We're open! Kind of. By now we've all heard and mourned the news of Rodeo officially deciding to shut down this year, which raises all sorts of questions about other openings and subsequent closures, especially as businesses open their doors and then have to backtrack. To help mitigate that, we've rounded up everything we can find that's open in Houston right now, from playgrounds to museums to entertainment and more, to help take the guesswork out of where to go and what to do.

We've all learned how much things can change without notice, of course, so please double check before loading the car. But one thing we can't stress enough: these businesses need our help! If you can safely support them, we know they will be forever grateful.

For many of us, spending time outdoors every day—especially now, when many indoor activities are limited—is key to maintaining some sense of normalcy. There are times, though, when a neighborhood walk just won’t cut it. That's when you can head out for one of these winter hikes at one of the many parks and preserves in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

The best part? Not only will you find hikes that work for toddlers up through teens, but many of these sites also offer other outdoor activities to try as well, whether it’s a winter zoo visit, an outdoor picnic, or even heading to an on-site playground if you’re up for it. Here, we’ve rounded up nine local, parent-tested options we love.

Looking for even more cold-weather activities? Check out our Winter Fun Guide.

While many things are opening up in LA, a visit to a crowded fair or festival isn't happening any time soon. (In fact, just this week it was announced that the LA County Fair is cancelled for the second year in a row!) However, if one of the things your family misses about a county fair is the food, we've got a solution. At Fair Foodie Fest you can get that triple-fried carnival food without ever leaving the safety of your car.

Missing the giant turkey legs you get at Disneyland? Feeling a little nostalgia for a funnel cake that's larger than a small child? Chomp right into your favorites at the Fair Foodie Fest at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, weekends throughout February. Read on for the scoop on how this food fest from the car works, what's on the menu, and if the food and experience are worth the drive.

Books have long been a key to happiness for me, and I've rarely said no to adding another tome to our collection when my kids have asked. A good book can transport you to another time and place and help you see the world through another's eyes—and it's that point that brings together this list of 30+ children's books to celebrate Black History Month.

To offer you a glimpse into my world, I'm a white mother, married to a Black man, raising three Black kids in the middle of Harlem. Many of the children's books on this list are in our own personal library, well-loved and worn from years of reading. Others are on the list because we're not quite ready for the tough topics they cover, and a few are aspirational picks we have yet to add.

When it comes to must-do museums for families, the nationally renowned Museum of Science and Boston Children's Museum dominate travel brochures and websites (and deservedly so). But since its 2018 renovation and expansion, the Discovery Museum of Acton is where my own kids want to go when a day calls for an outing that flexes our brains along with our bodies. With an indoor museum space devoted to interactive play and an outdoor "Discovery Woods" area full of nature-based play structures, the Discovery Museum is truly the sort of place where kids don't realize they're learning while they're having fun. 

Because it has carefully enacted safety policies to stay open for longer than most museums throughout the pandemic, the Discovery Museum is a good choice for your next day trip with kids. Don't miss these museum highlights when you visit, and be sure to check out our Boston Museum Guide for more enriching family outings.

Although NYC is close to plenty of downhill skiing options, cross-country skiing is also a fun option with kids. Also known as Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing is a great winter sport for families. Children as young as 5 can ski alone, and parents can tow tots in a sled or carry them in a backpack while on the trails. You can't do that while swooshing down a mountain!

While cross-country skiing is nowhere near as dangerous or as expensive as downhill skiing, the tricky thing is finding snow and equipment. Unlike downhill ski resorts, most cross-country trails aren't in the business of making their own snow so you're going to have to wait for the white stuff before you can get out there. Getting outfitted with XC skis is relatively inexpensive comparend to downhill, but unless you want to purchase kits for your growing children, you also need to find a spot that offers children's gear rental. Your best bet is a Nordic Ski Center that offers trails and rentals.

Here are our favorite spots where families can enjoy cross-country skiing, and most are less than a 2-hour drive from New York City. But conditions and offerings change, so call ahead to make sure they have both snow and ski rentals in your sizes. 

Find more fun seasonal activities in our Snow Sports Guide.

New York City's public middle school students who have opted for hybrid learning can return to school on Thursday, February 25, the city announced Monday.

Middle school students have been learning remotely since Mayor Bill de Blasio shuttered all schools on November  19, 2020. Early education, elementary, and District 75 students returned to school two weeks later, but older students have been learning from home. No return date for high schoolers has been set.

No ice skating skills? No problem. The ice bumper cars are back at Ocean Ice Palace in Brick, New Jersey, and ready to welcome visitors Friday and Saturday nights and weekend afternoons.

Read on for details on how to nab your tickets, plus find more seasonal entertainment in our Winter Fun Guide, where we've got all the details on the state's best ice skating rinks, sledding hills, tubing spots, and more.