Best Places to See Manatees in Orlando & Central Florida

Submitted by Charlotte B on

These gentle giants love the warm waters at Blue Springs in Central Florida. Photo by the author

Winter months are the best times to see manatees in Florida, specifically Orlando and the central region. When the weather is cold and water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, these warm-blooded mammals congregate in freshwater springs, which remain at a constant 72 degrees year-round. Mid-November through March are ideal months to spot manatees, so read on for the best places to see gentle manatees within a few hours of Orlando.

School Break Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Winter and Spring Break Camps to Keep Kids Busy on Days Off

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Nory STEM camps offer plenty of educational, hands-on fun. Photo courtesy of NORY Stem

When school is not in session, these local school break camps help provide enriching care for kids. Whether you're looking for winter break camps or spring break camps, we've rounded up 13 camps that are open during major school holidays with options for kids who want to get their hands dirty in the great outdoors, build STEM skills in a classroom, or even hone their sports skills.

Be sure to check out our Family Activity Calendar for more fun things to do during the upcoming school break. And if you're looking ahead to the end of the school year, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp for Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids.

School Break Camps: Winter and Spring Break Camps Keep Atlanta Kids Busy on Days Off

Submitted by Melanie Preis on

Chattahoochee Nature Center's (CNC) Camp Kingfisher offers an outdoor camp experience during school breaks. Photo courtesy CNC

Send Atlanta kids to spring break camps and winter break camps for full days of fun during school vacations. Students on a break can spend hours pursuing sports, arts, cooking, gaming, and more awesome activities, instead of vegging out in front of the TV. Take a look at some of the coolest winter break and spring break camps in Atlanta that will keep kids entertained, happy, and busy!

School Break Camps in NYC: Winter and Spring Break Camps to Keep Kids Busy on Days Off

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Chelsea Piers holiday break camps offer a variety of programs from preschool camps to elite training, where children are able to pursue their passions and fuel their athletic potential. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers

Finding a great school break camp to keep kids busy during spring break and other NYC school vacations is a breeze thanks to these local school break camps. If kids need something to do, these NYC winter and spring break camps offer activities ranging from STEM to sports, visual arts, performing arts, cooking, and more. Many offer programming during week-long breaks and single days off. We have found school break camps in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, and we're sharing them all below.

Be sure to check out our NYC Kids' Camp Guide for more options for school holidays and all summer long, and find more top NYC spring and winter break camps in our camp directory.

Hot Wheels Champion Experience Has Rolled Into the DC Area

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on

Virtually racing Hot Wheels cars is one of many fun activities at the Hot Wheels Champion Experience. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

If you've got some little—or not-so-little—Hot Wheels fans in your life, check out Hot Wheels Champion Experience at Tysons Corner Center near DC. Open since December 2023, the 16,000-square-foot interactive environment includes 10 activities that combine physical play with video games, like designing your own Hot Wheels car and watching it come to life onscreen, building custom tracks in an augmented-reality room, and virtually driving a car.

I recently had the chance to visit Hot Wheels Champion Experience with my 12-year-old twin boys during a media preview. The boys enjoyed it, and said they would have loved it even more when they were younger.

Read on for all the details on visiting this experience, which is set to roll out of town on March 31, 2024. For even more ways to have fun indoors, check out our Guide to Indoor Fun for Kids in DC.

Family-Friendly Skiing and Snowboarding Near Philadelphia

Submitted by Lindsay Li on

Happy kids take a break in the snow at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Photo courtesy of Seven Springs

When Old Man Winter comes calling, it's time to hit the slopes. Pennsylvania is home to several kid-friendly ski areas boasting endless lanes, steep trails, and snow tubing action to boot. Whether you're looking for the highest peaks or some bunny hills to teach your kids the sport, these ski resorts near Philadelphia have it all.

Looking for more wintery fun? Check out our Winter Fun and Activities Guide. We've also rounded up the Best Snow Tubing Spots and the Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks.

Palos Verdes with Kids: 25 Best Things To Do in Palos Verdes, CA

Submitted by Melissa Heckscher on

Swing into all the fun for kids in Palos Verdes. Photo by Melissa Heckscher

Exploring Palos Verdes with kids means idyllic ocean views, rugged coastlines, white-picketed equestrian paths, and lush forested hiking trails. The Palos Verdes Peninsula might feel worlds away from the rest of LA's urban bubble, but the gorgeous and quieter coastal scenes are worth the traffic, especially with plenty of things to do in Palos Verdes with kids. 

From jaw-dropping hikes and whale-watching lookout points to horseback rides and garden strolls, keep reading below for the best things to do in Palos Verdes with kids. 

If you're craving more coastal scenes, discover the best tide pools for kids in Los Angeles, drive up the PCH for the best things to do in Malibu with kids, and dive into our Beach Guide to Los Angeles and Orange County. 

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