Southern California is world-famous for family-friendly theme parks like Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, but the swoops and thrills of many of the rides can be too much for younger kids. That doesn't mean you have to wait until kids grow up to visit your favorite amusement park—you just need to know the secrets to finding the rides, play spaces, and dedicated spaces that are best for preschoolers. Also, the LA area has several amusement parks with gentle rides and tame attractions that provide just the right amount of thrills for toddlers and preschoolers.

Skip the uncertainty of wondering if an amusement park is age-appropriate for your preschooler with this handy guide, filled with insider tips and secrets to getting the most out of these theme parks with even the youngest members of the family.

The long-anticipated opening of Manhattan's Riverside Park South has arrived at last. Officially opened in October 2020, the new section of the park spans from West 65th Street to 68th Street is a perfect green space to visit this spring. This Upper West Side park is one of the top destinations for neighborhood families, offering expansive outdoor spaces for NYC families to enjoy. The new section offers playgrounds and more family-friendly amenities to explore.

Read on for details on the project, plus what renovations are still in store. Find more fun places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds for New York City families.

Zoos are a big deal for us. Whether it's a big name zoo like the Houston Zoo or a local area petting zoo, there is something about getting to see unique and exotic animals up close that sparks joy and ignites imagination in my kids, which is why TGR Exotics Wildlife Park turned out to be such a great find for us. 

Located down an inconspicuous side road in Spring, the wildlife park could be easily missed if not for the large animal silhouettes and colorful "Go Wild" sign adorning the fence. We recently visited for a home school day tour and left with big smiles, a wealth of animal facts, and all the tips and tricks for visiting the park. 

These leave-in conditioners and detangling sprays are a key pro-parent hack for no-more-tears!

Leave-in conditioner has become a year-round, must-have product in our household. It is crucial to taming the tears for any long-haired kids after swimming or in early mornings when rushing to get hair brushed before school. My bathroom is littered with multiple bottles of hair detangler sprays, and now I'm happy to share the five products that finally brought peace to our marathon combing sessions.

We also have epic battles about great sunscreen in our house. So I went and got expert opinions on the best reef-safe sunscreens for kids and babies, and now we have tangle-free hair and protected skin every morning. Whew.

You know how they say, “You don’t know what you’ve got 'til it’s gone?” Well, we SoCal denizens actually did. We knew we had the best theme parks, all within an easy drive. We took kids for birthdays, soaked up the atmosphere on holidays, and waved our annual passes around like keys to a magical kingdom. When all the amusement parks closed last year, we knew what we were missing.

But now all the amusement parks have reopened, and many of them have spent the past year building and creating. From the new Avengers Campus at Disneyland to the new Lego Movie World at Legoland (and everything in between), here’s what’s new at SoCal theme parks in 2021.

Although located in Westchester County, the Yonkers feels more like a borough of New York City. It is quite large—the fourth largest city in the state—and features many distinct neighborhoods, plus historical charm that dates to the pre-colonial era.

Located just north of the Bronx, Yonkers is easily accessible to city families and those further out in the 'burbs, as it's crisscrossed by four highways, serviced by four Metro-North stops, and numerous Westchester County Bee-Line bus routes.

So, next time you’re looking for something to do with the kids, consider a visit to this underrated city, the southernmost of the county's Rivertowns. We've rounded up 25 things to do in Yonkers with kids. Find more family-friendly outings nearby in our Guide to Southern Westchester or our Family-Friendly Day Trip Guide.

Momming is hard work. What gets a lot of us through the day is knowing we're not alone, something these mom jokes are great at doing. Someone else is feeling our pain!

Hopefully, these funny mom jokes and memes about motherhood and #momlife will help give you something to laugh about and a reason to smile, even on a busy or rough day. Want to laugh at #dadlife too? No problem! We've got a bunch of dad jokes, too. After all, sometimes they make it too easy... And if your kids hear you lol and ask what's giving you giggles, share these kid-friendly jokes that will leave the whole family in stitches. Because sometimes, all you can do is laugh!

When it comes to finding the best playgrounds for preschoolers in Los Angeles, there’s a definitive checklist of needs and wants. Of course, kids that young are often happy running wild with some sticks. But if you're going to brave LA traffic and seek out a playground, you want to make sure it has it all. Most important is safety—play structures that are designed with younger kids in mind. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had heart palpitations when my three-year-old climbs up to a 10-foot-high platform without guardrails! You also want a park geared towards smaller children, so you don't worry about that roving pack of 10-year-olds playing Among Us.

Your little explorer is also looking for something new and exciting. Toddlers may be tiny, but their sense of adventure is enormous! These tot lots and toddler playgrounds in Los Angeles are amazing for kids under five, filled with age and size-appropriate equipment that will make toddler's hearts race, but leave parents breathing easy.