Top Places to Host a First Birthday Party in Houston

Houston is full of great places to celebrate first birthdays. Photo courtesy Sweet Pecks Photography

First birthday parties in Houston come in all shapes and sizes and often involve guests of all ages, including parents, siblings, friends from daycare, and more. Choosing the theme, decor, food, and location for a first birthday party in Houston can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be.

We've rounded up a list of Houston-area birthday party venues that provide age-appropriate activities for your birthday boy or girl to help you plan a fun, festive first birthday celebration.

If the weather cooperates, we've also got some great Outdoor Kids' Birthday Party Ideas. For more helpful birthday party tips, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Houston families.

25 Things To Do on February Winter Break on Long Island

The Long Island Aquarium's Butterfly Garden is a beautiful and warm place to visit during winter break. Photo by Gina Massaro

Winter break, February break, midwinter break, or Presidents Week—no matter what you call it, your Long Island kiddos will be home from school for a whole week, and you need ideas to keep them busy.

We’ve got exactly what you need: A list of 25 family-friendly events happening across Long Island during February's winter break, which runs from Monday, February 19-Friday, February 23, 2024. From one-day and week-long camps to outdoor ice skating and family-friendly museums, our roundup of activities gets you up and out of the house. 

For more ideas, check out our list of 24 fun things to do with Long Island kids this winter and our Winter Fun Guide.

25 Things To Do on February Winter Break in New Jersey

Catch one of the 30-minute family shows at Rowan University's planetarium this winter break. Photo courtesy of the  university

Looking for things to do during winter break in New Jersey? Read on for more than two dozen terrific options. 

Sandwiched between the bustling holiday break and the itching-for-warm-weather spring break is New Jersey's midwinter February Break. This year, Presidents Day is on Monday, February 19, 2024, and many NJ schoolchildren have a 3 or 4-day weekend, making it the perfect time for a family outing or family-friendly winter day trip.

Read on for our picks for the best February break activities for NJ kids, and bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for even more ideas.

Best Things To Do with Kids in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Cobble Hill Park is a buzz of activity no matter the season. Photo courtesy of Sara Marentette

The charming streets of tree-lined Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill are filled with family-friendly dining, places to play, and unique experiences like gaming and drop-in play spaces. It's infused with a mix of cultures, including Italian and French. The spires of grand historic churches mix with the pretty brownstones and numerous parks and playgrounds.

The area is bordered by the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge Park to the west and the charming Brooklyn Heights enclave to the north, with Park Slope and Gowanus to the south and east.

Read on for our top picks for kid-friendly things to do in these popular Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Best Sledding Hills in NYC

Central Park has some great hills for a fast ride. Photo by Jody Mercier

When the flakes fly, the sledding hills in New York City really come to life. Families flock to these local sledding spots spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island for wintertime fun with the kids. In compiling our list of the best sledding hills in NYC, we asked our readers, family, and Mommy Poppins writers and editors for their top recommendations for sledding hills citywide.

Looking for more snowy day activities? Read our roundup of snow day boredom busters, and bookmark our Guide to Winter Fun in NYC for more seasonal activities.

Best Math Games for Kids, From Online Math Games to Math Board Games

Math can be loads of fun, even for the math-averse, with cool and age-appropriate games and puzzles.

Math games can be a really hard sell for kids who just aren't that into, well, math. That's why we've gathered up all the best math games, from apps to board games and everything in between. These games are satisfying, engaging, and yes, they really teach math skills!

We've even included a bunch of math games you can play as a family, so everyone can feel like a part of the learning process, and it feels less like homework.

For more great board games, check out our epic list of 100 Best Board Games for Kids and Family Game Night. And if you've got a kid whose math-brain means they also love coding, we've rounded up the Best Free Coding for Kids Websites.

Best Bunk Beds for Kids and Toddlers

The Belden twin over full bunk bed from Pottery Barn is great for overnight guests or siblings.

Bunk beds for kids have been topping family must-have lists for years, especially for those of us living in small spaces. I can remember some 20 years ago when my brothers got their bunk bed and we all thought it was the coolest thing ever. (The ladder! The height!) Fast-forward and now it's my own two kids enraptured by bunk beds they saw at a friend's house.

But finding the bunk bed that best fits your family isn’t always easy. Let us help: We've rounded up 12 bunk beds for kids that hit many of the most important points, including picks in different sizes—a toddler bunk bed, twin over full bunk beds, a triple bunk bed, and more—and at a variety of price points.

Our Baby and Kid Gear Guide will help you find even more of the best products for your kids, from toys and games to baby registry must-haves.

Cloth Diaper Services and Diaper Delivery Services in NYC

Cloth diapers can be intimidating, but these local shops and services make the cloth diapering journey easier for NYC families.

Cloth diapers for babies have come a long way. Besides the washing and care of cloth diapers, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for cloth diaper newbies is the enormous number of options: snap or Velcro closures, wool or fleece covers, pre-fold, contour, or fitted diaper inserts. We’ve rounded up great cloth diapering resources for NYC families interested in exploring this eco-friendly alternative to disposable diapers, including informational classes.

As you're contemplating the best diaper subscription for your family, consider adding these cloth diaper services in NYC to the mix. We're also including information on two of the most parent-loved cloth diaper wash-and-fold diaper delivery services because many NYC families live without a washer or dryer. Not sure which style or brand of cloth diaper is right for your little one? We even found online stores offering cloth diaper trial deals where you get to sample many cloth diaper styles before settling on the perfect fit.

Looking for more baby services or classes in NYC? Bookmark our NYC Baby Guide, which is loaded with new-parent tips and our baby bucket list for the quintessential things all NYC babies must do before their first birthday.

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