Indoor rock climbing is an excellent way for kids to get some needed activity in the dead of winter, though it can be enjoyed year-round. Plan a visit to one of these rock climbing walls in New York City and let kids scale someone else's walls for a change. Major bonus: The sport takes concentration, discipline, and strength; all skills you'll be more than happy to help them build.

New York City boasts more than a dozen indoor bouldering and rock climbing spots in every borough but the Bronx. While a couple of these are only open during the summer, most are year-round destinations. The best part? Kids tend to love the activity, and it isn't too pricey. Try a drop-in program or sign up for one of the many after-school classes or school break camps offered at these rock climbing gyms for kids profiled below.

Find more active fun in our Guide to Sports Centers.

Planning a fantastically fun birthday party that your child and their friends will remember for years to come can seem like a daunting task, especially when you start counting out invitations and pricing birthday party venues near Houston. Making the most of a birthday party budget means getting the best deal possible on space, food, decor, and entertainment. Luckily, there are several great options for birthday party  venues near Houston that won't break the bank. 

Whether you prefer a more traditional party with streamers, balloons, and a bounce house, or want to go for a unique experience like a museum tour, we've got you covered. Read on for our suggestions on where to go and what to do when you want to make the most of a birthday party budget in Houston, and consult our Birthday Party Guide for more ideas.

Got kids who are obsessed with American Ninja Warrior and want the thrill of climbing warped walls? Or junior acrobats hoping to twirl in the air like circus performers in The Greatest Showman? Well, they're in luck because New Jersey is home to many indoor ninja-style obstacle courses and aerial arts gyms where little acrobats and ninjas can hone the skills they've seen on TV.

These indoor adventures get your kids climbing, vaulting, swinging, and balancing. These New Jersey facilities keep adventure-seekers moving right through the winter from ropes courses and rock walls to trapeze swings and plate-spinning.

Find more active spots in New Jersey for kids in our Guide to Indoor Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones. If you'd rather stay in, we've also got fun at-home ideas to get kids moving like these 25 exercise games and creative recess breaks.

Throwing a big kid’s birthday party in the winter months has been tough these past couple of years. Nothing guarantees a sad birthday tween more than a cold, masked, socially distanced, and minimally attended birthday party. While there are some cool big kid birthday party venues in New York City, most people still aren't comfortable celebrating indoors. But, armed with a little creativity and a can-do attitude, we've found eight DIY—or do-it-with-a-little-help—ideas for outdoor birthday parties that ensure your next big kid celebration ends in some wide birthday smiles!

Find more all-ages ideas to celebrate in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned living here, it’s that there’s no shortage of amazing things to do and see in Westchester. From kid-friendly museums and outdoor spaces to annual events that are on every family’s must-do list, it’s easy to keep little ones engaged, and to have a blast while doing it.

So whether you’re visiting family and friends, are thinking of moving to the area, or simply want to play tourist in your own backyard, read on for are some of the top attractions for families in Westchester.

Looking for even more things to do? Check out our Guide to Westchester, see what’s happening in our events calendar, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

High School students who step up really stand out in the college admissions process, and summer internships in Los Angeles for teens provide a way for kids to showcase their drive and get them working in their chosen field. Universities want more than impressive GPAs and SAT scores; they want well-rounded, engaged, passionate students. When your child has a hands-on internship experience, it leads to a leg up on the competition, and also gets them excited about the future—and it gets them out of the house for the summer! Whether your teen is looking for some real-world experience in the entertainment industry, has a head for business and can't wait to start crunching numbers, or loves working with kids, a wide range of professional opportunities are just a few clicks away.

Find more teen-friendly things to do with this list of 20 Things To Do with Tweens and Teens in Los Angeles They'll Actually Enjoy and in our Los Angeles Activity Guide for Tweens and Teens.

Need a cool activity that combines teamwork, family bonding, and problem-solving skills all in one? A Philly escape room can tick off every box on your list. For a fun and rewarding challenge that channels your inner Sherlock Holmes, these escape rooms near Philadelphia make the perfect outing for a kids’ birthday party or indoor activity.

Many of Philly’s escape rooms have rotating themes, so we recommend checking the websites before arrival to see what’s being offered at any given time. Most escape rooms cater to older children, so if you're bringing little ones, be prepared to help them out. For more great places to have a blast inside, browse our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones for Philly Kids.

After you’ve selected a birthday party location, booked an entertainer, and sent out invitations for your child’s birthday party, it’s time for the yummy part – picking out a birthday cake! No longer limited to round and rectangular shapes, today's birthday cakes can be tiered like wedding cakes or sculpted into baseball bats, cars, purses, and more.  

Look to our list to take the guesswork out of your sugary search. We’ve got everything covered, from a traditional sheet cakes to a custom birthday cake, throughout metro Atlanta. If you don’t want to slice into a beautifully decorated cake, consider cupcakes, cake pops, or cookies that many of these bakeries also prepare.