Kids Ski Free at Top Pennsylvania Resorts, Plus More Ways to Save — and Win!

With Snowpass, 4th and 5th graders get 63 days of free skiing and snowboarding this season.

Did someone say affordable winter fun for the whole family? Yup, Pennsylvania's got it with 21 kid-friendly, activity-filled ski resorts offering some deep discounts this year!

Whether a quick weekend trip filled with wobbly runs down the bunny hill sounds about your speed, or you're dreaming of a week-long vacation crossing black diamonds off the list with your pro crew, there are plenty of packages and specials that'll work with your family's skill level and budget.

From Snowpass, which lets kids ski for FREE, to an awesome ski and snowboard giveaway, read on for the best ways to save and win this season in PA.

Now Boarding: Ice Skating Rink Opens at JFK Airport

The new Runway Rink at JFK might make being at the airport actually...fun?

While New Yorkers usually dread going to the airport (thanks to the construction, traffic, and all-around charmlessness that characterize good old LGA and JFK), stepping inside the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport is like taking a well-designed trip down memory lane. As you enter the hotel, you’re greeted by classic cars and flight crew dressed in retro uniforms. Just a few steps up is a sprawling white-and-red lounge reminiscent of the 1960s. Those in the lounge have the best view of all: A brand new ice skating rink sitting on the tarmac next to a retired TWA propeller plane.

The newest ice skating option in Queens, the Runway Rink at the TWA hotel opened at the end of November, just in time for the holiday travel rush. Read on for details about the new rink and tips on visiting with kids—it's a winter wonderland worth seeing if you have to be at JFK!

Should You Try to Visit Yayoi Kusama’s Latest Infinity Mirror Room With Kids?

Yayoi Kusama's Mirrored Infinity Room is illuminated by an LED lighting system which projects the appearance of infinite space.

Stepping into one of Yayoi Kusama’s infinity mirror rooms is both thrilling and intimidating in the same breath. Best known for her infinity rooms—Kusama has produced more than 20 of them since 1965—the Japanese contemporary artist is currently having a bit of a New York moment. She debuted a new float in the NYC Thanksgiving Parade last month and will mount a large-scale exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in May 2020. Her “Every Day I Pray For Love” exhibition, which is on display at David Zwirne​r Gallery in Chelsea until this weekend, is FREE and open to the public on a first come, first entry basis.

After waiting close to two hours with my three children (aged 5, 9 and 13) on a winding line of excitement to see “Dancing Lights That Flew Up To the Universe,” I was ready for something transformative. Does the experience live up to the hype? The answer, like a lot of things art-related, may depend on the eye of the beholder.

Queen Mary Christmas: Chill Is in the Air and Lights Are on the Ship!

Christmas at the Queen Mary is a great place to spend a chilly evening during the holiday season. The vintage ocean liner in Long Beach harbor comes alive with Christmas lights, carolers, encounters with Santa, a seasonal ice rink, a Christmas train, and several other festive and wintery activities. The annual holiday event takes place both on board and around The Queen Mary, meaning lots of twinkly photo ops against the backdrop of the floating monument, as well as exploring the art deco decks of the beloved ship. For us, it's an annual holiday tradition!

Must-See Christmas Light Shows Worth Paying or Driving for over the Holidays

An after-dinner drive to take in one of LA's classic neighborhood holiday light displays is a treat all families should indulge in. It's an easy, cheap way to get in the Christmas spirit (or just enjoy someone else's). Of course, counting on other people to decorate their lawns is only so reliable. To be sure of a full evening of holiday lights and holiday cheer, sometimes it's worth driving to a big public light display, or even splurging on pay-to-play holiday lights. Several local destinations indulge us in our desire to see grand-scale Christmas lights, from Zoo Lights to walks in the woods. The bigger the group you can round up, the more festive; it helps to know which of LA's big public light shows are worth the ticket price this holiday season.

Day Trip Christmas Fun That's Worth the Drive from Philadelphia

Are you looking for a fun day trip with your family to get in the Christmas spirit? Sometimes we need a break from all of the hustle and bustle of the month of December to just step back and enjoy the beauty of the season. Take a ride to PA Dutch Country or the Lehigh Valley to experience vintage Christmas celebrations, amazing light displays, nativity scenes, or amusement parks decked out in their holiday finest.  

Here is our list of some great holiday attractions outside Philadelphia to visit with children of any age. Many are within an hour's drive from the city, so pack the kids in the car and get ready to hit the road! In case you are up for the longer drive, our nearby Mommy Poppins sites in New Jersey and New York City also have fun-filled guides to the holidays.  And don't forget to check out the Philly holiday guide for more Christmas fun.

Indoor Play Areas in the Hartford Area

Kids have plenty of space to tumble (and swing) at My Gym in Orange. Photo by Jennifer Johnson-Saunders

Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean that you and your family have to go into hibernation. There are some great indoor play spaces in the Hartford area where your active child can burn off excess energy by climbing, bouncing, running, and jumping. He or she might even take a nap for you later! For even more ways to help kids burn off energy when the weather is wintry or wet, check out our Connecticut Indoor Play Guide.

Westchester Mompreneurs Open D.I.Y. Slime Shop in Larchmont

It's a kid's dream come true: a space solely dedicated to making slime!

Do your kids love to make slime? Do you not love having your kids make slime in your house? Enter D.I.Y. Slime, the newly opened Westchester storefront whose purpose is to provide slime-making fun that doesn’t ruin your table.

Say no more, right? But there is more. D.I.Y. Slime, located on East Avenue in Larchmont, takes slime-making to a higher level: This is high-end, fancy-pants slime! We paid a visit and got the lowdown on offerings, hours, mix-ins, and more.

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