While all our favorite indoor destinations remain closed to slow the spread of Covid-19, New Jersey families can head outdoors to nature preserves or bike trails to stay active. Though the state's excellent nature centers are off-limits to the public for now, most of their surrounding trails are open for walks and hikes - as long as everyone maintains social distance. 

Until the state's indoor play spaces and museums reopen, consider planning a family visit to one of New Jersey's awesome nature centers, where kids can experience the outdoors and perhaps read up on local habitats through signage posted around buildings. 

We've rounded up 10 nature centers where kids can spend some time exploring nature and - when buildings reopen - check out hands-on exhibits and activities that explain our local flora and fauna. Under normal circumstances, most nature centers are open year-round, except for major holidays. For now, please check each center's website for trail accessibility. 

It's no secret that all of us here like "FREE." We're always on the lookout for free activities around NYC, play spaces, and even summer camps. But Luna Park's March 24 opening day event at Coney Island, Brooklyn, makes the four-letter word all the better, as almost all proceeds from donations will serve the Girls Scouts' 6000 troop.

Read on to find out what's included in this almost-FREE day and who you'll be helping with your small donation.

Every fall, I face the same dilemma planning my girls’ birthday party. Do I take advantage of the crisp autumn weather with an outdoor venue? Or do I play it safe with something indoors? Planning a party is stressful enough in any season, without the added anxiety over weather. If an outdoor party is what you have in mind, don’t let Mother Nature put a damper on your child’s special day. From nature centers to water parks, the following party venues offer outdoor party options with indoor alternatives.

For even more ideas for fun in our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Guide.

When is an ice cream sandwich more than an ice cream sandwich? Maybe when the Care Bears get involved.

We went to check out NoHo's uber-cool gourmet ice cream sandwich spot, Cream, last week, on a quest to find out just how exceptional an ice cream sandwich can be. Not only did we get a deliciously satisfying answer to that question, we also managed to hit the store the night the Care Bears were there launching their month-long special flavors. We even got to sink our teeth into a new version of the decadent cronut. If you've got a hankering for ice cream (and who doesn't?) coupled with kids who love Care Bears (ditto), you'll want to stop into one of the LA area's three Cream locations before the end of March.

SpongeBob SquarePants (the cartoon) might be pretty far down on your list a parent-approved media. But SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical just made it to the top of mine. Talented actors, a solid storyline, and insanely imaginative sets—and a complete lack of hokeyness—made this performance a family Broadway standout. You won't find oversized sponge or starfish costumes, but the talent seamlessly translated the characters (none of whom are human) to the stage and easily transported the audience to a quirky and much-loved Bikini Bottom.

Read our review for a sense of what to expect from this infectious performance, or check out our complete Theater Guide for NYC Kids for many more options.

If you’ve been itching to try to decipher signage in a foreign language, step into a market that smells like 15 kinds of sausage, and stuff your face with foods from the Old World, then all you and the kids need to do is hop on over to Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Somehow, despite the fact that neighboring Williamsburg has become the poster child for rampant development and gentrification, Greenpoint has managed to maintain its charm and Polish flavor. That’s not to say that the neighborhood hasn’t changed or that skyrocketing rents haven’t impacted local families, but many of the shops along Greenpoint’s main drag, Manhattan Avenue, are still locally owned markets and restaurants often specialize in Polish foods. If you have Eastern European roots, locals might even address you in Polish. All this makes a day in Greenpoint feel like a trip to the Old Country.

Greenpoint is just one of many ethnic foodie thoroughfares in the city. We aim to help you travel the world airfare-free with the Mommy Poppins Passport Series. We'll spotlight the best international streets in all five boroughs. Introduce kids to the diverse food and fun that immigrants have brought to New York City’s streets, including in Astoria, Manhattan's Chinatown, and even at a Queens mall.

As March winds down and the city blossoms into springtime, there are few better ways to celebrate than by getting outside at one of Boston’s fun, family-friendly festivals. With so many to choose from, it seems like the whole city is cheering the warmer, sunnier days with music, art, flowers, and food. And the best part? Many of these special events are free. Mark your calendars now and enjoy the anticipation of balmier, more festive days ahead!

With last year's opening of National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey and the much-anticipated opening of Ocean Wonder: Sharks! at the New York Aquarium this summer, there seems to be a renewed interest in our oceans—and with good reason. Oceans cover 70 percent of the earth's surface and new science and technological advances have allowed marine explorers to learn more about our oceans than ever before.

The American Museum of Natural History is at the forefront of oceanic exploration and discovery, and its newest exhibit, Unseen Oceans, is designed to take visitors deep beneath the surface of the sea to a world scientists are just now beginning to understand—all presented in a series of family-friendly, easy to understand, visually stunning galleries.