Developmental Milestones for Babies in the First Year

Walking, talking, grabbing, holding, smiling, laughing... it's all coming. But when? Photo by Tatiana Syrikova, via Pexels

What are the normal developmental milestones for babies? When it comes to baby milestones, there's a wide range for normal! But that doesn't stop new parents from worrying. What should my baby be doing at X months old? Is it normal for my baby to...?

While these baby milestones—like rolling, crawling, laughing, babbling, talking, and walking—follow a general timeline in most children, each baby is a unique individual. So if there's a milestone that they achieve way early or much later in their growth, that is normal. Enjoy each gurgle, giggle, and coo. They'll be walking, running, and even driving before you know it!

When you have a baby, that's all you can see or think about. So, we've got a whole Baby and Maternity Guide filled with everything from helpful tips, like how to get free baby stuff to debates on the latest types of parenting styles (like, what on earth is a panda parent?).

Where To Go Ice Skating Indoors with Kids in NJ

Clary Anderson Arena in Montclair offers public skating hours 7 days a week.

Indoor ice skating is a fun way to take part in a winter activity without exposing yourself to the elements. Happily, there are many indoor rinks throughout the Garden State. We've focused on those that host public skate sessions, but most of them also offer skating lessons, hockey, birthday parties, and more.

Read on for our indoor rink recommendations for NJ families. For more wintry sports, check out our Ski & Snow Guide.

Indoor Playground Xplore Commack Adds Glow-in-the-Dark Go-Karts to its Action-Packed Lineup

Xplore Commack offers mini go-karts to allow ages 4 and up to enjoy go karting.

Indoor playgrounds on Long Island often cater to little kids, but Xplore Family Fun Center in Commack is upping the ante for action-packed all-ages fun with the addition of glow-in-the-dark go-karts. Suffolk County speed demons can now rev their engines at this local indoor entertainment zone that opened a few years ago. 

Xplore, which already offered laser tag, arcade games, inflatables, soft climbing indoor playgrounds, and a toddler zone, has now debuted its glow-in-the-dark go-karting attraction. On a recent visit, my group of tweens was delighted by the glo-karts and everything else Xplore's indoor playground had to offer. 

For similar fun zones, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island, where we've rounded up FREE indoor play spaces, Long Island's best bowling alleys, and more.

Best of February: 17 Top Things to Do in Orlando with Kids

Kids can bounce, jump, and slide their hearts out at the traveling Big Bounce America event. Photo courtesy of the event

Whether sending valentines or planning a Presidents Day weekend getaway—there is plenty to love about February! Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Orlando this month.

Get ready for some February fun at the theme parks! Universal's Mardi Gras and SeaWorld's Seven Seas Food Festival both kick off this month, and there are still a few weeks left to visit Epcot's International Festival of the Arts. Daytona International Speedway is also a happening place to be in February, with Daytona Speedweeks leading up to the Daytona 500. Plus, spend a day at the fair in either Kissimmee or Oviedo. Oh, and don't forget about the chocolated-themed 5K that makes running a "sweet" activity! Read on for all the details and more awesome February events hitting Orlando.

Visiting Connecticut with Kids: 3-Day Itinerary from a Local

Pack the best of Connecticut into a long weekend with our 3-day itinerary for visiting Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Yale University Art Gallery

Visiting Connecticut with kids is a great way to pack a lot of family fun into a short amount of time. While Connecticut is one of the smallest states, there are activities and attractions for all ages. The true benefit of being a small state is that everything is pretty much a short drive away. As a four-season state, Connecticut offers family-friendly beaches, swimming lakes, farms, parks, reserves, and more. There really is something for every interest. Plus, Connecticut offers delicious food! Home to the hamburger, Pez factory, CT-style lobster roll, homemade ice cream, and New Haven pizza. Who knew visiting Connecticut with kids would taste so good?

Adirondack Mountains with Kids: 40 Things To Do in this Family-Friendly All-Seasons Destination

Open only in the winter, Lake Placid’s Toboggan Chute is a 30-foot high structure that sends toboggans down an ice-covered chute onto the frozen Mirror Lake. Photo courtesy of Lake Placid, Adirondacks, USA

The Adirondacks Mountains are one of the most idyllic family vacation spots in the Northeast. The enormous, pristine natural setting features numerous lakes and quaint towns sprinkled across gorgeous mountains. Visitors to the Adirondack Mountains find tons of all-season outdoor adventures as well as fun, family-friendly attractions. While Lake Placid and Lake George draw throngs of visitors, we opted to stay in Schroon Lake, a cute town that's a little more laid-back, centrally located, and makes a great jumping-off point to explore the region.

Visitors can spend time hiking, boating, skiing, sledding, and even bobsledding or speed skating! In short, the Adirondack Mountains offer tons of things to do, no matter your family's interests. We've rounded up our top picks, whether you want to immerse yourself in history at Fort Ticonderoga, connect with nature at the Wild Center, or slide onto Mirror Lake in a toboggan, the Adirondack Mountains are a dreamy destination for a memorable family vacation. Of course, we've even got some options for great Adirondack hotels so you have somewhere to unwind following your Adirondack Mountains adventures.

Find more family vacation ideas in our Adirondacks, Catskills & Hudson Valley Family Travel Guide.

3 Days in Boston with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

With history, attractions, events, and activities, visiting Boston with kids is three days of fun! Photo courtesy of the Old North Church

So visiting Boston with kids is on the agenda? Great choice! The northeast has so much history, culture, and food to experience when traveling with your family. 

Boston is a kid-friendly city that has so much to offer. From museums to historic landmarks to family-friendly restaurants, it’s packed with adventures just waiting to be had. If you have more than 3 days planned for your family vacation, there are tons of great day trips you can plan around the Boston area. We've rounded up a few of our favorite locations for visiting Boston with kids. 

3 Days in the Hudson Valley with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Hang out Lego friends at Legoland New York. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

New York's Hudson Valley was recently named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 20 must-see destinations in the world and those of us lucky enough to live here know that is a prime destination for a family trip. Its picturesque hills offer stunning views and numerous activities for all seasons, from hiking and waterfall hopping in the summer to skiing and snowtubing in the winter. 

To give you the best bang for your buck, we're giving you a local's perspective on the best things to do in the Hudson Valley. You probably can't do all of these activities in three days (kids could probably spend the entire trip at Legoland), but we have included plenty of options so you can take your pick. 

For more family-friendly fun, check out our roundups of Things To Do with Kids in the Hudson Valley, Best Hudson Valley Sledding Hills, and Easy Hikes in the Hudson Valley

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

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