Paper Towel Art: A Fun & Easy Preschool/Toddler Science Experiment

Blow your kids' minds with the magic of paper towel art.

Looking for an art project that will wow your kids? They'll think you're a wizard when you demo this paper towel art magic trick, which also involves science for an added bonus. This one never ceases to amaze both kids and kids-at-heart and is super easy to do, making it perfect for everyone from toddlers to big kids. Plus, it uses materials you likely already have.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make your own paper towel art. For more STEAM fun for kids, check out our lists of 25 preschool science experiments, 64 easy science experiments for kids to do at home, and 100 awesome art projects for creative at-home fun.

New Immersive CAMP Store Opens Los Angeles Flagship with RVshare Experience

At the new CAMP Flagship store in Los Angeles, kids can have a one-of-a-kind, camping-themed experience.

By now, you may have seen videos of a toy store with a magical world of play behind a hidden door—especially if you have friends in NYC, Boston, Dallas, or the other areas lucky enough to have a CAMP store. If your FOMO has been on fire, we have great news for families in LA: On April 23rd, the first West Coast CAMP store opened its doors at the Westfield Century City in Los Angeles! The new flagship destination opened with its signature Base CAMP immersive experience and partnered with RVshare to create a one-of-a-kind, camping-themed experience that kids of all ages will love.

Always on the hunt for the coolest and latest for Los Angeles families, I headed over to the new flagship store with my 3- and 6-year-olds to see what all the buzz was about. Read on to find out what we discovered through the magic door at the new CAMP store in Los Angeles and what you’ll want to know before you go. Spoiler alert: It’s uh-mazing!

Memorial Day Weekend Getaways: 12 Day Trips Near NYC That Aren't the Beach

Oceanport Paddle Club invites visitors and "Positive Vibes Only," to experience its fun. Photo courtesy of the club

Spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner. It won't be long until Memorial Day weekend arrives. As the unofficial start of summer, many families head to one of our favorite Jersey Shore beaches, but that means traffic, crowds, and parking headaches. If you're looking for a different Memorial Day weekend getaway, we've found 12 fun day trip destinations in New York and New Jersey that aren't the beach.

These fun spots range from soaking up culture in NYC and beyond to outdoor pursuits that include hiking, exploring, paddleboarding, and more far from the sandy surf. Find more fun getaways in our Guide to Day Trips.

Road Trip Along the Eastern Sierra in California with Kids: Explore the Wild Inland Beauty

Welcome to the Wild West, in the Eastern Sierras! Photo by author

Raise your hand if you've never explored the Eastern Sierra region. It's most of us, right? On our personal quest to visit all the National Parks in our state, my family and I have explored the otherworldly Joshua Tree, sailed to the Channel Islands, hiked through Sequoia and Kings Canyon, spotted California condors at Pinnacles, and of course, been mesmerized by the majesty of Yosemite. But all this traveling had been done on the west side of the Sierra Nevada, never on the east. We didn’t try the eastern route until recently, and now I want everyone to know how gorgeous this part of California is, and what a fun road trip the Eastern Sierras region is for the whole family.

Need more ideas for gorgeous family road trips in California? We've rounded up 25 Epic California Road Trip Ideas for Families, and have detailed guides to some of our favorite stops, like Lake Tahoe and Death Valley National Park.

17 Best Family Campgrounds in New Jersey

The Great Divide prides itself on its beautifully maintained facilities.

If warmer temps have you looking for ways to get the kids off-line and immersed in nature, it might be time to plan a camping trip. Camping with little ones isn't always easy, but these 16 campgrounds in New Jersey make the experience comfortable and fun for even the youngest family members. The state's many campground options range from rustic spots where you can pitch a tent to fully appointed cabins. 

For other ideas about how New Jersey families can enjoy the great outdoors, check out our guide to the state's many scenic parks or our rundown of NJ's shade-drenched playgrounds. We also have info on New Jersey's easiest hiking trails and where to make a splash in family-friendly lakes.

The Best Trampoline Parks in NYC and Nearby for Kids of All Ages

Battle your friends at Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park. Located in Yonkers, its one of our top picks for a fun trampoline park near NYC.

If you've got active kids and hop-happy toddlers to entertain, nothing cures the bad-weather blues like a trip to a trampoline park or an indoor bounce inflatable park. 

NYC is home to several high-flying trampoline parks, where fun includes trampolines, long bouncy slides, tunnels, and obstacle courses. Best of all each trampoline park near NYC included in our list hosts regular open-bounce sessions, so your kids can jump all they want for one low price. Find more ideas for indoor activities in our Top Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones Guide.

Visiting the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum in the Hudson Valley: Top Things To See and Do

Get dressed up in the Rivertown exhibit at the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum in Poughkeepsie.

Following a months-long renovation, the spectacular Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum has reopened to the public, bringing with it renovated galleries, expanded exhibits, an increased focus on STEM learning, and tons of overall improvements to this children's museum in Poughkeepsie. The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is the only hands-on learning center of its kind in the Hudson Valley, and the museum houses educational exhibits geared toward children up to 12 years old.

Read on for our review of the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, and find more fun things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley on this list of the top attractions in the region.

Best Amusement Parks near NYC Reachable by Public Transportation

Six Flags Great Adventure makes for an action-packed day of amusement park fun.

If you're feeling nostalgic for a summer adventure filled with cotton candy and Ferris wheel rides, it might be time for some family-friendly fun at one of these amusement parks near NYC. There's no shortage of amusement parks and water parks for New York City-based thrill-seekers, but if you don't have a car, some amusement parks can seem out of reach. Fear not, we’ve rounded up the best amusement parks near NYC that are easily accessible via public transportation. Remember the sunscreen and forget the parking (and rental car) headaches with these picks.

From the thrilling roller coasters of Six Flags in New Jersey, to the mega theme park fun of Legoland New York in the Hudson Valley, we've found a selection of great amusement parks no matter your interest. Find more summer fun in our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks Near NYC.

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