Day Trip to Olana State Historic Site to See Frederic Church's Living Masterpiece

Access to Olana’s 250-acre landscape is free, and a visit is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors. Photo courtesy of the State Historic Site

One of my favorite places to visit with my family in the Hudson Valley is the Olana State Historic Site. It encapsulates what's so great about the area—natural beauty, history, and amazing art, design, and architecture. With breathtaking views of the Hudson River, it's a great destination for the whole family, offering sights and activities for kids as well as their parents.

We've visited Olana in the summer and winter and enjoyed ourselves equally on each visit. Whether you're taking a day trip or spending a long weekend upstate, make sure to have Olana on your list. You can find plenty more getaway inspiration in our Day Trips and Getaways Guide.

Liked Bridgerton? Best British Period Dramas to Watch with Kids

For those who binged Bridgerton, what's next?  Photo courtesy of Netflix

While Bridgerton is being celebrated for bringing much needed diversity to the often whitewashed world of period dramas, it’s definitely not appropriate for children. As a costume drama devotee, historical fiction lover, and devourer of any and all period films and TV series, I’m happy to share some of my favorite popular and lesser known options that are kid-friendly. 

Period dramas are wonderful escapism. And who doesn’t need some escapism right now? Common themes are designed to make us nostalgic for a lost era of manners and the purity of the agrarian, pre-industrial past. Pair that with the over-the-top decadence of the costumes and houses, and there’s nothing better than these bingeworthy British period dramas. 

My recommendations are all rated G or PG and are available to watch online, either included with streaming services or to rent.  

Online STEM Camps With Early-Bird Discounts and Special Offers

With Camp Galileo Anywhere, choose from a range of engaging online innovation-infused classes for Pre-K-8th graders.

With summer camp registration opening up, we reached out to a number of virtual programs across the country to see if they had any early bird discounts or exclusive offers to share with our readers. Sure enough, we wound up with deals from some much-loved online STEAM and STEM camps that'll keep your kids' brains busy while school is out of session.

From discounts on tuition to free trial classes, take a look at the timely deals below—and don't dawdle, because they'll literally disappear as they expire. If you don't see an offer listed below, it means that it's ended.

Of course, you'll find plenty more virtual and in-person camps in our Camp Guide and Directory. Read on to see all the summer camp deals and discounts we got just for you!

A Sweet Visit to PEZ Visitor Center in Orange

Strawberry candy-scented air tickled our noses as soon as we opened the car doors, and before we even stepped into the building, the kids knew that the PEZ Visitor Center would be a sugary dream come true (for another sweet experience in the New Haven area, venture out to Fascia's Chocolates in Waterbury). For adults who loved PEZ candy during childhood, it’s a trip down nostalgia lane. For children, it’s a colorful world filled with tempting flavors of candy. Though a visit here doesn’t take long (we spent about an hour), you’ll be glad you stopped by, and the kids will not want to leave. 

25 Iconic LA Adventures To Have with Kids Right Now

This is a pretty enought place to spend a loooooong time exploring. Photo courtesy of Hollywood Forever

One thing this pandemic hasn’t shut down is how darn fast kids grow up. Luckily, LA is (in my humble opinion) the best city in the country for raising kids, with the greatest variety of things for families to do. So even with indoor events and activities on pause, there are plenty of the best, most memorable things to do in Los Angeles with kids that take place outside, and these are all open.

Back when Mommy Poppins first launched, we came up with 100 not-to-be-missed, family-fun outings, and there are 25 of them you can still do today (or this weekend). So check out our list below and get exploring—there is still loads of fun to be had.

27 Things To Do with Kids North of Boston in Winter

Salisbury Beach in winter is quieter, but no less beautiful.

The cold temperatures and snow have arrived, but that doesn't mean we have to hibernate. Bridging Boston and New Hampshire, the North Shore of Boston delivers New-England-style fun all winter long. In the spirit of 2021, many businesses and towns north of Boston have come up with creative ways to help families stay safe and socially distant while enjoying family time, outdoors and in. Whether the kids are keen to picnic at a fire pit, sample local chocolate, spot owls and arctic foxes, or marvel at a snow-swept beach, parents can cross some of these North Shore activities off their Winter Fun lists and show Jack Frost who's boss.  

Private Playtime: 13 Indoor NYC Play Spaces That Can Be Rented For Pods or Families

Take your crew to Lidia's Play Cafe where you can rent the entire play area for a 90-minute private play session.

While indoor play spaces usually provide a haven from the frigid winter weather, many of us aren't too keen on setting our kids loose at an indoor play space with kids we don't know amid the city's rising coronavirus infection rate.

Luckily, many indoor play spaces and gyms throughout the city have adapted to the moment and offer their spaces for private rentals, giving families or learning pods a space to play on your own or with a close group of friends.

Read on for 13 local play spaces offering this private play perk, and find more play spaces in our Indoor Play Spaces Guide and plenty of seasonal things to do in our Winter Fun Guide.

Carhops and Drive-Ins: The Best Ways to Eat Out in LA with Kids

Everything old is new again, like the carhop. Photo courtesy of Mel's Drive-In

Can’t dine in. Can’t eat outside. Everyone is tired of takeout meals that get cold or soggy before you get home. And a whole lot of parents (like me) have run out of ideas for what to make and eat with kids. If any of that sounds familiar, this is the perfect solution: a slew of new and classic drive-ins and carhops in Los Angeles.

Discover these drive-in spots where the food is fresh and hot, there’s often a side of entertainment, and families can eat outside the house. All of these LA carhops have kid-friendly food and desserts, making them fun places to celebrate something special (like a birthday).

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