Looking for an indoor spot where your little ones can climb, explore, and burn some energy without you having to shell out money for a play space? The Bay Area is home to some truly amazing public libraries that go way beyond books—think treehouse slides, fish tanks, hands-on stations, and cozy corners perfect for a midweek escape or a rainy-day reset. Whether you’ve got a curious toddler or a big kid who loves to get lost in a good story (or a STEM wall), these libraries are meant for families to stay awhile.

From the immersive “Storybook” play spaces popping up in the South Bay to kid-friendly reading rooms tucked into historic branches in San Francisco, these spots offer free, low-key fun that feels anything but boring. We rounded up our favorite Bay Area libraries where kids can actually play, explore, and hang out, not just check out a book and go.

For more budget-friendly indoor fun, check out these free museum days for kids in San Francisco. Let kids keep the indoor fun going at these indoor playgrounds and play spaces in San Francisco, and browse our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for San Francisco Kids. 

Teen birthday party ideas in Westchester and the Hudson Valley may seem tougher to come by than the princess- or pirate-themed fiestas that work for the younger set, but there are lots of options, including parties centered on art, games, rock climbing, or–believe it or not–skydiving.

Read on for a list of options sure to please your older kid. And, if you’re looking for more birthday ideas, check out our Kids' Birthday Party Guide for Westchester Families, which includes info on where to get a great cake.

Every year, as the birthday party invites roll in, a pattern emerges. It's the same party spots over and over.

If you're looking to shake things up with a unique party venue for your child's birthday, look no further. We've rounded up some unique venues on Long Island, ranging from stately museums to immersive play spaces. 

For more birthday party fun, check out our Birthday Party Guide, which includes our story on kids' birthday party entertainers on Long Island who come to you.

Ready for thrilling, high-speed family fun? Then it’s time to explore the best go-kart tracks in New Jersey for kids and families! Here are eight of the best go-kart tracks in NJ that will get your blood pumping and your adrenaline rushing as your family has an unforgettable day out.

These New Jersey go-kart tracks are a mix of indoor and outdoor destinations, but they're all guaranteed to bring a little excitement to your next family outing. Want more heart-pounding inspiration? Find it on our roundup of the best extreme sports destinations in New Jersey.

Find family fun on the water in Connecticut for Summer 2025!

Forget pizza in the party room and been-there-done-that trampoline parks—this is New York City, after all! When it comes to finding the best NYC kids' birthday parties, the options are as unique and exciting as the city itself. From birthday parties at world-class museums with hands-on fun to immersive play spaces you won’t find anywhere else, we’ve rounded up the most unique, only-in-NYC birthday party venues for kids that promise a celebration your child—and their guests—won’t soon forget.

So, whether you’ve got a budding artist, a junior scientist, or an energetic explorer, there’s a perfect party spot waiting in the five boroughs. Read on for our picks for the most unique, only-in-NYC birthday party venues and find more ideas for all ages and interests in our Kids' Guide to Birthday Parties in NYC.

Planning for any child’s birthday party can be a trying task, but finding teen birthday party ideas that your snarky teens won't deride is practically impossible. Teenagers are a particularly tough group to plan for—and you have to account for the fact that tastes vary wildly and what is exciting for one teen is a total bore for another. Luckily, Los Angeles is jam-packed with things to do with tweens and teens, and that includes places where you can hold teen birthday parties that your celebrant will truly adore.

From comedy clubs to private pool cabanas and tech wonderlands to falcon flying fetes, we've rounded up teen birthday party ideas (even sweet 16 birthday ideas) that are tried and true for teens. To get more ideas for your party, like where to get the best birthday cakes in LA, visit our Guide to Birthday Party Ideas in Los Angeles for Kids. Because big kids love birthday cake, too.

Summer in North Texas often means finding a body of water and spending plenty of time in it. Luckily, there are lazy rivers in Dallas, Fort Worth and the rest of the metroplex that are not only an easy way to cool off, but they're perfect if you aren't a huge fan of the thrills that come from some of the other water attractions out there: You can get away from the busy lines of the water slides, enjoy the current that pulls you along, and you can watch the kids as they swing or float by. Some are attached to family-friendly hotels, and some are in bigger waterparks, but all of them promise fun for the whole family. 

Looking for more activities to cool off from the summer heat? Check out our massive Dallas-Fort Worth Kids Summer Guide for all things summer vacation, with awesome ideas about ways to entertain, save money, and have fun this summer!