We're always on the lookout for ways to make parenting in Boston a little easier and a lot more fun, and blogs written by local parents are a terrific resource. Last year, we highlighted our 13 favorite new (or new to us) parent blogs in 2013, covering everything from autism to umami, parenting in Boston on a budget to LGBT parenting adventures.

This year, we're starting a new tradition: Top ten recommendations for Boston area parent blogs to start following in the new year. Our picks help us keep our new year's resolutions – like becoming more organized, living more sustainably, simplifying our lives, balancing work and family, getting our kids excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and eating well.

If your family loves the feeling of gliding across freshly packed snow on skis, you are certainly thinking about packing up the car and heading out for a day of skiing this winter. Fortunately, there are a few places that don't require hours in the car with screaming kids. Here are five places where you and your family can enjoy a full day of skiing without traveling more than two hours outside of New York City. Even if your family has never skied before, you may want to check out this list in case you decided to take a chance and experience the sport that so many love.

And for more winter fun, check out our Skiing & Snow Sports Guide.

January can feel like a little bit of a let down after the busy holiday season as we get back to school, work and busy schedules. But instead of sitting indoors on a chilly weekend, check out some of the winter fun Jersey has to offer! For a dose of outdoor adventure, throw on your coats and sign up for an awesome maple sugaring demo at Great Swamp or take an evening walk to search for nocturnal creatures at Tenafly Nature Center’s Owl Prowl. If you’ve got little ones that need some weekend entertainment, drop in for story time at the New Jersey State Museum or get tickets for opening weekend of Dinosaurs of the Deep at Adventure Aquarium. And if you’re looking for some engaging and creative ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, sign the kids up for an MLK painting craft at Imagine That Children’s Museum or take in the performance MLK Celebration: Embodying the Dream at NJPAC. For even more weekend fun, check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

In the mood for a sweet getaway with the kids? New York City is but a short hop from some of the Northeast’s finest maple sugaring centers, where tree sap is transformed into the breakfast syrup we all love.

Day trips to sugaring events in the metropolitan area and beyond offer parents and kids the chance to see how sap is collected, cooked and stored. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites, easily accessed from the city (most just an hour away by car), and added a few more just in case you’re in the mood to travel.

You can find more getaway ideas in our NYC Family Travel Guide.

Got a kid who wants to learn some smooth moves? Get in the groove with these kid-centric hip hop classes in Nassau County. Your little one will learn fast, fancy footwork and synchronized moves while burning some serious energy.

And if you're looking for other after-school and enrichment classes on Long Island, be sure to check out  our Classes Guide.

We're always looking for fun places for kids to get crafty. Doing art in a dedicated space (that isn't your living room!) is a win-win and painting your own pottery takes your DIY crafts to a whole new level. It's fun, anyone can do it and you get to take home something special at the end.