Summer Family Fun

Creative ideas for fun, family-friendly outdoor competition. Amateurs welcome.

This beloved summer treat—a soft serve frozen dessert made with at least 10 percent milk fat and 1.4 percent egg yolk—is smoother, creamier, and (arguably) more delicious than your standard scoop of ice cream. Satisfy your sweet tooth—and take a trip down memory lane—at one of these standout locales around the country, handpicked by TripAdvisor, based on feedback from its community of travelers. 

What’s happier than the sight of children playing? Get ideas from this gallery of fun.

Want to create a fortress mighty enough to withstand any big bad wolf’s huffs and puffs? Get inspired by these seven creations.

Want to build a super-secret hideaway? We’ve got tricks for constructing one mighty soft fortress.

Get the kids to put up with long waits, share details about their days, do their chores, and―oh yes―have fun.

Fun projects that will entertain kids long after craft time. (Sorry, Mr. Sock Puppet.)

Amusement parks can wear your wallet thin. Use these tips to save without sacrificing the fun.

Nine simple ways you can cut down on costs when taking the whole family on a trip.

Stay active on the sandy shores with these family-friendly picks.

Children weigh in on what they want (besides another glass of water) at tuck-in time.

You can road-trip, or you can road-trip smartly with this guide to essentials.

How to check your tires' air pressure, avoid car sickness, and more.

Unscientifically speaking, the number of times you're asked, "Are we there yet?" rises and falls in direct relation to how well you keep children engaged.