of things to do in Westport with kids all year round. Here is a list of some of the best activities Westport has to offer.
Be sure to keep tabs on our Connecticut events calendar for daily updates on happenings at favorite spots, and more local and virtual opportunities for family fun.
