Indoor Birthday Party Spots with Mega Playgrounds in NJ

At Pump it Up in Roselle Park, a huge array of inflatables fills the room. Photo courtesy of the venue

Looking for the perfect indoor birthday party spot in New Jersey for your winter baby? We've rounded up the most action-packed indoor birthday party locations for your cold-weather celebrations. Whether your birthday child wants to jump and bounce, climb, dance, tackle a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course, or even take a spin on an amusement ride, New Jersey has a party place for it.

Read on for our favorite action-packed indoor birthday party spots. For more birthday party planning ideas, check out our Guide Birthday Parties in New Jersey for Kids.

Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships in NYC

DOROT's Manhattan Teen Internship Program pairs teens with older adults in need of companionship and aid.

Summer internships can make your average, high-achieving, New York City kid really stand out from the rest of the equally high-achieving pack when it comes time to apply to colleges. In an era when applications have become increasingly competitive—leaving schools to look for more than good grades, great test scores, an outstanding essay, and a list of after-school activities—these summer internships in NYC offer kids hands-on, real-world experience, and some even include leadership opportunities.

NYC summer internships come in various formats, paid and unpaid, regular and intermittent, educational and creative, with some also offering school or volunteer credit. The primary thing summer internships in NYC for teens tend to have in common is the due dates to apply are usually long before most teens have started thinking about their summer—or college—plans.

To make sure your teens don’t miss out on any opportunities, we've rounded up 18 great summer internships in NYC for teens. Most are accepting applications now. Find more teen-friendly happenings in our Tween and Teen Guide to NYC.

Best Events To Celebrate Mardi Gras in Houston with Kids

Galveston's Mardi Gras parade is a fun spectacle. Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras Galveston

Mardi Gras is sometimes thought of as an adult affair, but there are tons of options around the Houston area for celebrating with kids. Your family will love Houston's festive parades, the floats decorated in bright colors, the free-flowing candy, the great music at many events, and the shiny beaded necklaces to catch and wear. 

Read on for our selection of the best Mardi Gras celebrations in Houston. And if you're looking for more kid-friendly ideas, check out our Winter Activities Guide for Houston Families for fun seasonal activities.

Scottsdale with Kids: 40 Best Things to Do in Scottsdale, AZ

Enjoy the stunning beauty of Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Robert Murray via Unsplash

A trip to the Southwest isn't complete without a stop in Scottsdale, Arizona—especially as an add-on to a Phoenix family vacation. There are so many things to do in Scottsdale with kids, from hiking and biking the gorgeous surrounding trails to learning (and possibly meeting) the cowboys that call it home.

I grew up in this beautiful city northeast of Phoenix, which was once a suburban region. Now, Scottsdale's picturesque appeal, great schools, elite resorts, and countless attractions have made it one of the most popular Arizona cities to both visit and live in.

Check out this list of 40 things to do in Scottsdale, AZ, including some awesome Scottsdale hotels for families. And if you're already traveling westward, take a look at our Guide to the Best Vacations Out West, including articles about nearby Sedona and Colorado Springs.

45 Best Things To Do in New Orleans with Kids

Try the beignets at the iconic Cafe du Monde. Photo courtesy of neworleans.com

Visitin New Orlesns with kids is a wonderful cultural trip for a family vacation. There are foods you've never heard of, hard-to-place accents, and street names you may not even know how to pronounce (Tchoupitoulas Street, anyone?) making New Orleans a must-visit city.  There are so many fun things to do in New Orleans with kids any time of year, but if you visit during one of the city's big festivals—like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or Bayou Boogaloo—your family is guaranteed an even greater time!

Read on for our list of the best things to do in New Orleans with kids, including the best family friendly New Orleans restaurants and foods to eat as well as family-friendly New Orleans hotels. If you're interested in taking the kids to Mardi Gras, find our 3 Day New Orleans Mardi Gras with Kids Itinerary.

For more great family vacation options, from warm and sunny vacation ideas to must-try dude ranch vacations for families, check out our Family Travel Guide.

Best Places to See Manatees in Orlando & Central Florida

These gentle giants love the warm waters at Blue Springs in Central Florida. Photo by the author

Winter months are the best times to see manatees in Florida, specifically Orlando and the central region. When the weather is cold and water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, these warm-blooded mammals congregate in freshwater springs, which remain at a constant 72 degrees year-round. Mid-November through March are ideal months to spot manatees, so read on for the best places to see gentle manatees within a few hours of Orlando.

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