If you live in New Jersey, you know that our state is often referred to as “the diner capital of the world", with more than 600 joints! So, what makes a good diner? This subject is always up for debate, especially at the Jersey Shore. Some think it’s the coffee that says it all. Others feel that home fries should be the crown jewel. Or is it the pancakes? Whatever your preference, here are some of the best diners for NJ families and for even more shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

Ocean County, New Jersey, plays host to some of the state's top beaches, including Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, and Point Pleasant. There are boardwalk amusement park rides, games, and eats aplenty. But there's more than just the shore to Ocean County. In close proximity to NYC, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City, this area has appeal to vacationers and transplants with its laid-back beach communities and great restaurants, but also arts and culture.

We're rounding up our favorite places in the county to visit with the kids, including Strand Theater, a maritime village, several play and nature spots in Toms River, and yes, those gorgeous seaside towns. Take a look at this list of our top picks for NJ kids and families in Ocean County as you plan your family getaway or day trip. And for more shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

What comes to mind when you think of the Jersey Shore? Beaches, boardwalks, ice cream, maybe a certain MTV show? How about children's theater? That's right, there’s no need to head to NYC when there are so many wonderful options close to home. From plays to musicals to puppet shows, there is something to entertain kids of all ages at the Shore. And for more shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

During our month-long focus on the Bronx's Pelham Bay, we've highlighted the 25 best things to do with kids in the neighborhood and explored the attraction-filled Pelham Bay Park, NYC's largest green space. We wrap up our coverage with a roundup of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Pelham Bay. Since my family lives here, we've been to all of them and can recommend them personally.

While Pelham Bay isn't a foodie destination, we do have a lot of great, homey restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines like Italian, Mexican and Thai, plus some decadent dessert spots. And since it's such a big family neighborhood, it's no surprise that most of our eateries don't just accommodate kids, they welcome them. Here are my family's top nine Pelham Bay restaurants where we love eating with the kids, most within walking distance of Pelham Bay Park.

Online ads have never bothered me personally. I can either just ignore them or, in some cases, they can actually be relevant. But as my kids get older and they are starting to use the internet independently, I find I have to think more carefully about many things I take for granted. Online ads are one of those things.

It was my daughter, actually, who alerted me to the fact that it's sometimes the ads online that can lead to inappropriate content. And now that kids use computers at school as well, even if you supervise your children at home, you have no control over them while they are at school. Because a teacher can't realistically look over the shoulder of every kid all the time, Bing in the Classroom offers ad-free safe search to make sure children are using technology safely at school.

In addition, by using Bing for search, parents and school communities can earn rewards for their school, including Surface tablets. Find out more about this program and how you can earn rewards for your school.

Give most children a stick, and inevitably it will become a sword. My children love battling it out with everything from wrapping paper tubes to broomsticks. Why not turn that love of battle into a great form of exercise for your kids? As a mother of a fairly coordinated kid who hates the idea of baseball, soccer, and football, I've come to realize that classes in an individual sports like karate or fencing might be the best way to get him sweating. Fencing is just the right mix of imagination and sport; kids love the cool swordplay, and parents love the discipline, coordination, and logical thinking that fencing lessons provide. If you are looking for a fun new sport for your kids, take a stab at fencing at one of these amazing fencing schools right here in New Jersey. For more great summer camps, check out our New Jersey Summer Day Camp Guide.

If you have a little adventure seeker that loves the outdoors and summer activities then you should head out onto the water and try out canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding. It could be an exciting new adventure to try out with the family this summer! There are a few choices to explore right here in Hartford County including a post we did about canoeing down the Farmington River. Excursion companies all over the state will take you out on exciting adventures.

You don't need to be a nerd to enjoy the World Science Festival, a five-day, multidisciplinary science celebration featuring plenty of programming for kids. In fact, its FREE Ultimate Science Street Fair is one of our favorite FREE annual festivals for families. This year, the organizers have made a number of changes to the fest and there are more hands-on science experiences for kids than ever before. Many of these events are FREE, and we have an exclusive discount for two of the most popular ticketed youth programs: Cool Jobs and Scientist's Apprentice.

More than 40 events are taking place at various NYC venues from Wednesday, May 28 to Sunday, June 1. In addition to the Ultimate Science Street Fair on the last day, there are several cool new attractions with lots of kid appeal, like a traveling NASA exhibit, a giant animated weather globe at NYU, a replica of a comet in Brooklyn Bridge Park, plus face time with real-life scientists and astronauts.

Here are the best things to do with kids at the 2014 World Science Festival: