Don’t let the winter chill or a tight budget keep you and your kiddos from taking a swim! Philadelphia is home to some great indoor swimming pools that are available for open swim, several of which don’t require a membership at all, while others will get you and the kids swimming with an inexpensive membership.

Read on for our top picks for indoor pools for kids and families in Philly, and if you need more ideas on what to do when you can’t get outside, check out our Indoor Activities Guide.

It's never too early to think about summer. There are family vacations to organize, and then there's the issue of what to do with the rest of the time. Summer camp is an excellent option for many families, and day camps can be affordable and fun. 

Camps across Long Island are beginning to hold open houses, so it might be time to figure out where to send your little ones once school lets out. Looking for a general camp? How about one just for preschoolers? Or how about a camp for older children? Here we check out the best camps Nassau County has to offer.

From special events, programs that focus on art, sports, or science, to field trips, these camps are sure to create fun experiences and great memories. Each camp below has its American Camp Association accreditation; for a comprehensive list, check out our Long Island Camp Guide and our directory of camp listings. A guide to Suffolk County camps can be found here. 

When traveling in Central Florida along the I-4 corridor, you might just see a giant T-Rex peering out at the family over the highway. This Jurassic-themed roadside attraction is Dinosaur World Florida. Located in Plant City, Florida, about 20 minutes from Tampa, Dinosaur World features hundreds of life-size dinosaur replicas, interactive exhibits, themed playgrounds for both little and big kids, a museum, and dino-themed shows.

For working parents of Philly preschoolers, finding a summer camp can be particularly difficult because most places only accept campers who are age 4 or above. Whether you have to work over the summer, or you just want to send your toddler for some fun, we've found lots of great summer camps in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Here's a list of places that have special camps for children ages 3 and sometimes under.

Have older kids, too? Check out our Summer Camp Guide and posts about camps for art, STEM, and sports, too.

Time to buy some Badge Magic, because your scout's vest is about to get a whole lot more crowded. Whether you're a troop leader guiding the pack, or just a parent in charge of the next activity, these adventures (many of which are free or cheap) are great choices for inspiring a troop of boy or girl scouts. Don't mistake these for merely "fun patch" activities; these badges earned at locations throughout Los Angeles may even spark ideas for a future Gold Award or Eagle Scout project. And in the process, you may get to check another item off our LA Kids Bucket List.

If your kids are anything like my two bundles of non-napping energy, there are days when you just need to let them run free – but preferably within a confined indoor space. There are a few notable play areas that are perfect for tiring kids out on cold or wet days in New Haven County, in particular. Inexpensive and varied, each indoor play space has its own charm.  For more indoor fun check out our Connecticut Indoor Play Guide.

If you’re wishing for warm weather, channel some summer fun and head to an indoor swimming pool! While you might have to book an overnight to jump into one of the many hotel pools in Westchester—or head to a favorite indoor water park nearby—there are other spots that offer day passes that include indoor pool access. We've rounded up a few below.

Looking for even more winter activities? Check out our Winter Fun Guide—and be sure to sign up for our newsletters!

Mother Nature can often be a real thorn in the side to new parents in Philadelphia. Be it winter snow, spring rain, or summer heat, the weather often discourages getting out of the house with babies and toddlers. Visiting an indoor play space can rescue the little ones from cabin fever as well as offer parents a chance to socialize with other new moms and dads.

Parents in the city need to be a little more creative in finding indoor play areas, with fewer bouncehouse centers than in the suburbs. Mommy Poppins has a list of fun spots to drop-in with tots in and around Center City Philadelphia, including museums, gyms, and stores. 

Be sure to browse our directory for even more indoor fun ideas in the Philly area or our list of indoor play in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties.