Lunar New Year Celebrations in NYC

Celebrate the The Year of the Tiger with the return of the Lunar New Year Parade. Photo courtesy of Better Chinatown Society

Lunar New Year is one of our favorite winter celebrations in New York City. After taking a hiatus last year, many museums, cultural institutions, and community groups are once again holding in-person celebrations to usher in the Year of the Rabbit, which officially starts on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, and is a public school holiday.

Often referred to as Chinese New Year, many Asian nations celebrate the Lunar New Year, and city kids can mark this cultural holiday with family-friendly celebrations throughout the five boroughs. The holiday provides an awesome opportunity to get out and explore a new-to-you neighborhood such as Koreatown and Chinatown in Manhattan, Flushing in Queens, and Sunset Park in Brooklyn.

New Toddler Birthday Parties at Disneyland: Kids Can Have a Private Birthday Party in Toontown

Mickey welcomes kids to Toontown for a birthday bash! Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort

Big birthday parties have been on hold the last couple of years, and little ones have waited patiently (or not so patiently) for a big birthday bash, so it's worth the splurge to make this year's birthday a party like no other. However, we're still concerned with keeping things safe with smaller parties and mostly outdoor gatherings. How can you make a smaller, outdoor party feel super special for your preschooler's big day? It's Mickey Mouse to the rescue, with a new party that combines the magic of Disneyland and a private gathering for friends and family.

Disneyland's newest birthday experience is an exclusive party for kids and their crews in Mickey’s House in Mickey’s Toontown. Round up the guest of honor and a few favorite friends and family members for a party filled with sweets, surprises, and a professional photographer to capture all the best moments. Read on for the scoop on this new birthday party at Disneyland that kids will never forget.

25 Free Things To Do in NYC This Winter

Explore Passage, a light-and-sound-emitting installation on the Broadway Malls this winter. Photo by Jody Mercier

New Yorkers just experienced their first significant snowfall to jumpstart the new year, and we have an entire season of cold weather days ahead of us. With temperatures hitting single digits and the luster of awesome holiday gifts wearing off, you're probably thinking about ways to keep your kids busy from now until spring without breaking the bank or losing your sanity. Fortunately, whether you're a resident or just visiting the city that never sleeps, there's no shortage of free things to do in NYC this winter.

In fact, we've found 25 free things to do in NYC, and there's truly something for everyone on our list of freebies, from exploring nature and outdoor family fun while kick-starting healthier habits to festive celebrations of the Lunar New Year, interactive and creative art installations, and activities that encourage future activists and celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. These engaging experiences don't cost a thing, and we've even found a collection of cool things to do indoors, too!

Best Houston Playgrounds and Parks for Toddlers

Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park

Visiting the park with a toddler can be both a blessing and a curse. While a trip to a playground may be great for helping toddlers burn off some of their endless energy, playground sets can pose dangers to fearless toddlers. That's why parents of toddlers absolutely love finding a park with the holy grail of little kid park features: a toddler-sized playset, swings with leg holes and backs, soft ground for new walkers, etc. There are many great parks in Houston, but the list below features parks with plenty of options for parents who want to take their kids to the park and know that their toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy park equipment meant just for them.

30 Awesome Winter Activities in Connecticut for Kids

Hit the slopes and enjoy the winter weather! Photo by Ally Noel

Winter in New England: It can feel cozy, yes, but also incredibly long. Here is some inspiration for winter activities in Connecticut that will get your family out and about on some fresh-air adventures—or at least make indoor time a little more interesting. Whether you want to sled, skihike, collect some maple syrup, or explore the great outdoors at our fantastic nature centers, there are fun (and safe) ideas for kids of all ages.

If this isn't enough to keep your troops from a winter mutiny, you can find even more ideas in our Connecticut Winter Fun Guide—from Outdoor Activities You Can Do At-Home this Winter to the Best Snow Tubing Spots for Connecticut Kids and so much more.

Best Hotels in Los Angeles for a Family Vacation: Kid-Friendly Spots That Cater to Tiny Travelers

Kids that are tuckered out from exploring are right at home at The Garland. Photo courtesy of The Garland

Finding bliss and relaxation on vacation is so much easier when the kiddos are happy. Whether you're looking for a hotel in Los Angeles because you're vacationing, housing out-of-town guests, or indulging in a staycation—here are our picks for the best hotels in Los Angeles that cater to the smallest guests. These kid-friendly resorts offer a little slice of paradise, family-friendly amenities, and unique experiences that might make you want to ditch any thoughts of other destinations and spend every weekend in SoCal. The best part is watching the kids have a blast, too.

If you're looking for other cool sleeping options near Los Angeles, we've got the Coolest California Vacation Rentals for Families, the Best Campgrounds near Los Angeles, and more in our Los Angeles Weekend Getaway Guide.

Full-Day Preschools for Westchester Families

Bright Horizons offers a diverse curriculum for Westchester children.

Ready to send your little one off to preschool? There are plenty of options throughout Westchester—from cities and towns with universal pre-K programs to nature preschools and half-day cooperative nursery schools. If you're looking for a school that offers longer hours to accommodate your schedule, we've rounded up preschools that offer full-day sessions.

While there are many preschools that offer add-on programs outside of their core morning or afternoon hours (including, for example, early drop-off or extended day), the schools on this list all have core full-day options, many of which include early morning drop-off and early evening pick-up options.

For even more options, check out our Preschools Guide for Westchester Kids

Keystone Wants To Be Colorado’s Best Family Ski Resort

Keystone offers amenities, perks, and free skiing for kids! Photo courtesy of Keystone

Many ski mountains want to attract families, but Keystone Resort in Colorado is raising the bar for family ski resorts with more amenities, perks, and free skiing for kids.

One of the closest ski towns to Denver airport, Keystone does all it can to make itself a fun and family-friendly destination. On top of conveniences like ski-in/ski-out condo accommodations and wagons for hauling all that gear, Keystone has a full lineup of children's programming to keep kids entertained on and off the mountain, plus special perks like an express family gondola line and free family parking. And, perhaps best of all, kids 12 and under ski free.

About 75 miles west of Denver and a roughly two-hour drive, I visited Keystone Resort to check it out. Here are the top things that make Keystone one of the most family-friendly Colorado ski resorts. For more kid-friendly ski resorts, check out our Skiing, Snowboarding, & Snow Sports Guide for families.

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