In-person performances are back and you don't need to dig into your 401(k) to give your kids a memorable live theater experience in NYC. This winter, there are lots of family-friendly productions that cost a sliver of what you'd pay to see one of our favorite Broadway productions.

There are wonderful winter theater options for kids of all ages from toddlers to teens, including shows aimed specifically at the preschool set (Sesame Street Live, Blippi: The Musical); stage adaptations of popular picture books (Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends); and eye-popping spectacles for the whole family (the aerial arts-filled The Little Prince, Flip Circus). Bonus: Some of our winter theater picks are also being streamed to at-home audiences.

Best of all, most of these 15 family-friendly winter theater shows have tickets starting at $25 or less, so you can take the whole family for less than the price of one Broadway seat!

A visit to the movies is tempting in the cold of winter, but if you're not quite ready for the crowds at the local mega theater, now is the perfect time to rediscover the magic of the movies with a visit to one of the children's film festivals and independent theaters that call New York City home.

The midwinter season is home to a trio of indie film fests that cater to the kid-sized set, with the BAMkids Film Festival and FIAF's Animation First Fest taking to the screens in February, while the New York International Children's Film Festival brings back in-person programming in March. Read on for details on these children's film festivals, plus other local festivals and film series catering to kids.

Manhattan West is its own little town in the making. Sandwiched between the bustling streets surrounding Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, and the packed-with-amenities Hudson Yards, this new development has slowly been coming to life. Already, it boasts a destination-worthy food hall, themed retail, a bright public art installation, and one of NYC's newest outdoor ice skating rinks. Read on for fun eats, treats, and things to do at Manhattan West.

The temperature might be dropping, but New Jersey families can crank up the fun with an outdoor winter adventure! These 16 picks for outdoor fun feature plenty of destinations guaranteed to get you out and enjoying winter's chill.

So, bundle up and try a new outing, whether it's hitting a nearby ski slope, trekking along a family-friendly hiking trail, or visiting one of New Jersey's top zoos.

Sometimes we (gasp!) get sick—or get just plain exhausted. For those moments when Mom or Dad just needs to chill, here are 20 toddler games, toddler activities, and other minimal-effort activities for kids at home. No messy sensory bins here—the mantra of this post is to do less when you’ve got less to give.

Looking for more indoor activities for kids? We have lots of ideas—including science experiments, crafts, and more—in our Guide to Boredom Buster for Kids.

While many people deride February as a short, cold, miserable month, let me give you 10 reasons it's the best month of the year.

In my family, February is the month of celebrations because one year in February, I got the best birthday gift I’ve ever gotten: My twins were born the morning before my own birthday. So our family of four celebrates three birthdays in 48 hours. Throw in Groundhog Day, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Mardi Gras—all of which I adore for various reasons—and this is the month when my family celebrates something almost every day. But even if you don't have a cornucopia of festivities, this February there is a lot to celebrate. From a new excuse to bake more cakes to the shows that will have your family glued to the TV, here's the scoop on what's cool and new this February.

With travel perhaps limited this winter, it's harder to find a place for kids to dip their feet in the pool. Sure, you can plan an outing to one of these family-friendly water parks nearby, but why not stay home and visit one of the many indoor swimming pools Long Island has to offer?

We’ve rounded up some of the most affordable and family-friendly indoor pools across Long Island. Some are open to community or town residents, while others welcome nonresidents. Many offer swimming lessons, too. So read on for our picks for family-friendly indoor pools across Long Island, and find more wet and wild fun in our Guide to Beaches, Pools, and Water Play.