Amusement Parks, Summer Camps Get Green Light to Reopen in New York

Legoland New York Resort is poised for a springtime opening thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo's recent announcement. Photo courtesy of Legoland

New York families can finally start looking forward to a more "normal" summer thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo's announcement this week that summer day camps and sleepaway camps can begin making plans to reopen. Another boon to families: Indoor family entertainment centers and outdoor amusement parks have also been given the green light to reopen.

Read on for details on these newest reopening plans, and be sure to bookmark our list of what's open now in NYC for kids to keep up on all the developments as they happen.

Maple Sugaring with Kids in Connecticut: Maple Syrup Festivals, Sugar House Tours, and More

Photo courtesy of the Sharon Audubon Center

Warm days and cool nights start the sweet, sweet maple syrup season. Right about now, sugar houses across Connecticut are busy collecting and evaporating clear sap into tasty, golden syrup. The traditional maple sugaring season extends from late February until late March. Here, we share the latest information on maple syrup activities and sugar house tours for Connecticut families during this year's syrup season. 

Make the most of the next couple months by checking out our favorite snowshoeing spots and snow tubing areas in our Connecticut winter fun guide.

8 Jersey Shore Boardwalks to Explore in the Offseason

Explore the famous Asbury Park boardwalk or one of its famous neighbors in the offseason.

Winters at the boardwalk are seriously underrated. You can zip down the Parkway, find parking without circling, stroll a crowd-free Jersey Shore boardwalk, and—best of all—jump to the head of the ice cream line.

So, where are the best spots for a crisp, offseason Jersey Shore adventure? We've rounded up eight local boardwalks where you can stretch your legs, grab a treat, and enjoy some family time. While wide-open spaces and the fresh sea breeze are nice, each of these spots boasts some family-friendly offseason perks making them worthy of a day trip.

Find more fun things to do in our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

Volunteering Opportunities and More Ways To Help Houston Families Weather the Storm

Photo courtesy Kids Meals, Inc.

It's been a tough week all over Texas, and plenty of Houstonians we know are still without power, battling burst pipes, unable to get their homes warm enough, or even unable to stay in their homes. Whether you are in need of help, or fortunate enough to be able to offer help, we thought a few of the resources below might be good to have on hand. We've collected some food banks, some lists of warming centers, and other ways to help your fellow Houstonians through this challenging time.

The Best Parks in LA Where Kids Can Run and Play

Fly a kite to the highest height at Irvine Regional Park. Photo courtesy of OC Parks

Poor parks, they're always getting ignored in favor of playgrounds. While there are amazing playgrounds in LA, sometimes you just want a vast field of green where kids can run forever, roll down a hill, or have the space to learn to hit or kick a ball. For those of us who don’t have an expanse of rolling green in the backyard (raises hand), these parks are places where you can bring kids to play without the organized activity of a hike or bike ride— and avoid the crowds that flock to high-touch playgrounds.

So bring balls, frisbees, and kites—or just a blanket, snacks, and books—and head out into nature to rest, recharge, and play. From hidden gems to well-known spots, here are our favorite parks in town.

10 Winter Walks and Hikes to Explore in NYC

The Brooklyn Greenway offers miles of paths to explore all along the borough's waterfront neighborhoods. Photo by Sara Marentette

If your family is like mine, cooped up in an oh-so-cozy apartment, and desperate for extra chances to get moving, this list of winter hikes and winter walks across NYC is for you.

While it's easy to imagine the five boroughs as a concrete jungle with seasonal activities concentrated indoors, there is loads of exploring to be done outdoors. So, bundle up and get out to enjoy one of these winter walks. Our list includes both scenic hiking trails in our many parks and some off-the-beaten-path ideas for checking out a neighborhood you haven't perused in a while—if ever.

Read on for 10 winter walks within city limits, and find plenty more seasonal picks in our Winter Fun Guide.

West Orange's JCC MetroWest Early Childhood Center Reimagines Programs with Safety First

When calls from pleading parents started pouring in last year as the COVID-19 pandemic waged on, JCC MetroWest wasted no time reimagining their children's programs to help bring some much-needed relief to burnt out West Orange area moms and dads. For the Early Childhood Center, that meant finding a way to maintain the same level of meaningful learning the New Jersey community had come to know and love while prioritizing the health and well-being of kids in a whole new way.

For 55 years, the JCC MetroWest Early Childhood Center has provided a beautiful collaborative learning environment for infants through kindergarteners, while thoughtfully weaving Jewish traditions and values into the classroom. Curiosity is encouraged, interests are engaged, parent involvement is prioritized, and all cultures, genders, races, religions, nationalities, sexual orientations, and abilities are embraced to create a vibrant community-driven space for all.

Learn To Play Chess: Online Chess Games Kids Can Play

Kids take the chess skills they learn online into the real world. Photo by Sara Marentette

If your family has been bitten by the chess bug—as so many have since The Queen’s Gambit hit Netflix—chances are your kids are itching to learn to play chess. But since most after-school and community chess clubs have closed this year, we’ve rounded up a great list of online chess games for kids.

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