When Chicagoans list their favorite and most iconic museums, The Field Museum of Natural History is often among the top choices. It’s also one of the museums that’s been here the longest, after officially being incorporated as a museum in 1893 after it served as an exhibit hall in the Columbian Exposition. Chicago parents returning to the museum will recognize many of the exhibits they saw as kids. But The Field also hosts a series of rotating exhibits, including one that turned out to be my kids’ favorite.  “Becoming Jane:  The Evolution of Jane Goodall”  sparked an interest in both animals and stories about powerful women for my daughter.

We had planned to visit The Field Museum in the first half of 2020, but shortly after our visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in February, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the city, and the world. We visited just as the city was reopening in June 2021, and some changes from the pandemic are still around. Plan on wearing a mask, using a digital map on your phone or one posted on the walls of the museum, and buying your ticket in advance. The museum has also placed hand sanitizers throughout its building to help people keep clean. And if you have a preschooler or toddler, you’re going to need it because of the buttons. They’re going to want to push Every. Single. Button.

We loved going to see some old favorites for us, and finding some new gems with our little ones. Here’s what we think are the best parts of The Field Museum for kids. And if you like this article, don't forget to check out our other recommendations for museums.

If you're staying in town and plan to visit multiple attractions in the Chicago area (we’re looking at you, people with visiting relatives you’ll be squiring around town), it’s worth it to look into a Go City - Chicago  sightseeing pass to save money on entrance fees to attractions like the Navy Pier, Field Museum, the aquarium, and the planetarium.

At just over three hours from Houston, Corpus Christi is a fantastic destination for a weekend getaway. With over 70 miles of Gulf Coast seashore, you can easily find an uncrowded beach for you and your kids. There’s something about sun, sea, and sand that relaxes the whole family, but if you get tired of the outdoors, there are plenty of indoor things to do in Corpus Christi with kids, too. We’ve selected our favorite things to do in Corpus Christi to make planning your trip a breeze. When you’re not enjoying the natural beauty of the area, you can visit some of the city’s top attractions, such as the enormous aircraft carrier USS Lexington or the state aquarium of Texas!

Looking for beach time closer to Houston? Check out our guide to Galveston. For more weekend trip ideas, check out our Houston getaways guide. And for ideas on travel with your kids across the US, click on our Family Travel Guide.

Dance classes for kids in Orlando are fantastic extracurricular activities to get boys and girls moving while having fun. Dancers from 18 months to 18 years can choose from a host of dance classes in Orlando and around Central Florida to bust a move. Whether your child wants to learn the fundamentals of ballet, hip hop, jazz, or tap, or even cultural dance styles such as Irish step dancing, Latin salsa, or Bollywood, there's an option for in Orlando. Several of the businesses listed even offer a free trial class!

Entertainment trends come and go (remember those velcro jumpsuits), but mini golf is a family-friendly activity that has withstood the test of time. Whether you have a tiny PGA all-star or a child who's never touched a golf club, miniature golf in Atlanta is always a reliable outing that's part entertainment, part sport, and part math (everyone needs to keep track of their strokes, right?!). And regardless of your age, there's something strangely exhilirating about holding those tiny golf pencils.

My 8-year-old daughter and I have visited quite a few water parks over the years. We’d even go so far to say that we’re somewhat experts in the field. But I can’t think of one that’s as beautiful as Baha Bay, the $200-million water park that recently opened at the fabulous Baha Mar Bahamas resort.

We recently traveled to Nassau and had the privilege of being one of the first visitors to the water park. Sitting on 15-acres, with 24 slides, a 500,000-gallon wave pool, and 1,400-foot "action" river, I'm excited to share this review of a truly amazing water park and family-friendly Bahamas resort. Find even more fabulous Caribbean getaways and resorts in our Caribbean Family Travel Guide. 

The arts are essential in stimulating creativity and confidence and developing innovative thinkers. Whether it’s through sculpting, drawing, painting, or crafting, children crave the opportunity to express themselves through art. Take advantage of some of the great classes for kids available all over Connecticut and avoid those messy "glitter-tastrophes" on your kitchen table. 

For more kids programs, toddler classes, and after school activities, explore our updated Guide to Kids' Classes in Connecticut.

Whether it's for self-defense or just for fun, karate classes and martial arts classes for kids offer a great way for your child to get exercise, learn discipline, and gain self-confidence. Karate and taekwondo seem to top the list for most popular practices in NYC, and we've found studios offering both to NYC kids.

Find more enrichment opportunities in our guide to the Classes and Activities for New York City Kids.

If you're pining for the ocean and don't want to travel too far, consider taking a family vacation to the Delaware beaches—Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Fenwick Island, Lewes, and Dewey Beach—all of which made our list of great family-friendly beaches near DC. These beach towns are gorgeous, packed with family-friendly activities, and close to Ocean City, Maryland. The best part is, they're only about 2.5 hours from the DC area (depending on traffic)! 

For three summers now, my family has stayed at Sea Colony—a Bethany Beach tennis resort full of fun activities for kids—and we highly recommend it. But there are also plenty of other great options for where to stay at the Delaware beaches, from seaside hotels to vacation rental homes.