While there are plenty of NYC gyms that offer childcare, an annual membership just doesn't make sense for me. I don't need all the state-of-the-art bells and whistles (not to mention the high costs that come with them) when I just want to swim 20 (fine, 15) laps a few days a week before work. That's why I was thrilled when I discovered that the Trinity School on the Upper West Side allows the public to use its pool during off hours for about half of what membership costs at other local athletic facilities.

It turns out that the Trinity deal isn't unique. There are a number of private schools and colleges throughout New York City that offer gym and pool access to the public for less than what you usually pay at a fitness chain. Some even have kids' classes, too.

Over the last 20 years, South Boston (“Southie”) has been the setting for a number of Hollywood blockbusters.  But with its uniquely Boston charm, proximity to downtown and beautiful beaches, many young families also call this bustling neighborhood home.  In fact, since moving here in 2009 I’ve lived here the longest I’ve lived anywhere in 15 years! The strong sense of community known as “Southie Pride” is apparent in every business and aspect of South Boston living. For this reason (and many others) I am delighted to show off the area.  So here are our favorite kid-friendly spots we love bringing our three-year-old daughter and our four-month-old son:

It’s probably safe to say that most of us have had enough of the snow, the cold and, well – basically everything having to do with winter! It can be all too easy to sit inside and let the frigid temps get the best of you, but while we’re waiting (and wishing!) for that first sign of spring, why not keep busy with some engaging activities? As usual, Jersey delivers and we’ve got some great events going on in our state. Kick back and watch a performance, like The Secret Life of Hubie Hartzel at The Growing Stage or the always enchanting Wizard of Oz at SOPAC. We’re also in the middle of maple sugaring season so check out a demo at Tenafly Nature Center. And if the kids want to roll up their sleeves for some hands-on fun, head to Newark Museum to learn about The Science & Art of Sport. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Families everywhere will be watching the Winter Olympics, and the games might just inspire your child to take up one of the winter sports showcased during the games, such as ice skating or hockey. With that in mind, we've rounded up some Long Island rinks that offer ice hockey lessons for kids of all ages. Who knows? There just might be a future New York Islander in your home! There are even several Indoor and Outdoor rinks around the area so your child can practice his new skills.

And for more fun learning opportunities in the area, check out our Long Island Classes Guide.

On a scale of 99¢ Store perforated cartoon cards to Martha Stewart shadow box masterpieces, most of us really just want to help our kids make a few Valentines without using up all of the week's homework time to do it. No doubt some of the Valentine's Day activities on our calendar can offer ideas slightly closer to the Martha Stewart end of the spectrum; here we're volunteering to help with the other end of the scale. And so we present really easy, really fast, really cute Valentine's Day cards that can cover a whole classroom of kids in no time - and still leave time to treat your own little Valentine to a Valentine's Day Breakfast Parfait...

A number of northern NJ schools are closed for a long President’s weekend or the full President's Week, but do not fear! Just check out some of these great day camps and activities to keep your kids busy and you sane. And if you don't find what you're looking for here, check out our February GO List for activities this month, along with our post on Valentine's Day Drop-Off Fun in NJ.

Last week we posted ideas for hosting a kids' Winter Olympics party at home that showed how to use plastic toy figurines to play your own Olympic Games. The post inspired me to think of some more ways to create Olympic play, especially using Lego mini-figs to actually recreate the Olympic sports competitions. We had so much fun with this: first building our Olympic arenas and athletes out of Lego, then competing in our own Olympic games. If you don't have Legos you can do this with other types of toys. Read on to find out how we did it and then add your own ideas.

Move over, Manhattan. There are hundreds of places in Westchester County that serve hot chocolate, however there are a handful of spots that inspire such fierce loyalty in their customers that entire families are willing to bundle up, brave the cold and make a veritable pilgrimage “over the ground so white” to their favorite cocoa shop.

Last week told you about our favorite coffee shops in the Rivertowns, now we're focusing on our top picks for the best hot cocoa in Westchester County. These are shops where the hot chocolate tastes more like a melted candy bar than that watery powder-based stuff that dribbles out of office vending machines; shops where chocolatiers, baristas and servers routinely go out of their way to create drinkable confections.