Indoor play spots are an essential resource for NYC families with young children—and limited square feet—as temperatures begin a steady decline into winter. Unfortunately, so many of the city's indoor play spots are limited to weekday hours. While that's great for caregivers Monday through Friday, mom and dad are left out in the cold, scrambling to fill weekends with their preschoolers in other ways. But, lucky for you, we've uncovered nearly three dozen fantastic play spaces with weekend hours.

The spots all offer drop-in play hours for kids; no membership required. All include playthings sized just right for the little ones, including babies in many instances. They are stroller-friendly and equipped with changing stations, making them no-fuss options for the toddler squad.

When the kids are wired but it's wintry or rainy, a dip in an indoor pool can be just the thing to set the day right. Swim lessons are important for setting a foundation for pool safety, but splashing around in the off-season can also help transform doggy paddlers into more confident swimmers. The trick is, many indoor pools require seasonal memberships, and not all welcome kids. We've rounded up some pools that offer day passes or drop-in swim times for families. 

See our Indoor Fun Guide for more ideas for helping kids unleash a little energy when the weather doesn't cooperate!

Cooking classes are a great kids activity. Kids love cooking and are definitely more likely to eat cuisine they have helped prepare. So get those aprons ready and sign your child up for a kids' cooking class! Pros at these kid-friendly cooking schools in Fairfield County and Hartford, Connecticut reinforce the importance of practicing safe cooking techniques and trying new foods. For kids toddlers through teens, these cooking programs are sure to spark creativity, expand palates, and maybe even inspire your resident junior chef to lend a hand in your own kitchen. 

Check our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in Connecticut for more educational and fun ideas.

While it’s fun to take the kids to a dedicated play space (and trust us, there are lots of those to choose from in Westchester), there are times when you want to go somewhere that has something for both you and the kids—where you're not just standing around, wishing for some coffee, brownies or—who are we kidding?—both, but actually enjoying them. You’re in luck: There are a few play cafes in Westchester that offer just that. 

Looking for even more places to take the whole family? Check out our kid-friendly restaurant guide. 

February is a time to appreciate where we live perhaps more than any other—not simply because of the opportunity to celebrate the valentines, presidents, parades, and whales below, but also because we live in a place where we can ski in the snow one minute and be sand sledding at the beach barely an hour later. Our hearts go out to our friends and family shivering in other states, of course; they really should come to visit. We'll use our weekend event roundups, our 100 Things List, and this February GoList to show them a good time, while they escape that winter thing they're all suffering from.

All of the cooler-than-cool activities below are on our daily events calendar, but a little extra notice helps to make sure your kids don't miss out. Click through to the full listings so that you can automatically add them to your calendar. Happy February!

NYC parents know you've got to have a go-to indoor play space. Brooklyn and Queens have tons of indoor play options, and Manhattan isn't far behind, but Staten Island is also well-stocked with indoor play spaces, too. If you can’t face another freezing day at the playground and rue being stuck inside, gather some socks and your overjoyed children, and plan a visit to one of these Staten Island play spaces to jump, climb, slide, and bounce out all their energy.

Whether you have to hop on the ferry or you already reside on the Island, these spots are sure to please families looking for a change of scenery. Visit our Indoor Play Spaces Guide for more fun places to play.

The best baby shower favors are thoughtful, not just on-theme. ​When it came time to host a baby shower for one of my dearest friends, I knew that I wanted to add meaningful touches to make the occasion feel as special as possible for her and her guests. What resulted was more time than I care to admit pouring over potential baby shower favors. From cheap tchotchkes to cheesy baby-themed keepsakes that no one actually keeps, it was no easy task to find a favor that was both unique and useful.

What resulted from this exhaustive search is a curated list of all our favorite baby shower favor ideas. We hope these great finds won’t break your budget or leave your guests unimpressed. 

Find more party planning and gift ideas in our Birthday Party Guides for Kids, especially when it comes time for the little bundle of joy's first birthday!