15 Free Things To Do Indoors in Philadelphia: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

If you're looking to escape the elements, an indoor playground is a great option to entertain stir-crazy kids on rainy or snowy days. No need to break the bank—the Philadelphia area has several free indoor play spaces where children can climb, explore, learn something new, or relax with a good book. We've rounded up the best indoor venues in Philly with free activities for kids where you never have to worry about the price of admission.

To get more free fun at home and around Philly delivered to your inbox sign up for our newsletters, and discover all the free events and activities near you in our Free Things To Do with Philly Kids Guide

25 Free Things To Do Indoors in Atlanta: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Babyland General Hospital offer free admission for kids to see where the beloved Cabbage Patch Kids are "born."

Free indoor activities in Atlanta are a must as temperatures drop and winter comes in full force! And as the winter weather (or spring's rainy weather) settles in, having reliable FREE things to do indoors in your back pocket is crucial. Free things to do indoors in Atlanta help parents keep the party going no matter what's happening outside, without a hit to the wallet. Here are some of our favorite free things to do with kids when its rainy, icy, snowy, or some type of combination that haunts Atlanta. Just make sure you can safely drive there!

For more free fun in Atlanta, check out our Free Things To Do with Kids Guide and sign up for our newsletters to get info delivered straight to your inbox.

Best Shared Family Calendar Apps (Tested by a Real Parent)

Does your family run on a host of pieces of paper stuck to the wall? There's an app for that. Photo courtesy of Pixelshot via Canva

If you’ve ever missed a Spirit Day, double‑booked soccer practice, or realized after pickup that early dismissal was today... "Hi! Welcome to the club."  This is exactly why I went down the rabbit hole of family calendar apps in the first place.

For Mommy Poppins, I didn’t just research these apps; I  actually used them with my own family. On iPhones, Android devices, and laptops. With kids who sometimes check apps… and sometimes make me wonder why I pay for cell phone service

Below are the best shared family calendar apps I’ve personally tested — what actually worked in real life, what felt over hyped, and which families each app is truly best for. For more tried-and-tested parenting hacks, check out our Mommy Poppins Parenting Hacks Guide.

January Holidays for Kids: A Kid-Friendly Celebration for Every Day

Can you believe National Pass Gas Day is a real holiday? It will be your kid's favorite. Photo by Canva

Welcome to a NEW year! Whether you’re wondering “Is today a holiday?” or just need a quick way to make an ordinary afternoon feel special, this list of January holidays for kids gives families something to look forward to every day of the month. There's Pass Gas Day (what kid won't want to celebrate Fart Day?), Rubber Ducky Day, and of course, a long weekend for Martin Luther King Jr Day, to make it feel like the holiday season isn’t over yet!

Scroll down for all 31 fun holidays in January, plus links to holiday-a-day ideas for every month of the year.

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. In January at Mommy Poppins, we also celebrate all things FREE, so check out our national guide to freebies and also your local guide to free things to do near you!

The Best Family-Friendly Openings of 2025—Plus What’s Coming in 2026 Across NYC, NJ & Beyond

Seeing the drones take flight at the NYBG last summer was a memorable family outing. Photo by author

The holiday hubub is mostly behind us—sugar cookie crumbs and piles of presents still waiting to be put away excepted—and that means it's time to look back at the year that was for families in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey. So, today, we're bringing you this list of our top family-friendly openings of 2025, plus offering a sneak peek at the fun on the horizon in 2026.

As always, thanks for joining us on all the adventures we've encountered, and cheers to a new year and new openings in the tri-state area.

Best Sledding Hills in Westchester for Kids

Westchester has sledding hills for everyone from tots to teens. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo

When the flakes fly, visions of sledding hills fill kids' heads, and all they can think of is bundling up and getting outside for some snow day fun. If your family's plans include sledding, consider heading to one of these popular sledding hills in Westchester County. We've also got a separate post with top picks for sledding hills in the Hudson Valley in case you want to make your wintery adventure a daycation, plus some helpful tips for keeping little ones safe while they sled.

Be sure to check our Guide to Winter Fun in Westchester and our Boredom Busters Guide for more ideas to keep kids busy on cold winter days.

Best Sledding Hills on Long Island for Families

Sledding and smiles go hand in hand on these Long Island sledding hills.

I've found that sledding hills near me on Long Island are a perfect way to spend a fun-filled snow day with the kids. Below, is a list of some of the best local sledding hills to catch fresh powder and wintertime thrills. 

Before sending kids careening down these Long Island sledding hills, always check the area for rocks, sticks, and other hazards. We recommend wearing helmets and proper snow gear for your sledding adventure, too.

Read ahead for all the sledding details before you bundle up your littles for a snowy family adventure. For even more seasonal activities check out our Long Island Kids Winter Fun Guide, with local skiing and snowboarding destinations, ice skating rinks, and more.

Pages