These sunflower fields near Chicago will ddd a little extra sunshine to your summer. Here, you can get out in nature, pick flowers, or stroll through a maze of sunflowers. For a day on the sunflower farm, make sure to pack bug spray, sunscreen, some kid-friendly scissors, pruners, and vases to get those gorgeous bouquets home. Bring your phone fully charged as well: These farms have amazing photo opportunities (we're talking holiday card potential)! 

For more outdoor adventures in seasonal farm fun check out the best places to go strawberry picking as well as our favorite family farms near Chicago.

It's no secret the Bronx Zoo is one of our favorite local haunts, and we love that it's always reinventing its offerings. The latest addition to the fun at the Bronx Zoo is Budgie Landing. The exhibit transports visitors to the open woodlands of Australia, where 1,000 budgies—small, colorful, and social parrots—fly freely and visitors have a chance to feed them.

These free-flying beautiful birds provided plenty of entertainment for my daughter and I. Read on for our tips for visiting Budgie Landing at the Bronx Zoo and find more fun animal encounters in our Guide to Zoos and Gardens for NYC Kids.

Foam parties are the newest way to totally crush the birthday party game. Forget having a pinata as the main event and blow everyone out of the water by turning your backyard into a foamy paradise. From foam machines to foam blasters, we put a range of foam toys to the test to discover the best way to throw an epic foam party.

For more sudsy fun, you can have a real bubble blowout by adding bubble guns and bubble toys to the foam party mix. And don't actually forget the pinata! We've got tips on making easy paper bag pinatas at home.

For more great outdoor birthday party tips, check out our article on outdoor birthday ideas for kids. It's all in our Birthday Party Guide.

Amazon Prime Day is July 11 & 12 this year, and we've rounded up our favorite items at Amazon's biggest sale of the year that parents and kids adore.

Every year, the Amazon Prime Day sale has some of the best deals and lowest prices of the year. And as parents, we're most excited about the deals and steals on the baby gear, toys, and more that we happily pay full price for the rest of the year.

However, it's easy to get swept away by big discounts. So this year, I've done a ton of research and have been asking friends and coworkers to determine which of the sale items are really worth the money. These are huge brands, beloved products, toys, and home hacks that make parenting easier. And during Amazon Prime Days, you'll save a fortune on them.

While we can't know everything that will be on sale yet, here are the early announced deals we're tracking... come back Tuesday to see what we recommend that's newly on sale!

For more favorite products we have tested and love, check out our recommendations for the best backyard toys, coolest pool floats for kids, and very best beach gear for families.

Classes and camps are a big part of growing up for many kids. They are fun, enriching, and provide parents with some much-needed alone time on weekends or during school breaks. But as every parent knows, the cost of camps and classes can add up quickly.

Luckily, not every class your kid takes has to cost an arm and a leg. Many national chain stores offer fun and free camps and classes for kids that will teach them something new and show them a great time. These include cooking classes, coding and tech lessons, arts and crafts workshops, and more.

Here are 11 nationwide chain stores that offer free classes and camps to help fill kids' schedules without breaking the bank—even if your child does ask you to buy something while you're there! Check out our Guide to Classes for Kids and our Summer Camp Guide for even more fun ways to fill your kids' days.

If you’re looking to fill your kids' calendar with fun and fitness this summer, Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn is now open for business. Bringing with it a place for parkour, a practical pool, and space for basically every physical activity imaginable, the Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn has everything you need for a full day—or full season—of family-friendly activities. 

From swimming to sports, here's all the family-friendly fun this supersized romping spot has to offer. Find more fun places to burn off energy with kids in our Guide to Kids' Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones in NYC.

Sunburst Railbikes in Ventura is a totally unique and exciting outdoor activity for the whole family. And I do mean the entire family—my teens were shocked by how much fun they had, and the electric nature of the bikes means even little ones can feel like they're in charge. Nestled in the picturesque coastal city of Ventura, just a short day trip from Los Angeles, Sunburst Railbikes offers a thrilling and memorable experience.

Read on for details on the only railbikes in SoCal, including practical tips and recommendations for an unforgettable family adventure.

I mentioned that my teens were, and I quote, "surprised by how exciting it was." Which, for teens, is like a rave. For more things to do in Los Angeles that teens will enjoy, check out our Guide to Teen Activities in LA. And when you've finished railbiking, get fish tacos, savor ice cream, and check out more things to do in Ventura in our guide by a local mom.

The best inflatable water parks are some cool spots to beat the heat. Summer in New England is a truly special time. We've crawled out from our winter hibernations and are fully ready to embrace the sun, fun, and season of... water parks! Water parks come in all shapes and sizes. Some parks are an integral part of one of America's top amusement parks for families. Others stand alone and are great for family day trips. If you're looking for a new adventure, check out New England's inflatable water parks. We've also included an inflatable adventure park in Massachusetts that is coupled with a separate water park.

What's an inflatable water park? Inflatable water parks are just that: inflatable, blow-up play structures meet water park features. If you visited one of New England's indoor water parks during the winter months, now's the time to enjoy some fresh air and splash around in the great outdoors. And if you're looking for a completely dry theme park experience, check out the best amusement parks near New England for families.