Things To Do in the Delaware Valley with Kids: The Best Hiking, Biking, and Picnic Spots

Make your own music on rocks at Ringing Rocks Park. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

With summer just around the corner, there is nothing I look forward to more than those long hours of sunshine, taking the kids outside, walking to our local farmer's market and just enjoying the outdoors without the rain and pollen that have kept us housebound for the past few weeks. Hiking, biking and picnicking are great activities for children of any age and can provide years of fun family memories. Here are some of our favorite spots in the Delaware Valley, otherwise known as the Greater Philadelphia area.

25 Fun Things to Do in Gaithersburg, Maryland with Kids

Spend a day on the lake at Black Hill Regional Park in Gaithersburg.

Around 20 miles northwest of DC, Gaithersburg is a diverse and vibrant Maryland suburb with a rich history, thriving community, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Once an agricultural community known as Log Town, the city grew after the arrival of the B&O Railroad in the 1870s, which spurred business expansion and drove summer tourism by DC residents escaping the city’s heat.

Whether you’re looking for parks and playgrounds, museums and arts centers, local fairs and festivals, or kid-friendly restaurants, there’s so much for kids of all ages to explore and enjoy in Gaithersburg.

Read on for 25 fun things to do with kids in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for DC Kids includes even more fun suburbs to visit, like Fairfax, Virginia and Kensington, Maryland.

Legoland New York: A Guide to Visiting the Hudson Valley Theme Park with Kids

Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.

Legoland New York delivers Orlando-sized theme park fun right outside of New York City—and its on-site Legoland Hotel makes it easy to extend your visit into a multi-day Hudson Valley vacation.

From its supersized (and aptly named) BIG Shop to its wet-and-wild Lego City Water Playground, and its only-in-New York Lego Factory Adventure Ride, here are all the things to do and see during a visit to Legoland New York. Find more thrilling theme park adventures in the tri-state area in our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks for Families.

Best Jersey Shore Boardwalks and Amusement Parks for Family Fun

New Jersey boardwalks offer classic summer treats like frozen custard. Photo by Kevin Jarrett via Flickr

Everyone loves a Jersey Shore beach, but Jersey Shore boardwalks are where the real memories are made.

From frozen custard and funnel cakes to rides and mini golf — and a few that feature water parks and toddler amusements — Jersey Shore boardwalks are regional treasures. Read on for our top picks for Jersey Shore boardwalk fun below, and bookmark our Guide to the Jersey Shore for more help planning your best visit yet.

School Calendars 2024-2025: Start & End Dates for Atlanta School Districts

Be prepared this school year by accessing the 2024-25 academic calendars for Atlanta school districts. Photo by the author

School may be ending soon for most Atlanta students, but before you know it, another school year will be upon us. (FYI, some Atlanta school districts start in July this year!) Whether you live ITP, OTP, or somewhere way far out, we've tried to make planning a little easier by letting you know the start and end dates of Atlanta area school districts. These school calendar links also reference holidays, seasonal breaks, and teacher professional days to note as school closings pop up throughout the school year.

School Calendars 2024-2025: Start and End Dates for Orlando School Districts

Be prepared this school year by accessing the 2024-25 academic calendars for Orlando school districts.

Orlando schools are almost out for summer, but the calendar is already set for the new school year. Below are the current school start and end dates for counties across Central Florida. Most Orlando school districts start back Monday, August 12. Click on each link to access the full calendar for each school district, including winter break and spring break dates, in case you’d like to start planning for family vacations.

Expansive Dinosaur Museum and Fossil Park to Open in NJ this Summer

Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University will let visitors dig for real fossils when it opens this summer.

A new dinosaur museum is coming to New Jersey that's perfect for dino lovers of all ages. The Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University, in Mantua Township, N.J., is slated to open in summer 2024, and early signs point to it being a blast from the prehistoric past. 

Read on for all the details about this dinosaur museum, which will include life-size recreations and virtual reality experiences. And, check out our Guide to Museums and Art for New Jersey Kids for more on museums throughout the state. 

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants at American Dream Mall

It’s hard to say no to doughnut-topped milkshakes at Around the Clock Diner at American Dream Mall.

A trip to the mall food court brings with it a bit of nostalgia, but these family-friendly restaurants at American Dream Mall are sure to cure your cravings for throwback snacks.

Like its over-the-top attractions, American Dream Mall's top family-friendly restaurants go far beyond the basic. Read on for our top picks for eating out while you're exploring all the top family-friendly attractions at American Dream Mall.

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