Whether you're relieved by the quiet or disturbed by the abrupt ending, most LA families are using those three little words (back to school) a whole lot earlier these days. Of course, dropping our kids off at school doesn't change the weather; there might be no child left behind at the beach, but it's still summer until close to Halloween. So if your family is not yet ready for summer to end, pick a few items off our End of Summer Bucket List and go have some fun while the sun still shines!

If you’re looking to escape the summer heat, even just for a few hours during an especially steamy afternoon, check out one of these 50 activities to help you and your kiddos chill. We’re all for loading up on the SPF and heading outdoors when the sun is shining, but once the humidity and heat start to get the best of everyone, it’s time to seek out indoor summer activities with air conditioning. So after you’ve hit every playground, zoo, and water feature in town, here's where to take the tribe indoors for some cool fun. 

WildPlay, an adventure park featuring ropes, bridges and tunnels, as well as a 700-foot zip line that runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, opened in July at Jones Beach State Park. Whether you're conquering your fear of heights or challenging your physical abilities, there's an activity for every level of intensity. In fact, the whole experience makes for a terrific parenting lesson. Read on for our review of Jones Beach's newest attraction.

There are plenty more thrill-seeking destinations on Long Island. Check out these spots for little (and big) adrenaline junkies in your house. Or visit another state park on Long Island and embark on an adventure of your own.

Kids generally love the perks of staying at hotels but add on a water park and that regular family getaway suddenly hits thrilling new heights. Think of all the family fun: lazy rivers right outside the door, a room nearby for naptime, instant ways to cool down, and no time wasted stuck in traffic to the local pool or beach.

We've rounded up 11 top U.S. hotels and resorts with water parks where families can chill out and cool off at the same time. Find great places to stay (and play) in Florida, Texas, California, and the East Coast.

One of the most picturesque times of the year is finally upon us! Fall in Philly brings with it lots of awesome outdoor activities for kids, from apple-picking to Halloween haunts, and more, but if you’re looking for an afternoon of free family fun, why not simplify and take a drive, walk, or bike ride to glimpse the fall foliage? Even though Philly is known for its skyscrapers, the city is also home to ample green spaces, which provide a beautiful backdrop this time of year. Here are a few of our favorite spots:

Preparing a kid's closet for the cool breezes of autumn can hit a Philly family right in the wallet. But, it doesn't have to. Purchasing children's clothes by shopping local consignment sales is one way to save some cash. Throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, consignment sales offer families a place to buy gently used clothing, toys, baby items, and other childhood staples for a fraction of the retail price. Additionally, when your kids grow out of their clothes or toys, consignment sales provide an opportunity to sell these items for extra money.

Consignment sale organizers can submit their events to our calendar by clicking here. For a list of spring consignment sales, check here.

The long-awaited Cayton Children's Museum opened its doors at Santa Monica Place Mall, moving from its former incarnation as the much loved Zimmer Children's Museum in the middle of the city. While we looked forward to this new museum with great anticipation, we had to wonder: could anything warm our hearts the way the Zimmer did? Spoiler! The Cayton is up to the job!

Keep reading to find out what you can expect on a visit to the Cayton...

Baby Shark Live!, a stage show based on that viral earworm of a song, is gearing up for a U.S. tour, hitting a city near your family this fall. Just in time for shark week, tickets for this fully-immersive concert are now on sale. We suspect seats will be going fast in cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and NYC.

So what are you and your kiddos doo doo doo doo doo doo-ing this fall? The very first Baby Shark Live! tour will initially stop in over 30 cities and eventually 100. It's presented by the geniuses behind the sensational song, South Korean educational brand Pinkfong, and Round Room Live, the company behind Yo Gabba Gabba Live and PJ Masks Live. As if we all didn’t already have the insanely catchy song permanently stuck in our heads, there's definitely no hope for us now!