Your Los Angeles Public Library card may be small and plastic and may be hiding in your wallet, but did you know it comes packed with free surprises for the whole family? You may think your card is all about books you can check out from one of LA's fabulous public libraries—and that’s certainly one of its charms—but it also contains some little-known perks that can save you money and entertain a few restless kiddos. Bonus: Many of these freebies can be enjoyed 24/7, from the comfort of your own couch.

If your kids are separated by a large age gap, it can be hard to keep them both happy and entertained. What makes your baby happy can be boring for an older kid who wants to run and play. As they get older, your curious and easily distracted toddlers might not be able to keep up with your older kid's activities. Unless you can clone yourself to take each of your kids to different activities, finding something to keep them all entertained is key. Fortunately, there are amazing places that seem to know the realities of raising multiple kids with different interests. Here are a few we've tested with our age gapped kids that we think you'll love.

Nerf parties offer a fun and safe way to play indoor war games without the threat of breaking Grandma's prized china cabinet. Bonus, these indoor games are available year-round and aren't dependent on weather or time of day. So let the kids loose at these indoor obstacle courses, where they can have a rootin' tootin' shootin' good time.

Ready, set — pew pew!

Check out more birthday parties for active kids here or obstacle courses, rock walls, and ninja training here.

Finding hotels in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, just got a bit easier for families. The Cartoon Network Hotel finally had its Pennsylvania premiere on January 10, 2020, so it's ready for all those upcoming school vacations and summer weekend getaways.

The new Lancaster hotel boasts family-friendly suites, some with bunk beds, restaurants, and of course, swimming pools for family downtime. Though delayed from its plans to open in summer 2019, the new Amish country hotel seems to have delivered on its promise to recreate a fun-filled network experience for lodgers. 

It’s that time of year. The weather is increasingly dreary and predictably unpredictable. Playgrounds are icy even when the sun's out. And yet, if you have a child who is too young for full-day school or drop-off activities, you've gotta find a way to fill the days and burn off everyone's energy. While some indoor playgrounds cater to big kids, too, we are especially grateful for drop-in playspaces that have special zones designed for babies, toddlers, and young preschoolers. Here's the skinny on 9 of our favorite romper rooms.

Have older kids with energy to burn? Our post about indoor play spaces for little kids and bigger kids in and around Boston might help. If you have very little ones and are looking to add some structure to your week, check out our post about groups for new moms in the Boston area.

If you want to have a wonderful party for your child, but you’re overwhelmed by the choices and don't have time to mine for information, I have a gift for you: Recommendations for 14 super-fun, parent-lauded indoor birthday party places in the Boston area, and everything you need to know about them.

The places featured are different in many ways, but they all have some things in common: They have been recommended by local parents, are indoors (so you don't have to worry about the weather), minimize the amount of work you have to do, and offer parties that kids with a wide range of interests enjoy. So read on, pick a place, and have a party your child will be talking about for a long time to come. Since prices may fluctuate and there's a range of packages at many places, we give you an idea of costs ranging from $ (inexpensive) to $$$ (more pricey).

As if you needed another reason to love Malibu, the swanky beachside community just got a new inclusive playground that is utterly awesome. A focal point for the Park at Cross Creek strip mall, across from Malibu Country Mart, this play space is super clean and has all of the amenities a parent on-the-go could want.