Boston winters are long and cold—no doubt. But a surefire (and blessedly simple) way to shake off a case of cabin fever is to bundle up and head outside for a winter hike or walk. From the heart of the city to the hilly suburbs, Massachusetts boasts many paved or wooded trails that are as majestic in winter as they are in spring or summer, whether dusted or just swept bare by the elements.

If Mother Nature delivers more than a few inches of snow, consider trying out one of the places to snowshoe with kids around Boston instead. Kiddos feeling lazy? A stop at a Boston cafe with great hot cocoa or the promise of a homemade hot chocolate bomb treat to follow your outing is sure to sweeten the deal.

Have your kids caught cabin fever? After a year like 2020, they're definitely not alone. If your typical stash of crafts and board games just isn't cutting it anymore, fear not. From north to south, there are plenty of great NJ indoor play centers, obstacle courses, and trampoline parks that offer the perfect antidote to the winter blues. We've picked 16 super fun indoor play spaces that are sure to be a welcome break to your daily routines. All of the picks on our list are open and welcoming visitors now.

Being stuck indoors during the long winter months with kids who need to expend energy can be challenging, especially in these times. No amount of board games or Pinterest-worthy crafts can make up for good old-fashioned exercise.

But just because the temperature is lower and the days are shorter doesn't mean your family can't get outside and enjoy Philadelphia's winter scenery. The Philly area has a number of great family-friendly hiking trails that offer kids some healthy exercise and a chance to explore the outdoors. That's why it's one of the things we can't wait to do with Philly kids this winter.  

So bundle up and head out to some of these great hiking destinations. You won't be disappointed.

Explore the outdoors with your family on one of the many amazing hiking trails around Orlando. Family hikes are a great way to unplug together, boost mental and physical health, and enjoy beautiful Florida scenery.

Here is a comprehensive list of great local hiking trails all around Central Florida. Each includes trails that are easily accessible for children, and many are stroller friendly and include playgrounds. Make sure to bring bug spray, as mosquitoes are on the rise. We recommend bringing sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water as well.

Hiking is also an option at many of Central Florida’s natural springs. Add to the outdoor fun with a geocaching scavenger hunt or by hiding painted rocks for others to find.

Looking for a fun outdoor activity to pass the time this winter? (Which parent isn't?) Maritime Aquarium is offering their popular Seal Spotting & Birding Cruises on select weekends in 2021. Seals migrate from Canada to the warm waters of the Long Island Sound from around mid-November to April, and are most visible to humans when they “haul out” onto the rocky shores that make up the Norwalk Islands. On a sunny, cold Sunday in January, my daughter and I had a blast spotting the cute marine mammals as well as a variety of majestic winter waterfowl from the deck of the aquarium's spacious cruising boat. Of course, just the prospect of trading a day in the house or car for a day on the water was exciting, too!

Read on for details of our experience on the Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise, and find more of our favorite cold-weather adventures with Connecticut kids in our Winter Day Trips guide.

Remember the days of busted swings and boring slides? Well, kids growing up in LA will never have those memories; the best playgrounds in Los Angeles (which are open again, hallelujah) are bastions of play and creativity for kids of all ages and abilities. These LA playgrounds feature rocket ships and pirate ships, fire trucks and trains, sea creatures and more. There are climbing structures, sand pits, thrilling ziplines, and playgrounds that honor the original inhabitants of the land. While the neighborhood playground is great for every day, sometimes cooped up kids need something new. And these playgrounds have the ultimate accolade: they're worth crossing the 405!

For more playground inspiration, check our guide to LA's top parks and playgrounds, or our list of the best beach playgrounds in Los Angeles and OC.

When kids love a place, they want to return again and again… and again. Annual memberships let families visit a place as often as kids want, without spending a bundle. But in 2021, when the year is starting with so many favorite museums and play places closed, are memberships worth it? Absolutely!

There are gardens that are currently open daily, zoos that plan to open soon, and spots with members-only offerings today and always— and all of these places need our continued support to open up again, post-pandemic. Here are a few of the most affordable, game-changing, and enjoyable places in LA, where we still recommend getting family memberships.

Westchester's outdoor parks and preserves are one of the biggest perks of living here, and that's never been more true than this year, as we've navigated the pandemic. Looking for a fun, safe, outdoor things to do with kids has taken priority. To that end, if you haven’t visited the 1,000-acre Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining yet, now's the time to add it to your list.

Even with winter's chill upon us, there is plenty to do at this natural gem, which kept my family busy on a recent January morning. It was a memorable outing, from a fun lakeside hike to a photo-op in front of the bright, beautiful outdoor owl mural.

Here’s more of what we did on our visit—and what you can do while there. Find plenty more seasonal outings in our Winter Fun Guide.