Winter months are the best times to see manatees in Florida, specifically Orlando and the central region. When the weather is cold and water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, these warm-blooded mammals congregate in freshwater springs, which remain at a constant 72 degrees year-round. Mid-November through March are ideal months to spot manatees, so read on for the best places to see gentle manatees within a few hours of Orlando.

If you've got some little—or not-so-little—Hot Wheels fans in your life, check out Hot Wheels Champion Experience at Tysons Corner Center near DC. Open since December 2023, the 16,000-square-foot interactive environment includes 10 activities that combine physical play with video games, like designing your own Hot Wheels car and watching it come to life onscreen, building custom tracks in an augmented-reality room, and virtually driving a car.

I recently had the chance to visit Hot Wheels Champion Experience with my 12-year-old twin boys during a media preview. The boys enjoyed it, and said they would have loved it even more when they were younger.

Read on for all the details on visiting this experience, which is set to roll out of town on March 31, 2024. For even more ways to have fun indoors, check out our Guide to Indoor Fun for Kids in DC.

Get out of the house this winter and head to one of these 25 free indoor play spaces, including museums, malls, libraries, and more. 

When Old Man Winter comes calling, it's time to hit the slopes. Pennsylvania is home to several kid-friendly ski areas boasting endless lanes, steep trails, and snow tubing action to boot. Whether you're looking for the highest peaks or some bunny hills to teach your kids the sport, these ski resorts near Philadelphia have it all.

Looking for more wintery fun? Check out our Winter Fun and Activities Guide. We've also rounded up the Best Snow Tubing Spots and the Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks.

Exploring Palos Verdes with kids means idyllic ocean views, rugged coastlines, white-picketed equestrian paths, and lush forested hiking trails. The Palos Verdes Peninsula might feel worlds away from the rest of LA's urban bubble, but the gorgeous and quieter coastal scenes are worth the traffic, especially with plenty of things to do in Palos Verdes with kids. 

From jaw-dropping hikes and whale-watching lookout points to horseback rides and garden strolls, keep reading below for the best things to do in Palos Verdes with kids. 

If you're craving more coastal scenes, discover the best tide pools for kids in Los Angeles, drive up the PCH for the best things to do in Malibu with kids, and dive into our Beach Guide to Los Angeles and Orange County. 

Soaring warbirds, thrilling simulator experiences, and soft spots for tots to land have parents jetting to the Lone Star Flight Museum in Southeast Houston. Located at Ellington Field, the aviation museum boasts exciting exhibits and interactive elements for visitors of all ages. 

Along with tons of fun exhibits for the kiddos, this Houston museum's two hangars are home to a large collection of planes that have served in multiple wars, many of which are still functional today and fly for the museum as well as in air shows across the country. It is also home to the Space Gallery and the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, which honors legendary pioneers in flight history. We love to visit with our 3-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. Read on to find out what keeps us coming back and for tips and tricks to get the most out of your visit.

Check out our handy guide to all Houston's best kid-friendly museums, and for a day of cost-free fun, browse our list of Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston.

Get ready for a snow day with our list of the best sledding hills near Philly.

When the forecast calls for snow, Philly parents ought to be prepared. Not just with the milk, bread, and toilet paper, but with the best spots to take the kiddos sledding on a snow day. Sledding is one of our favorite winter activities, so we're breaking down all the best sledding hills near Philly (not just by their cool factor, but also by age group), so you know exactly where you should head when we get a decent coating.

For more amazing ways to enjoy the snow with your family, check out the best places to go Snow Tubing near Philadelphia and Family-Friendly Skiing and Snowboarding near Philly.

Eating out can be expensive, especially in NYC. However, kids can enjoy meals for free with special deals. For NYC kids, there really is such a thing as a free lunch...if you know where to go. At these local eateries, you can feed those hungry mouths for the unbeatable price of $0, while you get a break from playing chef. We know what you'll be making tonight: reservations.

Find all our top picks for family-friendly eats in our NYC Kids' Restaurant Guide.