Nobody can deny that there are plenty of wonderful ski resorts in southern and central New England. That said, sometimes families want to branch out for something a little different (without going so far as to board a plane to do it). When my family goes skiing, we go to Sugarloaf. Now, look—I know what you’re thinking. Why in the name of all that is holy would we voluntarily drive all the way up to the heart of Maine with children just to go skiing? Let me explain.

Find more family ski destinations in our Skiing and Snow Sports Guide.

It's time to party, New Jersey! We've rounded up 15 of our favorite places to celebrate in the Garden State. Whether your birthday kid is into cooking, laser tagging, bouncing, or crafting, there's a place that's perfect for hosting your next bash. And if you're looking for more specific ideas—for a first birthday, perhaps, or the best spots for preschoolers' parties—be sure to check out our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide. 

Finding a fun, enriching summer camp close to home that is a good fit for your preschooler (or, soon-to-be preschooler) can be nerve-wracking. You want your child’s first camp experience to be safe and memorable, but not overwhelming. So where to begin?

Here’s a list of 12 Long Island preschool camps that offer a well-rounded summer experience filled with outdoor time, games, arts, sports, and socialization.  All offer summer experiences for kids of all ages, so check out their offerings for older children and teens as well.

Remember: Every camp has its own philosophy and program emphasis, so explore the camp’s websites, call the director and, if possible, attend an open house. Be sure to also explore our Long Island Summer Camp Guide, or browse through the listings in our Camp Directory.

Union Square supplies NYC parents and caregivers some solid havens. There’s the newly renovated equipment at Evelyn’s Playground in the summer to shake out those willies. The warmth of Barnes & Noble in the winter will keep you cozy and entertained. There's the promise of candy dreams at Dylan's. And in between, you can even sneak in some serene minutes at the Union Square Greenmarket.

And now Kellogg’s NYC has given parents in the area a new, tasty and delightful option. Moving from its former location in Times Square in December, the updated 2,000-square-foot eatery is five times larger than the last—offering more fun and more tastiness.

Spanning nearly 150 acres of wooded hills and grassy fields, the Ansonia Nature Center was once home to a small family-owned dairy farm tucked in New Haven County. Today, the hidden treasure off Milan Road in Ansonia is laced with two and a half miles of nature trails zig-zagging through streams, meadowlands, and a two acre pond serving as a haven for turtles, water fowl, and fish.

An inventive twist on the old Frankenstein tale, The Perfect Monster addresses urgent adolescent issues such as bullying, loneliness, and the perils of perfectionism without getting heavy-handed.

This latest musical from TADA! Youth Theater focuses on shy and friendless Sybil (Kahlea Hsu at the performance attended), a rad scientist who's long been trying to build the perfect pal in her basement. So far, she's only managed to concoct a coterie of oddballs fashioned from odds and ends like mailboxes, kitchen utensils, and shoes. But when she puts prized possessions from the popular classmates she idolizes into her cauldron, out pops Perfection (Ashely Figueroa at the performance attended), a truly flawless friend. Or is she?

Read our review to get a sense of what you're in for—or check out our complete Theater Guide for NYC Kids for loads more options.

In addition to being incredibly cool and thrilling—flips off the halfpipe! football-field-length ski jumps! a sport actually named skeleton!—the Winter Olympics offer a time to come together with family and friends and feel pride in our country's athletes. Most importantly, in the Olympic spirit, the Games allow us to connect with other cultures. I say that calls for a celebration of Olympic proportions! Here are 15 ideas for a kid-centered Winter Olympics party; we’ve chosen simple, inexpensive, and fun ways to get together and celebrate the excitement of the Olympics, cultural understanding, wintertime, and family time.

Choosing a preschool is no small feat, especially in LA where there are so many options. From Montessori to Reggio and from nature-based to play-based, each preschool offers educational methods as varied as the colors of the rainbow. Of course, another thing most schools offer is waiting lists, so it's great to get in ahead of the curve on new preschools, before everyone else in town figures out how great they are. The nine schools below are all new to the scene, and all worth checking out!