May GoList - Best Things to Do with Kids in Boston

We’re feeling festive this month! For our May edition of the GoList, we’re highlighting fabulous and free spring festivals, annual Mother's Day traditions, and performances you won't want to miss. As you check out our top picks for things to do with kids in Boston and the 'burbs this month, click through to the event listings so you can add them to your calendar. Also, be sure to bookmark our Spring Fun Guide for even more family fun opportunities in and around town. Plus, we'll still send our free e-newsletters with our family-friendly event picks every week. Happy planning!

May GoList: Best Things To Do with Kids in Connecticut

The flowery, festive heart of spring, May brings Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekend. Everywhere you turn throughout the month, there are fairs, festivals, and nature-inspired events, but if we had to choose, these are our very favorite things to do with kids in Connecticut this May. If you click through to the full listings, you can add them to your calendar. Of course, our Event Calendar always has more fun listed each and every day. And don't forget to bookmark our Spring Fun Guide for family activity ideas throughout this gorgeous season in Connecticut. Have fun planning!

Easy, Exciting Blue Hills' Hikes with Kids

Get out for a day of fun hiking the Blue Hills Reservation south of Boston!

We'd all like to be the sort of family that hikes together—what can be more healthy and wholesome than that? But with little kids, it can be a challenge to traverse a large parking lot, much less uneven or steep terrain. The nice thing is, one of the closest legit hiking spots to downtown Boston happens to also be among the most kid-friendly: Blue Hills. Stretching across 7,000 acres and four towns—Quincy, Dedham, Milton, and Randolph—Blue Hills' only problem may be its vastness: It can be hard to figure out the best spots for a short-but-sweet journey. Today, we're zeroing in on our three favorite Blue Hills' family hiking trails that can be done in a single morning or afternoon—and make kids feel like great adventurers.

Inclusive Playgrounds for Long Island Kids with Special Needs

The climbing bridge at the LATCP playground at Eisenhower Park is a draw for kids of all ages. Photo courtesy of Let All The Children Play

Inclusive playgrounds allow kids of all ages and abilities to come together in an environment that facilitates shared play. Long Island has so many great playgrounds where kids can just be kids, but here is our list of accessible playgrounds that also include equipment and/or layouts suitable for children with special needs or disabilities.

Looking for more playground fun? See our lists of the best playgrounds on Long Island and the top playgrounds for toddlers. For a complete overview of parks, playgrounds, and family fun hiking trails, check out our guide to Long Island parks and playgrounds.

School Start & End Dates: 2019-2020 Academic Year Calendars for LA County Schools

NOTE: California public schools are performing distance learning due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Whether they will open again or resort to summer school is up in the air. Below is the 2019-2002 LAUSD school calendar. Or click if you are looking for the 2020-2021 LAUSD school calendars.

Summer vacation ain't what it used to be. The majority of SoCal school districts now opt for an August start date, with vanishingly few stragglers sticking with the old-school, post-Labor Day start. And beware assuming that school starts and finishes roughly when it did last year, because schedules seem to change all the time. 2020 is a leap year, and that extra day may impact the school calendar as well.

This year Alhambra is first out of the gate, leading the back-to-school race with a pool-party-pooper start date of August 9; but in a radical change of course, Torrance goes from last man standing to a late August start. Hermosa Beach is now the only district on our list with a September start date, with classes beginning on September 5. 

Wondering where your district fits in, and how much time you have left for these 50 Free Things To Do in Summer? Bookmark our list below with start and finish dates for the 2019-2020 school year all over LA County. And if what you read makes you wonder about what other school options are available to you, maybe our school guide can help.

May GoList: Best Things to Do With Houston Kids This Month

May is a great month for Houston kids because school is basically over and summer is basically here. It's also great because one of Texas' best seasons officially beings: Water park season. And there are plenty of options in and near the city, from the new Hurricane Harbor (formerly SplashTown) to Schlitterbahn.

This month you can party with the family for Cinco de Mayo (and grab a margarita or three afterward), head to Galveston and swim at one of our favorite beaches. t's also a great time of the year to visit your local farmers' market for some fresh produce and handmade goods.

If you haven't had time to make summer camp plans for your kids yet, let us help you out. Our guide has ideas for outdoor camps, science-themed camps, art camps, overnight camps, and even free camps. Read on for more family fun this month.

10 Budget-Friendly Staten Island Birthday Party Spots for Kids

Kids N' Shape has fabulous 2-hour birthday parties where kids can romp in soft blocks.  Photo courtesy of the venue

Although we have a ton of ideas for kids' birthday parties for every budget in New York City, celebrations in Manhattan or Brooklyn typically cost more than they do in other boroughs, especially when compared to Staten Island. You might not already know it unless you live on Staten Island, but this borough offers a ton of great, affordable birthday party options—ice skating, roller skating, bowling, museums, park and zoo parties, and even a few surprises.

If you're not a Staten Island resident, getting to the island for a party may take a little more effort and planning to schlep a group of kids on the ferry (which will probably be totally cool to them, by the way) or by car, but with the cash you'll save, it just might be worth it. And if you do live on Staten Island, read on for a few ideas to bookmark for your next birthday party.

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