The cold temperatures and snow have arrived, but that doesn't mean we have to hibernate. Bridging Boston and New Hampshire, the North Shore of Boston delivers New-England-style fun all winter long. In the spirit of 2021, many businesses and towns north of Boston have come up with creative ways to help families stay safe and socially distant while enjoying family time, outdoors and in. Whether the kids are keen to picnic at a fire pit, sample local chocolate, spot owls and arctic foxes, or marvel at a snow-swept beach, parents can cross some of these North Shore activities off their Winter Fun lists and show Jack Frost who's boss.  

While indoor play spaces usually provide a haven from the frigid winter weather, many of us aren't too keen on setting our kids loose at an indoor play space with kids we don't know amid the city's rising coronavirus infection rate.

Luckily, many indoor play spaces and gyms throughout the city have adapted to the moment and offer their spaces for private rentals, giving families or learning pods a space to play on your own or with a close group of friends.

Read on for 13 local play spaces offering this private play perk, and find more play spaces in our Indoor Play Spaces Guide and plenty of seasonal things to do in our Winter Fun Guide.

Can’t dine in. Can’t eat outside. Everyone is tired of takeout meals that get cold or soggy before you get home. And a whole lot of parents (like me) have run out of ideas for what to make and eat with kids. If any of that sounds familiar, this is the perfect solution: a slew of new and classic drive-ins and carhops in Los Angeles.

Discover these drive-in spots where the food is fresh and hot, there’s often a side of entertainment, and families can eat outside the house. All of these LA carhops have kid-friendly food and desserts, making them fun places to celebrate something special (like a birthday).

Not all snow sports come with an adrenaline rush. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are two fun, yet low-key winter activities that are easy for Connecticut kids to learn, offer the opportunity to experience beautiful surroundings, and make for a tranquil family outing or a fun, socially-distanced adventure with friends. There are several parks, trails, and winter sports centers in Connecticut where families can safely snowshoe or cross country ski, and some even rent out gear and offer lessons.

For more cold-weather thrills and chills, check out our favorite Connecticut snow tubing parks and family ski areas. 

Philly families have always relied on outdoor spaces for fun. Neighborhood parks and playgrounds provide a sense of community and a place to exercise. Over the past several months, going outside actually gives kids and grown-ups a sense of normalcy. Being outdoors in local parks and playgrounds helps to support mental, physical, and emotional well-being during these difficult times.

Below is a list of area parks and playgrounds that recently received a makeover through Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and a City program called Rebuild. This initiative invests funds raised from the Philadelphia Beverage Tax to improve vital spaces such as playgrounds, libraries, and recreation centers for the community. Imagine how excited children will be when they arrive to find new playground equipment at their favorite spot. Or head to a new location and explore. Read on to discover what to expect at your next playground play date.

Have your kids caught cabin fever? After a year like 2020, they're definitely not alone. If your typical stash of crafts and board games just isn't cutting it anymore, fear not. From north to south, there are plenty of great NJ indoor play centers, obstacle courses, and trampoline parks that offer the perfect antidote to the winter blues. We've picked 16 super fun indoor play spaces that are sure to be a welcome break to your daily routines. All of the picks on our list are open and welcoming visitors now.

Being stuck indoors during the long winter months with kids who need to expend energy can be challenging, especially in these times. No amount of board games or Pinterest-worthy crafts can make up for good old-fashioned exercise.

But just because the temperature is lower and the days are shorter doesn't mean your family can't get outside and enjoy Philadelphia's winter scenery. The Philly area has a number of great family-friendly hiking trails that offer kids some healthy exercise and a chance to explore the outdoors. That's why it's one of the things we can't wait to do with Philly kids this winter.  

So bundle up and head out to some of these great hiking destinations. You won't be disappointed.

Looking for a fun outdoor activity to pass the time this winter? (Which parent isn't?) Maritime Aquarium is offering their popular Seal Spotting & Birding Cruises on select weekends in 2021. Seals migrate from Canada to the warm waters of the Long Island Sound from around mid-November to April, and are most visible to humans when they “haul out” onto the rocky shores that make up the Norwalk Islands. On a sunny, cold Sunday in January, my daughter and I had a blast spotting the cute marine mammals as well as a variety of majestic winter waterfowl from the deck of the aquarium's spacious cruising boat. Of course, just the prospect of trading a day in the house or car for a day on the water was exciting, too!

Read on for details of our experience on the Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise, and find more of our favorite cold-weather adventures with Connecticut kids in our Winter Day Trips guide.