10 Family Ski Resorts in or near Connecticut

Kids can't get enough of the slopes at Mohawk Mountain. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel

Families need not flee to northern New England for snowy escapes. There are great family ski resorts in Connecticut or close by in Massachusetts and New York that offer plenty of thrills for easier-to-manage day trips. Below is an overview of some of the area's best kid-friendly ski resorts, whether you love zooming down the slopes on skis or from the comfort of a snow tube. 

Let's face it: the coldest season is much more fun if you stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Our Mommy Poppins Connecticut Winter Fun Guide highlights plenty more ways to help you do just that! For even more winter sports in Connecticut, browse our Ski and Snow Sports Guide. And if you're looking for a family ski vacation well beyond the Nutmeg State, don't miss The Best Ski Resorts in the US.

10 Unique and Unusual Museums in Philadelphia for Tweens and Teens

Tour the cellblock ruins at Eastern State Penitentiary.

The Philly area is filled with incredible museums and attractions for kids, but sometimes tweens and teens need something more offbeat to hold their attention. These unusual museums in Philadelphia have exhibits you won't find anywhere else, going beyond fossils and paintings to explore the weird, dark, and sometimes grosser sides of history. While mostly geared towards older kids, these places can suit younger children as well.   

Read on for 10 Philly odd spots with unique experiences that kids are sure to remember. For museums without the admission fees, don't miss our update on Free Philly Museums. To get more stories like this sent straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters.

17 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Clear Lake and Webster

Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Just south of Houston, the Clear Lake and Webster neighborhoods welcomes families into the Bay Area for fun activities, excellent parks, natural areas along Texas wetlands, and more. From boardwalks to a tasty ice creamery, we’ve rounded up some of the best kid-friendly places in this Houston's Clear Lake and Webster neighborhoods and its surrounding areas.

If you’d like to explore options for more local adventures, check out our 100 Things To Do With Houston Kids Before They Grow Up post and the Mommy Poppins Travel Section.

The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations

Heavenly Ski Resort is just what it sounds like ... Heavenly!

Skiers get it—winters are long and occasionally treacherous. But where some see calamity, we see opportunity. And not just for ourselves, but for our families, too. With that in mind, we’ve got the skinny on the best kid-friendly ski resorts in the United States.

Whether you prefer ski resorts in the powdery West or the slippery Northeast, skiing is one winter activity sure to bond parents with kids for a lifetime. So wax down the skis, load up the roof rack, and make for one of these ski resorts sure to delight experts and first-timers alike.

For more fabulous ski resorts for families, be sure to check out our list of New England Ski Resorts that Cater to Families or our favorite Family-Friendly Ski Areas Near NYC. However, if all this talk of snow is too chilling, you might prefer to peruse the best Warm and Sunny Family Vacation Ideas!

Top 12 Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for Kids

Grapple with the ropes course at Extreme Energy.

Looking for an indoor play space that makes your jaw drop and your kids jump for joy? We've rounded up a dozen of the biggest and best spots for playing, jumping, bouncing, climbing, and thrill-seeking throughout New Jersey. The Garden State is home to tons of awesome play spaces, and it was tough choosing just 12. We limited our list to those with major wow factor—places where you can tackle a ninja warrior-style obstacle course, play laser tag, climb on—and through—play mazes, bounce on inflatables and trampolines, play arcade games, scale rock walls, and even go roller skating or bowling. While most of these spots aren't specifically geared toward the smaller set, all have areas or times set aside just for them.

Read on to find out which fun zones made the cut, and for even more options, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

See the San Diego Zoo Like a Local: Inside Tips for a Great Visit with Kids

Kids can get up close and personal with a giant tortoise. Photo credit Jaimie Wells, San Diego Zoo

San Diego is a gorgeous place full of unique and interesting things to do with the family— and the San Diego Zoo is at the very top of the list. The grounds are beautiful and the animal exhibits are well-tended. You'll always learn something new, or see an exotic animal you've never seen before. It's no wonder that the San Diego Zoo is widely considered one of the best zoos in the US. That said, the zoo is huge. And kids get tired. So when you are planning a visit, you need a game plan. Luckily, we have one!

If you're planning a visit to San Diego, you won't want to miss our tips for a great visit to the San Diego Zoo with kids. And if you're looking for some recommendations for where to stay in San Diego, take a look at the Best Kid-friendly Hotels for a San Diego Family Vacation, plus the 50 Best Things To Do in San Diego (Besides the San Diego Zoo).

Best Hot Chocolate Spots Around Manhattan

Get a beautiful blooming hot chocolate at Dominique Ansel Workshop. Photo by Jody Mercier

A cup of molten chocolaty goodness is one of the best ways to thaw out and warm up—in fact, it's one of the best things about winter in NYC. We took on the heinous job of running around Manhattan taste-testing hot chocolate (don't say we've never done anything for you) and narrowed it down to 14 of our favorites. These spots are definitely worth the brief trip out into the cold, so read on for our recommendations for cafes and restaurants that have turned hot cocoa sipping into a not-to-be-missed experience.

Find more great eats and sweets in our NYC Restaurant Guide for Families. If you'd rather stay in, we've got another treat: Follow this recipe for how to make hot chocolate bombs in five easy steps.

10 Restaurants Near DC Where Kids Can Play

Photo courtesy of The Eleanor DC

When parents need a night out but don't want to book a babysitter, we've got just the solution—bring the kids along! These 10 restaurants near Washington, DC where kids can play are the answer for a fun-filled afternoon or evening for the entire family. We have also included a few places that offer brunch, to start weekend days off right.

Whether your family is into board games, arcade games, bowling, ping pong, or bumper pool, these restaurants where kids can play make the outing fun for everyone, giving kids a way to get the wiggles out while parents sit, relax, and eat actually great food.

Check out our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurant Guide for more great restaurants for kids, from Family-Friendly Beer Gardens and Breweries to Restaurants for the Whole Family Near the National Mall and Capitol Hill.

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