Summer is all about exploring the wonders of the outdoor world, and we have plenty of ideas for filling your days with meaningful family activities to fill your photo albums and memories. However, some of the most brilliant spectacles of summer are visible after the sun goes down. Along with the big show—the Perseid Meteor Shower, lighting up the night sky on August 12th and 13th—there are stars, planets, and moons to behold, if you're in the right place on a clear night. Consider bringing the family to one of these observatories or "star parties" one late-summer or early-fall evening; and if daytime activities are more your family's speed, stay tuned for our upcoming article about watching the partial solar eclipse with kids on August 21st.

Note that most events involving telescopes or other equipment—not to mention late-night hours—are best for kids around age 5 and up. Also, most of the following happenings are canceled or postponed if it's cloudy or foggy, so be sure to call the organization or check its website or social media pages on the day of the event to make sure it's on. Happy viewing!

The nights are beginning to have a cool crisp breeze in the air, the leaves will soon be changing their colors, and the days are getting shorter….all signs of the start of my favorite season here in Hartford County. Fall marks the end of summer and with it comes many great things like fairs, breathtaking foliage, cozy sweaters, and especially apples! What better way to mark the start of fall harvest than to go apple picking with the kids. Many farms in the central Connecticut area offer pick-your-own fruit. While you’re there don’t forget to try a warm apple cider donut! For even more areas to go apple picking check out our CT Apple Picking Guide.

There are few sights more satisfying than a quietly coloring, fully focused child. Entering the four-story Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania, does not exactly replicate that peaceful scenario (it's busy with excited families!), but there’s no doubt that it’s a kid doodler’s paradise.

Part creators’ studio, part indoor playground, this 65,000-square-foot kid entertainment center is bedecked in bold primary colors with smiling crayons beaming at you from every corner. It offers more than two dozen art-making stations using the full spectrum of Crayola materials—paints, clay, markers and yes, crayons—as well as more active entertainment like a multilevel play, bounce and climbing structure, toddler section, a water table with boats, and a “Cool Moves” dance-like crayon-themed game.

It debuts a brand-new attraction, Adventure Lab, with an immersive and interactive quest-style game. Read on for the full Mommy Poppins review, and find more day trips and hot kid destinations in our U.S. Travel Guide for Families.

Swimming in pools is nice, but there is something quintessentially New England about digging your toes in the sand and wading through a refreshing lake or pond. Luckily, several swimming holes are located in the Hartford area, some of which are free during the week. Whether you're looking to swim, hike, fish, or enjoy a peaceful bicycle ride, Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury makes a beautiful backdrop for all such activities. 

Bridgehampton is just one of many happy Hamptons towns that offer magnificent beaches, yummy restaurants, shops, galleries, theaters, horse riding, and vineyards. We've come up with a list of can't-miss activities and places in and around Bridgehampton for families traveling to this South Fork town with kids, or just us locals taking a day trip to explore more of Long Island. 

For more kid-friendly activities out east, check out 50 things to do with kids in the Hamptons and North Fork, or head over to our local Day Trips Guide to explore another town.

Get ready to check off a bunch of boxes in one outing: outdoor time, local history, exercise, easy drive, and totally FREE—right down to the parking. This little known canyon in the Santa Clarita Valley offers hiking through a special piece of California's past, pulling together Native American history, Hollywood movie locations, and the site of the very first discovery of gold in California. All of this is set amidst a variety of native flora and fauna, with guided ranger activities and a nature center, making Placerita Canyon a great choice for a day's excursion.

They say you never know what you might discover in your own backyard. Well, in honor of summer, we've put together a list of some travel-worthy attractions just outside Connecticut's proverbial backyard, with no destination farther than an hour away (depending where you live in the state, of course.) From beloved children's authors to time-traveling adventures, these museums are sure to please the kid in everyone. Plus, you're bound to discover something new just beyond your backyard. 

Summers in Philly are filled with swimming excursions, camping trips, and family vacations to the Jersey shore. But by summer's end, kids are bored and already worried about the start of a new school year. You might be looking to get out of the house and break that cabin fever for a few hours without breaking the bank! We've rounded up some of the best free events around Philly happening in August. To see additional upcoming events, check out our event calendar. For more free fun, be sure to check out our free outdoor movie post and free outdoor concert post!