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.

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.

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.

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.

Ice skating is a staple wintertime activity for Boston kids, but who says they need to freeze while having fun? After a hiatus during the pandemic, these Boston-area indoor ice skating rinks are now offering public skate times again, allowing families to avoid the elements while enjoy some healthy exercise. Schedules may fluctuate with school vacations and events, and most rinks require advanced registration in 2021, so make sure to check each rink's website or call before visiting.

When the sun is shining and fresh air calls, try out one of Boston's outdoor ice rinks. And keep the seasonal sports fun going by hitting the slopes for some skiing or tubing adventures. Need even more ideas? Make sure to check out our Boston Winter Fun Guide.

This has all the earmarks of a big Hollywood hit. Super secret location? No one knows where it will be yet, just somewhere in Downtown LA. Headlined by a huge (and temperamental) star? Doesn’t get much bigger than Vincent Van Gogh. Hard to get tickets? It sold out in Paris and Toronto, and it has been the hardest ticket to come by in Chicago and San Francisco, prompting months-long extensions. The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit comes to LA this May and pre-sale tickets are available now. Here’s everything we know about this hot new art pop-up, and why we can’t wait to Gogh.

With Midwinter Break upon us, we've found the perfect excuse to blow bedtime: Strike out after dark for a Lower Manhattan art crawl where you can see Electric Dandelions, Talking Heads, and more fun public art sure to brighten these long winter nights.

So bundle up and hit the cobblestoned streets for a safe night on the town. From South Street to Wall Street, here are seven pieces of outdoor public art to see downtown right now.

Of course, we've got plenty more ideas to entertain your crew this school break week (30 to be precise!), plus this giant list of what's open now in NYC for families.

Imagine walking into a building and suddenly you’re 500 feet high, clinging to the narrow ledge of a skyscraper. Minutes later you’re defying the laws of gravity and physics, walking on the ceiling or shrunk to the size of a mouse. Hollywood’s Museum of Illusions doesn’t literally give you those supernatural abilities, but the dozens of pictures you’ll have after your visit sure makes it look real. Taking the family for a fun outing in Hollywood to play tourist in our own town is a real pick-me-up.

Check out more of the Top Attractions in Los Angeles for Kids in our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families.