Outdoor dining on Long Island is still viable in the dead of winter, with family-friendly local eateries offering options like igloos, mini-greenhouses, and heaters. 

While these outdoor dining options come with perks like fairy lights, Bluetooth speakers, plush seating, and more, they also often come at a hefty price tag, and they might be best saved for a special occasion. Reservations are generally required and the spaces often sell out, so plan in advance.

Find more family-friendly eateries in our Family-Friendly Long Island Restaurant Guide, plus plenty of seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

Books are getting banned at an alarming rate, especially children's books. When you think banned, you think there's got to be something controversial, mature, or upsetting in the books. But many of these books are classics that are beloved by generations of kids.

While kids might want to ban bedtime, bathtime, or broccoli, we're guessing that books like Charlotte's Web and Captain Underpants are things kids would rather celebrate than ban. We've compiled a list of frequently banned children's books that kids of all ages adore. So go ahead, be a rebel. Read a banned book. Books are magic, and knowledge is power.

For more of our favorite books that expand minds, thoughts, and hearts, check out our Best Kids' Books Guide to Great Reads, which includes incredible Kids' Books About Racism, Best LGBTQ Books for Kids, and more great book recommendations.

Every week we here at Mommy Poppins ask our readers a question—things like, "What is your favorite donut place in your city?" or "Which would you rather have, a maid or a chef?" We typically get lots of great responses—some funny, some sweet, and some super insightful.

But rarely do we receive as much feedback as when we posed this question: "What are you convinced people are pretending to enjoy?" So many of you came to your keyboards for this one! We received hundreds of responses, with kale being mentioned the most.

Since this was such a hot topic, we decided to compile the best answers into one big list of 45 things we pretend to enjoy—and believe other people pretend to enjoy, too. Save this for the next time you're hanging out with other parents—it's sure to make for a lively discussion. Then check out our Parenting Guide for more parent talk, from funny animal memes to parenting tips from dads.

Rent-out-the-whole-museum and hire-a-marching-band kid birthday parties have their fans, but when it comes to a memorable day, we think it's nice to find a few birthday freebies. Of course, there are plenty of at-home, DIY ways to celebrate your child's birthday for FREE, from leaving cute notes on the mirror to playing hooky. But it's also the one time each year you can take advantage of all those corporate birthday clubs that promise to make your kid's big day even more special with fun birthday freebies like complimentary gifts, food, and other deals.

We've rounded up a mix of local spots, with a lot of national chain restaurants and popular kids' stores thrown in, which all offer FREE birthday goodies. Some are specific to kids, though adults can snag a few birthday freebies, too. Most require an email list or loyalty card sign up.

Find more fun for your little one's big day (maybe even a marching band) in our NYC Kids' Guide to Birthday Parties.

Whether it's the family-friendly wineries and giant redwoods of the San Francisco Bay Area, the beautiful beaches and famous theme parks of Los Angeles and Orange County, the desert vibes of Palm Springs, or the iconic zoo and beauty of San Diego, California is full of awesome getaways for families. Luckily, there are also tons of kid-friendly family resorts to stay in while you explore everything the Golden State has to offer.

Here are 22 of the best family resorts in California, including top picks in LA and the OC, San Diego and its surrounding areas, Palm Springs, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Check out our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide for even more great places to stay, no matter where your next family vacation takes you.

If you're heading to Disney World this year, consider setting aside time to explore Disney Springs with kids. As you plan your Disney vacation, don't miss the details on the best Disney character breakfasts and the top Orlando hotels for families. Disney Springs is a vibrant entertainment district that offers shopping, dining, and so much more for every member of the family!

These day trips from Chicago are perfect for that post-holiday stretch when you need to get the kids out of the house. Because winter in Chicago can feel long... really long. A change of scene can be just the thing!

We've rounded up day trip options that are great whether you're up for a short drive or want to take a full day to explore. From museums to outdoor snow fun and nearby states to visit, these are the best winter day trips from Chicago to take with kids.

For more travel guides and winter activities, be sure to explore our Chicago Family Travel Guide. Looking to stay local? Check out our winter activities guide for kids here. 

First birthday parties in Houston come in all shapes and sizes and often involve guests of all ages, including parents, siblings, friends from daycare, and more. Choosing the theme, decor, food, and location for a first birthday party in Houston can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be.

We've rounded up a list of Houston-area birthday party venues that provide age-appropriate activities for your birthday boy or girl to help you plan a fun, festive first birthday celebration.

If the weather cooperates, we've also got some great Outdoor Kids' Birthday Party Ideas. For more helpful birthday party tips, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Houston families.