Tips on Fun Things to Do, Lifestyle, Leisure, Parenting & more (2024)

Amusem*nts Louisville, KY

If you're looking for adventure, head over to Renaissance Fun Park, where you can speed around the Go-Kart track, participate in a rousing game of Laser Tag, and putter around one of the area's best miniature

Amusem*nts Norman, OK

Andy Alligator's Fun Park is a family entertainment center in Norman, Oklahoma, which is just 15 miles away from Oklahoma City. It features tons of fun attractions, including go-karts, bumper cars, a climbing

Amusem*nts North Charleston, SC

Frankie's Fun Park is an amusem*nt and gaming park suited for the whole family. Admission is free inside the park and pricing is paid on a per attraction basis. Race with your family and friends in the go-kart

Amusem*nts Boulder, CO

The Gateway Park Fun Center makes an excellent choice for families with pre-teens. There are plenty of activities that are perfect for younger ones while teenagers may also get a kick out of the go-karting, batting

Amusem*nts Tucson, AZ

Tucson's Funtasticks Family Fun Park has everything a family needs for a great fun day out. Numerous attractions that rank among the most tried and tested family favorites such as mini golf and go-karting are

Amusem*nts Scottsdale, AZ

CrackerJax Family Fun & Sports Park is a family entertainment venue located in Scottsdale, Arizona, just 30 minutes' drive from Phoenix. The park contains over a dozen fun family-friendly attractions such

Amusem*nts Pittsburgh, PA

Fun Slides Carpet Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a fun carpet skating venue that is open to visitors of all ages. Everyone who loves skating and skateboarding can come and experience unique and quirky skate

Parks & Nature Chicago, IL

Millennium Park encompasses 24.5 acres of land and is situated in the center of Chicago between Michigan Ave on the west, Columbus Dr on the east, Randolph St on the north and capping it off with Monroe Dr on

Travel Destinations

Summer is a fantastic time to explore places just quick drive away. While there are plenty of summer activities to experience in the Boston area, day trips can often be a very enjoyable diversion. When you need

Amusem*nts Lodi, CA

Fun Town at Micke Grove is a small amusem*nt park in Lodi, California, which is 40 miles south of Sacramento. It is located within Micke Grove Regional Park, a popular regional park whose features include a zoo

Parks & Nature Denver, CO

Denver’s City Park is the largest and most notable park in the Denver area. The 330 acres was originally set aside as a park through a legislative bill in 1878 where the state of Colorado set aside 1280

Tours Oxnard, CA

Enjoy an adventurous trip of the scenic channel islands and the beautiful Ventura Coastline in Oxnard, California with Capt. Dan's sailing tours. Sail Channel Islands Day tours offer much recreation and fun for

Arts & Crafts

Kids love snow days. Even parents enjoy a bit of a winter bonus day, but are you often at a loss what to do with the kiddos? We have some fun suggestions to do with the little kiddos. Most of the recipes are with

Parks & Nature Mercer Island, WA

Island Crest Park and Deane's Children Park border one another and each offer a fun day out. Deane's Chidren Park is affectionately known as "Dragon Park" by locals thanks to the large sculpture of a dragon that

Amusem*nts Kansas City, MO

Worlds of fun is an amusem*nt park in Kansas city, Missouri, the 235-acre park was opened in 1973. The park has a theme based around a book, "Around the world in eighty days", the amusem*nt park features many

Amusem*nts Northglenn, CO

Boondocks Food & Fun is a family fun center that features indoor and outdoor attractions for families with kids of all ages. It has three locations, including one in Northglenn, Colorado, which is a short

Riddles for Kids

Start a new tradition of riddle telling in your family. Riddles are a great way to get your family's brains engaged in a fun and entertaining way. Riddles are great to have on hand when you are travelling, during

Family Games

Enjoy this fast paced card game of actions and giggles which is great fun for the whole family. This card game assigns signals to different cards and as they are discarded, the players need to participate by performing

Home & Garden

This is something fun that I think everyoe can get something out of. I found this quirky list of little things that can make you happy on a daily basis. Some of them are so simple, but the thought of

Kitchen Gadgets

I used to keep my salt in a cabinet and was always pulling it out to cook, which is a pain, but then I found the salt pig. Keep it by your stove so your salt is handy. Plus, it’s really cute.

Arts & Crafts

If you're looking for a present for a girl age 5 and up, try this Scratch Magic Sketcher Set. My daughter received it for her birthday and it was the first thing she opened up! Kids scratch away

Fun Quirky Stuff

Here's a fun Valentines Day idea to surprise and delight your kids this year. I've been doing fun stuff on Valentines Day for a few years just to remind my kids how special they are to me and how

Arts & Crafts

I got this from a parenting message board, and my 2-year-old loved it. Make a paste of corn starch and water. Put the paste on a cookie sheet, and in an area safe for messes, have your child get their hands

Daytrips

Admission to The Discovery Museums is free for mom's and grandmom's on Mother's Day. Interactive learning is a fun way to spend the day for both kids and the special adult lady in their lives! There

Home & Garden

Our three kids have their favorite and least favorite chores on "major cleaning day", but it's not always fair to let them choose. I write down each chore on paper, drop them into a basket, and each

Activities Resources

Need a day of activities-mostly free? Check out Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket, RI. It's one of our favorites. The park features a Louf carousel-one of the oldest around-with beautiful

Personal Care

Here's a "free" way to enjoy your shower more-at least it works for me. Between the kids, husband, pets and full-time job, sometimes I need to feel pampered. So I figured out that it costs the same

Meal Planning

Mealtimes are still messy for you and your eight month old baby. She continues to need your special attention at meal times. Your baby is probably able to pick up food with her fingers. By now, she is learning

Food & Dining Resources

If you happen to visit the North Shore of Long Island, stop by Junda’s Pastry Crust & Crumbs for a tasty treat. All of the goods are made with locally grown produce and the finest ingredients. With such

Parenting

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he

Amusem*nts Raleigh, NC

Frankie's Fun Park is an amusem*nt park located in Raleigh, North Carolina. This popular family entertainment area contains tons of fun features which guarantee that you'll have a fun family day out. Its seemingly

Paradise Park is a great place to spend the day with you family. They have a foam ball area, where you can suck the balls up with a vaccuum then shoot the balls at one another. The game area consists

Amusem*nts Childersburg, AL

Head to the DeSoto caverns Family Fun Park for a guaranteed great day out with the family. This is a great destination for younger children who will adore playing around on the many attractions and rides they

Family Finance

This is well worth the $25 for this Family Park Fun Passes (Children's Fun Pass) book. It has all sorts of discounts for attractions in the New England area. I would say if you used it once you

Activities Resources

This is a National Park service website for kids of all ages. It's both fun and educational since it offers all kinds of activities involving various aspects of nature. For example, in the animals section, you

Great Brook Farm State Park is a great place to spend your weekend with the kids. They have a lot of nice hiking trails (in the woods) and a working farm with cows, goats, pigs, chickens and sheep. They

Arts & Crafts

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and here are some of favoriteeasyandbudget friendlyValentine's Day Activities for Kids.These are sure to get you little ones feeling the love!&nbsp

Activities Resources

Believe it or not, St Patrick’s Day is in two weeks!!! I am not Irish but I make a point of wearing green that particular day. My children even go to school with green spray on their hair. Well, in the Thomas

Family Games

If a rainy day has dampened your plans for a fun day outdoors, embrace a cozy indoor day with a Rainy Day Picnic. Picnics are always fun because you will be spending time together and mixing things up by eating

Gift Ideas

The Lakeside Collection has great gifts perfect for any occasion. You will here beautiful sun catchers, figurines, mugs and more perfect for Mother's Day. You can shop online or order their free catalog. Be

Parenting

Dads spend their lives thinking about their families. They slog hard at work so that they can bring home the bacon. They allow their own preferences to play second fiddle to others at home. And they routinely forgo

Parenting

What could be better than flowers and a brunch in your honor on Mother's Day? Forget the card and the lines at restaurants. Do everything from scratch this year. Have the kids make their own cards and make breakfast

Gift Ideas

This short article lists 21 great, inexpensive Mother's Day gifts. Some ideas: You light up my life - Give her a pretty candle in her favorite scent. Bonus points if it matches her decor. Bubbling with joy

Activities Resources

Celebrate Earth Day with your kids this year byvisiting the Departmentof Energy's website.Go to www.eere.energy.gov. There you will find a plethora of great tips and information

Parenting

A Mother's Day gift basket, though conventional, is still a popular gift option. While you can easily make one up by putting together some goodies such as perfumes, candies and flowers, you may find it easier

Activities Resources

I am French and my Independence Day is Bastille Day. Every July 14th, when we lived in our little village in the South of France, my brother and I met our classmates in front of the Mairie (City Hall). We followed

Home & Garden

If you are a family with dogs and live in the Northwest area of Boston (Billerica, Burlington,etc.),here is a doggy day care place that I have used for our two dogs who are like our children (and big

Home & Garden

Paws Club is pet-tacular! We had our dog trained there by the fabulous trainer 8 years ago, and he has been staying there whenever we go away ever since. It is a cageless kennel, where the dogs get to sleep in the

My kids (2 and 3) love to play with water and bubbles, and a great way for them to cool off and help out is to make a washing center outside. We bring two large plastic underbed boxes outside, fill one with

Arts & Crafts

Lakeshore Learning Store is celebrating Mother's Day with a "Mommy's Lil Crafter" event on Saturday, May 10th from 11am-3pm with free crafts, handprint keepsakes and other fun things for the kids

Marriage & Relationships

Get aFREE Valentine’s Day printable coupon Book of Love! There are 2 versions available for you to print Valentine’s Day Coupons: One version is with printed coupons that includes

Arts & Crafts

After taking stock of the available Valentine Day Cards out on the market, we have decided to make our own. Remarkably, it was my four year old daughther who came up with the idea after surveying the dismalselection

Gift Ideas

This great idea is perfect for Father's Day, or for someone special's birthday, and the best part is it's totally free! It's called a Blue Monday Jar, and the idea is that after spending a

Arts & Crafts

Sometimes the simplest gift ideas are the best ones. Of course, some jewelry would be nice, but an adorable handmade booklet from your child is even better! Here's my booklet idea.&nbsp

Recipes

A Valentine's Day Gingerbread house is such a great idea for a family activitiy during the cold Feburary months. With Christmas being so busy, you may not have time to get into this craft wiht the kids. Right

Activities Resources

Groundhog Day is Feb. 2, and has always been one of my favorite holidays. As a teacher, I always give any student name Phil special privileges that day, in honor of Puxatawny Phil, the official groundhog. This website

Arts & Crafts

If you have kids that get bored easily on a rainy day, grab some fabric markers, extra pillow cases, t-shirts or any other fabric item you can think of like a plain white sheet, fitted sheets etc. Let the

Home & Garden

The Mother's Day holiday is celebrated in many countries around the world, but in the United States it is honored on the second Sunday in May. Why not explore your family's maternal ancestry for something

Restaurants

Even though Chicagoland Mother's Day Brunch is a crazy competition, it is worth it to get reservations to the Greek Islands in Greektown. I had the old-person reservations (11:15am) at the Greek Islands in

Activities Resources

I absolutely love the Mary Poppins song "Let's go fly a kite." It brings back such nostalgia. Last year I took my daughter to the Kitefest in DC at the Washington Monument and it was her first time

Music & CDs

We had a lot of the regular kids cds in our car but they were getting old for the parents. Then one day we heard Roger Day's "Ready to Fly" on one of our local college radio stations that has

Parenting

I'm adopted and when I was growing up, my family celebrated my adoption day almost as seriously as they celebrated my birthday. My mom always had a cake and presents for me and each adoption day was quite

Fashion & Trends

Fun Valentine’s Day Gift! Your little girl will love a bracelet, necklace or watch with adorable Hello Kitty accents. Look into a Hello Kitty charm bracelet with heart charm as a Valentine’s

Education Resources

BE MY VALENTINE! Listen, Mother, I want you to know Every day, I love you so. As I throw you a kiss, Mother mine, I want you to be my Valentine!!! MY VALENTINE Friends, I have quite a few, But for my Valentine

Parenting

Finding a quality day care center or provider can be incredibly stressful. Here are just a few things to look for in a day care center to make sure our child is safe and well cared for. Finding a quality day care

If you are looking for summer day camps in eastern Massachusetts, Warmlines’s Day Camp Connection can help. Warmlines will search their extensive database of day programs and find camps based on your

Activities Resources

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my father’s 80th birthday. We played lots of games that represented Dad’s favorite things, games using Oreo cookies, games with tennis balls and games with

Museums & Science

There are many great exhibitions to see in the Bay Area so if you feel like going to the museum for Mother’s day,know that May 10th is also Koret Museum Day and 17 Bay Area museums will be free that

Activities Resources

If you're looking for a fun gift for kids to make for Mother's Day, Kaboose has some terrific ideas. I'm making this "jeweled" candle holder with my Sunday School class along with thumbprint

Activities Resources

Get Ready for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Remind yourself and your children about the great man, Martin Luther King, Jr, by reading his“I Have a Dream” speech and viewing a video clip of

Festive & Gourmet

The way to a successful mother's day is to know what mom really wants or would enjoy. Is she looking forward to a family brunch or are you just eager to try the brunch at the latest new brunch spot. Does

Activities Resources

It’s that time of year when I start panicking about Father’s Day. I have great Dad and a wonderful husband and I want to recognize them in some special way- and no, I’m not buying them a

Parenting

I have loved to watch People's Court for over 25 years. The other day the new judge, Marilyn Milian, said something that has been ringing in my ears with simple, plain truth, so I thoughtI'd share

Activities Resources

Together in Motion is a new playplace located in Arlington on the Somerville line. There is a schedule of activities for both children (0-6) and adults. Tumbling classes are offered to toddlers and exercise

Health & Safety

If you have been watching daytime tv this week, you have caught the 17 day diet on both The Doctors and Dr Phil's day television show. The 17 Day Diet is a weight loss plan that was initially created

Summer Camps

Why read about an adventure when you can LIVE it? Guard Up's Wizards & Warriors Summer Day Camp is for ages 6-15 and located in Burlington, near the Burlington Mall. Starting in 2010, transportation

Activities Resources

Help your Dad feel like the great Dad he is by holding a special party for him on Father’s Day. We have always held our Dad’s Day party the Saturday before Father’s Day and invited

Travel Destinations

King's Island is trully one of the best theme parks that I have visited with my children. The park is big and beautiful, and the price is reasonable compared to Six Flags for example. King's Island has tons

Arts & Crafts

Easy and pretty rainy day art project: Get regular, old fashioned coffee filters and have the kids color on them with washable markers. Don't put too much color on and don't fill up the whole filter. Then

Activities Resources

We've been celebrating events associated with International Peace Day. This website offers wonderful tips for families to participate all year long in peace projects around the world!

Parenting

Created in1908 in the United States, Father's Day was originally invented to celebrate fathers after a deadly mine explosion in West Virginia, says Wikipedia.org. It was modeled after Mother's Day, which

Activities Resources

Here are a few of our family's favorite activities-indoors and out-just a short drive from Washington, DC.Most are free, and if there is a cost, it's minimal.Pack your bags, pack

Electronics

I am not a person who is that into technology, but I do love a good deal. And the truth is, sometimes you need electronic gizmos and gadgets so you might as well get them for less. Woot is a great website

Nutrition & Diets

Did you know that by eating eight certain foods every day you can cover all of nutritional bases? Best Life Magazine has put together a list just like thatfor you. You will find the nutritional information

Family Finance

If you love the Company Store, bookmark this site and check it daily for amazing deals! Friday items are "extra special" and last all weekend long. Example past sale items include Giant Hanging Letters

Education Resources

My Hat (the old NE colonial hats had cool corners!) My hat, it has three corners. Three corners has my hat. if it did not have

Activities Resources

Explore Portland is a great website for Portland families and those coming to visit Portland. I recommend signing up for the newsletter because they are frequent and relevant. For example, one of my

Printable Activities

Enchanted Learning has Valentine's cards, crafts, printables, and ideas perfect for toddler through elementary school ages. There are some things for subscribers only, but most are free to the public, including

Activities Resources

What are you going to do on Father’s Day? There are a lot of exciting events happening all around the Bay Area and it will be difficult to pick one. Train loving dad? Choo Choo to the Roaring Camp in

Education Resources

American Girl has a nice flash card maker that comes in handy at study time. You can make up to 50 flash cards to use online or print them out. Fun and useful!

Arts & Crafts

Make up a bunch of these and save them for emergency situations: waiting rooms, restaurants, plane trips, rainy days, etc. Click HERE to watch how to make these easy PAINT SAMPLE NOTE PADS for your kids.&nbsp

Home & Garden

One of the best and most effective organizing/de-cluttering tips I have incorporated into my life is the following: For just 15-20minutes a day I choose one room only and just go at.....pick up the toys, shoes

Daytrips

Picnics can be pretty standard fare and when you're a weekend father you need to be extra creative. That's why I also include a special reason to be going on the picnic. Turn it into an adventure. One time I went

Family Finance

I love Garnet Hill's catalog and I just found out that they have a sale of the day site! It is an ever-changing sale, offering web-only savings on current merchandise or further reductions on already discounted

Home & Garden

Express Your Gratitude with a Toast Raise your glass this Thanksgiving while reciting one of the gratitude quotes cataloged at Bartleby.com. Or start a yearly tradition and share a passage from The Thanksgiving

Enrichment Programs

Are you ready to live your dream life? A life of Balance, Purpose and Victory. Let's begin your free 20 Day Plan to Live Well eCourse developed by Renee's Joy Journey. Each morning just

Health & Safety

Yes, it is true, an apple a day keeps the flu away. Quercetin containing fruit, and vegetables like apples and broccoli, are proving to have a role in fighting off the flu virus. Readthis article to

Music & CDs

Blog Sistersare sellingpopular music CDs from the good ole' days for only $5.00-no taxes, no shipping fees. They only have one of each-so it's first come, first serve. Do you still sing along

Family Finance

Do you know about Groupon.com? I just found out some of my friends have been using this website for over a year. It is specific for the city you live in, and provides one deal each day. The coupons are usually

Amusem*nts

Adventure City, located within Hobby Cityhas remained as one of my daughter's favorite places for a play date. Although it is located within minutes of its larger competitors (ie, Knott's Berry Farm

Nutrition & Diets

Fit Day is a great website for helping you keep track on your path to weight loss and general fitness. The site offers free and upgraded pay version. But even the free version offers a daily food journal

Daytrips

You don't have to stick to Disney attractions when in the Orlando area. There's an abundance of entertaining things to do within a few hours drive. Right within Orlando is Turkey Lake Park.&nbsp

After School Programs

Jeanne's Day, Afterschool, Evening ahd Overnight Childcare cares for children 8 months to school age in a warm, loving, home setting. Children can be dropped off after 3:00 p.m., or we can pick them up from local

Daytrips

Well, surprise, surprise! My pre-teen and teen kids weren't bored, whiney, annoyed, or annoying today on our daytrip to Rockport on Cape Ann, near Gloucester. It's a beautiful area with little shops, tons

Activities Resources

Club Libby Lu can be found at various malls across the country. It is a great and unique idea for girls ages 5-13 yrs oldwho want to feel like a superstar for a day.I plan to do this as a special

Parks & Nature

This park is amazing and has it all. I came across this park by accident! Even though I have lived in Placer County for several years I had no idea that this park existed. Wow, what I have been

Restaurants

By Friday will you be in love? No matter. You know you're in love with your children because of everything you put up with. You know they love you too because otherwise they wouldn't put

Parenting

An excellent vocabulary is beneficial to your child in countless ways, and vocabulary must be built deliberately. In the summer, we have a word of the day. Someone chooses a letter of the alphabet, and I open the

Parenting

I was not aware of this wonderful opportunity to visit a Camel Dairy in our area of Southern CA. I saw this on television and thought I would share the idea if you did not see the show for yourself.&nbsp

After School Programs

This time of year, I am frantically looking for daycamps for my kids. A new website has just been launched to make it easier now. KangaKid is an online resource guide to help parents search for camps

Daytrips

Mount Tabor is a park loved by Portland residents. It is also a great location for an easy day hike with the kids. It is a very family & pet friendly location. It is also a location where

Arts & Crafts

If you are always looking for a deal on crafting and scrapbooking supplies, be sure to check out Peachy Cheap. They sell one item per day that is marked down anywhere from 25% to 99% off the retail price.&nbsp

Enrichment Programs

Know a high school junior or senior who needs to prepare for the SATs? Get them ready for the SAT with official practice tests and questions.Just signup to receive official SAT practice

Education Resources

Green, Green Teacher: Green, green, green, green Who is wearing green today? Green, green, green, green Who is wearing green today? Children stand up if they are wearing green: I am wearing green

Zoos & Aquariums

On November 11th, Tampa's Lowry Zoo is honoring veteran's to a free day at the zoo. From 9:30 to 5:00, a veteran and 3 of their family member's can visit the zoo, completely free! It doesn't

Education Resources

~ BORDERS EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK ~ Current and retired educators can save 30% on purchases for personal and classroom use. September 29th ~ October 7th! **Just bring proof of educator's status!

Arts & Crafts

Check out this cute egg carton heart craft at A Little Hut, which is perfect for Valentine’s Day. It’s very simple, and a good recycling project. You can make it as small or as large as you want, and

Arts & Crafts

Here’s another site ( I posted about a similar site, Peachy Cheap, previously) that offers a great daily deal on a craft or scrapbooking item. The deal is good for that day only, and they offer things

Activities Resources

My daughter and I are all about picnics. But what is more fun than a picnic on the National Mall? My daughter and I load up her oversized Radio Flyer wagon with the canopy, with sunscreen and food and drinks and

Arts & Crafts

Gobble gobble...at the kids' card table! What fun your kids will have at their own little turkey day table. Visit HGTV online to see how a paper bag can turn into a fun centerpiece for a kids' table. Table