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In the age of laptops, tablets, video games, and instant gratification, it's hard to find ways to entertain children outside of the electronic world. Fortunately, Madison, Wisconsin, has plenty of places for a hands-on experience that doesn't leave your kids parked in front of a screen. From museums to sports and everything in between, Madison has some excellent destinations for an interactive day with your children. more Madison Children's Museum Nothing stirs up excitement with your little ones like a trip to the Madison Children's Museum. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum has nine permanent exhibits as well as a rotation of traveling exhibits that give your child plenty of options to indulge their favorite hobbies and interests. The Bakke Art Studio offers children paints, paper, and all the other tools needed to create their own masterpiece. The Log Cabin, another fun choice, provides children a glimpse into the history of Wisconsin with hands-on activities. In the authentic 1838 cabin, kids can churn butter, harvest vegetables, write with quill pens, play checkers, or even try a two-man saw. The activities are truly limitless when it comes to the Madison Children's Museum. Admission is $7.95 for adults and children and $6.95 for seniors. Henry Vilas Zoo With over 750,000 visitors a year, Henry Vilas Zoo is one of the hottest attractions in Madison. The best part about the zoo is that parking and admission are both free. The zoo itself is separated into 10 different sections that provide a subsection of animals from countries and ecosystems across the globe. The 28-acre zoo has exhibits such as the Arctic Passage, the Tropical Rainforest Aviary, the North American Prairie, and more. The children's zoo also gives guests a chance to pet animals or ride the famous carousel for just $2. It's a great place to spend a day out on the town without breaking the bank. Wisconsin State Capitol Heading to the center of government may not seem like a fun trip for kids. However, when you discover the amount of things to do at the Wisconsin State Capitol, you'll find that your children might actually enjoy the journey. If you're into the trip but having trouble selling it to your kids, just tell them about the badger statue. Legend has it that if you rub the nose of the badger statue, you'll have good luck. If you have older kids, a tour of the building is well worth the effort. For groups of less than 10, no reservation is necessary. The building is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. From the seat of the Wisconsin government to educational experiences with zoology and science, Madison has a little bit of everything to keep your children interested for a few hours, a day, or even a weekend. You may even find a new favorite place they'll want to come back to again and again.     " Gerbil Wheel " via Flickr by jchapiewsky. Used with permission via CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped from original

As a fun and practical vehicle, the 2018 Toyota Yaris stands out in the competitive compact car market. For over a decade, the Yaris has provided drivers with unequivocal efficiency, features, and other amenities that make it a surefire winner. And, with five available trims, you can pick the one that suits you to a T. If you're still up in arms about which Yaris to buy, here's a look at which models have the features you want. more 3-Door L For an entry-level vehicle, you can't get much better than the 2018 Toyota Yaris 3-Door L. A reliable workhorse, the 3-Door L doesn't do anything extraordinary, but it's an excellent car to get you where you need to go. Under the hood, the L gets a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pairs with a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to drive the front wheel. This gives it a little kick with 106 horsepower, but the 36 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in the city is one of the foremost reasons the Yaris L should make its way on to your shortlist. 3-Door LE Take everything you love about the Yaris 3-Door L, add some amazing features, and voila: You get the 3-Door LE. Built as a compact coupe, the Yaris 3-Door LE offers extras such as 15-inch alloy wheels, power outside mirrors, cruise control, and remote keyless entry. For a vehicle of its size, it has offerings you just won't find with any of its competitors. 5-Door L If you want more room, the Yaris 5-Door L is the answer. With extended room in the rear, this model holds five passengers far more comfortably than its three-door siblings. With 15.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, the Yaris also has enough space to fit all of your stuff, even if you have a packed house. 5-Door LE The Yaris 3-Door LE is a fine compact car. However, if you want to get more interior space without giving up the features you love, opt for the 5-Door LE. It has everything the 3-Door LE has, yet it also tacks on some chrome accents for enhanced aesthetics, an engine immobilizer, and rear child-safety locks. For growing families or those who love to entertain, the added room and amenities are well worth the added expenditure. 5-Door SE For the utmost luxury, there's no better choice than the Yaris 5-Door SE. This fully loaded variant of the Yaris has every option you could want and then some. The differences start on the outside with the addition of LED lighting, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Other features include navigation along with a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with mounted audio controls. There's just no other vehicle like it on the market. The best part about buying any of these trims is that you really can't go wrong. Each one offers a diverse array of features, and when you add it all up, no other compact can match the awesomeness of the 2018 Toyota Yaris.   ' Image ' used with permission via Toyota.com

If you're like the millions of "pet parents" around the country, you take your dog with you everywhere you go. Running errands? Here comes Fido. Heading to a bar? Bring Spot along. However, letting your dog off the leash simply can't happen at these places in Madison. On top of that, if you don't have a yard to let your dog run amok, it can keep him or her from, well, being a dog. But fear not. Madison has eight off-leash and 26 on-leash dog parks that are perfect for your canine friend and the rest of your family. more Before You Go Before you head to one of Madison's dog parks, be aware that you need certain permits. Every pet parent with a dog 5 months or older must have their animal licensed. A license for spayed or neutered dogs is $15 and $20 for unspayed and unneutered canines. You must also hold an annual or daily dog park permit to use dog parks in Madison. The annual pass is available on December 1 for $35 for adults and $17 for seniors. Daily passes are $5. Brittingham Park Located on the shores of Lake Monona near downtown Madison, Brittingham Park is one of the most scenic parks in the city. Open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., it's an excellent place to take your dog for a jog while watching the sunrise, sunset, or the rowing teams that practice at the lake. If you want to take your dog off the leash, the park has a fenced-in area at the corner of John Nolen Drive and Broom Street. Free dog bags are also available from a dispenser. Odana School Park Southwest of downtown Madison is Odana School Park, a 6-acre park that's perfect for a game of fetch or roughhousing with your pet. The off-leash area is near the intersection of Segoe Road and Whitney Way, should you want to let your dog run off some energy. If you bring the family, your kids can also play a game of hoops on the full basketball court or practice their shooting skills at the soccer field. Sycamore Park Sycamore Park is a prime example of urban renewal and one of the best-rated dog parks in the city. Once a landfill, the 70-acre park was rehabbed to include trails, volleyball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds. You're free to take your dog around on a leash through the park's longer loop or squeeze in a walk on the shorter trail. Many locals say that this is the top park in the city to meet other pet parents, making it a quintessential stop if you're new to the area. The east side of the park also has a massive off-leash area for your mutt to meet some friends as well, and there are shelters if the weather should turn without notice. With 34 dog-friendly parks across the city, it's no surprise that Madison is one of the top 10 cities in the country for accessible, clean dog parks. Not only can you let your dog get some exercise, but your family can bond and enjoy the outdoors together.   ' Roxy At the Dog Park ' via Flickr by MSVG. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

Traveling long distances often requires a vehicle that can handle different situations effectively. You can take your family on some fun and exciting adventures if your car can get you there without problems. The Toyota Highlander is designed to get you to where you want to go comfortably and efficiently, which will make you want to travel further and more often. If the Highlander appeals to you, then the only question left is, “how far will you go with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?” more To the Beach Spring is here and summer is not far off, which means it will only keep getting hotter. A trip to the beach is a great way to spend the hottest summer days. In a Toyota Highlander, you could make the trip to the beach with your kids and their friends since the Highlander can fit up to eight people. If you are into surfing or water sports, the Highland can be equipped with roof rails so that you can carry paddleboards or surfboards on top. If you end up driving in the sand, the Highlander can handle that too with its improved reaction controls. Camping Deep in the Woods It is also the time of year for camping, and the Highlander can help with that too. You'll need to take a lot of equipment with you on a camping trip, especially with your whole family. The Toyota Highlander has a variable seating system that lets you fold individual seats to customize your trunk space. With up to 84 cubic feet of storage, you can fit all of the supplies that you need. The Toyota Highlander is also capable of driving in many off-road situations. Dirt or uneven pavement are not a problem since the Highlander gives you better control over your power outputs and traction. That means that you can travel to your favorite spot deep in the woods without having to get out and hike the whole way from the nearest parking spot. Road Tripping Sometimes, not having a destination in mind can be the most exciting trip that you can take. Every summer, people hop into their cars and hit the road with the only plan being to drive until they find someplace new. You can do that in the Toyota Highlander and get very far, especially if you take advantage of the hybrid version. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid combines an unusual inline 4-cylinder engine with three electric motors to provide more horsepower and to be able to run in an all-electric mode. It has an estimated efficiency of 30 mpg (city) and 28 mpg (highway) making it the most efficient version of the Highlander that you can get. You can go far and do a lot of different things in a Toyota Highlander. With summer on the way, it is time to start planning your vacation. Part of those plans should be to figure out how you will get where you are going and making sure that your car can handle the trip. You can switch to a new Toyota Highlander today to make your summer trips more comfortable and enjoyable than last years. Plus, you'll get all of the benefits all year long. Image used with permission via Toyota.com