'Tis the season for celebrations and year-in-review stories, and the Mommy Poppins team is toasting these 17 family-friendly 2023 openings. From a wet-and-wild playground at Legoland New York to AMNH's expansive museum expansion with the Gilder Center and plenty more fun places for family playtime, 2023 brought a ton of new kid-friendly attractions for our readers to enjoy in New York City, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and beyond.

We can't wait to see what 2024 has in store—and thank you, our dear readers, for following along this year. Cheers to you—and another year of bringing you the best things to do with kids.

The new year is bringing an exciting update to Hermann Park, one of Houston’s favorite spaces. Slated to open in January 2024, the $52 million Hermann Park update will bring kid-friendly improvements to a park that's already beloved for its lush green spaces. 

A day with the kids at Hermann Park has always been filled with fun activities like feeding ducks and pedal boating around the lake, museum hopping, picnicking, and rolling down grassy hills. Thanks to the refresh, the city’s iconic park is about to be even better for visiting families with the addition of The Commons at Hermann Park, which boasts several new spaces aimed at kids.  

If you're a Hermann Park first-timer, be sure to browse our Beginner’s Guide to Exploring Hermann Park before you head that way.

Attend an Orlando Solar Bears hockey game for a fun, family experience in Orlando. The combination of fast-paced action on the ice, a lively atmosphere, affordable tickets, and a family-friendly environment make it an ideal outing for kids of all ages. Our Orlando family of five loves cheering on the Solar Bears each season! We've gathered everything you need to know about attending a Solar Bears game with your family. So gear up, grab your tickets, and get ready for a fun day of hockey action with the Orlando Solar Bears.

Situated in bustling downtown Atlanta, the Children's Museum of Atlanta offers local and visiting families a chance to discover the wonder of their world. With hands-on exhibits, colorful decor, and a ton of fun, the Children's Museum of Atlanta is the perfect place for curious kids. This Atlanta museum sparks creativity and imagination in every corner of the space, where children ages 8 and under learn through play.

Take a read as we tour the Children's Museum of Atlanta, to share the magic of this beloved Atlanta attraction!

It's time to celebrate kid-friendly openings that were the cream of the crop in Los Angeles in 2023 – yes, it's the annual "best of" season! Mommy Poppins is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the most exciting new attractions and kid-friendly openings that graced LA this past year. These are the latest gems that might have slipped under your radar. 

From new theme park lands to immersive experiences featuring beloved characters like The Cat in the Hat and Bluey, Los Angeles added fantastic options for family fun in 2023. Keep reading below for our exclusive rundown of the best 2023 kid-friendly openings that stepped into the limelight in Los Angeles this year. 

As we eagerly await the new attractions and kid-friendly openings 2024 has in store for Angelenos, catch a glimpse of the events already on our radar for next year by perusing our Calendar of Events in Los Angeles. 

Winter in Lake George, NY transforms this picturesque destination into a snowy wonderland, offering a ton of family fun. And this season, Lake George, NY is getting even better as it debuts two new winter immersive experiences: Winter’s Dream and Winter Realms. Both are located in Lake George Village and offer families a way to bring a little light into the darkest months of the year.

So grab your snow pants, put on those mittens, and check out this list of the best things to do in Lake George, NY with kids during the frosty season, including some family-friendly Lake George hotels. See our Guide to Visiting the Adirondacks & Catskills for even more family fun in this beautiful part of the country, including our list of 40 things to do in the Adirondack Mountains with kids.

Winter is officially here, and this list of winter day trips from New York City will undoubtedly come in handy. Whether you prefer spending the winter months snuggling on the couch or frolicking in the snow, sometimes you just need to get out of town for a change of pace.

We've pulled together this list of family-friendly, fun-filled winter day trips near NYC that appeal to all sorts of interests, from budding artists to full-fledged ski bunnies. Best of all, these destinations are all two hours or less from New York City by car, and we think they're all worth the trip.

Find more winter day trips from NYC in our Day Trip and Weekend Getaways Guide and our Guide to Winter Fun, which is filled with more fun ways to embrace the season, like snow tubing day trips, our favorite ski slopes, and more.

Santa Trackers are the best way to see where Santa is and what he's up to on Christmas Eve!

Open the Santa Tracker of your choice early in the evening and keep watch on the Santa Tracker map to follow his magical journey. Each of our favorite Santa trackers have different ways to watch Santa's progress, plus fun games and activities to keep kids interested! Best of all, they're all FREE.

For more ways to bring a little extra magic to your Christmas this year, check out our list of 101 Christmas crafts and activities. If you’re still looking for last-minute gifts, our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide is here for you!