Indoor Play Spaces in Connecticut Open Now

Mask up and jump in! Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers CT

When chilly weather keeps kids inside in Connecticut, they don't necessarily need to stay home. Many indoor play spaces have reopened under state guidelines and will keep little ones climbing, bouncing, jumping, and giggling on cold or wet days. For 2021, facilities have implemented enhanced cleaning procedures, social distancing protocols, and advance registration requirements, ensuring not only a fun day trip but increased safety. 

Look to our Connecticut Winter Fun Guide for more cabin fever cures, from snow tubing outings to dozens of outdoor winter activities to keep kids busy at home.

Virus Restrictions Eased: Here's What You Can Do in Philly Indoors Right Now

The nation's founding comes alive at the Museum of The American Revolution. Photo courtesy of the museum

Mitigation efforts to fight COVID-19 were put into place throughout Pennsylvania in mid-December, closing indoor locations including museums. Most of those restrictions now have been lifted and our favorite spots are beginning to reopen.

Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some locations that are open or plan to open soon. Because restrictions and policies change quickly, be sure to check directly with each venue before visiting. Guests still must wear masks and maintain social distancing at all locations. Many offer timed tickets that must be purchased in advance. So find your masks, grab some hand sanitizer, and explore our list.

Where To Find Snow in Texas: 6 Places Families Can Drive in Winter To See Snow

Photo by Tatiana Moreeva/Unsplash

Snow in Texas? Say it ain't so! While us Houstonians are used to mild winters that rival most other states autumn season, there are places in Texas that actually do get a little dusting of snow during the colder months. If your winter bucket list includes seeing snow within our great state, then rest assured that you can make it happen! All it takes is a little weekend road trip spent driving to higher elevation and the right timing and your kids can indulge in snowball fights and snow angels during the day and hot chocolate by the fire at night. 

Where in Texas, you might ask? We've rounded up 6 areas of the state that offer the perfect little snow-filled weekend getaway.

10 Toddler-Friendly Hikes and Nature Walks in and around Los Angeles

Wide trails and gentle grades are perfect for kids at Kenneth Hahn Park. Photo by Jeremy Miles/Flickr

Is there any other city in the world where you can hike in nature and visit world class museums (not to mention the beach) all on the same day? This is why the premium paid for living in LA is steeper than these hikes! Los Angeles has some majestic mountains, but not all our trails are exhausting treks—there are loads of hikes in every nook and cranny of the city that are perfect for little legs (or beginner hikers of any age).

Get ready to discover your favorite new place to take even the smallest hiker in the family. If you’ve also got older kids or babies in strollers, we’ve outlined which hikes are just as fun for big kids and which are stroller (and dog) friendly. These LA hiking spots are kid-tested and whole family-approved, and are the ones that everyone will want to visit again and again.

Stream Tons of Free NYPL Programming From Storytimes to Tutoring and More

The New York Public Library has ramped up its remote learning resources. Photo courtesy of the NYPL

From their perch guarding the entrance to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library, lions Patience and Fortitude bore witness to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and, not long after, the Great Depression. It was then that Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia named them to remind New Yorkers of qualities that would help see the city through the dark days ahead. The noble lions are a constant reminder of the countless ways the NYPL remains an invaluable resource for New Yorkers.

To help navigate the current pandemic, the library has ramped up its remote-learning resources with FREE offerings ranging from virtual homework help and storytimes to reading lists, learning aids, and other activities to engage learners of all ages and stages. Read on for details on six FREE NYPL programs families can stream right now.

We've got tons more remote-learning resources in our Homeschool and Online Learning Guide and fun ways to keep kids engaged and entertained in our Stay-at-Home Guide, too.

30+ Free Ways to Celebrate Your Kid's Birthday at Home

Make the day special by letting your kid call the shots!

Ready to spoil your kid for their birthday? We love to make our kids feel special on their big day, and our readers have helped come up with dozens of completely FREE ways to show the birthday star how much they mean to us, from a "Yes" day to a special breakfast surprise. 

With a little bit of imagination—and this handy list for inspiration—your family might just create new traditions that don't involve forking over next month's rent with a pricey party. Most of these birthday party ideas work especially well during these days of continued social distancing and immediate-family-only celebrations. Check out our Birthday Party Guide for more ideas or find a virtual party entertainer on Poppins@Home.

Exploring Dia Beacon, the Hudson Valley's Large-Scale Art Destination

Dia Beacon offers more than 240,000-square-feet of light-drenched gallery space for its larger-than-life masterpieces.

The Hudson Valley is a great destination for weekends and day trips, offering beautiful nature, scenic hiking trails, outdoor activities, historic sites, and world-class art. When it comes to that last detail, Dia Beacon is our go-to destination.

The larger-than-life museum and exhibition space houses large-scale, post-modern artworks and installations on the banks of the Hudson River in the beautiful, family-friendly town of Beacon.

17 Things To Do with Kids at Industry City

Dress warm for an alfresco skate at Industry City.

Located within a former industrial storage complex along the waterfront in Sunset Park, Industry City has evolved into a cultural and foodie hub. The eight formerly derelict, city-block-sized buildings, running from 33rd to 37th Streets between Second and Third Avenues, are now home to artist studios, workspaces, great shopping, art exhibitions, a chocolate factory, a Brooklyn Nets training facility, an international food hall, and even one of our favorite ice skating rinks.

It's the perfect spot for shoppers, food-lovers, and young families, offering a unique mix of tastes, sights, art, and family programming. While certain activities and businesses have closed in the current pandemic, there's still a great deal to see and do in Industry City. Its large outdoor areas are perfect for socially distanced get-togethers, too.

Read on for 17 ways to make the most of a trip to Industry City with kids.

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