Weekday Event Picks for NYC Kids: Jack & the Beanstalk, Music for Aardvarks, IMpossible IZZpossible January 12-16

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This edition of our weekday event roundup includes two of our top family picks for the entire month: a FREE Music for Aardvarks concert at South Street Seaport and the dance spectacle IMpossible IZZpossible at BAM. Further proof that cool things to do with kids don't just happen on the weekend.

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

Best NYC Kids Birthday Parties: 5 Amazing Birthday Party Ideas

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If you're the type who likes to go big, New York City certainly offers some over-the-top party ideas that will make your child's birthday a magical, memorable, only-in-NYC experience for kids and parents alike.

We've come up with five Manhattan party packages where young kids can enjoy unique activities worth the splurge. You can find even more party inspiration to suit every budget in our Party Guide.

Cold Spring with Kids: 25 Things to Do for Westchester Families

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The quaint hamlet of Cold Spring in Putnam County has much to offer Westchester families looking for a day trip, including outdoor activities, a strip of antiques stores, artsy boutiques and welcoming restaurants. Situated along the Hudson River, Cold Spring is easily accessible via Metro North Railroad—a great option if you prefer to leave your car at home and enjoy the scenic ride. Most highlights are within easy walking distance.

The village was designated a Federal Historic District in 1973 and is replete with numerous historic buildings and Victorian houses. Both the business district and the surrounding area offer all the charm of a historic area and back-to-the-garden appeal of a community where you’ll want to turn off your electronic devices.

We've taken a closer look at Cold Spring and all it has to offer residents and visitors alike, starting with 25 things to do with kids in the area. Cold Spring is a place to enjoy the outdoors, browse through distinctive shops, linger over a meal, and soak up the vibe from local artisans.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Stacey Peasley Band, Puppet Playtime & More January 12-16

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After the Arctic temperatures last week, staying indoors with your kids might sound like a good idea as you mull over plans for the coming week. Our indoor picks include some great demo classes, a winter open house at the Puppet Showplace Theater, as well as a free concert with the Stacey Peasley Band to keep the kids happy inside.

If you or your little ones are going stir crazy, some outdoor activities that might appeal this week are Little Naturalists: Bears in Marshfield, Babes in the Woods in Winchester, and Little Explorers: The Mitten in Topsfield. Read on for our picks of the week, and don't forget to check out the full events calendar!

The Funplex: A Great NJ Day Trip

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When a venue has “Fun” in its name, it has a lot to live up to. Luckily, The Funplex in East Hanover (and a second location in Mount Laurel) more than make the grade. Recently (2011) awarded a Brass Ring and named Top FEC (Family Entertainment Center) in North America by the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), The Funplex is part indoor amusement park, part arcade, part waterpark and all family-friendly. I took my gang to the East Hanover location and we had so much fun that the kids fell asleep in the car on the way back home. Can’t get much better than that.

Weekend Getaway to Old Saybrook, Connecticut: History, Great Food and Fun for Train-Lovers

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Old Saybrook is known as a summertime haven, but we decided to check it out in in the winter to see what the bucolic beach town has to offer in colder weather. Without all that sun and sand to distract us (ha), we discovered a cozy New England getaway with lots of history, great food and fun.

Old Saybrook is an especially great destination for train-lovers. From an historic railroad archeological site to a train-themed pizzeria, a train-lover’s castle, and rides on the Essex Steam Train, there seems to be train-related fun at every turn here. The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is the perfect base to enjoy this getaway, pairing kid fun and some adult luxury with a charming historic town, sunsets over the Long Island Sound, amazing food, and evenings curling up by the fire. It’s a getaway to make everyone feel like they got a treat. And now’s a great time to go with some special events to sweeten the deal.

This Week: Indoor Winter Fun in NYC, Best Family Travel of 2014, Weekday Picks in NYC & Beyond, Mommy Poppins Event at Symphony Space on Saturday

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It's so cold, my mother calls every morning to find out if her grandchild is dressed appropriately for the weather. (She never asks what I'm wearing so I guess I'm too old to worry about.) Winter is here to stay for a while and (once this deep freeze dissipates a bit), we're looking forward to enjoying skiing, snow tubing and other seasonal sports near NYC and beyond.

Of course if you're the type who plans to spend the next few months holed up inside as much as possible, there are lots of fun things to do indoors with kids. To inspire you, we put together a list of 50 drop-in destinations including play spaces, interactive museum installations, arcades and more offbeat options. If you're still pining for warmer climes, check out our Travel site's roundup of our favorite family travel destinations of 2014 and then start planning your next vacation—midwinter school break is coming up next month!

And what are you doing this Saturday? Hopefully joining us at our special Mommy Poppins-sponsored performance of the eye-popping show Stella, Queen of the Snow at Symphony Space. Our readers enjoy an exclusive preshow activity and save 35% on tickets. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

Last Chance to Check Out Cool 3D Printed Kids' Art at the Children's Museum of the Arts

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If you were as busy as we were over the holiday season, you may not have had a chance to check out Into the Third Dimension, the cool 3D printed kids' art exhibit at the Children's Museum of the Arts. Well it closes this weekend so it's now or never. My almost-five-year-old loved seeing children's 2D artwork transformed into 3D printed sculptures, and she learned a lot about the 3D printing process. So if you're looking for a warm and engaging destination this weekend, hit up CMA to see this unique display, and then enjoy everything else the museum has to offer, including hands-on creative stations and the ever-popular Ball Pond.

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