Adventures abound on the high and low seas of New Jersey with boat rides, tours, and cruises for families throughout the summer. Young pirates can dress up for a real pirate adventure; sailors can man the rigging aboard the historic A.J. Meerwald; and young naturalists will feel at home in the Meadowland marshes aboard specially rigged pontoon boats. Whalers will enjoy riding ships in search of whales and dolphins, and adventurers can always ride the wild white waters of the Delaware River either on rafts or tubes. Who knows when you may regain your land legs?

For more warm-weather fun, check out our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide.

A Disney Cruise is a memorable experience for any kid (or, really, any grown-up) whether the ship stops in the Bahamas, Europe, Jamaica, or some other exotic port—like Alaska. My family recently cruised Alaska Disney style, and if you're considering this particular Disney Cruise, I have a few tips that should make your vacation even more magical. 

A mainstay of Westchester summers is Rye Playland, whose rides, boardwalk, and other attractions have been drawing people from in and around the county for 91 years. Features have evolved over the decades, and this year brings new entertainment, new discount opportunities, a “floating” art installation, and the first new ride in a decade. Read on for the scoop!

Does your kid love robots, LEGOs, computers, and NASA? What about multiplication, division, and science experiments? If so, your little ones will love participating in a fun and education STEM-centered class. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes create a space where kids can learn how to use science and math skills to create their own video games, build computer systems, experiment with chemical reactions (safely), and so much more. Check out our top picks for STEM classes in the greater Houston area for your budding engineer.

To find more enrichment classes for kids around Houston, from STEM to music, visit our ultimate classes guide, and check our directory to discover even more.

Changes are afoot (or is it afin?) at SeaWorld, with much talk about a whole new chapter in the park's sea mammal program. We headed down to San Diego recently to see the new Orca Encounter for ourselves—to find out how big the changes are and whether they are improving life for the marine residents of SeaWorld.

It's been a long time in the making, but the mega entertainment complex in the New Jersey Meadowlands, now known as American Dream, announced it will finally open its doors to the public on October 25, with additional offerings added into the new year. 

Its many family-friendly attractions will include the western hemisphere's largest indoor amusement park AND North America's first indoor snow sports center—not to mention an indoor water park, ice skating rink, aquarium, mini-golf, LEGO Discovery Center, and much, much more.

If you love family camping, but don't love the thought of hauling all that gear (or even if you're not a huge fan of camping, but you sure do love the beach) good news: Camp Rockaway has returned for a third season of family-friendly glamping with a side of urban beach. Located in a sandy courtyard behind the historic Jacob Riis Bathhouse, Camp Rockaway offers families a chance to sleep over at at the beach, with comfy tents, queen-sized beds, and hot showers, all just steps from the waves. Read on for a peek inside the tent flaps.

The QuickChek Balloon Festival, one of New Jersey’s most highly anticipated family events of the summer, will take place Friday, July 26 – Sunday, July 28, 2019 at Solberg Airport in Whitehouse Station.

This summer festival fave has everything: beautiful hot-air balloon ascensions, top-notch performers, rides, freebies, great food, and a central New Jersey location. Here's what you need to know before you go.