Best Swimming Lessons and Classes for Kids in Los Angeles

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Dive in! The water is always fine. Photo courtesy of the Academy Swim Club

LA kids are practically born in the water, which is why it is important to enroll kids in swimming lessons in Los Angeles at an early age. With the help of a patient, qualified instructors, kids can learn water confidence, comfortability, and crucial safety skills. Whether your child is just getting familiar with the water or looking to hone their talent and join the school swim team, there are plenty of wonderful schools all over Los Angeles that offer a variety of swimming lessons, including schools in the South Bay, Westside, and the valleys. We've even compiled a list of schools with instructors that will come to your private pool. 

If you're looking specifically for baby and toddler swimming lessons, we rounded up the best places that teach babies as young as a few weeks old! And you can find more great classes for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our Los Angeles Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Everglades Airboat Tours: Take a Boat Ride To See the Alligators in the Florida Everglades

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Photo courtesy of Everglades Alligator Farm

Florida's Everglades are world famous—mostly for alligators, but there is more to this enormous wildlife area than big toothy reptiles. Everglades National Park's swamps and mangroves cover 1.5 million acres of South Florida, with the broader Everglades region extending many miles beyond that. A full vacation exploring the waterways of the Everglades is a tropical treat, but there are also easy options for day trips from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Armed with the right info, an airboat ride through the Everglades to greet a few alligators can be an easy and exciting afternoon outing.

All New MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita is a Family Fun Center Gem

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The mini golf holes are creative, challenging, and varied—for both kids and adults. Photo courtesy of the author

During my childhood, Santa Clarita was home to Mountasia. It was your typical family fun center with a 90s vibe. We’re talking fluorescent lights, multi-colored, ugly carpeting, hokey prizes, and purple walls. I loved it. During COVID, the lack of business put it under, and this Valencia mainstay closed for good. 

Thankfully, MB2 swooped in and saved the day. The company acquired the Valencia property and spent months recreating it into something cool and new, while retaining that  classic family fun. What has emerged is my favorite new place to bring my kids for a whole day of fun. Spend the day with bumper boats, go karts, bowling, VR, arcade games, laser tag, axe throwing, mini golf, and more. Read on for what to expect and more tips about visiting the new MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita.

If you need to keep kids from climbing the walls at home, check out the best rock climbing gyms for kids and top mini golf courses in Los Angeles! Find all this and more in our Los Angeles Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones.

Atlanta Cooking Classes for Kids to Get an Edible Education

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Young Chefs Academy offers kids' cooking classes for all ages and skill levels. Photo courtesy of the academy

Whether you have a budding chef on your hands or maybe just someone who likes to get their hands dirty, cooking classes for kids are a great option. Kids' cooking classes help develop fine motor skills, offer real-world experience with kitchen tools, and possibly teach a little math (but kiddos don't need to know that). When kids take cooking classes, all they know is that they are having fun and getting to play with food. Mommy Poppins presents this delicious list of schools that teach cooking for kids. Atlanta has kids' cooking classes both ITP and OTP; parents can opt for weekly cooking classes or drop-in style at local grocery stores. 

Want more classes for your future musician, coder, dancer, or baller? We have you covered with our Classes Guide for Atlanta Kids! 

Swimming Classes in Orlando: Swimming Lessons for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

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Swim lessons for babies at places like Southwest Aquatics are crucial for life-saving skills. Photo courtesy of the school

Water is everywhere in Central Florida, from lakes to backyard pools to theme parks, so it's important that Orlando kids learn to be safe in the water early with swimming lessons. Swimming classes in Orlando can be fun, too! Many parents opt for private swimming lessons in their own pool or a community pool, but there's also many effective and fun swim schools near Orlando for children as young as six months old. Focus on safety first, then find out if your little swimmers are up for fun or competition with these local Orlando swimming lessons.

Once your kids have learned to swim, graduate from splash pads to pools and beaches. Swimming lessons also make parents feel more confident taking their kids to water parks and hotels. Just remind children to use the skills they've learned in swimming lessons, in case they get separated in the water.

15 Toddler-Friendly Hiking Trails on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on

Hike through the grassy terrain at Sweetbriar Nature Center during a toddler-friendly hike on Long Island.

Toddler-friendly hiking trails and nature walks are ideal after your baby officially graduates from a stroller and starts to assert independence, and Long Island is home to many amazing parks and preserves. 

Read on for our roundup of 15 trails across Long Island that aren't too taxing for little legs. All are sure to exercise your little one's muscles and stimulate their brain.  

For other outdoorsy-activity ideas, be sure to check out our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks on Long Island. 

Top Places to Enjoy Delicious Shaved Ice in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on

Snag a hot-pink hued treat from DiCosmos Italian Ice.

Looking for the best places to enjoy refreshing shaved ice or Italian ice in New Jersey? Read on for a rundown of some of the top spots in the state to get your fix of these summery treats. 

When it's hot and steamy, cravings for frosty treats are bound to kick in. And if you're looking for something a little different than your go-to ice cream shop, try indulging in shaved ice. That is, if you can pick from all the fun flavors and styles! Some shops specialize in snowy, melt-in-your-mouth Hawaiian or New Orleans shaved ice, while others feature international styles. And, of course, who doesn't love shaved ice's creamy cousin, Italian ice? Here are a bunch of places around NJ where you can score one of these frosty treats.

Looking for great things to do in NJ before summer is over? Check out Mommy Poppins' New Jersey Kids Summertime Activity Guide and make the most of the dog days. 

How to Find the Right Chicago Daycare or Preschool for Your Kid

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Bright Horizons operates more than 1,000 nurturing, enriching, and convenient early education centers across the globe.

If looking for a daycare or preschool in the Chicago area is feeling like a black hole of Google searches and Excel spreadsheets, we’ve got you (quite frankly, because we’ve been there…).

To help put an end to the all-too-familiar chaos of the childcare hunt, we connected with the experts at Bright Horizons–who operate more than 1,000 nurturing, enriching, and convenient early education centers across the globe–to compile a list of the most important things to consider when evaluating a Chicago daycare or preschool. So, before you book that preschool tour or drop a deposit, find out what factors should be top of mind in your preschool search.

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