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.

Remember the days of busted swings and boring slides? Well, kids growing up in LA will never have those memories; the best playgrounds in Los Angeles (which are open again, hallelujah) are bastions of play and creativity for kids of all ages and abilities. These LA playgrounds feature rocket ships and pirate ships, fire trucks and trains, sea creatures and more. There are climbing structures, sand pits, thrilling ziplines, and playgrounds that honor the original inhabitants of the land. While the neighborhood playground is great for every day, sometimes cooped up kids need something new. And these playgrounds have the ultimate accolade: they're worth crossing the 405!

For more playground inspiration, check our guide to LA's top parks and playgrounds, or our list of the best beach playgrounds in Los Angeles and OC.

When kids love a place, they want to return again and again… and again. Annual memberships let families visit a place as often as kids want, without spending a bundle. But in 2021, when the year is starting with so many favorite museums and play places closed, are memberships worth it? Absolutely!

There are gardens that are currently open daily, zoos that plan to open soon, and spots with members-only offerings today and always— and all of these places need our continued support to open up again, post-pandemic. Here are a few of the most affordable, game-changing, and enjoyable places in LA, where we still recommend getting family memberships.

Westchester's outdoor parks and preserves are one of the biggest perks of living here, and that's never been more true than this year, as we've navigated the pandemic. Looking for a fun, safe, outdoor things to do with kids has taken priority. To that end, if you haven’t visited the 1,000-acre Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining yet, now's the time to add it to your list.

Even with winter's chill upon us, there is plenty to do at this natural gem, which kept my family busy on a recent January morning. It was a memorable outing, from a fun lakeside hike to a photo-op in front of the bright, beautiful outdoor owl mural.

Here’s more of what we did on our visit—and what you can do while there. Find plenty more seasonal outings in our Winter Fun Guide.

If you thought the end of the holiday season meant the end of stunning light shows, think again. The Garment District has unveiled a whimsical, rainbow-filled, kaleidoscope of colors with its latest public art installation, Prismatica.

The immersive art display is the latest piece of public art to light up Midtown and follows last year's playful, illuminated seesaws in the neighborhood, bringing a little bit of sparkle to New Yorkers.

After a year of closures, COVID, and being cooped up inside, we could all use a little hope on the horizon. So it is, we bring you our annual list of the most anticipated kid-friendly openings for 2021.

While some picks are making a repeat appearance, we're sharing them again in the spirit of silver linings and excitement for the year ahead.

It's a new year, which means some parents are (gulp!) starting to plan a second round of virtual birthday parties for kids. By now, our little humans are experts at all things screen time and know a thing or two about virtual bonding. With a little creativity, online shopping, and maybe some help from digital party entertainers, parents can make magical birthday memories for kids that will last a lifetime. We've pulled together our favorites from the creative solutions we've found for socially distant celebrations.

Making kids feel special on their birthday isn’t only about big parties and lots of presents, of course; it’s also about enjoying a day together and reminding them just how important they are. Check out our list of 30+ Free Ways to Celebrate Your Kid's Birthday at Home for even more ways to spend the special day. 

Visit Poppins@Home for fun virtual learning and party planning options with skilled virtual educators and performers. Our Stay-at-Home Guide also has hundreds of ideas for keeping kids busy and happy at home.

It's not only safer to eat outside these days; it's more fun, too! As indoor dining in Connecticut remains limited, some restaurants have winterized their patios and deck spaces to include not only tents and heaters, but creative structures like igloos, greenhouses, and more. Because some of the best memories are still made around a dining table, consider the following family-friendly outdoor restaurants for a fun winter night out. Big appetites and cozy blankets are encouraged!

Make an afternoon of it by pairing a visit to one of these outdoor restaurants with a winter day trip to a local park or farm. Our Connecticut Winter Fun Guide includes more ideas for keeping kids safe, warm, and entertained in the coming months.