We thought we’d take advantage of some free time this summer and make our own ice cream. After all, how tough could it be? But by the time we had Googled a recipe (found plenty that did not require a machine) and made a list of ingredients we needed, the enthusiasm had waned, and we decided it would probably be best if we left the ice cream making to our favorite ice cream shop and enjoy the fruits of their labor!

From good quality ice cream chains founded right here in New England to one-of-a-kind specialty shops, there are plenty of places for Boston families to satisfy that need for something cold and sweet to beat the heat. Read on to find some of our favorite ice cream spots in Boston and the nearby suburbs.

Hitting the water during an NYC boat ride with kids lets you see the city from a whole new perspective. Whether you're sailing down one of the rivers, taking a FREE kayak out for a spin, or cruising on the ocean looking for whales, it's relaxing, refreshing, and a great way to stay cool on a summer day with the kids.

While there are all kinds of NYC boat rides, from the Circle Line to the citywide NYC Ferry service, the question for parents is, which NYC boat rides are truly family-friendly? After all, once you're on the water, you're committed to finishing your NYC boat ride with kids regardless of tantrums, seasickness, or boredom.

To help you figure out which boat rides work best for your family, we've highlighted some personal favorites and broken down the best options by type, including the best NYC boat ride for wildlife watching, best for would-be pirates, best for your budget, and more great options for an NYC boat ride with kids. Discover even more family-friendly things to do this summer in our Guide to Summer Fun in NYC.

Calling all pint-size paleontologists: Field Station: Dinosaurs, New Jersey's dinosaur-themed adventure park celebrates its 10th anniversary this season and is celebrating with some fun new additions to a park that already included 30-plus animatronic dinos, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and Spinosaurus.

Read on for our review of this seasonal dinosaur attraction, which makes a great day trip from the tri-state area. Find more places for prehistoric fun on this list of local dinosaur destinations.

Kids can conserve water and lead the charge in making your home a water-wise place!

We know many kids love to play games with water, especially in the hot summer months when it's a fun way to beat the heat. But with many areas experiencing droughts and kids in many parts of the world unable to access clean water, it's important for kids to see H20 as a precious resource. But that doesn't mean saving water is a chore—in fact, it's fun for kids to be the agents of change. Armed with these fun methods to save water, put your kids in charge of policing family water usage and saving water in the bathroom, kitchen, yard, and laundry room. You can even let them give you a ticket when they catch you wasting water!

Looking for more ways to save the planet? Check out our Earth Kids Guide and make sure you're signed up for the Earth Kids Newsletter!

Expansive and diverse much like its home borough, a visit to Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids is arguably the main family attraction in Flushing. With so much to see and do in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids—including the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Museum, Queens Zoo, the Queens Botanical Garden, a carousel, an amusement park, and multiple playgrounds, plus the famous Unisphere and mega splash pad at the Fountain of the Fairs—it's more than a single-day excursion.

So bookmark this list of the 25 best things to do in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids and pick out a few things to do, then save the rest for next time. My family has explored the park time and again, and there is always something new to see and old favorites to revisit. Find more fun places to romp and explore in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

Mini-golf courses on Long Island may be miniature in size, but they deliver outsize fun. So stop putter-ing around and get on the green.

Miniature golf is one of those outings the entire family can enjoy. Some venues are part of larger amusement parks on Long Island that also offer kid-friendly fun such as arcades. Others are situated in county or state parks or beaches you may already be planning to check out this summer. Whatever the location, these courses offer a wonderful day or night of fun on the cheap.

If your family is ready to graduate to more advanced golf experiences, check out these par-3 golf courses on Long Island where kids can learn the game. Are you looking for other ideas for active family fun? Take a look at our rundowns on biking with the fam and hitting local hiking trails.

You can find more great things to do in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar. 

In Chicago, there are amazing, unique, and free spaces to take your kids if you know where to look. The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of those hidden gems. For an optional donation, you and your family get transplanted into a pre-historic Chicago landscape, a lush dessert oasis, a tropical forest, and more. The best part is that almost all of the conservatory can be explored no matter what the weather is like outside. If you’re looking for a fun and inexpensive outing with your family on a rainy or cold day, this is the place. During the warmer months, you can take advantage of the beautiful and expansive 10-acre outdoor garden. 
 
For more amazing places to explore with kids, check out our guide to the Top Tourist Attractions in Chicago: Best Things to See and Do with Kids.

“Mom! That must be why they built this dinosaur park! Because they found these bones here!” My six-year-old cried as he unearthed the bones of a T-Rex at the Dino Excavation Zone at Recreation Park in East Long Beach. 

His eyes grew wide with wonder as he dug out a massive skull sunk into the ground. In his mind, he had just made a historical discovery, and who was I to burst his bubble? The Dino Excavation Zone worked its magic and my kids felt like true paleontologists at Long Beach’s newest playground. 

Recreation Park in East Long Beach got a major upgrade with a Jurassic-themed playground perfect for kids of all ages. The new space just opened in June and is the perfect reason to take a trip to Long Beach! Looking for more awesome playgrounds for kids in Los Angeles or even the best splash pads in town? We've got all that and more in our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.