The dog days of summer are coming to an end. You can almost smell the fall in the air, and humidity levels are dropping (hooray!). Which means it is time to check off that summer bucket list before the kids head back to school and the days get shorter. One way to celebrate time with your kids is to take a page from your college days and go on a crawl—only this time, hit up the best parks and playgrounds in walking distance. There are plenty of great parks to play in, but we picked a few neighborhoods and areas that have some of the best parks in walking distance. Grab the stroller, pack a lunch (or follow our advice on where to get lunch), and get crawling!

With more than 400 community gardens, 80+ neighborhood parks, and acres of national park land, Philadelphia is positively booming with green space and touches of nature. You don't have to walk far to escape from the city sights and sounds and feel like you are in an urban oasis, but there are several parks and spaces that stand out as spots to hit if you are craving a more down-to-earth vibe. You can kayak, hike, fish, picnic, and swim in freshwater pools, all within the city limits.

Check out our list of parks and playgrounds for even more green spaces to explore.

One of my fondest family-bonding memories was setting out on our first whitewater rafting adventure. I was nine, barely old enough for the rapids my family picked, so when I helped steer the boat past a "dangerous rock" (as our guide put it) I felt incredibly important. The entire day was fun, we worked together as a team, and we still talk about our adventures to this day. All this to say, whitewater rafting is seriously one of the most fun things I can think of to do as a family. Second only to our many adventures tubing. Nothing beats a day on the river, floating, swimming, and basking in the sun. Occasionally catching a little rapid and racing to see who can get to the best spots first.

If you are tired of these 90 degree days and looking for some spectacular fun outdoor activities, we have you covered with our picks of the best rafting and tubing spots in the area. For more water fun, check out our roundup of spots to go canoeing and boating near Philadelphia.

If you decide to head to the Poconos for your water adventures, check out our list of 61 Things To Do in the Poconos for more fun places to check out while you're there.