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Kids Free October in San Diego: Zoo, Legoland, Seaworld, and More

Submitted by Dana Zepeda on Fri, 09/23/2016 - 5:21am

The lazy days of summer may be over, but that's no reason to trade adventurous family outings for a never ending cycle of school drop-offs, pick-ups, and algebra homework. Instead, pack up the car and head south during San Diego Tourism Authority's annual Kids Free promotion.

The citywide campaign kicks off October 1, enticing families to visit San Diego's big-ticket attractions like Legoland, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wildlife Park, and Seaworld. Children can eat, stay, and play for free at more than 100 participating hotels, restaurants, museums, and parks until October 31.

We've selected 10 offers that we think are particularly good deals; put two or three together, and you've definitely got savings worth traveling for. Scroll down for a link to all 100+ free opportunities for kids in October.

Weekend Fun for LI Kids: East End Maritime Festival, Long Island Fair - September 24-25

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 09/22/2016 - 12:00am

Welcome the weekend with a sailor's salute at the East End Maritime Festival in Greenport. In Lido Beach, enjoy the sounds of the ocean at the Festival by the Sea. Or be transported in time at the Long Island Fair at the Old Bethpage Restoration site.

Get active this weekend with the great events below. Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you didn't receive this post in your inbox, sounds like you need to subscribe to our newsletter.

Sleep in a Lighthouse and More Hudson Valley Family Resorts

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 2:30pm

The Hudson Valley is an easy weekend getaway for those in the New York City vicinity. Its proximity makes getting there a breeze, even with a car full of kids.

Once you’ve arrived, natural possibilities abound. In fall, leaf peeping is spectacular and farms are ripe with pick-your-own fruit options and stands selling warm donuts and sweet cider. The Hudson Valley is history heavy, with names such as Roosevelt and Vanderbilt prevailing. Pedestrian-friendly towns such as Hudson, New Paltz, and Saugerties attract hip New Yorkers and their kids like bees to honey. There are a variety of overnight accommodations at a range of prices, from an all-inclusive dude ranch to a stately Grand Dame hotel to a farm stay.

Get packing for a quick getaway to this wide-open region just north of NYC.

25 Things We Are Excited To Do with Philly Kids This Fall

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Thu, 09/08/2016 - 8:23pm

Summer is over, there’s a chill in the air, and the kids have settled into the school year. Before we know it, we’ll be talking holiday shopping and snow days! Until then, there’s plenty of time to take the children to some of the coolest playgrounds, check out the latest museum exhibits, and enjoy everything Philly has to offer.

We've rounded up the top 25 things we're most excited to do with the family this fall. With so many fun activities to squeeze in before the holidays, the days of crisp, autumn air will fly by in a flash!

Dolphins, Plus 30 Other Things To Do in the Florida Keys with Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 09/04/2016 - 2:00am

When talking Florida Keys with kids, it's best to point straight at the dolphin in the room. Swimming with dolphins is without question one of the biggest draws in the Keys for families, and while the experience is not cheap, it is the stuff that bucket lists are made of. I confess that I grew up watching Flipper (I say "confess" because a few of you just worked out how old I am), and I've harbored a secret desire to catch a ride from a dolphin ever since. My kid got to live that dream a whole lot younger than I did when I discovered that Key Largo is barely an hour's drive from Miami and an easy add-on to a Florida vacation. Continuing to Key West adds another three hours along the Overseas Highway, a drive touted as one of the most beautiful in the country, stretching over water for seven straight miles at one point.

100 Things to Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Mon, 08/29/2016 - 4:30pm

We might be biased, but we think New York state has it all for families. From the gorgeous Hamptons beaches to the rugged state forests, serene lakes, and deafening Niagara Falls to the culture and arts found in New York City on up through the river towns and beyond—we feel pretty lucky.

Plus, we’re pretty good at making delicious food items from ramen burgers and bagels to ice cream, and even wine at family-friendly vineyards on Long Island and through the Finger Lakes. There are children’s museums galore. Kids have no shortage of water and theme parks, cool playgrounds, zoos, outdoor art, and nature, of course.

And yet, the thing about childhood is that it’s finite. The kids grow up, maybe move away. Sniff, sniff. We want to soak up every moment. So we put together this list of 100 of our favorite things to do around New York, from upstate and the Adirondacks to Long Island and NYC. We collected suggestions from the many Mommy Poppins contributors, past and former, to fuse it all together just for you (OK, for us, too). Whether you're planning a long-weekend getaway or a family day trip, you're sure to find some ideas here. Enjoy!

Things to Do in Silicon Valley: A Kid’s Guide to Tech and Science Fun

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 08/27/2016 - 9:55am

“What would you do with kids in Silicon Valley?,” people asked me when they heard we were planning on spending a few weeks there this summer. Sure, the nerd capitol of America doesn’t sound that thrilling at first. But just as we have to thank the geeks and nerds for bringing us great stuff like the smart phone, the internet and Pokemon Go!, having all those squares concentrated in one place means San Jose, Palo Alto, and the surrounding towns are jam-packed with some pretty awesome stuff for those of us who appreciate the geekier side of life.

Whether your family members are true technology buffs or just love a good science museum, there’s loads of fun from Santa Cruz to Palo Alto to get your geek on. Here are the top things to do in Silicon Valley for science and technology-loving kids:

25 Things To Do in Provincetown With Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 08/26/2016 - 12:52pm

Cape Cod is a classic summer destination for Boston families, but getting there can mean hours spent in the car. Not so if you head to Provincetown at the very end of the Cape—taking the fast ferry from Boston will have you there in no time. And once you’re back on dry land, there’s so much to do, from beaches and biking to kid-friendly restaurants. Here are our 25 top picks for family activities in P-Town.