If you're looking for an escape from the city that costs nothing more than a MetroCard swipe, hop the bus to Denny Ferrell Riverbank State Park, one of a handful of state parks within New York City limits. Riverbank State Park occupies 28 acres on Manhattan's west side in Harlem, offering beautiful views and tons of options for outdoor fun. An afternoon here feels almost like an out-of-the-city day trip.

Whether you're in the mood for a dip in the pool, a run through the sprinklers, or a twirl around the rink in winter or summer, this complex has it all, plus plenty of reasonably priced classes, sports programs, and even an inexpensive summer camp.

In the summer heat, sometimes a playground or park just won’t cut it. Queens has plenty to offer when it comes to places to cool off, whether it be a museum, an indoor playhouse, or a food hall. Corona and Jackson Heights families can add Kidz Fun Palace to that list. Open since January 2018, the cute and fun-packed indoor playspace is a welcome addition to this family-friendly neighborhood.

My son and I found ourselves at the Kidz Fun Palace in Jackson Heights on a blazing June afternoon. Read on to hear about the highlights of our visit.

The Vanderbilt Museum, a marine and natural history museum in Centerport, recently reopened its Hall of Fishes, a spectacle of restored flamingos, shore bird dioramas, and an undersea painting.

Add this museum to your summer bucket list and to your list of top educational destinations in Suffolk County. Check off more with our 50 FREE things to do with Long Island kids. Of course, our Summer Fun Guide, is a comprehensive guide to all things warm weather and family-friendly.

Every summer, the Philadelphia Museum of Art becomes one of the city’s can’t miss destinations for children. The museum offers an impressive array of family friendly programming year-round, but the annual Arts Splash program kicks things up several notches. Outside, the heat and humidity may continue to rise, but inside the museum, Arts Splash offers all kinds of cool—a reprieve from the scorching sun, new ways for kids to engage with modern art while, and amazing opportunities for folks of all ages to make their own art.

Recently, Mommy Poppins was invited to check out Art Splash. Read on to learn what we thought about the space, as well as how families can make the most of their time at the exhibit.

Angels Flight is one of the more whimsical novelties of downtown Los Angeles. It's objectively adorable, ubiquitously beloved, and for the life of me I can't quite express why. It’s also a fun addition to a Downtown trip with kids. For a two-dollar round-trip, it is a goofy little local history lesson—and a chance to see and even ride on the world's shortest railway. 

Oh the reliable, trustworthy, go-to babysitter. Parents seem to always be on the lookout for that unicorn in their life...a Mary Poppins, if you will. While this mythical beast may be impossible to find, the next best thing can be a reliable, trustworthy babysitting resource who can help you find the perfect match for your childcare needs (daily, date nights, or the occasional "me time" moments). We do a lot of coverage here of fun things for you to do with your kids—100s of things, in fact. From outdoor adventures to indoor playspaces, and everywhere in between—but when you can't (or would rather not) take along your kids, who can you count on to make sure they are well cared for? 

Fortunately, there are a ton of great resources to help you find coverage, from daily to last-minute. And we are happy to be your one-stop-shop for finding the babysitting service that works for you.

Anyone who lives in New Jersey knows it’s a great place to grow up. Sure, the taxes can be astronomical—but there are serene sandy beaches and winding wooded trails to explore, the food and culture is first-rate, and all-American small towns with top schools attract young families.

The international nongovernmental group Save the Children recently added one more benefit: in a spring study, it named New Jersey the state most likely to offer a safe, secure, and healthy childhood. 

Whether you’re looking for reasons to move to New Jersey or want to remind yourself why you love it, here is our list of what keeps families happy and healthy in the Garden State.

Get soaked and stoked at Long Island's newest water park, the Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park. A first in the Town of Huntington, this water play area is small in size, but pours out big fun. 

Check out more super sprinkler parks on Long Island here.

To splash into other watery fun, take a peek at our guide to Long Island amusement parks and water parks. For even more kid-friendly activities, check out our Summer Fun Guide and our recommendations for the best beach playgrounds as well as other top playgrounds and parks on LI.