When my wife and I started to build up our daughter’s library, we felt it was important for her to see our reality reflected in books. We looked for LGBTQ children’s books with fun, positive messages about diversity. We wanted to show her that all families are unique, while at the same time they share common values and traditions. The 25 books listed here are some of our family’s very favorites.

Check out our other great book recommendations for Black History Month and 21 books to teach your kids about racism.

Whether it’s the smell of the air, the crashing of the waves, or the chilly nights and warm days, beach camping on the West Coast has a definite allure. Kids love the novelty of camping by the beach, and many of the best locations are kid friendly. From the California/Mexico border to the Olympia Peninsula in Washington, the West Coast has a plethora of seaside campgrounds where families love to pitch a tent or park an RV. Here are some of the best beach campsites California, Oregon, and Washington have to offer.

When you—and your kids—are tired of the local playground, it's time to branch out and try something new. We've found 10 destination playgrounds in South Jersey with fun features like a refreshing sprayground, all-inclusive equipment, trains, challenging climbing structures, and even a dragon maze. Read on for all the details and find more places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

If you and your kiddos haven't had a chance to get to know Greg Heffley—the imaginative and quick-witted middle-schooler of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series—you've got some reading to do! The latest addition to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, BIG SHOT, is about to drop this fall and, whether you're a newbie or a superfan, it's time to get caught up on the well-loved collection from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney.

As the days get longer, sunnier and warmer, you’ll probably long to take some of your meals outside. Picnicking is a classic summer activity that’s perfect for the whole family. Instead of just heading to your neighborhood park, pack your basket and bring it to one of Boston’s best picnic areas. Some have deep roots in Boston’s history or water views, and all are beautiful and provide a breath of fresh air in the middle of a busy city.

Los Angeles does many things better than any other city—beaches, theme parks, and even bagels. Now we can add fried chicken to the list! That's because of the amazing variety of fried birds available, like Nashville hot fried chicken, Korean fried chicken, those crazy popular fried chicken sandwiches, and even vegan options. If you've had enough pizza this year and are looking for a new family-friendly meal, check out these spots that serve everything from toddler-tempting tenders to a super-spicy version for those who like it hot.

Ready to take advantage of these longer summer days to get back out there and enjoy some of the fabulous activities you can only do in greater Houston? The summer is only just beginning, but it will fly by with all the exciting places to go and family events that are back in action! Some of the favorites on our summer list are one day only (those are near the top), but most can be enjoyed all season long. Check out our 2021 list of the top 35 things we can't wait to do in the Bayou City from Memorial Day to Labor Day, even on those 100-degree days.

Williamsburg is getting a new green space that's been years in the making. Construction recently began on 50 Kent, a 1.89-acre park space packed with natural fun and a brand new sprayground for kids, so get those bathing suits ready.

The project is scheduled to be completed in April 2022 and is part of a larger plan to revitalize Bushwick Inlet Park. Once home to a manufacturing facility, it features expansive sloping lawns and sweeping views of the East River. Read on for more details on the park and find more places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.