Indoor rock climbing gyms offer physical and mental challenges for kids and adults alike. There are several indoor rock climbing locations around Boston that cater to children through specialized classes and birthday parties—sanity-savers for parents when the kids are starting to climb the walls at home. 

Winter weather is finally upon us, but that doesn’t stop the fun for families in Westchester! Below are our top picks for each weekday to help keep your kids occupied and enriched.

The novel opportunities that await include folding fun at Super Hero Origami, domestic STEAM at Science Around the House and a party for puzzles at National Puzzle Day for Kids. Best of all—all of our top picks this week are FREE!

If you continue on to our Event Calendar, you’ll find even more diverse offerings, so read on and head straight there! 

Smugglers' Notch Resort is one of my family's favorite places to ski in Vermont, and like many other families in the Northeast, we find ourselves returning year after year to hit the slopes. However, we vacationed here last summer and discovered it's also a great year-round destination. We will be visiting again this February during our extended family ski trip, but another summer trip to Smugglers' Notch Resort is awfully tempting, too.

With outdoor adventures and special activities, each season at Smugglers' Notch has its own individual charm. The resort reinvents itself throughout the year, offering families distinct and unique recreation options to make the most of a mountain vacation. 

Lacrosse has long been a fun option for kids but—unlike certain activities like soccer—not every town has its own league. Thankfully for lax-loving kids, there are several facilities in Westchester that offer camps or classes where kids can learn and have fun, as well as several private leagues that operate in various locations around the area. 

We’ve rounded up some of these options for kids to play lacrosse that extend beyond town rec leagues. Looking for other types of classes for kids, sports or otherwise? Consult our Classes Guide, check out our Camp Directory and sign up for our FREE newsletters to stay up to date.                    

“Mom. Is it time yet? Are we going to the Splash Zone today?” For the last week, these have been the first words out of my daughter’s mouth. On Saturday she walked into my bedroom at the crack of dawn wearing her swimsuit (over her pajamas of course) and goggles. Finally, Sunday arrived. Splash Zone Day at Chelsea Piers Connecticut! To say my four-year-old daughter was looking forward to this adventure would have been a bit of an understatement. Bonus points: she got to bring a friend! 

It’s time to start anew and sweep out all the bad luck of 2015. Celebrating Chinese New Year with your family can be a blast, not to mention cleansing! Of course, New York City's celebrations are wonderful, but there is a ton of fun to be had in New Jersey as well. Bring in the Year of the Monkey the right way, with dance, family workshops, music or stay home for cleaning, food, crafts and more! 

Hard to believe, but this year marks the 118th Chinese New Year Parade in DTLA. I grew up attending these parades, which used to be held on Friday nights when I was a kid; and I've passed the tradition on to my own children, now that the celebration is held on a more family friendly Saturday afternoon. My kids always love an excuse to go to Chinatown; it is definitely one of their favorite places to eat. Not only that, the Golden Dragon Parade is one family activity that even my teenager enjoys. 

Warning: reading this piece may lead to a sugar rush. Buying candy is a treat for little ones. Making their own is even sweeter. Candy shops throughout NJ offer kids the opportunity to play chocolatier and make their very own candy. Creating custom goodies is a fun, hands-on activity for birthday parties, clubs and scout troops. Some of these shops even offer children’s classes on the art of chocolate design. Get your sweet tooth on at these NJ candy shops that offer make-your-own fun.