If the kids can't take one more indoor activity, send them out to the yard or the park for some messy outdoor activities and games. Kids love to get their hands (and everything else) dirty. The best part? When they're done playing, simply turn on the hose and wash away the muck. We've come up with a list of fun, messy ways to spend a warm day outdoors. From making mud pies to body painting, these ideas are sure to please your little ragamuffin. And if the weather just won't cooperate and you're stuck inside, check out our list of 50 indoor activities for a rainy day.

Why is Legoland California the favorite theme park of so many local parents? Read on to find out!

Southern California is blessed with some of the world's most famous theme parks; families travel from all over to experience Disneyland and the original Universal Studios Hollywood (including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter)—but just 90 miles to the south, in the San Diego suburb of Carlsbad, is a park that has at least as much to offer as the mouse and the wizard. There is a whole lot more to Legoland California than bricks, and truth be told I prefer a day there to any other major theme park.

California's rugged, woodsy, 90-mile-long Big Sur coastline is an enchanting and iconic wonderland of beautiful beaches, unspoiled state parks, and redwood forests we've recommended for families before. No doubt, Big Sur is an ideal destination for nature lovers—and perhaps in your pre-parenting days, just lovers. But while traveling this road with kids might be a little less romantic, it can be just as memorable. From hiking to exploring, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this Central California paradise.

Here in Houston, our weather can be pretty unpredictable. Weather that is scorching hot one day and cool the next is quite normal for us. It's also normal to go days on end with nothing but rain, rain, and more rain.

When the weather is drab and your kids start bouncing off of the walls because they've been cooped up inside for too long, finding an activity to keep them occupied and entertained can be challenging. However, the options for indoor fun around town are nearly limitless and getting creative with what you have right inside your own home is definitely not a lost cause. Here are 35 ideas to help keep your kids entertained on the next rainy Houston day. 

Nested within Soho, Nolita is a neighborhood best known for its chic cafes and fashion forward boutiques. But it's also a family destination thanks in part to one of the city’s most new and improved playgrounds. After a two-year long, $1.7 million renovation funded by the borough president and city council, the DiSalvio Playground recently re-opened to the delight of both neighborhood kids and kids who have traveled from other parts of the city. Read on for an overview of our recent visit.

I’m a big dog person (meaning I like dogs, not that I am some sort of half man, half dog). Luckily, so is my toddler. A real perk of having a child who loves dogs is that she gives me an automatic excuse to pet a lot of strangers’ dogs (“Oh, my adorable little girl just wanted to say hi”). But no excuses were necessary for both of us to get a really good dog fix at the new exhibit Dogs! A Science Tail at The California Science Center.

There are plenty of places that offer year-round swim lessons so your kids are comfortable and confident in the water. Here are some places that offer camps for competitive swimmers and those interested in pursuing specialty water sports. For more summer and vacation camp ideas, check out our comprehensive camp guide and full directory of camp listings.