There are all sorts of local spots to play indoors when the weather gets frightful. And some of the best spots are absolutely free—including some very special local libraries, which feature unique play spaces along with shelves of books. Whether you’ve got a preschooler or a pre-teen, a trip to at least one of these libraries will be a fun, brain-boosting escape on a cold or wet day.

The new year is upon us, but let's not forget all the fun and exciting openings and attractions that 2019 brought Long Island kids. In 2019, Jones Beach and other state parks continued part of their million-dollar upgrade. Jones Beach also made a new addition to its holiday light show. Meanwhile, multiple playgrounds had ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and indoor play spaces continued to see a boom. Whether you spend your time in  Nassau or Suffolk, or prefer indoor or outdoor fun, 2020 is shaping up to be great for Long Island families. 

Whether your child's birthday falls in winter or you'd just rather not worry about weather (or your house getting wrecked), indoor birthday party spots are great for no-stress kids' celebrations. From trampolines to laser tag to cooking, these Connecticut kids' party venues appeal to a wide range of interests and offer an indoor space as well as many amenities, from supervision to paper goods.

We have more ideas for making your kids' special day magical in our Connecticut Birthday Party guide. For impromptu indoor celebrations, be sure to check out these CT indoor play spaces, too!

Queens kids who just can't get enough holiday lights are in for a treat. Snoopy and Charlie Brown, Frosty, and Rudolph are among the many beloved movie characters on display at a new indoor holiday walkthrough attraction in Queens. Adults and kids of all ages can experience the sounds, scents, lights, and sights of Christmas now through December 28 at the Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale, Queens. Read on for a peek inside, and details on visiting with kids.

Getting into a storytime group can be nothing short of cutthroat in some places. While the registration-only programs ensure you a seat on the carpet, drop-in programs can provide some much-needed flexibility. Who hasn’t suddenly found a morning with nothing planned (or plans abruptly canceled) and a burning desire to just get out of the house? 

We’ve rounded up 16 places with drop-in storytimes—and, best of all, they’re all FREE! Looking for more things to do with your kids in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley? Take a look at our Event Calendar and sign up for our FREE newsletters.  

Editor's note: MoMath has shuttered its East 26th Street location. Temporary programming will be offered at 225 Fifth Avenue; an expansion is promised to re-open the museum in a larger home in 2025.

My kids are usually game for adventure. They've trotted all over the five boroughs to help me review a range of museums, playgrounds, and play spaces. So I was a bit surprised when they protested an outing to the National Museum of Mathematics, a.k.a. MoMath. Math is boring, they exclaimed.

What was much less surprising: Their reaction after actually spending an afternoon at MoMath, one of the best STEM spots in NYC. I believe my 6-year-old's exact words were, "That's the best museum! When can we go back?" Read on for seven reasons to love the National Museum of Mathematics, and plan your own fun-filled (and educational!) outing.

The first retail store in the American Dream mega-mall has officially opened its doors, and it's a sweet deal for candy lovers. IT'SUGAR, the first department store in the country devoted to candy, offers an insane assortment of sweet concoctions from old standbys like Pez and M&Ms to unique international bites. (Matcha-flavored Kit-Kat, anyone?)

Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas until you've seen some really good holiday lights. And of the many extraordinary home light displays that Los Angeles neighborhoods can boast, Candy Cane Lane is probably the most famous. That fame may come from its catchy name, or it may just be down to sheer longevity: this year Candy Cane Lane celebrates 70 years of lighting up the season and hosting neighbors from every other LA neighborhood in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Opening night is always a big event, followed by two glorious weeks of nightly sparkles. But is it really so much more special than that house on your street that overdoes the icicle lights? I'm prepared to go out on a limb and say yes.

Note that Candy Cane Lane plans to remain dark in 2020 due to COVID safety concerns.