Maple Sugaring with Boston Kids: Maple Syrup Festivals and Sugar House Tours

It's February 2023, time for maple sugaring with Boston kids! Maple Sugar collection at Appleton Farms photo courtesy of The Trustees

From Mattapan to Sturbridge, February means maple sugaring with Boston kids. One of the sweetest things about living in Massachusetts is being able to experience maple sugaring firsthand. Bostonians don’t have to go very far to enjoy maple sugar festivals, learn to tap maple trees at farms, or watch sap being boiled down in sugar houses. Of course, the best part is tasting the final product!

Read on for the maple sugaring activities and sugar house tours available to families during this year's syrup season, starting in late February and lasting through March. Make the most of the next couple months by checking out our Boston winter fun guide. It's full of great activities that you can combine with a maple sugaring, like the Best Snow Tubing near Boston for families

Restaurants in Miami Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat

The Burger Shack welcomes small children who enjoy the state-of-the-art playground, attached to the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Burger Shack at Lighthouse Cove

It takes special South Florida and Miami restaurants to cater to the needs and wants of kids. Many children love to be outside and active; and in South Florida, families especially enjoy beautiful waterviews and good food. We have found amazing restaurants in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and beyond where adults AND children can have fun, eat delicious food, and enjoy cool, kid-friendly amenities.

Forget just a boring kid's menu—these South Florida and Miami restaurants will keep children occupied with on-site game rooms, playgrounds, pools(!), and more. Hope you brought an appetite because we're digging into awesome restaurants in South Florida the whole family can enjoy!

Visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC with Kids

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in DC in 2016. Photo by Alan Karchmer

Since its 2016 opening on DC's National Mall, Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has been a hot ticket—and for good reason. Housing more than 40,000 artifacts (with over 3,000 of them on display), it's the only national museum dedicated exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. The massive museum features exhibits on the civil rights movement, slavery and freedom, famous African Americans including athletes and musicians, and so much more. And with its unique and breathtaking design, it wows visitors even before they enter.

The best part? Like all of the Smithsonian institutions and other museums in DC, entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture is absolutely free. But is it appropriate for kids? My family and I visited several months ago when my twin boys were 10 and my daughter was 7, and I will say that the answer is a resounding YES! My kids were interested and engaged throughout our entire four-hour visit, and they can't wait to go back.

Read on for all of my tips on visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture with kids. Then check out our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC for more great museums to check out.

Visiting Central Florida Zoo Like a Local: Top Things To Do and See With Kids

Giraffe got your tongue? Nah, it's just another fun day at the Central Florida Zoo!

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens makes the perfect outing in Orlando for any family. The Central Florida Zoo is located about 20 miles north of Orlando in beautiful Sanford, Florida, on the shores of Lake Monroe. A Central Florida attraction dating back to the 1920s, this small zoo is home to over 350 animals, as well as a splash pad, ropes course, playground, and more. There is something for all ages to enjoy at this Orlando zoo!

Best Baby Stores in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Starry Bird Kids' eco-friendly inventory includes baby gear, wraps, maternity essentials, and more.

Looking for the best baby stores in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Read on for 10 great picks. 

We've found shops located throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley where we’d choose local over big-name chains any day of the week. Shoppers can buy the softest outfits, sweetest room décor, organic teethers, and eco-friendly toys at these stores. And that’s not all: Several of these shops offer educational classes on top of their impressive product selections. Most also have online ordering so that supporting local communities is only a few clicks away. 

Find more local baby tips, like the best baby enrichment classes, in our Westchester Baby Guide for Pregnant and New Parents.

Best Breakfast on Long Island: Top Family-Friendly Restaurants

Get homemade, farm-fresh breakfasts at the Flour Shoppe.

Looking for the best breakfast restaurants on Long Island? Read on for our top picks. 

Many say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why not take it easy and leave the cooking to someone else? The Long Island restaurant scene is full of fun diners and restaurants with extensive morning menus and many kid-friendly options.

Since little ones are often early risers, it’s a no-brainer. Get the family together and check out these family-friendly restaurants that are sure to please.

Find our post on the best Long Island brunch spots and other family-friendly restaurant ideas in our Long Island Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide

10 Best Florida Beach Vacations for Families

Florida boasts plenty of white-sand beaches with crystal-clear water. Photo courtesy of South Seas Island Resort

There's a reason so many families from the east coast and beyond flock to Florida, especially in winter. The Sunshine State offers year-round warm weather, hundreds of miles of sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, and plenty of things to do with kids. That means there are so many places for families to take some fabulous Florida beach vacations. Luckily, we have several writers and editors here at Mommy Poppins who are familiar with the state to help you choose the best places for your upcomingIFlorida beach vacations.

From Amelia Island on northern Florida's Atlantic coast to Sanibel Island on the Gulf Coast and all the way down to the Florida Keys, here are the 10 best Florida beach vacations for families. Check out our complete Florida Family Vacation Guide and our list of warm and sunny family vacation spots for even more warm-weather escapes.

Visiting Every Park at Walt Disney World with Kids: A 5-Day Itinerary

Get ready to pack your five-day Disney World itinerary full of fun!

Spending five days at Walt Disney World with kids is a marathon, not a sprint. A Disney vacation that hits all four Orlando parks--Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios--inevitably meets our four Es: exciting, exhausting, entertaining, and Excedrin (or whatever your preferred pain medicine brand). Creating a five day itinerary for Walt Disney World is crucial for getting the biggest bang for your buck and planning is key. Hopefully you're reading this article before your scheduled Disney World trip so you can book in-demand activity and restaurant reservations, but if not, go with the flow—Disney is always a magical place for kids and adults.

This five-day Disney itinerary was created with the idea of visiting all four of the Walt Disney World parks; however, if you or your kids love one or two specific parks, spend multiple days there. Buying and using MagicBands+ (like a Disney smartwatch) make life easier when it comes to attraction entrances, meal payments, etc, plus they light up with different choreographed colors at various parts in the park and during fireworks and evening shows. And if you visit during the warmer months, don't forget about the Disney water parks!

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