When the mountains are calling, a ski vacation in the Catskills is always the answer. Nestled amidst the breathtaking peaks of the Catskill Mountains lies Hunter; a winter wonderland that has beckoned adventurers and skiing enthusiasts alike for generations. The charming, amenity- and activity-filled town of Hunter, plus the cozy Bluebird Hunter Lodge nearby provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable group ski trip and some new memories this winter.

I grew up in a ski family, and have many fond memories of vacations just like this one. I have countless anecdotes of days spent learning how to turn my skis and carve through snowy slopes, followed by evenings spent nestled among loved ones who shared their own tales. Over the years, these memories have faded slightly, but what has remained is a feeling of “cozy” accompanied by a healthy dose of laughter and warmth.

Bluebird Hunter Lodge provided the perfect setting to rekindle some of those fading memories and recreate them with my family and friends. Enjoy a sneak peek at this lovely Catskills hotel, where we enjoyed apres ski spreads of cocoa and cookies, hung out around the fire, and spent our nights playing Pictionary in our pajamas, and find more local destinations in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Sharing "fun facts about me" can be anything but fun, especially for kids —it's tough for most of us to sum up our entire personality in a few words when trying to break the ice. Throw in the fact that many kids on the quieter side may hide behind mom or dad's leg rather than have to make small talk and the whole introduction process can get stalled.

Help is here! We've collected some of our favorite ways to get kids out of their shells and into the conversation. These silly and easy fun facts about me that kids can think about or ask new friends can make for easy ice breakers.

Another way kids open up to sharing fun facts about themselves is to share crazy facts they know about the world— check out 75 Fun Facts for Kids That Will Blow Their Minds! Jokes for Kids are another awesome way to break the ice and get kids giggling, and we've got jokes, tongue twisters, and riddles galore in our Guide to Jokes and Humor for Kids.

What temperature is a fever? Are ear infections contagious? What is colic in babies? These common children’s health questions and more can be answered by the pediatric health experts at Connecticut Children’s.

Read on for their helpful guidance on some of the most common conditions and illnesses you’ll encounter over the years. And, for more straight-forward, age-appropriate, expert advice, you can visit Connecticut Childrens’ Growing Healthy Blog or subscribe to their information-packed newsletter.

If you thought you'd have to travel to Africa to sleep on the safari, have we got news for you: Savannah Sunset Resort is set for a summer 2024 debut right in our own backyard. The brand-new glamping-style resort opens at Six Flags Great Aventure in Jackson, New Jersey, this June, and it's already taking reservations.

Read on for details on this family-friendly resort and find more glamping resorts in the tri-state area in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

The Samanea New York Mall is a rebrand and reboot of the Source Mall in Westbury, and its many options make for a fun outing. The mall has a diverse roster of stores and venues that offer dining, arts, and entertainment–with a bunch more on the way. 

Here is the scoop on what's open, coming soon, and planned for the future. Similar to New Jersey's American Dream Mall, Samanea seeks to flip the script on the outdated shopping mall concept. 

For more fun local escapes, check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

It can be hard to find NYC car services with car seats. Whether you're headed to the pediatrician, the airport, or just visiting New York City, the question of where to find car services with car seats in NYC is one we often hear from tourists and locals alike.

If you have a car seat of your own, taxi drivers are required to let you install it. I've had anxious drivers balk, but I've always made them wait. Pro tip: Keep your door open until everyone's buckled in to force the issue!

For those days when you don't feel like lugging your car seat to and from JFK or up and down the pediatrician's steps, call one of these local NYC car services with car seats. We've rounded up some of our staff favorites for service in all five boroughs. Just remember to specifically request an infant or a toddler seat depending on your child's needs. If you're looking for more parent-tested NYC tips, we've rounded up 25 good-to-know tips for NYC parents.

Visitors to the Miami area can take in kid-friendly museums, state parks, seasonal celebrations, pro sports, water sports, and world-class beaches.

Summer break is magical for kids, but summer camps near DC can sure be expensive. If you’re looking for a day camp that will keep your kids happy, safe, and entertained without breaking your budget, we’ve found 14 summer camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that are reasonably priced and full of fun—plus a FREE virtual camp!

From traditional day camps to coding and STEM camps to music and art camps, there’s an affordable summer camp option to fit every child’s interest—from preschoolers all the way through teens—in the DC area. Registration has already begun for many of these popular camps, so sign up soon!

For more summer camps in the DC metro area, including great picks for preschool summer camps near DC, be sure to bookmark our Washington DC Summer Camp Guide and our< a href="https://mommypoppins.com/directory?area=116&keys=camps"> Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.