Birthdays are big business in New York City, but there comes a point when the last thing you want to do is throw another big blowout party, especially in a small city apartment. Perhaps, then, it's time to consider a new way to celebrate: the family-friendly day trip.

From cool outdoor explorations to awesome animal adventures, water fun, and skiing, we've rounded up 13 family-friendly day trip spots within two hours of city limits—some are even accessible by public transit—to celebrate your kid's next trip around the sun. Read on and start planning an epic birthday, no goodie bags required.

It's hard to live up to hype, but the new Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream is doing just that. The Western Hemisphere's biggest indoor amusement park is filled with interesting rides that make it worth the trip—including three record-setting coasters and a variety of rides my family and I had never encountered before.

While most kids I know are excited to explore American Dream, parents are wary about navigating the mega entertainment and shopping complex. But we're here to report that it's not as daunting as it might seem at first glance.

As American Dream phases into completion, visitors can likewise chip away at the many offerings one at a time, rather than be overwhelmed by the grand scale of things. That's just what we did on a recent weekend visit to Nickelodeon Universe, and we found it to be surprisingly manageable—and extremely fun. Read on for more about our visit. 

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.