Even for the most innovative parent, the gap between late afternoon and bedtime can be challenging to fill—especially during bad weather. When it's too cold and dark for the park, the "witching hour" can feel like an endless desert of time. Most play spaces, libraries, and museums close the doors before 6pm, so it's hard to justify schlepping across the city for a short window of playtime, especially when getting everyone fed is a factor. What's a parent to do? Well, check out our borough-by-borough breakdown of kid-centric locales that are open "late!" to keep your kids (little and big) busy till bedtime. 

Riding a bike, that quintessential childhood experience that somehow harkens both innocence and adventure. For so many kids, bikes mean freedom! But while riding a bike brings joy, it is also something that city parents sometimes think can't be done for their kids. Sure, Philly has bike lanes, but even for an experienced rider, those can be a hazard. But if you know the right trails, parks, and open spaces, there are plenty of places you can go together for regular rides! To that end, we've gathered up some of the best spots in the city for kids to safely bike.

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is just a two-and-a-half hour drive from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, but it feels like vacationing in another world. While it's possible to go horseback riding around Los Angeles, this quiet escape in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country takes that a step further on a 10,000-acre ranch boasting 50 miles of riding trails, a 100-acre lake, two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts, and a heated pool and spa.

While there are all sorts of clubs and classes for kids to try in Westchester (Chess! Music! Photography!), if your child is the one who’s reading books by flashlight way past her bedtime, it might be a great time to try a book club. We’ve rounded up 20 book clubs in Westchester County—whether your child is into graphic novels or YA fiction.  

Looking for even more fun activities? Check out our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters. 

Mark your calendars because maple sugaring season is upon us! If you’ve ever wondered what all the fuss was about when it comes to the run-of-the-mill syrup versus the true-blue maple, now is your chance to find out. Tree-tapping season officially kicks off in February, but sugarings and tastings run through March across the state of Pennsylvania. Festivals and breakfasts will have families breaking any lingering New Year’s resolutions, but it's SO worth it. From day trips to local events, check out what the syrup season has to offer.

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies is the majestic town of Banff. Built as a tourist destination on the Canadian Pacific Railway, this charming mountain town has entertained the likes of royalty, presidents, and my entire crazy, extended family for a whole week. Our family trip to Canada was definitely one for the memory books. 

By Susan Jara

It’s a terrifying scenario that has become all too familiar: A gunman walks into a school and starts shooting. Parents rush to the scene and wait in desperation to find out whether their child survived. Some of them do not.

The shooting that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, is one of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. Since the tragic 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, more than 400 people have been shot at schools, according to the New York Times.

As a parent watching these tragedies unfold over and over again, I felt powerless, frightened, and bewildered as to how to discuss these events with my children—and really, how to keep them safe going forward. Many parent friends say they’re afraid to send their kids through the school doors every day in light of these mass shootings. We wonder: Are the active shooter drills they’re participating in even helping?

“Every day I leave the house, thinking, ‘What if something happens at my school or at my child’s school,’ says Jill Murray, a mom and social worker in a high school near Newtown, Connecticut. “What if this is the last time I see my son?”

So I sought the advice of experts to help guide myself and other parents through this. What can we do to keep them safe, and what can we do to prevent anxiety from taking over?

Sure, you can go big 'n' splashy for July 4th; New Jersey hosts some of the best (and biggest) July 4th fireworks around, from Atlantic City to Jersey City to great beach spots. But why not try a celebration in a small town? They may not have Macy's fireworks, but the charm, the history, the food, and the Americana feel may more than make up for the loss of crowds, noise and, well, crowds.

Check out some of our favorite small town New Jersey July 4th celebrations below that come complete with parades, fun runs, antique car shows, and so much more than just fireworks! And for more summer awesomeness, check out our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide. Of course, you can find even more July 4th fun in our Event Calendar.