Summer vacation is soooooooo close. How will your family spend it?

This issue of the New York Times for Kids, originally published May 25, 2025, has dozens of kids’ recommendations for the most amazing places to visit and activities to try out to make this the best summer ever. How does whale watching sound? Or sand surfing? Or visiting a renaissance faire? We’ve got all the insider tips you’ll need.

Plus:

• Discover the best secret travel hacks for major vacation spots
• Head on down to the rodeo with an 11-year-old champion barrel racer
• Squeeee! Wade into a river with middle schoolers who are helping save adorable baby eels
• And find out why kids are revved up about the Indy500 (and why you should watch, too)

Plus: Mini-puzzles, embarrassing moments, graduation advice, opinions and more.