Looking for fun things to do with your preschooler? We've found the best things to do with kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley before they head off to kindergarten. 

As a stay-at-home mom, I'm always on the lookout for fun things to do with my little one, especially during the week when the older kids are in school. Thankfully, Westchester and the Hudson Valley offer tons of activities geared toward preschoolers that are fun and enriching, from children's museums to the great outdoors.  

Find even more ideas in our Guide for Preschoolers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Long Island's outdoor ice skating rinks offer exciting wintertime adventures the whole family will enjoy. Bundle up the kids and prepare for a few hours of family-friendly outdoor action. 

We've put together a list of Long Island's best outdoor ice skating rinks open for the season or opening soon. Most are inexpensive and offer skate rentals.

Many of the rinks have lessons and programs for those still learning how to glide and spin. Weather permitting, most of these ice skating rinks are open until the beginning of spring, and all are public during certain days and times. 

If the weather doesn't cooperate, there are plenty of indoor rinks across Long Island, too, that give families a chance to skate all year long. Find more fun seasonal destinations in our Winter Fun Guide.

Birmingham, Alabama is perhaps best known for its role in the civil rights movement. While it remains an important center of civil rights history, Birmingham is also home to a thriving dining scene, fantastic urban green spaces, great cultural attractions, and plenty of other things to do with kids. Today, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama.

Here are 20 top things to do in Birmingham, Alabama with kids, from the world-class Birmingham Zoo to family-friendly restaurants and hotels in Birmingham, AL. Visit our Southern States Vacation Guide for more cities in the south to visit with kids, like New Orleans and Charleston.

26Christmas vacation is one of the best things about the holiday season for many Atlanta kids. Parents, on the other hand, may dread the thought of keeping their children entertained for the winter break. Have no fear! We've got some amazing Atlanta events and activities after Christmas to make the holiday break bearable, even blissful! Read on for our favorite events, activities and tips for the ultimate winter break fun for Atlanta families. 

While New York City is magical during the holiday season, sometimes you're in the mood for a holiday day trip. If you're looking to get away and experience some holiday happenings not too far from home, we've found 15 great holiday day trips near NYC, where kids can see Santa, dazzling Christmas lights, and even a North Pole village.

From right-in-our-backyard picks to rustic Christmas fun in Mystic, Connecticut, and a theme-park pick in the Hudson Valley, here are 15 picture-perfect holiday day trips worth a drive or train trek this season.

Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for more seasonal fun and our Day Trips Guide for more local travel destinations.

If you're looking for ways to give back this holiday season, consider donating to Toys for Tots or one of these other locations where you can donate toys in NYC. After all, during this jolly season, what brings more joy to children and families than celebrating Christmas morning with presents under the tree? Unfortunately, many local families need support to provide toys for their children.

If you have the means, it's a wonderful gesture to spread cheer by donating new toys to local charities. We’ve found multiple charities that allow families to donate toys in NYC. From the perennially popular Toys for Tots to other local charities, these organizations and their patrons can use your support. If you're struggling to put toys under your own tree, we've also noted how to request toys where possible.

Remember that most of these locations accept new toy donations. If you’re looking for places to donate gently used clothes and other items, we’ve got those, too. Plus, find tons more picks to make your holiday season extra merry in our New York City Kids Guide to Christmas and the Holidays.

It’s never easy to successfully adapt a popular book for stage or film (the expectations!), nor to keep a theater full of toddlers and preschoolers engaged and seated for an hour. Yet, the latest stage adaptation of Eric Carle’s beloved The Very Hungry Caterpillar, playing in NYC this winter, does all that and more.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, now at the Duke through Sunday, January 5, 2025, retells four iconic Carle tales with 75 handcrafted large-scale puppets, three actors who double as puppeteers and narrators and subtle but lyrical music that readies the audience for the animal magic about to appear on stage. It’s earnest, colorful, artsy and will hold your kid in awe for 60+ solid minutes.