It's finally winter, and you know what that means as a parent, right? Get ready for soggy snow pants, slurping cocoa, building snowmen, taking the kids sledding, and all things cozy for the family.

But if the thought of another long winter spent hibernating indoors with the kids swinging from rafters, leaves you shivering in fear, we want to help. Whether you're planning fun indoor activities for a school snow day at home, or just looking to entertain the kids on another winter weekend, we've rounded up nearly three dozen fun things to do.

These super simple ideas (many of them FREE) will come in handy when cabin fever strikes and make it easy to avoid the indoor entertainment pitfalls of more screen time and complaints about boredom of which we're all so familiar. Get ready to turn the long, dark days of winter into a season the whole family can enjoy.

Need an excuse to have fun in San Diego this year? How about a deeply discounted, unlimited admission pass for your little kiddos to get into SeaWorld—all year? If you're a teacher, you get an even better deal, because you can have an unlimited admission pass completely free (and we know how much some teachers could use some good news this week). The Preschool Fun Card for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 is just $20 and good to visit through the end of 2019. If you're wondering, a regular, single-entry ticket for kids is $86.99, so to call this a good deal is almost an understatement.

New York City is always changing, and so are our schools. Despite longstanding, ongoing debates over standardized tests, overcrowding, and tuition costs, there are also some exciting new developments in early education here in NYC. In classrooms across the city (and across the country), project-based learning, a focus on global citizenship, and child-centered education are all trending, as we look toward a future in which the jobs our children will need to be prepared for most likely haven't even been invented yet.

Staying on top of educational trends may seem difficult, especially in the ever-evolving world of NYC schools, but the Mommy Poppins NYC Public and Private School Listings Guide can help. For an up to date listing of schools in your area visit our School Directory Listings, and in the meantime, read on for the latest about new schools opening in NYC.

Everyone wants to raise their family in a healthy, safe, and yes, fun community. But, how do you go about finding the right corner of this country for your family? Trial and error perhaps, but WalletHub is also throwing a little data our way on just this subject. The credit report and personal finance site just released its ranking of the best and worst 50 states in which to raise kids.

It weighed a number of factors to determine the top family-friendly states, looking at schools, housing, crime, childcare costs and quality, parental leave options, salaries, and of course, the amount of family fun per capita, including access to parks and playgrounds.

Read on to find out how your state stacks up—and where you might want to consider relocating to with the kids!

If you're scratching your head and wondering how it's possible that we are already talking summer activities, you're not alone. Luckily, Houston has plenty of options for every child. If you have an artsy kid, keep their creative juices flowing by enrolling in summer art camp.

And for more summer and vacation camp ideas, check out our comprehensive camp guide and full directory of camp listings.

Note that summer camp information for the 2020 season is changing daily. Please click the links to the individual camps below to see which ones are offering programs this year.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is 'What are you doing for others?'" This weekend, families can join together to answer that question, by participating in the MLK Day of Service. A day spent giving back is just one way to honor Dr. King's memory. There are parades, celebrations, and concerts throughout the weekend to bring our families and communities together in honor of his legacy.

Little ones can learn from Dr. King's example as well, with a number of events this weekend particularly geared toward young children. Kids can listen to inspiring stories , participate in service projects, and share their dreams for the future.

Inspiration can be found on other fronts with founding fathers  and kung fu figure skaters, blood moons and behind the scenes, bulldogs and boars, ephemeral art and fast moving motocross, high flying acrobats and dancing on, what do call em? feet, all serving as examples of what one can achieve. Now is a good time to ask our children: how do you try to make a difference? And where do you find your inspiration?

Keep reading for some of our most inspired picks for this weekend.

Are the kids praying for a snow day in Philadelphia? When you're a kid, school closings for a snow day means snowball fights, snow angels, sleds, and snowmen. Add in some hot chocolate, warm cookies, and a few indoor activities and you've got one memorable day off from school. 

But parents just need to know whether or not the school is open or closed due to snow, so they can get on with planning their workday and commute! 

So is the school closed today? Will there be early dismissal or a late opening for Philadelphia schools? We as parents have the same questions, so we've compiled a few local resources, so you can stay up to date on weather-related school closures in Philadelphia.

Houston has a variety of amazing kid-friendly activities that don't break the bank, but organized classes don't often make the cut. Some museums offer free admission on certain days of the week, but signing up for music lessons or dance classes usually costs more than most of us would like. Luckily, several area stores offer a variety of classes to keep young kids engaged and learning for FREE. 

Another perk of free store classes is the flexibility they provide. Kids often jump from one interest to the next more quickly than semester-long or year-long classes last. By attending classes for free at local stores, kids can explore a variety of interests without the time commitment of traditional classes.

These valuable community resources can be found right here in the greater Houston area. Check out our list of free store classes to see what could be available right in your neighborhood.