From the moment my family arrived, we found West Virginia to be quite literally a breath of fresh air. A quick four-day family vacation to the Mountain State left such an impression that my tween daughter announced nearly immediately that she'll be moving there!

Whether seeking outdoor adventures, such as whitewater rafting and hiking in stunning West Virginia's state parks, or enjoying a classic state fair and exploring caves, families with kids of all ages will find plenty of fun things to do in West Virginia. We knew little of this mountainous southern state beyond the refrain of John Denver's anthem...."almost heaven, West Virginia." But we couldn't agree more. What we found was a refreshingly authentic travel experience, steeped in nature and sweetened by welcoming locals. Our overwhelming impression is just the absolute greenness of the sate: thick forests of trees, so many trees, and lush, dense greenery. More than three-quarters of the state is covered by forest.

Read on for our family-friendly travel guide-slash-love-letter to the state of West Virginia. We're sharing some of the favorite restaurants, resorts, cities in West Virginia, and yes the abundance of outdoor opportunities and more fun things to do in West Virginia when traveling with kids, from camping to skiing and more. 

The thought of having to prepare a huge Thanksgiving meal for my family gives me nightmares worse than forgetting to turn in my senior thesis. I prefer to leave it to the professionals and enjoy family, friends, and football rather than shopping, cooking, and cleaning up. For a traditional feast with all the trimmings and minus the stress, check out our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in the Hartford area. Reservations are strongly recommended for all of the restaurants. Check out our posts about Thanksgiving Dinner Out in Fairfield County and Restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day in Litchfield County too. 

Now that Halloween is over, it's time to (at least try to) get into the holiday spirit! This month you can still check out a fall festival or two, but Santa is already making appearances around town. For inside activities, check out an area trampoline park, or indoor play area. It's also the perfect time of year for a weekend camping trip to get the most of the weather.

We'll continue updating our calendar for things to do every day, and you can sign up for our weekly newsletters to receive our latest posts and ideas for things to do around Houston.

The Please Touch Museum is one of the most celebrated places in the Philadelphia region to take your tots under the age of six, and for good reason. This totally hands-on experience, with nothing off limits, gives kids the chance to let their imaginations run wild. Whether they are playing grown-up in the replica grocery store or make-believe in the Alice in Wonderland maze, kids are sure to have a great time. Here are some insider tips to help parents and children make the most of their visit.

Looking for other inside activities for kids in the Philly area? Check out our directory of venues that offer indoor fun.

The long-awaited debut of American Dream is becoming a reality today with the opening of the Western Hemisphere's biggest indoor amusement park, as well as an NHL-size indoor ice skating rink. This first phase of the new Meadowlands entertainment complex in East Rutherford, NJ, features the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and The Rink at American Dream. 

Those without amusement park tickets for this weekend will have to wait a bit longer to visit, however, as tickets for opening weekend are sold out. In the meantime, we've got the lowdown on what you need to know about American Dream before you go.

Baby sleep aids can help soothe and snuggle newborns back to sleep, making these items essential for new parents. The trick is to figure out which baby sleep aids work best for your little one.

As a mom of three, I’ve tried quite a few hacks and products to get my baby to sleep. I’ve also desperately googled things like, "when do babies sleep through the night," "sleep regression," and "how to get baby to sleep." Because if there’s one thing that probably tops every new parent wish list, it’s more sleep (and coffee, of course)!

Before you struggle through another night, consider these 11 baby sleep aids, including swaddles, white noise machines and baby sleep music, and on-the-go sleep items for travel, all preferred and tested by our parent writers and editors.

Chicago families in need of childcare solutions during the teachers' strike, take heart: There are some great resources, camps, and activities available. We've rounded up some helpful information for Chicago families affected by the strike, as well as options for day-off camps and activities. We'll keep this list updated as the strike continues.

Ever feel envious of Philadelphia moms who have access to an entire Sesame Street theme park? Wish you had more Elmo in your life? Or maybe you wish Julia was just a short dive away? All your dreams will come true in the spring of 2021, when the list of things to do with kids in San Diego grows to include a Sesame Place theme park—only the second all-Sesame Street theme park in the US.