15 Creative Ways for Holiday Cards Recycling, Plus Wrapping Paper and Calendars, Too!
Submitted by Liz Baill on

Give holiday cards, wrapping paper, and calendars new life with these fun and creative ideas.
Submitted by Liz Baill on

Give holiday cards, wrapping paper, and calendars new life with these fun and creative ideas.
Submitted by Elizabeth R on

Slick City, which is billed as the world’s largest indoor waterless slide park, has opened a new location in the Houston area–and there's a good chance your family is going to have a blast at the Katy Mills Mall action park.
The unique theme park is just the third Slick City location nationwide, and it's designed for all ages. The Katy location features 66,000 square feet of indoor sliding experiences, go-karts, and a sports court park.
We were invited to check it out, and my oldest child called it “the most fun we’ve ever had,” so, needless to say, it was a big hit with the kids. As a bonus, the adults had a lot of fun, too!
Read on to get the scoop on this awesome new experience, and find more fun places to play indoors on our list of the Top Indoor Play Spaces in Houston.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on

It's not hard to find an after-dark holiday light installation in NYC this winter. From the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo to Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden and a ton of Christmas light drive-thrus in the suburbs, there are plenty of options, but none are quite like Astra Lumina at the Queens Botanical Garden.
Astra Lumina is QBG's first after-dark installation, and it lights up a mile-long trail in an awe-inspiring display that transports visitors to a whole new galaxy with an eye-popping display of lights, projections, and soundscapes.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on

When it comes to family travel, a comfortable crash pad is a must in my book! And the fact that my family of five doesn't fit in your standard hotel room always complicates our vacation planning. But a recent trip to Branson, Missouri, came with a pleasant, super-sized surprise. My visit landed me in one of the most lovely, family-friendly Branson, Mo. hotels: the Branson Westgate Woods Resort. It was the perfect place for us to stay in one of our favorite Christmas towns in the US.
The rustic, mountain lodge-themed property sprawls out over 145 beautiful, wooded acres and packs in plenty of family-friendly activities. But when you've had enough fun, the spacious, suite-style accommodations wait to welcome you back like a warm hug—cozy fireplace included!
Read on for more of what you can expect from this Branson, Mo. hotel and the town it calls home, then bookmark our Midwest Family Vacation Guide to start planning a trip of your own.
Submitted by Jennifer Coe on

If you are wondering what's open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve in Connecticut, there are light shows and fun things to do and see. When the "most wonderful" time of year is here, and decorations are up, menus are planned, and most gifts are wrapped, you may be thinking about some activities that will help you cherish family time. This list of 17 events happening on and around Christmas Day in Connecticut is sure to have something for everyone, from Christmas Eve skating and a reindeer festival to a much-loved free light show.
With media issues fixed and "It's a Wonderful Life" cued up, I'm ready for Christmas! No matter what you celebrate, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or a combination, have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy as much as you can with our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Families.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Submitted by Lisa B on

These programs teach kids how to code, build websites and apps, and more.
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

Winter sports fans take note: A brand-new ice skating rink complex debuted outside UBS Arena in late December 2023. The Park at UBS Arena is a new wintertime destination for hockey enthusiasts, show-goers, and local families alike.
The Park at UBS Arena, a partnership between the arena, the New York Islanders, and Northwell Health, is located adjacent to the historic and entertaining Belmont Park and aims to take advantage of this unique setting to create something special for visitors of all ages.