Shopping with kids can be a chore. When they’re not running around the sales floor or playing hide-and-seek in the clothing racks, they’re complaining or asking you to buy them something. Instead of dropping $20 on snacks and small toys to keep them happy, why not put that “treat” money toward something both of you can enjoy—a drop-off gym class at the mall. PopFit Kids, which recently opened in the South Court at Paramus Park Mall, offers this and more—including drop-in and weekly classes that offer kids plenty of active, indoor fun. It just might help both kids and parents enjoy a trip to the mall once again. 

Edible candy murals, a candy-adorned unicorn, and a gigantic gummy bear. Sounds like your kid's best Willy Wonka fantasy? It's actually a new museum headed to New York City's Flatiron neighborhood in 2019.

Sugar Factory, known for its over-the-top desserts, smoking drinks, and celebrity guests, will open the Museum of Candy in the former Limelight Club location (the corner of 20th Street and 6th Avenue). The 30,000-square-foot space, complete with a winding staircase, will showcase candy's pivotal moments from the early 1900s to today, along with 15 candy-themed experiential rooms that might just cause cavities upon viewing.

I'm no stranger to candy. I even incorporate it into my career, taking my kids along to check out the new Hershey's Chocolate World, and dutifully "fact-checking" articles like 15 Insane NYC Desserts To Try. (Tough job.) And now, I'm happy to bring you more details on this sweet new NYC museum. 

Most of us in Connecticut have at least a three-day weekend ahead and with the vagaries of school break schedules, many of us have quite a few more. Happily, Connecticut is a fabulous place to staycation, plenty of fun awaits around the state. We've got all kinds of ideas to get outside from eagle spotting train rides to a guided nature hike to a festive parade celebrating the lunar new year. If you're feeling more of an indoor vibe, check out the Harlem Globetrotters, a puppetry festival, or museum adventures in Bristol, Ridgefield, and Bridgeport.  And if all this togetherness is too much, there's even a fun drop off workshop at the Noah Webster House, for just a few hours or the whole day.

We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Have a fantastic weekend!

Parent and child classes can be some of the most wonderful bonding activities during those early years (and months)—plus it's a great excuse to get out of the house! These interactive classes help babies, toddlers, and preschoolers forge new relationships with others, sample a host of playthings, and test out new skills.

The class choices seem to multiply every year: in music, art, yoga, sports, ballet, world languages, nature, swimming, and more. You are sure to find something that will interest both you and your child. And don’t expect these sessions to be filled with just moms. Dads, nannies, grandparents, and all types of caregivers can join in the fun. Some classes offer independent play for toddlers, or even options where siblings can attend.

Read on for a sampling of the best baby classes around New Jersey. Find even more options in our NJ Classes Guide and Directory of Listings.

Parents looking for a way to beat the mid-winter blues have a new alternative: Dave & Buster's, the family-friendly arcade and sports bar-style restaurant, is celebrating the opening of its second New Jersey location today, February 14! (Family Valentine's Day outing, anyone?) 

Providing a fun-filled experience for all ages, this gamer's paradise is located in Wayne's Willowbrook Mall, which recently underwent a multi-million dollar facelift. 

If you’re staying in town for the three-day weekend, get ready for lots of local fun for families right here in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!

As we reported in our February GoList, the circus is in town! With the recent closing of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the performance by The Royal Hanneford Circus is that much more special. If clowns aren’t enough ha-ha for you, grab some more giggles at Mr. Pennygaf's Cirkus Sideshow Spectacle. Or, for less comedic entertainment, the kid-adventure film Swallows and Amazons looks promising.

If the Olympics has your family asking, “What’s curling and where do people do that?” then take advantage of the local Curling Open House and skip the flight to Pyeongchang. And since Presidents’ Day is intended to honor our presidents, celebrate accordingly at Washington’s Birthday Celebration.

Read on for more of our top weekend picks and check out our Event Calendar for an even bigger selection of activities this weekend and beyond. Kids off from school next week? Check out 40 Things to Do with Kids on a Westchester Winter Staycation to avoid cabin fever.

Cheer on the Winter Olympics by participating in events all weekend long at the Children's Museum of the East End. Or engineer a bobsled run at the Maritime Explorium.

Interact with nature on Long Island over Presidents Day weekend. Head to Jones Beach for a winter seal walk, enjoy a winter celebration at Connetquot River State Park, engage in a winter search party at Garvies Point Museum.

Planning ahead for February school vacation week? Check out our guide to camps and workshops, or try these 30 fun things happening on February break.

For more activities to fill the weekend, pop over to our February GoList or Winter Fun Guide. And if you're keeping an eye on your wallet after the holidays, check out our list of free family activities in February.

Of course, our Event Calendar is loaded with fun, daily events for Long Island kids. Don't see a great event here? Add it to our calendar yourself. 

Long Island City is a bustling, young, up-and-coming NYC neighborhood, with plenty of growing families and loads of kid-friendly restaurants. Whether you're hitting a destination playground, having a culturally rich excursion, or going heavy in the arts-and-crafts department, finding a spot to eat is easier than you think. You'll find everything from Thai to Italian, diners to fancy artisanal food, plus great dessert spots.

Since the area is quite spread out, we've also added a pair of restaurants near two of LIC's more out-of-the-way attractions: the Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park.