Best Jersey Shore Boardwalks and Amusement Parks for Family Fun

New Jersey boardwalks offer classic summer treats like frozen custard. Photo by Kevin Jarrett via Flickr

Everyone loves a Jersey Shore beach, but Jersey Shore boardwalks are where the real memories are made.

From frozen custard and funnel cakes to rides and mini golf — and a few that feature water parks and toddler amusements — Jersey Shore boardwalks are regional treasures. Read on for our top picks for Jersey Shore boardwalk fun below, and bookmark our Guide to the Jersey Shore for more help planning your best visit yet.

School Calendars 2024-2025: Start & End Dates for Atlanta School Districts

Be prepared this school year by accessing the 2024-25 academic calendars for Atlanta school districts. Photo by the author

School may be ending soon for most Atlanta students, but before you know it, another school year will be upon us. (FYI, some Atlanta school districts start in July this year!) Whether you live ITP, OTP, or somewhere way far out, we've tried to make planning a little easier by letting you know the start and end dates of Atlanta area school districts. These school calendar links also reference holidays, seasonal breaks, and teacher professional days to note as school closings pop up throughout the school year.

School Calendars 2024-2025: Start and End Dates for Orlando School Districts

Be prepared this school year by accessing the 2024-25 academic calendars for Orlando school districts.

Orlando schools are almost out for summer, but the calendar is already set for the new school year. Below are the current school start and end dates for counties across Central Florida. Most Orlando school districts start back Monday, August 12. Click on each link to access the full calendar for each school district, including winter break and spring break dates, in case you’d like to start planning for family vacations.

Expansive Dinosaur Museum and Fossil Park to Open in NJ this Summer

Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University will let visitors dig for real fossils when it opens this summer.

A new dinosaur museum is coming to New Jersey that's perfect for dino lovers of all ages. The Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University, in Mantua Township, N.J., is slated to open in summer 2024, and early signs point to it being a blast from the prehistoric past. 

Read on for all the details about this dinosaur museum, which will include life-size recreations and virtual reality experiences. And, check out our Guide to Museums and Art for New Jersey Kids for more on museums throughout the state. 

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants at American Dream Mall

It’s hard to say no to doughnut-topped milkshakes at Around the Clock Diner at American Dream Mall.

A trip to the mall food court brings with it a bit of nostalgia, but these family-friendly restaurants at American Dream Mall are sure to cure your cravings for throwback snacks.

Like its over-the-top attractions, American Dream Mall's top family-friendly restaurants go far beyond the basic. Read on for our top picks for eating out while you're exploring all the top family-friendly attractions at American Dream Mall.

20 First Birthday Party Themes and Ideas to Celebrate Baby’s First Year

Sure, it looks like baby's party, but it's mostly for the parents at this point, so have fun!

Looking for first birthday party themes and ideas for your baby's first birthday? We rounded up 20 of our favorites!

First birthday parties are a time to really celebrate the successes of a full year of life. Parents, you did it! Since a baby's first birthday is as much for the adults as for the baby, parents want to throw a memorable celebration that the birthday child can enjoy while marking the occasion with friends and family.

But how can you find the perfect first birthday party theme? What should you serve for a treat that will please both babies, older siblings, and adults? We've got you covered with first birthday party ideas that include themes, decorations, and sweet dessert ideas.

Find tons of other birthday bash ideas, including 100 Top Birthday Party Themes, awesome goody bag ideas, and gift guides for all ages, in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties and Birthday Party Ideas.

Experience Wild Wonder at the Long Island Game Farm with Animal Encounters and More Zoo Fun

From the moment you step into the Long Island Game Farm and meet its resident baby goats, the animals steal your heart.

Animal-loving kids go wild for an outing to the Long Island Game Farm in Manorville. A visit to the largest combined children’s zoo and wildlife park on Long Island is a day packed with fun and excitement. There are cuddles with furry barnyard animals and introductions to exotic species. My animal-obsessed little ones had a blast meeting, learning about, and even feeding some of their beloved new friends.

Read on for all the details of animal encounters and exotic wildlife wonders the whole family can enjoy during a visit to the Long Island Game Farm, which lands at No. 50 on our list of 100 things to do with your kids on Long Island before they grow up.

Step into the Future at Mercer Labs a New, Mind-Blowing Immersive Museum in FiDi

Mercer Labs is a brand new immersive museum where seeing is believing.

If you're looking for a totally new experience in NYC, look no further than Mercer Labs in Manhattan’s Financial District. Mercer Labs is a wholly immersive digital experience that is going to leave you and your family breathless and amazed. As you wander from room to room, expect your senses to be engaged, activating a sense of wonder.

See what makes this new immersive museum in NYC a must-visit, and find more local cultural outings in our NYC Kids' Guide to Museums and Galleries.

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