Think the dog days of summer are a cultural wasteland? That's not the case when it comes to the theater for kids—New York City's family theater scene is hotter than an unshaded sandbox during the summer, and this year is no exception.

There are shows for kids of all ages, interests, and budgets throughout the summer season, including FREE theater for kids options such as outdoor Shakespeare, a bilingual take on The Wizard of Oz, and a puppet show touring to parks throughout the five boroughs. And the theater for kids shows that do cost money are typically less than $25 per person.

Is your family daring enough to take on one of the fastest, highest, twistiest roller coasters or other thrilling rides at these amusement parks near NYC? From amusement parks on Long Island to New Jersey's top amusement parks, and Pennsylvania-area amusement parks, we've found 10 of the most scream-inducing, white-knuckle-causing roller coasters and thrill rides for your crew to try. So take a deep breath, hold on tight, and get ready to experience the ride of your life.

Every year, my family takes a two-hour drive east of LA, past the windmills and a couple of giant neon dinosaurs, to spend a blissful weekend tackling all the things to do in Palm Springs with kids. Several bathroom breaks and a date shake or three later, we arrive and there's a whole vibe change. Palm Springs is a land of purple mountains, bougainvillea, succulents, rolling green golf courses, and desert air. It smells like vacation. The water parks at resorts that await us certainly add to that vacation feel, as does the anticipation rolling off my kids. We come back year after year (in the 100-degree summer heat) because this oasis gives us everything we need in a family vacation, without having to hop on an airplane. 

For more SoCal family vacations, check out our list of best family road trips from Los Angeles, California family vacation ideas kids love, and more in our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips from Los Angeles Guide.

There's certainly no shortage of wonderful playgrounds and parks in New York City. But when you add a child with special needs into the mix, the selection of truly great playgrounds suddenly seems much smaller. As a mom of a special needs child, I've explored quite a few of the city's playgrounds in search of the best accessible playgrounds for all children.

Happily, many of these accessible playgrounds in NYC meet or exceed the Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and there are literally hundreds of special needs-friendly playgrounds throughout NYC. Some also include accessible JennSwings, those big plastic swings that offer full-body positioning support for kids up to 125 pounds. Because the adaptive swing doesn't always appeal to my son, there need to be other attractions for a playground to be cool in his book.

I'm spotlighting 17 playgrounds I feel truly are the best for special needs kids. Not only are they accessible playgrounds (half the battle), they're fun for all ages, with and without special needs. Grab some sunblock, towels, sand toys, and running shoes and get exploring. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC for more picks no matter your child's age or interest.

These easy summer desserts, snacks, and drinks will keep kids fueled up for a summer filled with adventure. Whether you are rushing home from camp, lounging poolside, or just trying to satisfy the seemingly endless requests for snacks, this list is for you! From salty to sweet, this list has all the ingredients for perfect summer snacking that will keep kids full and your kitchen cool. While every one of these recipes are tried and tested, you really must try the magic of Jell-O grapes, Sun Butter soft serve, and Oreo sushi this summer. Your kids will think you're a genius.

For more kid-pleasing easy recipes, check out 100 Favorite Kid-Friendly Recipes for Every Meal and more family favorites in our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.

If your family’s looking for a little adventure this summer, WildPlay at Jones Beach delivers with enough thrilling oceanside obstacle courses and ziplines to make for a great day trip! With four levels of adventure courses, featuring tight ropes, cargo nets, rope swings, wobbly bridges, swinging buoys, and more, WildPlay has something for every age group. And I can vouch because I recently took my three brave kids–ranging from 5 to 14–to visit, and they all had a fantastic time.

We headed out to Jones Beach on a beautiful Friday afternoon and, after filling out a few waivers, WildPlay’s friendly instructors strapped on our harnesses and walked us through a safety demo so we could get right to climbing. After learning how to maneuver the pulleys over the “lifeline cables” and getting a tutorial on how to ride the ziplines, all three kids had gotten the hang of it and we set off to have some fun.

Read on for a rundown of the courses, what to know before you go, and a WildPlay coupon code for Mommy Poppins readers!

Visiting the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May is a great option for families interested in exploring aviation history in an exciting and hands-on way. Our family loves the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in D.C., and we were so happy to find a local aviation museum.

There are plenty of helicopters, jeeps, aircraft, and even a Coast Guard boat to see right here on the Shore. And unlike the National Air and Space Museum, at the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum kids are welcome to climb aboard almost every vehicle in the hanger. Read on for tips on how to visit the museum like a local, and check out our rundown on other off-the-beaten path attractions to check out in New Jersey. Be sure to bookmark our Weekend Trips Guide for things to do with the fam all season long. 

Battery Park overflows with so many family-friendly things to do, it's hard to imagine Battery Park City didn’t exist 50 years ago. Built on a landfill, this planned community of high-rise apartment buildings features beautiful parks and a show-stopping riverside esplanade along the southwestern tip of Manhattan. It offers an almost suburban existence, complete with excellent schools, ample shopping, and plenty of parks.

Residents have to cross West Street (aka the West Side Highway) to get to the subway, Whole Foods, and all of Tribeca, but it’s not a bad tradeoff for those who dream of a giant communal backyard with river views. And oh, the playgrounds!

There's little mystery why Battery Park City pops up in our picks for day trip itineraries for preschoolers, our list of the best NYC play fountains, and our favorite destination-worthy playgrounds. Read for the best things to do in Battery Park City with kids.