Newton, bordering Boston to the west, has long enjoyed a reputation as a family-friendly place with its excellent school system and standing as one of the safest U.S. cities to live in. Many of Newton's attractions cater to children, whether plans involve running around the many playgrounds in the city, enjoying the services of the Newton Free Library, or learning to swim at charming Crystal Lake. Below are 25 family fun ideas for Newton residents and visitors alike.

Mount Peter may not be largest mountain in New York, but it could be the best for beginners. 

We’ve reviewed tips for skiing and snowboarding with children in the past, and now we want to shine a light on one mountain that takes very seriously its job of making skiing fun. Located in Warwick, N.Y., in Orange County—about a 1-hour drive from the George Washington Bridge—Mount Peter is a very small hill that’s perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to ski or snowboard. We have visited the mountain many times over the past few years, so read on for what you need to know. 

Don’t let the mid-January blues get you down! Take a break from the day to day rush with a hands-on and educational outing such as the Maple Sugaring Demo at Great Swamp, the Family Art Adventure at the Montclair Art Museum or Crafts with Critters at the Cape May Zoo. For some great entertainment, little guys will love Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live! and older kiddos will enjoy a performance of STOMP. And for a dose of both history and the fine arts, take the whole family to MLK Celebration: Embodying the Dream at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For additional activity options, check out our Event Calendar.

Are you hankering for a day off? (Okay, rhetorical question.) How about a day on? That's right, a day on: a day in service to your neighborhood and community. We agree, it's an appealing idea. And the good news is that not only is the third Monday of January a federal holiday with parades (and more parades) honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.; it's also a recognized day of service, a day to honor Dr. King's teachings and good work by volunteering. Opportunities abound, so why not consider joining the effort? The kids are invited, too.

Little ones will go gaga this winter for page-to-stage adaptations of some of their favorite picture books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Velveteen Rabbit. Meanwhile, NYC tweens can catch one-of-a-kind spectacles such as the live-action graphic novel Intergalactic Nemesis: Book One Target Earth, the interactive adventure Legend Has It and a musicalization of The Lightning Thief.

Recently, we shined a spotlight on the best Broadway shows for families in New York. But you don't need to shell out big bucks to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience in NYC—plenty of engaging family productions are playing Off-Off-Broadway. Eight of the following 15 best winter theater picks are $25 or less per ticket.

Tired of the same old parties and looking for an out-of-the box birthday experience? We've rounded up some different ideas across Long Island that are sure to have your guests talking for days. And for more ideas, be sure to check out our Long Island Party Guide.

It's the New Year; time to get creative! There's only so much a parent can dream up for the kids to do in a 12 hour span of time, especially after a busy holiday season when there might have been too much on the things to do list.

Even if you live in a bustling city like Los Angeles, sometimes options for preschool activities seem limited—even more so the farther you get from the suburbs. As concrete and dry as Downtown LA might seem at times, I promise you there's a ton of stuff for families to do, particularly for you and your preschooler. Have fun exploring!

Take a day trip on the Thorndale/Paoli line and see what you might be missing! Whether you are a local on the Main Line, or looking for a chance to get out of the city, there is plenty to do all along this SEPTA route, many just steps away from the stations. Running through Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties, this historic rail line runs along Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor. With options along more than ten stops, it would be hard to pack it all in in one day, so plan ahead, and make several excursions this season. 

Note that not every spot is walkable from the train stations, particularly in the far western 'burbs, but they're still great for kids or mom meetups. Check the latest SEPTA map to be sure.