Snow Games for Kids Beyond Sledding

This epic igloo will entertain the whole block (photo taken pre-pandemic).

Ready to add an extra dose of fun to that snow day? If you just got dumped on with a big batch of the white stuff, we have a whole list of snow day games to entice the kids outside and away from their devices.  

With serious snowfall, you can build a snow fort or maze, and with sub-freezing temperatures, kids can try to blow frozen bubbles or make colorful ice gems! Read on for more fun snow activities and outdoor winter activities to be had on even the bleakest of winter days.

Families Can Paddle with the Swans at Echo Park Lake

Take a paddle around the lake on one of the swan boats at Echo Park Lake.

Sure, biking, hiking, and other outdoor adventures are abundant in Southern California. But sometimes what parents of cooped up kids really need is an actual activity. One where you don't have to do a lot of organizing or planning, so you can sit back, relax, and keep the kids entertained. Preferably, this magical outing doesn't require a long drive and isn't wildly expensive. Echo Park Lake’s Swan Pedal Boats offer exactly that—a new and unique activity for the entire family to enjoy together where everyone can turn brains off, decompress, and just have a blast.

If this outing makes your family long for more wet and wild fun, check out all the spots in the city where kids can pedal and paddle on the water—from kayaks to water bikes to SUP boards and more.

Kusama: Cosmic Nature Set to Debut in April at NYBG

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is a living legend thanks to her whimsical, awe-inspiring installations.

Fans of the polka-dotted art of the legendary Yayoi Kusama take note: The pandemic postponed landmark exhibition of the artist's work at the New York Botanical Garden opens on Saturday, April 10, 2021. The exhibition, Kusama: Cosmic Nature, takes over the 250-acre grounds through Halloween.

And yes, the show features a pair of Kusama’s trademark, immersive infinity rooms.

Read on for the details of Kusama: Cosmic Nature, including info on how to score one of the limited-capacity, timed-entry tickets required to see this massive installation.

Paddle Board, Surf, Kayak, and More in LA: Rentals and Lessons for the Whole Family

Kids of all ages can learn to hang ten. Photo courtesy of Freedom Surf Camp

Most people think of surfing or paddle boarding as summer activities, but for lucky Angelenos these outdoor adventures are year-round possibilities. While hiking and playground visits are great ways to get active outside, sometimes kids want a little more excitement. Plus, long boats and boards are natural social distancing enforcers! So we rounded up the best places in and around Los Angeles where the whole family can rent SUP boards, surf boards, and kayaks—or even take part in more unique water sports (water biking anyone?).

First timers can take lessons, while old hands can simply rent the boats and gear. Ocean breezes in your face, sea lions barking from the rocks; any time is the perfect time to don a wetsuit and hit the waves for some water sport fun in LA.

11 Places to Snowshoe with Kids Near Boston

Snowshoeing is an activity that suits all ages. Photo courtesy of the Trustees of Reservations

What's one item that turns an otherwise ho-hum winter walk into an adventure? Snowshoes! Snowshoes are practical in that they allow kids to walk on top of the snow, allowing families to explore deep woods and other unshoveled trails after a big snowfall, but it only takes an inch or two of the white stuff for there to be a reason to break out this fun footgear. With dedicated winter trails or expansive meadows to tromp through, these spots are tops for snowshoeing near Boston with kids.

For other ways to get children out of the house on cold days, check out our favorite wintertime walks, family-friendly ski areas, and ice skating rinks—all in our Boston Winter Fun Guide

Outdoor Dining in New Jersey: Igloos, Tents, and More Alfresco Restaurant Setups

Dine on a scrumptious Greek dinner in a heated plexiglass tent at It's Greek to Me in Ridgewood.

You might feel like you've been living in a bubble during the pandemic, but now you can actually dine in one. New Jersey restaurant owners have been thinking outside the box to keep businesses afloat during the winter months, which have been especially hard on outdoor dining.

Creative outdoor dining structures—from igloos to tents, greenhouses, and fire pits—are popping up at eateries throughout the state, providing customers with warm, safe alfresco dining opportunities. These outdoor seating options are heated, private, or socially distanced and disinfected between parties. Some ultra-cool spots even feature Bluetooth speakers and outdoor TVs, so you can enjoy your favorite restaurants and plenty of creature comforts, no matter the weather, all while supporting local New Jersey restaurant.

We've found more great ways to get outside this season and plenty of seasonal, family-approved fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

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