If you’re looking for the amenities of a hotel pool without the hotel stay price tag, these Chicago hotels and fitness centers offer family swims and pool passes for a fraction of the cost. Many of the pools on this list are also indoors which makes them great options for rainy or cold days any time of the year. Some of these hotel pools also come with rooftop views making them a fun change from your neighborhood pool. You can enjoy a little staycation and hotel experience without the expensive hotel stay, long road trip or airport travel.

For more kid-friendly pools, check out our picks for the best free pools in Chicago as well as our round-up of water playgrounds and splash pads.

No pool membership? No problem. Cool off at one of these swimming pools in the Philly region, where you can get a day pass and enjoy that family daycation. Whether you skipped this summer's pool membership or simply enjoy the flexibility of pool hopping, these top five swimming pool pass locations in and near Philadelphia will get those kids splashing while you soak up the sun.

There's also lots of options for free swimming pools in Philly, or for kids who like more of a spritz than a cannon ball, our area is home to many great splash pads and sprinkler parks. Whichever way you decide to spend these sunny summer days, Mommy Poppins has plenty of summertime activity ideas.

In order to be more inclusive, many of Connecticut's top attractions for families have begun to offer special sensory-friendly programs or opening times for children on the Autism spectrum or who have sensory sensitivities. These sensory-friendly programs offer smaller crowds, dimmed lights, less loud noises, and other accommodations. In most cases, the whole family can participate and some programs even offer free or reduced admission. 

Read on to discover great sensory-friendly programs for kids everywhere in Connecticut. For more Connecticut museums with free admission and other special programs, check out our Guide to Connecticut Museums for Kids and Families.

When the summer heat descends on Washington, DC, there are plenty of free public swimming pools that families can visit to cool down. But for those who live in the DC suburbs, it may seem like paying for a pricey summer membership is the only way to gain access to an outdoor swimming pool. We're here to assure you that is not the case. There are plenty of outdoor swimming pools near DC that offer a daily pool pass option for families who can't commit to a whole summer of swimming. From hotels with pools in DC that offer families a luxurious daycation to community swimming pools with lots of fun features for kids, these pools are all great places to spend a hot DC summer day.

For more ways to make a splash outdoors, check out our lists of 12 outdoor water parks for kids near DC and 17 sprinkler parks, spraygrounds, and splash pads near DC for kids. Stay cool this summer!

Here's a fun summer craft for kids of all ages that helps pollinators and ecosystems, too: making wildflower seed bombs. Maybe you've heard that pollinators are in danger, but you don't know how to help or maybe don't even know what a pollinator is. Well, here's the scoop, along with a quick, easy, and fun craft for kids that also helps the earth. When you make wildflower seed bombs, you can plant flowers—without any digging or trowels—in your backyard, a flower pot, around your city, or even gift them to neighbors and friends to spread far and wide.

Here's how to make your own wildflower seed bombs that are perfect for whichever pollinators buzz in your backyard. Check out more green activities for kids in our Earth Kids Guide to Green Activities for the Planet.

Running for four miles down Manhattan's west side, the beloved Hudson River Park is the longest waterfront park in the United States. It's packed north to south with green space, playgrounds, splash pads, inventive programming, and plenty of amenities. There are tons of family-friendly things to do from bicycling to kayaking and more.

Each of Hudson River Park's piers is a unique destination unto itself and worth exploring, from the stunning waterfront playground at Pier 25 to the Pier 40 ballfields, the inventive Little Island, and the action-packed Chelsea Piers. The green space is even the future home of Manhattan's first public beach set to debut next spring.

So, read on for the best things to do in Hudson River Park, then hop on a bike or a scooter and enjoy a daycation at this Manhattan green space. Find more places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

Explore the best Connecticut area beaches for a great family escape on a summer day!

Kids and parents alike look forward to the carefree days of summer, but it’s also a time when activity-related accidents and injuries in children tend to rise. With families gearing up for backyard BBQs and beach vacations, we teamed up with Connecticut Children’s–the only health system 100% dedicated to kids–to share their 2022 Summer Safety toolkit.

In the toolkit, Connecticut Childrens’ experienced pediatric experts provide parents with everything they need to know about the most common summer safety concerns, at home or on your summer travels. From ticks and sunburn to dehydration and drowning, you’ll learn safety and prevention tips, plus when it’s time to call a doctor or visit the emergency room.

In this article we’re highlighting the top six summer safety tips for kids and families. Click through to the Connecticut Children’s website to see the full toolkit or explore their other children’s health and safety resources.