Just because birthday parties might not look exactly like the big blowouts of years past doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of other ways to celebrate—from hiring a virtual performer to finding birthday party venues that can cater to our new normal.

And thankfully, there are lots of birthday party options in Westchester, whether your artsy kid wants to try their hand at making slime or pottery or you want to go the route of setting up a ninja course in your backyard with the help of some professionals. Here are nine local venues and vendors helping make sure kids' birthday party dreams (still) come true.

Looking for more kid-friendly party ideas? Check out Party Guide for plenty of options.

With some light finally emerging at the end of the tunnel, families can now start looking beyond Zoom parties to celebrate birthdays. While many of our favorite indoor spaces still aren't open, more and more play spaces and venues are opening their doors for small-group celebrations while taking all necessary COVID-precautions. But, time marches on, and you need a place to celebrate now. We've rounded up 15 unique places citywide where you can host birthday parties now, both indoors and out. 

Remember to keep your group small and wear masks. If you're still not keen on venturing indoors, check out our roundup of virtual birthday party ideas and the best virtual party performers, and find more party inspiration in our Guide to Kids Birthday Parties.

At every birthday party, the cake is one of the stars of the show—and that's never been more true than it is right now. So we've come up with a list of the very best birthday cakes in LA for kids that will make any birthday party special. No matter what you're looking for, this list has the perfect cake. There are LA institutions, there are show-stopping cakes, and cakes that taste better than the ones Grandma makes (honest!). There are even gluten-free cakes and vegan cakes for kids that are so good, no one will ever miss what’s missing.

These birthday cakes for kids are so incredible they will make up for having a virtual party (again) this year, and floor every kid (and parent) at next year's big bash. Now you just need to make the ultimate choice: what flavor?

Los Angeles parents are blessed with the widest range of summer camps choices imaginable (just check our camp guide and directory!). Kids who are driven to spend their summers focusing on musical theater, art, surfing, science, horseback riding, or even making movies have all the day camp options in the world, right in our backyard. But sometimes, summer needs to just be about being a kid and having fun. Kids need to let loose and play, play, play. At these traditional outdoor summer camps from Santa Monica to Altadena, that's exactly what they can do.

For more summer camps in Los Angeles, including picks for preschool summer camps in LA and the best free and cheap day camps in town, be sure to bookmark our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for camps by type, age, and town.

After a year of cancelations, it's time to focus on what we can do. We’ve compiled a list of family-friendly destinations open now in Westchester. These spots include cultural sites, sports venues, indoor play spaces, and open spaces for outdoor adventures. Despite the pandemic, there's actually a lot for local families to do.

Be sure to bookmark this resource for all your upcoming adventures; we'll update it as the situation warrants. As always, there are many more ideas for keeping busy on our Event Calendar.

Most of Long Island has reopened, and businesses are welcoming visitors at a reduced capacity, but the answer to what's open on Long Island right now is far from simple. While we've had plenty of fun enjoying winter walks, our glorious parks, and favorite playgrounds, indoor family entertainment is harder to come by. A handful of indoor play spaces have reopened, while other spots have remained shuttered since March.

We've scoured the web to come up with this list of what's open now on Long Island. Bookmark this page; we'll update it as more spots announce their reopening dates. Keep in mind, coronavirus safety restrictions often mean reservations are required, and capacity is capped, so it's a good practice to call before venturing out to confirm availability or book your tickets in advance.

Yes, the pandemic is dragging on, but Boston businesses are finding creative ways to keep kids and families busy and entertained—safely! As Massachusetts permits businesses to slowly increase capacity allowances, Boston museums and play spaces have progressively (and carefully) reopened their doors to the public, with mask mandates and social distancing measures in place. Yes, winter family day trips and February school break outings might take a little more planning this year, with advanced ticketing and timed entries commonplace, but parents who venture out with kids are supporting local or regional businesses while also giving everyone a break from the house—and each other!

Follow up a visit to one of these enriching or entertaining spots with a fun meal at an igloo- or yurt-themed outdoor restaurant, and keep tabs on our Boston events calendar for more activities to keep the family's mojo going through the long Boston winter and early spring.

Houston's craft beer scene is top-notch, which we probably don't have to tell you. But what might come as a surprise is that it's also very kid-friendly; some of the area's best brews are housed in stellar spaces with outdoor games and room to play. Here are some spots we love to go as a family because there is room for the kids to run around; they are unpretentious; they don't make my husband and me feel bad if our toddler starts malfunctioning during our visit, and the beer is delicious.

For our favorite kid-friendly eateries, check out our roundup of restaurants with plenty of playing room as well as our favorite Hill County wineries to visit with the rest of the family in tow.