Heat Wave Hot List: 30 Cool Things to Do in DC to Beat the Heat with Kids

DC's free public swimming pools are some of the best places to beat the summertime heat. Photo courtesy of DC Parks and Recreation

One can argue that summer is one giant heat wave in DC. After all, the city is known for its high temperatures and soupy humidity. But there are periods when the temps soar well into the 90s—and even the 100s—that even the most seasoned residents find the heat unbearable. That's when families need to abandon the parks, playgrounds, and hiking trails and find other fun ways to beat the heat.

Here are 30 things to do with kids to keep cool during a DC heat wave. These ideas include outdoor water activities, air-conditioned spots like indoor playgrounds and museums, and activities you can do from the comfort of your own AC. For more family fun this summer, check out our Summer Activities Guide for DC Kids.

Teen Boredom Busted with TeenTix's $5 Tickets

Kids can get $5 tickets to amazing shows and museums around town with the TeenTix pass, free for teens in LA!

TeenTix LA is the best arts access program you’ve never heard of. Tickets to plays, Broadway musicals, comedy shows, museums, and more… all for only five dollars a ticket for kids ages 13 to 19.

No longer will your teens lounge around the house playing Xbox; instead, they’ll be laughing their pants off in the front row of a theater or feeling connected to a deeply personal show. If you relish watching shows with your kids, you’ll be thrilled to know that every TeenTix LA arts partner has to designate one day a week that is a 2-for-$10 deal, so you can go, too. Because nothing says “I’m a cool teen” like a night out on the town with your mom!

For more stuff for your teens in LA, from our list of the 20 Coolest Things To Do in Los Angeles for Teens to a roundup of the Best Teen Birthday Party Ideas in LA, check out our Los Angeles Guide for Teens & Tweens.

Free Outdoor Summer Movies for San Francisco Families

A San Francisco summer means outdoor movies. Photo courtesy of Do the Bay & the San Francisco Parks Alliance

Outdoor movies are a great way to spend a San Francisco summer evening. Kids love seeing a big blockbuster on a big screen next to the ocean waves, in parks, and under the stars. In this case, screen time is not only allowed but highly encouraged. 

We've rounded up the best family-friendly outdoor movie screenings in the Bay Area, so grab a blanket or lawn chair, pack some snacks, and get ready for a summer family date night. 

For more summer essentials, discover the best Bay Area beaches for kids, visit the top splash pads in San Francisco, and bask in summer traditions with our Ultimate San Francisco Summer Vacation Guide.   

Best Sweet 16 Venues to Celebrate on Long Island

Celebrate your Sweet 16 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Photo by ADA Studio for the club

Finding the ideal Sweet 16 venue on Long Island is a fun but challenging assignment for any parent. Long Island has many beautiful spots and banquet halls to choose from to celebrate the milestone birthday. Party budget, style, and guest number help determine the perfect venue to make lasting memories with family and friends.

We’ve put together a list of the best Sweet 16 venues Long Island has to offer to give you a jump start on the planning. From traditional to modern spots and everything in between we have you covered for a small party or a big extravaganza.

Check out our Tweens & Teens Guide to Long Island for more adventures, fun, and ideas.

Best Playgrounds in New Jersey Worth the Drive

The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove

The best playgrounds in New Jersey go above and beyond, with design features offering way more than the basic park down the block. From awesome jungle gyms to zip lines, a carousel, and even a zoo, these stellar rec areas allow kids to slide, swing, splash, climb, and imagine the day away. 

For a comprehensive rundown on playgrounds with water features, check our rundown on 35+ sprinkler parks in New Jersey, and be sure to bookmark our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey.

Best Free Swimming Pools in NYC for Families

Head to the Bronx's Haffen Pool, one of our favorite free pools in NYC, to enjoy a day of swimming and splashing.

It's summertime and if you want to go all-in on the wet-and-wild fun, take note: these free swimming pools in NYC open Thursday, June 27, shortly after public schools let out. With more than 50 free swimming pools in NYC to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the right outdoor swimming pool for your outing. We've done the legwork, though, rounding up our picks for the most family-friendly free swimming pools in NYC. These local NYC swimming pools are all places we've visited personally or have come highly recommended by families we know. Read on and get ready to dive in!

Find more cool places to play this summer in our Guide to Swimming Pools and Sprinkler Parks in NYC, plus all our picks for free fun on this list of 100 free things to do in NYC this summer.

Daniel Island with Kids: 35 Best Things to Do on Daniel Island, SC

The birds are very friendly at Bee City Zoo!  Photo courtesy of the zoo

Vacationing on Daniel Island, SC, grants families access to the best of all worlds: the stunning beaches of the nearby barrier islands, more parks and playgrounds than you can count, the fabled Charleston dining scene, bite-size American history lessons set in gorgeous waterside locations, and outdoor excursions, to name a few.

This planned community—a Charleston suburb surrounded by rivers, creeks, and beautiful marsh views—is peaceful and safe, but it’s also just a few minutes by car, boat, or ferry from Charleston proper and a short journey to activity-packed destinations including lively Mount Pleasant, beachy Sullivan's Island, idyllic Isle of Palms, and surfers’ haven Folly Beach.

Read on for our picks for the 35 best things to do with kids on Daniel Island, SC, including great Daniel Island restaurants and the best hotels on Daniel Island, SC for families. Our Southern States Vacation Guide includes even more great places to visit in South Carolina, like Charleston and Kiawah Island.

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