For a long time in LA, ice cream cones meant a $1 Thrifty cone in a weird shape at the local Rite Aid. I’m not knocking it—people who grew up here love them, and now as a mom, I appreciate the ubiquitousness and price. But gourmet, it isn’t. Then good ice cream began to appear; imports like Salt & Straw and Jeni’s, and homegrown favorites like McConnell’s and Sweet Rose. Some of the very best of the local shops are small-batch and freshly churned (or soft-served) mom-and-pop stores. So, if you wanted to try, say the fabulousness that is Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams, you had to trek to their sole location in Culver City.

No more! Ginger’s heard the pleas from the east, and just this month opened a new spot Mid-City. It’s long been a favorite of mine, and I couldn’t wait to check out the new store, and see if it’s just as good as the original. My kids came along to play taste testers. Here’s what we found...

We recently traveled back in time to wilds of Eastern Connecticut to spend the day at The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village, where kids can explore a family-friendly Jurassic attraction. Encounter over sixty life-sized cretaceous creatures while trekking the wooded nature trails around Raptor Bay, a seven acre lake complete with its own erupting volcano. A giant playground, an amazing maze, a super cool water play area, a giant maze, and mini-golf round out the offerings. Dinosaur Place is minutes away from Mystic, Connecticut and Rhode Island's beaches making for a perfect day trip destination or part of a weekend away. Here’s the inside scoop on this fun prehistoric park, and tips to make the most of your time there.

Being outside pretty much tops our to-do list every day, and we're constantly going from one activity to the next, be it to a neighborhood splashpad, a nearby playground, or a park with plenty of trails for biking. Basically, staying inside all day isn't an option; we would all go stir crazy! With summer and hot sun upon us, I am more aware of which places offer some shade so we can get outside and still beat the heat... even if only for a few minutes. Here are some great parks in Houston that offer at least a moderate respite from the brutal summer temps.

When our family of five first arrived at Fort Washington National Park—a hidden gem in Prince Georges County, Maryland, just 13 miles from Alexandria, Virginia and 19 miles from Washington, DC—it felt like we found a hidden treasure.

This national park felt more like an outdoor museum, where visitors can tour a fort, visit a lighthouse, or hike and ride bikes on the park trail. My 2-year-old was immediately wowed by our proximity to the Potomac River, and my 11- and 12 year-old sons couldn't wait to tour the historic fort. We were excited and eager to step back into history.

A visit to Fort Washington National Park is a wonderful way to experience American history with kids and an ideal addition to our list of springtime activities in the DC area. 

Playing together with your kids is one of the best parts of being a parent. Not only does it get everyone off the couch and moving, but you're also creating memorable family experiences.

Most city families don't have a backyard to play catch in, but there are still plenty of ways to play in NYC that are as engaging for grown-ups as for children, from mini golf to hiking, bowling, billiards, and beyond. Read on for our favorite ways to disconnect from technology and enjoy a few hours of awesome family bonding time.

I was 10 years old the first time I tried my hand at decorating a cake, and I was instantly hooked. I've never been artistic with a paintbrush or pen, but give me a pastry bag, and magic happens. Fast-forward about 30 years, add in three kids and 33 kids' birthday parties between them, and I've learned a few tricks for creating bakery-quality cakes on a busy-mom schedule.

These birthday cake ideas and decorating tips yield showstopping results with very little skill required, and I'll even share with you my shortcut trick for turning a boxed cake mix into a bakery-worthy birthday cake recipe.

Of course, there are times when even a shortcut cake masterpiece is out of reach, so be sure to check out our ready-in-an-instant mug cake recipes and find more parent-tested meals in our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.