While we all want to make our kid’s birthday special, birthday parties can be a major source of stress for budget-conscious families. Year after year, it’s hard to find increasingly fun party activities and locations (and deal with the increasingly long guest list) without spending an exorbitant amount of money. And if you can’t host a party in your home (or you just don’t feel like dealing with the clean-up), you have the added cost of renting out another space – which doesn’t always come cheap. Fortunately, we’re here to help you find affordable venue rentals in Philly that are perfect for parties. Whether you’re planning your child’s very first birthday, inviting your animal-loving eight-year-old’s entire class, or celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, here’s how to lower your party’s costs without lowering your party’s fun factor.

For many families, February's midwinter break is a great time to slow down and create some special memories. The NYC public school winter break runs from Monday, February 16-Friday, February 20, 2026. It's sandwiched between two weekends, which means you've got nine days to fill with kid-friendly fun! To help you make the most of the February midwinter break in NYC, we've rounded up 32 things to do with kids in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Lucky for us, NYC museums, outdoor ice skating rinks, and playgrounds make for fun any-day destinations. The extra days off are also a perfect opportunity to book a getaway, and we've got picks for budget-minded escapes, family-friendly Catskills resorts, and the best things to do in the Adirondack Mountains if you're looking to get out of town.

I recently took a girls' trip to Mexico City with friends, thinking it was not a place that would be great for kids. Once I got there, I quickly realized how wrong I was. This extremely walkable city has some of the best parks and playgrounds I've ever seen, loads of kid-friendly museums, spring-like temperatures year-round, fantastic food, and friendly people. It seemed like everywhere I looked, there were parents pushing strollers or kids playing. The city is also safe and very affordable.

Many areas of Mexico City have a very European vibe, with Spanish Baroque and Art Deco architecture, tons of sidewalk cafes and Paris-like bakeries, ornate churches, and trendy shops. But the city is also very green and lush, with palm tree-lined streets, bright colors, and Mexican flavor. And even though I've always equated Mexico with the beach (as many people do), I never even missed the ocean!

Here are some of the top things to do in Mexico City with kids, including what to eat and where to stay in Mexico City with kids. I've also provided tips and tricks for your visit and answered some of the most-asked questions about Mexico City. Check out our Mexico Family Travel Guide for even more great places to visit in Mexico, including the best Cancun all-inclusive resorts for families and the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids.

Discover 100 free things to do in Chicago with kids! Parent-tested picks, from playgrounds and museums to quirky, weird, and new free family fun.

Did you know that there is a charming, innovative, creativity-sparking children's museum in Santa Barbara? I've heard about MOXI: The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation for years. This winter break, with the rainy weather and lack of plans, was the perfect time to set aside a day and take my four kiddos (ages 9, 6, 5, and 3) to finally see what this spot is all about.

Whether you are looking for a great indoor activity for a rainy day or an adventure after a morning at the Santa Barbara Zoo, the MOXI is number one on my list of things to do for families visiting Santa Barbara. You'll know it from the moment you reach the darling front entrance that has an adult door and a "children's door" just the right size for tiny visitors, so step in and enjoy a day of fun mixed with learning for everyone. 

Strawberry picking in Orlando runs December through March, making it a perfect wintertime outing for families. A day at a Central Florida strawberry farm offers fresh air, hands-on fun, and a chance to connect with nature while making sweet memories together. Below, we’ve rounded up the best u-pick farms for strawberry picking near Orlando, along with helpful tips to make the most of your outdoor adventure.