Ways to Help with the Los Angeles Wildfires

Submitted by Gina Ragland on

Our hearts are with those affected by the wildfires in LA. ​Photo by Alex Miroshnichenko, via Flickr 2.0

The recent wildfires tearing through Los Angeles have brought chaos, heartbreak, and destruction to our beloved city. Pacific Palisades and Altadena, both stunningly vibrant LA communities, have been wiped out. Families have lost their homes, children no longer have local schools to attend, and historical buildings have been reduced to rubble. This is not how we envisioned starting a new year. 

Amid the confusion and wreckage, we must look for the heroes. First Responders are working tirelessly to battle blazes and get Angelenos to safety. Firefighters are putting their lives on the line to save others and contain fires in poor air quality conditions.

Read on for the best ways to support these unsung heroes and where to contribute to organizations that are diligently helping displaced families. 

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on

Kids eat free at IHOP no matter the day beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP

Eating out can be expensive, especially in NYC, and if you're on a budget, finding restaurants where kids eat free can be a lifesaver. Luckily, there is such a thing as a free lunch...if you know where kids eat free in NYC.

The good news is, with a little research (we've done it for you!), parents can suss out the local NYC restaurants where kids eat free. So, read on for a list of eateries—including local spots and larger chain restaurants—where you can feed those hungry mouths for the unbeatable price of $0 while you get a break from playing chef. We know what you'll be making tonight: reservations.

Find more money-saving tips for families in our Free Guide which has tons of free things to do in NYC with kids, including our top picks for birthday freebies for kids.

Brooklyn Children's Museum Turns NYC Eyesore Into a Magical Playground for Kids

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on

Experience In the Works to see how the city’s everyday structures can become spaces for discovery and play.

Like many other New Yorkers, I’ve always viewed scaffolding is a nuisance, but the always enchanting Brooklyn Children's Museum has managed to change my perception of this omnipresent piece of city architecture with its magical, playful, new exhibit In the Works.

This one-of-a-kind installation—that mimics the ubiquitious sidewalk structures familiar to many a New Yorker—is a dream come true for little explorers, offering endless opportunities to climb, slide, crawl, and interact with the city in totally unexpected ways. Read on for our take on this fun, new exhibit that's a great way to beat the cold-weather blues, and find more indoor places to play in our NYC Kids Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones.

Best Sledding Hills in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Catch some air on one of the many sledding hills in the Hudson Valley. Photo by Jeremy McKnight on Unsplash.

The Hudson Valley's sledding hills take on an aura of magic when the first blanket of snow covers the ground. What better way to enjoy it than by getting the kids out of the house for some fresh air and family fun at one of the many sledding hills in the Hudson Valley?

We have pulled together this list of the best sledding hills in the Hudson Valley, plus some tips on how to stay warm and dry and, of course, where to go for hot chocolate afterward.

If you're looking for more seasonal fun, we've got the skinny on winter hikes in the Hudson Valley, and outdoor ice skating region-wide.

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