Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend: Science, Space, Holiday Events

Submitted by James Smith on

Enjoy an out-of-this-world play experience at Toys R' Us Adventure. Photo courtesy of Toys R' Us

Happy New Year, Atlanta. You've survived the gift-giving rush, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, and now can focus ahead to a bright 2020.

This weekend you can usher in the new year with a space adventure at the Fernbank Science Center, a nature hike in Roswell, even a toy adventure in Atlanta And that's just the beginning: Enjoy a makers club meeting just for girls, skating at a number of local rinks, and more.

Why not check out some final holiday happenings at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Centennial Olympic Park, and Stone Mountain before those events end their seasonal runs. Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins Atlanta will be with you all through 2020.

Hudson Valley Indoor Play Places Worth the Trip

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Bounce Trampoline Sports offers toddler time and open bounce sessions.

We’ve already taken a look at some of the top indoor play places in Westchester, and now we’re going to turn our attention to the rest of the Lower Hudson Valley. These indoor play spaces and entertainment centers are all worth a trip across the bridge. 

Looking for more places to have fun when the weather's not cooperating? Check out our Guide to Indoor Fun & Play Spaces for Westchester Kids, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters!  

Summer Theater Camps for New Jersey Kids

Michelle Vames's picture Submitted by Michelle Vames on

Give 'em the old razzle dazzle. Photo by Brad Rindos courtesy of Broadway Bootcamp

Do you have an emerging star at home? Try one of the many performing arts summer camps New Jersey has to offer. Whether your child is a shy newbie who wants to build social skills or a little Lin-Manuel Miranda who's aiming for Broadway, there are a myriad of choices in the Garden State.

We've rounded up 20 camps that offer instruction in acting, musical theater, playwriting, improv, dance, and more. 

Look to our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings for even more New Jersey summer camps.

Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids: Indoor Play, Kid-Friendly Shows

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At Toys R' Us Adventure, the toys (and the fun) are larger than life. Photo courtesy of the event

Happy new year! The first weekend of 2020 is full of indoor and outdoor fun for Chicago kids. Catch the last weekend of holiday farmhouse tours at Klein Creek Farm, or the final performances of Corduroy at the Emerald City Theater. Chicago kids have their pick of immersive indoor playscapes this winter, from Toys R Us Adventure to Cloudbuster to Winter Wonderfest. And see our list of Chicago's best indoor play spaces if you still have energy to burn!

It's your last weekend to catch some of Chicago's best holiday sights and lights, including Lightscapes at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, Holidays of Light at MSI, Illuminations at Morton Arboretum, and the holiday flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. And if you haven't been to see the Mesmerica 360 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, this weekend's your last chance, and it might be just the thing to release all that holiday season stress.

For more weekend fun, check our event calendar for fresh picks daily. 

Things To Do in Westchester this Weekend: Newsies, Three Kings Day, Winter Wonderland

Submitted by Susan Miele on

Disney's Newsies starts its seven-day run at the White Plains Performing Arts Center this weekend. Photo by Jack Davey

If you feel the need to chill out after the rush of the holiday hullaballoo, now is a great time for turning down the excitement a notch—but there’s still no shortage of fun things to do this weekend for Westchester and Hudson Valley families.

As winter settles in, we’re especially fond of FREE and low-cost programs, as an antidote December’s typical expensiveness. Rounding out the holiday season is the FREE Three Kings Day Celebration featuring multicultural performance and cuisine, while the historic Candlelight Tour takes us back to a simpler time, when holiday traditions were less hectic. Another throwback is the presentation of two Charlie Chaplin silent films, presented on the big screen with the live piano accompaniment that was the norm back in its day. Or thoroughly unplug at Family Forest Time.

Read on for all this and more, then head to our Event Calendar and our newly published January GoList to plan ahead!

37 Things To Do in NYC This Winter with Your Toddler (Beyond Another Storytime)

Sydney Ng's picture Submitted by Sydney Ng on

Visit the astonishing world of butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory at the AMNH. Photo courtesy of the museum

Once the holiday season starts to fade and winter sets in, it's hard not to find yourself in a rut with your little one. We've built this list of 37 things to do with your toddler around New York City that will keep those blizzard blues away, from warm and toasty indoor activities to get-up-and-moving outdoor frolics. Eight of the suggestions are FREE activities.

Everything included below is just the right speed and time commitment for the toddler set—and won't have you dreading another trip wandering around the children's section of B&N, restocking the books as your little one pulls them down one after another!

Storytimes on Long Island for Children and Toddlers

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A family outing enjoyed by all at BookHampton in East Hampton. Photo courtesy of BookHampton

It's always a good time to enjoy a good book and Long Island offers an array of storytimes -- many of which are free -- that will captivate your little listener.  From inspiring museums to cozy independent bookstores, storytimes are happening all over the island and many of these read-a-longs offer children the chance to express their own creative spirit with a fun craft or activity afterward. 

There is no shortage of indoor activities on Long Island during these chillier months. Be sure to check out Mommy Poppins’ Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids. For more active indoor fun, you’ll love The Best Indoor Ice Skating Rinks for Long Island Kids. 

Things To Do in NJ This Weekend: Lights Festival, Winter Wonderland, Free Crafts & Storytimes

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Travel through an illuminated wonderland at the Vernon Lights Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

If your new year's resolutions includes saving money, then this is your lucky weekend. Most events for New Jersey families in the debut weekend of 2020 are free! Take part in craft freebies at Lakeshore Learning and Zimmerli Art Museum. Bring the kids to storytime freebies like Grumpy Monkey Storytime and Story Snacks. And spend some no-cost time outdoors at the Winery Sunday Music Series and Holiday Light Show.

This weekend also marks the final opportunity to take part in seasonal favorites, including the 62nd Annual Model Railroad Show and Bergen County Winter Wonderland.

Find even more weekend options throughout NJ in our Winter Guide, including the Top Snow Tubing Spots for New Jersey Families. And look to our January GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

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