Discover 100 free things to do in Chicago with kids! Parent-tested picks, from playgrounds and museums to quirky, weird, and new free family fun.

Did you know that there is a charming, innovative, creativity-sparking children's museum in Santa Barbara? I've heard about MOXI: The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation for years. This winter break, with the rainy weather and lack of plans, was the perfect time to set aside a day and take my four kiddos (ages 9, 6, 5, and 3) to finally see what this spot is all about.

Whether you are looking for a great indoor activity for a rainy day or an adventure after a morning at the Santa Barbara Zoo, the MOXI is number one on my list of things to do for families visiting Santa Barbara. You'll know it from the moment you reach the darling front entrance that has an adult door and a "children's door" just the right size for tiny visitors, so step in and enjoy a day of fun mixed with learning for everyone. 

Strawberry picking in Orlando runs December through March, making it a perfect wintertime outing for families. A day at a Central Florida strawberry farm offers fresh air, hands-on fun, and a chance to connect with nature while making sweet memories together. Below, we’ve rounded up the best u-pick farms for strawberry picking near Orlando, along with helpful tips to make the most of your outdoor adventure.

These birthday freebies for kids are free food, gifts, or special treats offered by restaurants, stores, and brands to celebrate a child’s birthday.

Birthday freebies for kids are a huge help: the sticker price for kids' birthday celebrations can be huge! So every little birthday freebie for kids is a gift to parents, too! Here, we've rounded up 61 places that offer up free stuff on your birthday. 

Read on to discover how to score Starbucks birthday freebies, free burgers and ice cream, calls from favorite characters (like Paw Patrol or SpongeBob), discounts on clothes, surprise gifts, and even more birthday freebies for kids.

For more birthday freebies near you, check out your city's Guide to Free Things To Do with Kids; and when you're ready to plan that party, be sure to check out our Birthday Party Ideas Guide for Unique Goody Bag and Party Favor Ideas, 100 Kids' Birthday Party Themes, and more.

Winter has arrived in the DC area, and your family is likely spending more time at home. Whether you prefer to continue being warm indoors (raising my hand!) or to bundle up and head out for some fresh air, you may be starting to feel like you need a change of scenery.

If that's the case, check out my list of 10 great winter day trips from DC. These fun, family-friendly winter day trips near DC appeal to a variety of ages and interests, from exploring museums to being active in the snow. Even better, they are all less than three hours or less from DC by car—and totally worth the trip.

Find more winter day trips from DC, such as the best snow tubing near DC for families, in our Day Trip and Weekend Getaways Guide and our Guide to Winter Fun. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to embrace the season—spring will be here before you know it!

2025 was a great year for new fun things for kids. 

Whether you're still missing the days of holiday break, or it feels like it all just ended, there are plenty of great ways to make the time fly by. From winter fun, to new and trending spots, we've got plenty of fun activities to do while you've got the time together!

Looking for more winter activities? We've got plenty and we've rounded them all up in our convenient Winter Vacation Guide for Philly Kids!

In addition to being incredibly cool and thrilling—flips off the halfpipe! football-field-length ski jumps! a sport actually named skeleton!—the Winter Olympics offer a time to come together with family and friends and feel pride in our country's athletes. Most importantly, in the Olympic spirit, the Games allow us to connect with other cultures. I say that calls for a celebration of Olympic proportions! 

Here are 15 ideas for a kid-centered Winter Olympics party; we’ve chosen simple, inexpensive, and fun ways to get together and celebrate the excitement of the Olympics, cultural understanding, wintertime, and family time. And they don't have to be for a party— these are fun snacks for watching the games, cool crafts for any winter day, and fun games families can play, too!