Having an unconventional work schedule seems to be the new norm. With many people working from home, juggling work and parenting is a heroic feat. For those of us who are not looking for full-time daycare but sometimes need a helping hand, know that you can find a drop-in daycare in Los Angeles (and Pasadena and Santa Monica and loads of other local towns) where you can leave your kids for a few hours while you work or just get a little well-deserved me time.

I know firsthand that finding a place where you feel at ease leaving your little ones is not an easy task, but we've done the legwork, asked all the questions, and compiled a list of places that offer drop-in daycare. For more ways to get work done when you have young kids, check out our review of one of our favorite Co-working Childcare Spots in Silverlake and our compelte guide to Childcare Options in Los Angeles.

Whether your child is into magic, sports, princesses, clowns, or something else entirely, there are birthday party entertainers to satisfy even the most narrow interests. Orlando kids (and parents) love these birthday entertainers because they keep the kiddos engaged and happy during the special day, and mom and dad can take a break to actually enjoy the party. Yes, Orlando has some fantastic birthday party venues throughout the area, but sometimes it's nice to bring the entertainment to your own home or neighborhood. 

We at Mommy Poppins have rounded up some of the most interesting, sought-after birthday party entertainers in Orlando. These creative, family-friendly folk will make sure to enhance Orlando kids' birthdays with a huge amount of fun!

Families need not flee to northern New England for snowy escapes. There are great family ski resorts in Connecticut or close by in Massachusetts and New York that offer plenty of thrills for easier-to-manage day trips. Below is an overview of some of the area's best kid-friendly ski resorts, whether you love zooming down the slopes on skis or from the comfort of a snow tube. 

Let's face it: the coldest season is much more fun if you stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Our Mommy Poppins Connecticut Winter Fun Guide highlights plenty more ways to help you do just that! For even more winter sports in Connecticut, browse our Ski and Snow Sports Guide. And if you're looking for a family ski vacation well beyond the Nutmeg State, don't miss The Best Ski Resorts in the US.

The Philly area is filled with incredible museums and attractions for kids, but sometimes tweens and teens need something more offbeat to hold their attention. These unusual museums in Philadelphia have exhibits you won't find anywhere else, going beyond fossils and paintings to explore the weird, dark, and sometimes grosser sides of history. While mostly geared towards older kids, these places can suit younger children as well.   

Read on for 10 Philly odd spots with unique experiences that kids are sure to remember. For museums without the admission fees, don't miss our update on Free Philly Museums. To get more stories like this sent straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters.

Just south of Houston, the Clear Lake and Webster neighborhoods welcomes families into the Bay Area for fun activities, excellent parks, natural areas along Texas wetlands, and more. From boardwalks to a tasty ice creamery, we’ve rounded up some of the best kid-friendly places in this Houston's Clear Lake and Webster neighborhoods and its surrounding areas.

If you’d like to explore options for more local adventures, check out our 100 Things To Do With Houston Kids Before They Grow Up post and the Mommy Poppins Travel Section.

Skiers get it—winters are long and occasionally treacherous. But where some see calamity, we see opportunity. And not just for ourselves, but for our families, too. With that in mind, we’ve got the skinny on the best kid-friendly ski resorts in the United States.

Whether you prefer ski resorts in the powdery West or the slippery Northeast, skiing is one winter activity sure to bond parents with kids for a lifetime. So wax down the skis, load up the roof rack, and make for one of these ski resorts sure to delight experts and first-timers alike.

For more fabulous ski resorts for families, be sure to check out our list of New England Ski Resorts that Cater to Families or our favorite Family-Friendly Ski Areas Near NYC. However, if all this talk of snow is too chilling, you might prefer to peruse the best Warm and Sunny Family Vacation Ideas!

San Diego is a gorgeous place full of unique and interesting things to do with the family— and the San Diego Zoo is at the very top of the list. The grounds are beautiful and the animal exhibits are well-tended. You'll always learn something new, or see an exotic animal you've never seen before. It's no wonder that the San Diego Zoo is widely considered one of the best zoos in the US. That said, the zoo is huge. And kids get tired. So when you are planning a visit, you need a game plan. Luckily, we have one!

If you're planning a visit to San Diego, you won't want to miss our tips for a great visit to the San Diego Zoo with kids. And if you're looking for some recommendations for where to stay in San Diego, take a look at the Best Kid-friendly Hotels for a San Diego Family Vacation, plus the 50 Best Things To Do in San Diego (Besides the San Diego Zoo).

A cup of molten chocolaty goodness is one of the best ways to thaw out and warm up—in fact, it's one of the best things about winter in NYC. We took on the heinous job of running around Manhattan taste-testing hot chocolate (don't say we've never done anything for you) and narrowed it down to 14 of our favorites. These spots are definitely worth the brief trip out into the cold, so read on for our recommendations for cafes and restaurants that have turned hot cocoa sipping into a not-to-be-missed experience.

Find more great eats and sweets in our NYC Restaurant Guide for Families. If you'd rather stay in, we've got another treat: Follow this recipe for how to make hot chocolate bombs in five easy steps.