Now that January is coming to a close, are you still feeling the post-holiday strain on your budget? Luckily, most of this week’s activity picks are free! Don’t miss the free fun at library programs, including Family Fun Night in Berkeley Heights, Fit4Kids puppet show in Chatham and Girls Who Code in Newark. Explore other free activities at Barnes and Noble and Thompson Park Creative Arts Center. Plus, enjoy low-budget active time at All About Fun and Fort Monmouth Recreation Center. And don’t forget to check out our event calendar for even more weekday and weekend events.

There are plenty of indoor activities to keep you and your kids warm during the winter months. This week alone, you can learn about the ocean, practice healthy cooking skills, find out how your child's eating habits are affecting him at school, and enjoy the ballet that inspired Disney's Frozen.

Of course, this list is just our top picks--be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar regularly as it is always being updated. And to receive this post right into your inbox, sign up for our newsletter, which is now going out twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays).

We've rounded up something fun to do across the state each day. Although we only highlight one activity per day in this post, you can find plenty of other options in our Event Calendar. This week you can go to the planetarium, hang out with your American Girl Doll, take a free Broadway dance class and more. With the snow that fell this weekend, make sure to check out our Winter Fun Guide for more ideas. Have fun! Editor's Note: With the blizzard coming across the state, some of these events may be canceled or postponed. Always call the venue first to confirm. Stay warm and safe!

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If the recent weather kept you home, get back in your groove at any of the many great indoor programs happening this week in Westchester! We’ve culled our top picks for you, but it was really hard to choose--there are a lot of noteworthy things scheduled, so be sure to comb through them on our Events Calendar after reading the ones we’ve highlighted below.

In addition to international flavor with Taste of Korea, getting hands on with Fascinating Frogs and a jumpstart on summer with the Yorktown Camp Fair, our calendar also includes open mic night for kids, square dancing, a 50^th anniversary event for Dr. Who and more! As always, most of these events are FREE!

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Yes a blizzard is coming, but you can't spend the whole weekend holed up indoors (although that may be a good idea on Monday or Tuesday if possible). The last week of January brings mostly FREE and fun activities for all ages, from interactive music classes for tots to no-cost admission at the the Museum of Mathematics to a complimentary Winter Carnival at Bryant Park.

Although we only highlight one event per day in this post, you can find plenty of other options in our Event Calendar and Winter Fun Guide.

Heading to the library on a Monday morning is a gentle way to begin the week, and the Central Library in Glendale has a drop-in play day. Stay, play, browse, and definitely bring home some reading material for the rest of the week. I love libraries when a holiday approaches; there are bound to be plenty of books about Valentine’s Day to distract little ones from the candy by focusing on the spirit of the day and its origins.

Teen thespians can do their drama thing at the Miles Playhouse. Connoisseurs of magic and performance might enjoy The Odyssey Theater's production of Smoke and Mirrors, and prehistoric beasts take the stage at the Natural History Museum. Or why not plan an outing to DTLA's Flower Mart? The fun doesn't stop there, of course; there are always more ideas on our daily event calendar.

We continue our month-long coverage of Cold Spring with a look at restaurants and other eateries. Though Cold Spring is small, there's a reliable cadre of restaurants to choose from, most of which are on Main Street and all of which are within walking distance of the MetroNorth station. Outdoor seating is a staple.

You won't find changing tables in the bathrooms or kids-eat-free deals, but the places we've highlighted are all welcoming of children and very laid back. For those craving sweets, your best bet is ice cream, but be forewarned, there are several excellent spots for that, so you'll have to try them all! 

Read on for our top picks for dining with families in Cold Spring. Also, be sure to check out our Winter Fun Guide and Indoor Activity Guide for ideas to keep kids busy all season long. And if you haven't already, sign up for our FREE newsletters to have our latest content delivered right to your inbox. 

This week is filled with free classes and class demos all around town. Our picks include opportunities to try out cooking, music, or kickboxing – truly something for everyone! In performances, families can catch a Japanese-influenced adaptation of Pinocchio on Friday, and KerPlop! The Tale of the Frog Prince is still hopping on stage on Thursday and Friday as well. 

Plenty of libraries and book stores also offer sing-a-longs, concerts, and story times to liven up an otherwise dull winter day this week. In case you missed it, we recently shared 10 Things to Do in Boston with Baby in the Winter just in time for the big snow storm this week. Read on for our picks of the week, and don't forget to check out the full events calendar!