Let's face facts: No matter how exhilarating skiing and snowboarding are, they are also among the most expensive activities in which a family can participate—especially if your kids take a single run and spend the rest of the day sipping cocoa.

Thankfully, many nearby state ski associations offer free or mostly free lift tickets to grade-schoolers, even if you're not a resident of that state. Of course, there are hurdles to clear to get those benefits—kids need to be the appropriate age, apply online and, in some cases, be accompanied by a paying adult. There are also "processing fees" attached to several, but it breaks down to a very discounted ticket if you use it more than once. But for avid skiers and riders, or those who merely want to try out the sports, these programs can save you plenty of cash when skiing with the kids.

Read on for more information on how to ski for free in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. (Note: Connecticut has a residents-only program for free ski passes for kids at Mohawk Mountain.)

Check our Ski and Snow Sports Guide for more fun on local hills and mountains.

As you enter the Arden Theatre, you’ll probably start to wonder what a campfire has to do with Peter Pan. This adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale takes on a modern twist, with a lot of familiar faces.

I think most of us can agree that when it comes to birthdays the cake is one of the most important parts of the party! Making sure you get a good one can be crucial. Whether your little one prefers chocolate or vanilla or cupcakes over cake, there are many amazing bakeries in the Hartford County area. We've listed a few of our favorites below. In our Birthday Party Guide you'll find tons of ideas on themes and locations too!

Wondering what could possibly connect cavemen, Vincent Van Gogh, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikokaevna, and Kim Kardashian? No idea? Selfies may not come to mind for most (or almost any) people, but a new museum is suggesting otherwise. The Museum of Selfies is making the case that all of those 2.4 million daily duck-pout pictures gunking up social media (many snapped at selfie-producing watering holes like The Museum of Ice Cream and Happy Place) are just the latest twist on a trend that's been hot, hot, hot for the last 40,000 years.

New York City knows how to celebrate the holidays, and Hanukkah is no different. The Festival of Lights arrives early in 2017, with the first night on Tuesday, December 12. But have no fear: we've rounded up nearly two dozen ways to celebrate this wonderful Jewish holiday, and most of them are free.

Some cool new and newish events this year! There's the first-ever Menorah on the High Line, and the Chabad of DUMBO has transformed its yearly Hanukkah celebration into Fire and Ice at Jane's Carousel. We also have the annual mainstays, from the World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah Lighting, to Chanukah on Ice and Hanukkah Family Day at the Jewish Museum. 

Queens has never been short on fun adventures, places to discover, and educational havens… but it does lack in one area: bookstores. After titan Barnes and Noble vacated the entire borough, only a handful of brave little bookshops remain. so most children's story hours take place at the local library.

Vina Castillo, Natalie Noboa, and Holly Nikodem saw the shockingly low number of general interest bookstores in Queens, and these ingenious book lovers set out to create an independent reading refuge for their community.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign supported by the community, Kew & Willow Books opened its doors in October 2017, offering adults and kids alike a beacon of book hope.

December is a magical time for kids, with the advent of winter fun and the abundance of holiday festivities occurring all month long. All this (plus gifts!) can cost families a pretty penny, so we've rounded up free ways to get out of the house and have fun. Your piggy banks—and kids—will thank us!

Read on for frugal fun that doesn't skimp on festivity. Also consult our December GoList and our Holiday Fun Guide for many more ways to savor the season!

Our Event Calendar is well-stocked with many more options to choose from, and more keep coming.