New York City kids are lucky to live in a city so infused with the arts and even luckier to have so many class options to help them explore their creative side. Ballet is a popular dance option for kids of all ages, and NYC is teeming with top-notch ballet schools. From tots to teens, we've rounded up top picks for ballet classes citywide—nearly two dozen of them!

Remember, though, this is just a sampling of ballet lessons in the city. Find more in our Classes Directory.

The best part of the beach isn't always sand and water. Sometimes, it's a quaint stroll along the boardwalk. And Long Island has plenty of these planked paths dotting its shores.

Gone are the splinter fears and potential pitfalls of yesterday; most Long Island boardwalks have been refurbished with less flammable, sustainable woods. These boardwalk spots offer something special for kids and adults alike. Best of all, besides a nominal parking fee for some, these are FREE. 

Here are a half-dozen of our favorite Long Island boardwalks, including a few you might not immediately associate with the ocean. From Nassau County to Suffolk and the East End, they are yours to explore.

For more seasonal fun, be sure to see our Summer Fun Guide, our list of the best beaches, water parks, and sprinkler parks and perhaps even our guide to LI beach playgrounds and outdoor music.

And for FREE summer fun, check out our list of 50 FREE things to do with Long Island kids this summer.

Get wet 'n wild at Long Island's East End waterpark, Splish Splash, this summer with the addition of two new high-speed thrill rides, Riptide Racer and Bombs Away.

Looking for more ways to soak up fun in the sun? Check out these Long Island sprinkler parks, pools, water parks, slides and beaches. As always, our Summer Fun Guide has you covered for more seasonal fun. If you're looking for added inspiration, see our list of 25 must-do activities with kids on Long Island this summer; 50 great things to do on the East End with kids; and our guide to summer day trips in and around Long Island.

On a budget? Take a gander at our list of 50 FREE things to do with kids on Long Island this summer.  

Summer has crept in under cover of June Gloom, and there are so many ways to enjoy it, in town or on the road. Already free summer concerts are rockin'; free summer movies are rolling, and great beaches are beckoning. Read on for the best of July in LA, Ventura, and Orange County. We'll keep adding to our events calendar daily, of course, and sending our weekly newsletter in time for each weekend, but here's your chance to plan ahead for a dozen July favorites.

Laguna Beach in Orange County is a beach- and art-lovers paradise, a land of scuba diving and gallery exploring. The town was originally created as an artists' colony, known to this day for its many art festivals, but Laguna has plenty of other great amenities and events, too, that make this town a great place for kids and the whole family. Whether you are a local, a daytripper, or just looking for a SoCal staycation to please all ages, heading to Laguna Beach is a great idea!

What's better than a spectacular, outdoor, family-friendly, FREE music performance? A whole series of free outdoor concerts for kids! We've already told you about the great concerts in June for NYC kids, and now we're rounding up all the free concerts in July and August, to keep the kids grooving all summer.

There are free concert series for kids in parks, playgrounds, piers and plazas across the five boroughs, so scroll, click, and set reminders with your favorites. With top family bands playing annual series like Madison Square Kids and SummerStage Family Workshops, you're sure to find something the whole family can shake a tail feather to. 

For even more free family fun, see our jam-packed Summer Guide and our roundup of 100 free things to do with kids in NYC this summer.

It seems like yesterday we announced to readers the opening of Rockin’ Jump, the indoor trampoline park, at Ridge Hill. Now there’s a new trampoline kid on the block: Launch Trampoline Park.

Located in Rockland County’s West Nyack, Launch Trampoline Park opened in June 2018 and is gearing up for a Grand Opening event. Bearing much resemblance to Rockin’ Jump, Launch Trampoline Park offers extreme dodgeball, one-on-one basketball, a battle beam, dunk basketball, a warrior ninja course, more than 15,000 square feet of open-jump trampoline space, an arcade with redemption, and a cafe.  Read on for more details about this new facility for Westchester and Hudson Valley kids.

Looking for more places to have fun while burning off energy? Consult our guide to indoor play spaces in Westchester. Also stay abreast of new openings, special events, and more by signing up for our newsletters and following us on Facebook! 

Nothing says summer more than spending time as a family at a fair or festival on Long Island. It's a chance to be outdoors, spend time with the friends and neighbors, and make lasting memories.

Whether your family enjoys an old-fashioned street fair in your neighborhood or ventures nearby to see how other communities celebrate summer, these family-friendly events are sure to leave everyone smiling. Plus, many of these events are FREE to the public. That's why we've rounded up a list of the best fairs and festivals taking place in Nassau and Suffolk counties and on the East End in July and August. 

For more seasonal inspiration, check out our Summer Fun Guide and Events Calendar. And while you're at it, consider one or two of our 25 must-do activities with kids this summer. If you're on a budget, try a few of our 50 FREE things to do with LI kids before school resumes.