Okay, it may have been more than forty years ago, but the 1976 Olympics looms large in my childhood memories: in fact, I was so enthralled by Dorothy Hamill that I rocked her signature haircut well into my tween years (in hindsight, that was perhaps a few years too long). When the 2018 Winter Olympics open in Pyeongchang later this week, I don't know if my kids will be so enthralled that they'll be demanding Bradie Tennell or Adam Rippon haircuts, but a parent can dream!

Should you find your child enjoying some Olympic dreams of his/her own, there is an abundance of learn-to-skate programs offering everything from figure skating to ice dancing and even ice theater--with some offering February vacation week camps. For even more recommendations for winter fun when you're not watching the games, check out our CT Winter Fun Guide and subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Have a great week!

Put on your parkas and gloves and head over to Putnam for the 8th Annual Fire and Ice Festival on Feb 10. This large-scale ice sculpture carving event attracts people from all over the country.  Watch as several 300 lb. blocks of ice are transformed into a work of art - bring your Valentine or bring the whole family!

While you are at it, why not make a whole weekend of it?  If you are already in the  "quiet corner" of Connecticut, you may want to check out a few others things like the Conn. Audubon's programs, the Chocolate Festival, and the Textile Museum.  And of course, don't forget to check our Mommy Poppins' Winter Guide for all things fun to do in winter!

Paint-and-sip parties at art studios have become so popular among grown-ups, you could almost forget that these studios are great spots for kids' parties, too (minus the wine, of course)!

We've put together a list of two dozen New Jersey art studios that host birthday parties with a focus on painting—on canvas, pottery, and even t-shirts. All offer party packages that include art supplies, instruction, setup, and cleanup, with more options available at additional cost. Many of the studios also host classes and camps—and, of course, adult evenings out. 

Find even more ideas for festive fun in our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Guide.

The screen time struggle is real. So, I can't imagine I'm the only parent who's quite literally all ears when they hear that kids' podcasts and audiobooks are officially a thing now. On-demand audio programming certainly feels like the perfect way to bring some screen-free entertainment to playtime, add a little excitement to the bath, or even just wind down before bed, but finding awesome options for kids can be really hard. Enter a new subscription-based service called Pinna, which is packed with Peabody-winning original series, popular podcasts, and favorite audiobooks for listeners ages 4 to 12 — and zero commercials — making it a major parenting win. Read on to find out more and get a free 7-day membership to try it out.

All aboard! Do you have a train lover on your hands? If so, this list of places to visit real trains in and around Houston is for you. Historically speaking, the Texas transit system has a history rich in railroads. To pay tribute to the larger-than-life trains that used to crisscross the country, many Houston area suburbs feature preserved train depots and museums. Many offer cheap or even FREE admission, and one even gives visitors the opportunity to ride on working trains. 

We know all too well how easy it is to feel cooped up during winter. Fortunately, there’s a slew of brand-new sports-related gyms and programs that just became available for Westchester families—offering plenty of alternatives to jumping on the couch cushions for the 1,000th time. There are even options for all ages, many with classes, parties, drop-ins and drop-offs.

Read on for the scoop on new places to get pumped, burn off steam and have fun! If you haven’t yet signed up for our newsletters, be sure to do so now to continually receive news like this and more!

There may be snowflakes a flying, but it's officially summer camp searching season in New York City. While the metro area and surrounding suburbs don't lack for choices, there's always something new on the horizon for our kids!

In 2018, we've found a number of new summer camps, from cooking to outdoor nature and even coding and science. Without further ado, we present seven new this year camps for city kids.