Not all snow sports come with an adrenaline rush. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are two fun, yet low-key winter activities that are easy for Connecticut kids to learn, offer the opportunity to experience beautiful surroundings, and make for a tranquil family outing or a fun, socially-distanced adventure with friends. There are several parks, trails, and winter sports centers in Connecticut where families can safely snowshoe or cross country ski, and some even rent out gear and offer lessons.

For more cold-weather thrills and chills, check out our favorite Connecticut snow tubing parks and family ski areas. 

Philly families have always relied on outdoor spaces for fun. Neighborhood parks and playgrounds provide a sense of community and a place to exercise. Over the past several months, going outside actually gives kids and grown-ups a sense of normalcy. Being outdoors in local parks and playgrounds helps to support mental, physical, and emotional well-being during these difficult times.

Below is a list of area parks and playgrounds that recently received a makeover through Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and a City program called Rebuild. This initiative invests funds raised from the Philadelphia Beverage Tax to improve vital spaces such as playgrounds, libraries, and recreation centers for the community. Imagine how excited children will be when they arrive to find new playground equipment at their favorite spot. Or head to a new location and explore. Read on to discover what to expect at your next playground play date.

Lake Placid, New York is the perfect destination for winter adventurers. Ski at Whiteface Mountain; ice skate at the Olympic rink; snowshoe, bobsled, or even lead a pack of dogs on a sledding adventure. It’s all there for families in this Adirondacks community five hours or so by car from New York City or Boston.

Boston winters are long and cold—no doubt. But a surefire (and blessedly simple) way to shake off a case of cabin fever is to bundle up and head outside for a winter hike or walk. From the heart of the city to the hilly suburbs, Massachusetts boasts many paved or wooded trails that are as majestic in winter as they are in spring or summer, whether dusted or just swept bare by the elements.

If Mother Nature delivers more than a few inches of snow, consider trying out one of the places to snowshoe with kids around Boston instead. Kiddos feeling lazy? A stop at a Boston cafe with great hot cocoa or the promise of a homemade hot chocolate bomb treat to follow your outing is sure to sweeten the deal.

Have your kids caught cabin fever? After a year like 2020, they're definitely not alone. If your typical stash of crafts and board games just isn't cutting it anymore, fear not. From north to south, there are plenty of great NJ indoor play centers, obstacle courses, and trampoline parks that offer the perfect antidote to the winter blues. We've picked 16 super fun indoor play spaces that are sure to be a welcome break to your daily routines. All of the picks on our list are open and welcoming visitors now.

Being stuck indoors during the long winter months with kids who need to expend energy can be challenging, especially in these times. No amount of board games or Pinterest-worthy crafts can make up for good old-fashioned exercise.

But just because the temperature is lower and the days are shorter doesn't mean your family can't get outside and enjoy Philadelphia's winter scenery. The Philly area has a number of great family-friendly hiking trails that offer kids some healthy exercise and a chance to explore the outdoors. That's why it's one of the things we can't wait to do with Philly kids this winter.  

So bundle up and head out to some of these great hiking destinations. You won't be disappointed.

Explore the outdoors with your family on one of the many amazing hiking trails around Orlando. Family hikes are a great way to unplug together, boost mental and physical health, and enjoy beautiful Florida scenery.

Here is a comprehensive list of great local hiking trails all around Central Florida. Each includes trails that are easily accessible for children, and many are stroller friendly and include playgrounds. Make sure to bring bug spray, as mosquitoes are on the rise. We recommend bringing sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water as well.

Hiking is also an option at many of Central Florida’s natural springs. Add to the outdoor fun with a geocaching scavenger hunt or by hiding painted rocks for others to find.

Looking for a fun outdoor activity to pass the time this winter? (Which parent isn't?) Maritime Aquarium is offering their popular Seal Spotting & Birding Cruises on select weekends in 2021. Seals migrate from Canada to the warm waters of the Long Island Sound from around mid-November to April, and are most visible to humans when they “haul out” onto the rocky shores that make up the Norwalk Islands. On a sunny, cold Sunday in January, my daughter and I had a blast spotting the cute marine mammals as well as a variety of majestic winter waterfowl from the deck of the aquarium's spacious cruising boat. Of course, just the prospect of trading a day in the house or car for a day on the water was exciting, too!

Read on for details of our experience on the Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise, and find more of our favorite cold-weather adventures with Connecticut kids in our Winter Day Trips guide.