School is out and we've got the ultimate Atlanta summer bucket list for teens and tweens! Summer vacation can be tough for older kids -- with more mature interests and potentially no access to a car (or a driver's license), teens may get overlooked. But don't worry, we at Mommy Poppins have your teenagers in mind with this awesome Atlanta summer bucket list to keep them entertained, engaged, and off their devices (at least for a few hours).

We may not be able to keep up with all the current teen lingo, but we'll make sure parents "ate" with teen summer planning that "slaps," making you the "GOAT." OK, just keep reading for our summer teen bucket list...I promise it's better than my usage of teen slang.

Of all the spectacular museums in DC, Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is my kids’ favorite! It is the one museum we must visit every time we go to DC even though it doesn’t have a dedicated kids' area. My children love seeing the dinosaur fossils, the gems, the enormous taxidermy African Elephant in the Main Hall (the biggest I have ever seen!), the giant squids on display in the Ocean Hall, and the Insect Zoo.

If your kids dig nature and science, they will love this museum, too. And the best part is, like most the other museums in DC, it is FREE! 

Read on for a sneak peek into what to expect if you visit the National Museum of Natural History. Then check out our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in DC for more great museums to visit with kids, from free museums near DC to quirky museums and off-the-beaten-path gems.

It's summertime, and if you want to go all-in on the wet-and-wild fun, take note: These free swimming pools in NYC open Friday, June 27, 2025, a day after public schools let out. With more than 50 free swimming pools in NYC to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the right outdoor swimming pool for your outing. We've done the legwork, though, rounding up our picks for the most family-friendly free swimming pools in NYC. These local NYC swimming pools are all places we've visited personally or have come highly recommended by families we know. Read on and get ready to dive in!

Find more cool places to play this summer in our Guide to Swimming Pools and Sprinkler Parks in NYC, plus all our picks for free fun on this list of 100 free things to do in NYC this summer.

Bear Mountain State Park makes for a great day trip for families any time of year, but in warmer months it bursts with kid-friendly activities. The Rockland County park, which is nestled against the Hudson River, offers spectacular scenery, nature experiences, and lots of things for kids to do. Bear Mountain is one place our family has returned to each year.

With hiking, paddleboat rentals, a playground, ample room for picnicking, and even a zoo, the park has plenty of options to fill an entire day. Our summer readers will be especially happy to learn the swimming pool is open from mid-June to Labor Day. We recently visited the park and can fill you in on what you need to know about this year-round destination, including our top 15 favorite things to do.

If you're looking for other great activities in nearby parks, check out our rundown of easy New York State Park hikes or our look at Westchester's top destination parks. For even more on local parks, check out our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester. 

The best Long Island swimming pools for families include spots in Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End. Kid-friendly pools on Long Island are a perfect place for everyone in the family to cool off, splash around, and have a great time. Some of the pools even have splash pads and kiddie pool areas for the little ones to enjoy. 

We've rounded up a list of swimming pools across Long Island that are ready to welcome swimmers this summer 2025. For even more seasonal fun, check out our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which is packed with activities and destinations sure to keep you entertained all summer long.

Swimming pools in NJ with day passes for families and kids can be found at clubs throughout the state. These facilities allow guests to spend the day swimming without membership or residency.

Many pool clubs also feature splash pads, kiddie pools, water slides, and playgrounds, making a day at the pool one of our favorite summer activities for kids.

Read on for the top NJ swimming pools that offer day passes. There are plenty more ideas for seasonal fun in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide, including our story on the best Jersey Shore beaches for families.

Find the best beaches near Boston within an hour's drive of the city!

When it comes to entertaining a Philly tween or teen, it can be challenging to find activities that aren't too babyish and have the appropriate amount of cool. Philly parents must dive deep into their former adolescent selves to be reminded of what was cool when they were a tween or teen. Thankfully, hanging out at the mall or going to the movies aren’t your only options! We have rounded up some ideas for those struggling for ways to connect with these tween/teen creatures... other than by text and emoji.