The holidays may be over, but winter will be with us as long as the groundhog dictates. We know how hard it is to keep the kids occupied this time of year, so we’ve gathered a slew of activities that you can do with your kids this season—beyond storytime and baking cookies.

Whether you're looking to stay local or you're itching to explore beyond our borders, we have ideas that should suit every level of motivation. You can embrace the cold at a winter festival or celebrate one of many winter holidays, including Chinese New Year, Groundhog Day, and Valentine's Day. Try a winter sport like snow tubing or skiing, or get some indoor action at a trampoline park or play space. And that's just the beginning—read on for the full list.

Looking for even more? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters to stay in the loop. We’ll keep you busy all winter long!

As we prepare to count down to the new year, we're looking back at all the wonderful new kid attractions we gained in New Jersey over the last 12 months. We added more than a handful of new indoor play spaces, two playgrounds updated with modernized equipment and cool features, and a museum dedicated to NJ's Revolutionary War history. 

If you didn't get enough shopping during the holiday season, swing by for storytime at Indigo, a gigantic new bookstore at Short Hills Mall. Menlo Park Mall's Disney Junior Play Zone and PopFit Kids at Paramus Park Mall also keep mini shoppers in mind with FREE indoor play.

Looking for a sweet treat? You can't go wrong with ice cream at Brooklyn-import Ample Hills, or a custom confection from Sugarsuckle, known for their amazing kids' birthday cakes. 

Soar to new heights in 2019 at iFly, which opened its first NJ location this year. Other chains including Dave & Busters and Sky Zone expanded their presence in the Garden State this year with new locations. And what's old is new again, as favorites such as Asbury Lanes, Imagine That!!!, and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse reopened in 2018 after being closed for extensive renovations.

Whether you want to hit the (sensory) trail or jump for joy, you're in the right place. Read on for the coolest, brightest, and best new offerings for NJ kids.

For New York City kids looking to cut a frozen rug, there’s no shortage of ice skating rinks. Year-round, families can take advantage of loads of indoor NYC ice skating rinks, like the ever-popular Chelsea Piers rink, and in winter, head to seasonal outdoor NYC skating rinks like Bryant Park's outdoor rink, or the do-it-at-least-once Rockefeller Park ice skating rink. 

This winter at the South Street Seaport, the Winterland Rink adds to the list of seasonal outdoor ice skating options in the the city. Situated on the roof of Pier 17, just a short walk away from the Seaport Museum, the Winterland Rink bills itself as the only rooftop rink in the city. Read on for details about how to visit NYC's newest outdoor ice skating rink with kids.

City kids are a lucky bunch. The past year saw a huge crop of new kid-friendly destinations popping up throughout the five boroughs. From a major new exhibit at the New York Aquarium to overhauled and brand new playgrounds and even a whole park, plus indoor places to shop, romp, and create, cool new exhibits, exhibitions, and a brand new museum, our kids have got it made. We're just lucky they let us come along for the ride!

Read on on for our top 18 new kid-friendly destinations in New York City that opened in 2018. If you've already conquered these, see what other adventures await on our list of 100 kid-friendly things to do in NYC before your kids grow up.

What do you get when you mix basketball and baseball? A new exhibit called Dunk! at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Little Falls.

The exhibit, on loan from Science and Arts Engagement New York, will be up through June 1, 2019. This hoops-focused installation combines memorabilia and interactive stations that kids can delve into. 

Located just north of Montclair on the campus of Montclair State University, the museum is a quick and easy day trip destination for sports-loving kids and families in NJ. Read on for more about its newest attraction.

With the cold weather officially here, most NYC parents are looking for a few good indoor play options. With the opening of Launch in Queens, another fun indoor attraction can be added to the list. Brand new as of November 2018, this trampoline park (and much more) boasts sparking clean attractions, super friendly staff, and lots of ways for kids of all ages to jump out their winter wiggles. Read on for the low down on everything this awesome space has to offer.

Though many of the restaurants and cafés surrounding Lincoln Center might seem too upscale for family dining or a quick, inexpensive snack, there are plenty of affordable, kid-friendly eats hidden in plain sight. As a plus, most of these places cater to the pre-theater crowd, know local productions and schedules, and are more than happy to make sure you're in and out with time to spare before the curtain rises. Whether you're in the neighborhood for a concert, the circus, or the ballet, or just to check out the famous fountain, here are our favorite spots to grab a bite without breaking the bank—or your patience.

Find more great kid-friendly eateries in our NYC restaurant guide.

Sure, you have amazing plans watching the clock strike midnight, but if your kids are anything like mine -- they will still be up at the crack of dawn on New Year's Day looking for something to do. Whether you choose to bundle up and head outdoors, or leave the coats at home and check out an indoor activity, there is plenty of excitement awaiting in every corner of the state. Spend a nice day with your family skating by the Sound, or take in the IMAX at the Maritime Aquarium. From First Day Hikes to the Connecticut cience Center, something on this list will ensure that everyone starts 2019 off right.