About 15 years ago, a friend told me Long Island City and Hunter’s Point were the up and coming places to be. At the time, the area seemed too industrial to be the next hot spot, but the subsequent years have proved my friend right. Who would have thought former warehouses would be renovated to become restaurants and boutiques and LIC would be full of young families, eager to enjoy the amazing waterfront parks and amenities? Apparently, not me.

The change is evident. Glass-enclosed condos have remade the shoreline skyline and new amenities seemingly pop up daily. There's so much to see and do in this family-friendly neighborhood. Here's our list of 45 fun things to do in Long Island City with kids. Now, go forth and explore!

Children's consignment shops are a great resource for parents looking to save money on kids' clothes and baby gear. Many of the resale boutiques in Montgomery County specialize in brand-name apparel, offering deep discounts on gently-used designer clothes. Consignment stores also give parents an easy, year-round option for selling outgrown items.

Read on for our roundup of kids' consignment shopping in Montco. Also be sure to check out our post about children's consignment shops in neighboring Bucks County and our two comprehensive lists of spring and fall consignment sale events.

How about a drive-in movie tonight? Remember double features, staying up late watching movies in your jammies under the stars, tubs of popcorn from the snack bar, and, as the night wore on, crawling into the pile of blankets mom brought? Today's kids don't need to miss out on this American institution; though not as popular as they once were, several area drive-ins are still operating, plus LA has a pop-up drive-in, too. Drive-ins are generally cheaper than movie theaters, often show double features, and let you bring your own food. We're fortunate in the Southland to have oodles of free outdoor movies in summer, but there is something uniquely magical about the drive-in. bucket list worthy

March 19, 2020: Due to the governor's instructions regarding closure of non-essential businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak, the drive-in theaters below are all temporarily closed.

There are some family activities that seem to define summer: picking berries, spending a day at the beach, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and, of course, watching a movie under the stars! While you could always catch an outdoor movie from a picnic blanket in a local park, taking in a drive-in movie from the comfort of the family truckster is a special treat. Here are our favorite drive-in movie spots in Connecticut; for more options, check out these outdoor theaters in nearby Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Nothing is quite like a visit to a local candy shop on Long Island. Whether you are preparing to fill Easter baskets with goodies or just looking for a fun place to satisfy your sweet tooth, feasting your eyes on the vibrant colors, smelling the familiar scent of sugar, and anticipating the first bite of a sweet treat brings out the child in everyone.

A visit to one of these 20-plus Long Island destinations gives yours kids a chance to sample treats, take tours, or even a attend candy-making class. These shops offer everything from hand-dipped truffles to old-fashioned penny candies.

For more tasty treats, see our guide to old-fashioned Long Island ice cream parlors, destinations for decadent desserts, and even Long Island restaurants where kids can eat FREE. 

Westchester County and the lower Hudson Valley area are brimming with beautiful state, county, and local parks that are wonderful places to spend a day in the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley. We've rounded up several day trip–worthy spots that feature amenities like cool playgrounds, swimming in lakes and rivers, boat rentals, splash pads, picnicking, and hiking trails. Want to extend your stay? Some also offer camping.

Read on for more details about some of the area's best parks for all-day family fun. For even more outdoor activities, check out our Summer Activity Guide for Westchester Kids.

For traveling families, a tiny house rental can make the perfect hotel solution. It often comes with multiple beds without the cost of a pricey multiroom suite, as well as family-friendly amenities, such as stocked kitchens. It doesn't hurt that they're so very cute and often set among pretty landscapes, from beaches to forests and mountains. 

Tiny houses have grown in popularity in recent years as many of us try to reduce our footprint and that means a tiny house getaway is all the more accessible. There are now villages of tiny houses available for American vacationers. Tiny home resorts have cropped up, too, while some campgrounds and even urban areas have added a handful of rentable tiny homes to their grounds.

So pack light and check out these seven tiny house resorts that allow you and the kids to try on tiny living for size.

With the change in season, parents are discovering that their kids' closets are overflowing with shirts that are too tight, dresses that are too short, and shoes that don't fit those little piggies anymore. Fortunately, Bucks County boasts a variety of stores where parents can turn those outgrown clothes into cash through consignment.

And if you're looking to refill the closet with new-to-you wears, the resale stores on our list also offer great bargain shopping. Most only accept high-quality, gently-used items so parents can outfit their little ones at a fraction of what you usually spend at the mall.

For more excellent deals, check out our list of spring consignment sales happening every spring and fall throughout the Philadelphia area. Don't forget to view our post featuring consignment shops in Montgomery County too!