There's certainly no shortage of indoor play places in Nassau County, so a new one really needs to do something to set itself apart from the pack. Bounce! Trampoline Sports (310 Michael Road, Syosset; 516-762-1300) manages to do just that by not only wowing kids with an array of trampoline-based activities, but giving adults the chance to join in on the fun, too.

In most places, the YMCA is a pretty straightforward concept.  It’s an affordable place for the family to get fit and stay fit, to introduce sports to your kids, and perhaps most beautiful of all, members with young children can take advantage of free childcare during workouts (except Stamford).  As with many things, though, Fairfield County is a little different.  There are towns where it’s simple — Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Westport-Weston, and Wilton all operate as independent entities, where members join and generally only EVER go to that particular Y.  (More about reciprocity agreements later).  However, there are at least 11 other YMCAs across the county that act more like conglomerates — and members are encouraged to take advantage of different amenities at different locations.  Problem is, who has the time to figure out what is where, digging around in several different YMCA websites?  Mommy Poppins, that’s who.  Here’s the rundown on what each Y offers, in one place -- incidentally, a great launching pad for your comparison shopping of gymnastics classes and swimming lessons.

We’re very lucky to have a huge variety of museums in the Hartford County area from science to art to hands on children’s museums and more. What makes us even luckier is that many of them offer free admission! So take a look at this list and make plans to check one out soon. For more information on Connecticut Museums check out our Kid Friendly Museum Guide.

When you live somewhere for over 20 years, it can be easy to lose appreciation for your surroundings. We recently met up with a group of 8th graders from Richmond, VA, who were on a school trip to the Concord area and asked for their impressions as they visited historic sites in town.

Seeing the world from a 12 year old’s eyes can be enlightening!

Plus, we liked their itinerary - it was a good mixture of indoor and outdoor activities and covered many of the key sights for visitors trying to make the most of two days in town. Looking for more things to do in the area? Please see our 20 Things to do in Concord post.

In the words of the great Cyndi Lauper, “Girls just wanna have fun!” We've told you about Best Birthday Party Ideas for Boys, and now it's the (miniature) women's turn. If you are looking for a fresh idea for your little lady’s upcoming celebration, check  out our ideas below. From a salon makeover to crafts to tea parties to a ballet lesson (or for our more hip chicks, a hip-hop class), there are endless options in the Garden State. And for more party ideas, visit our complete Birthday Guide!

It seems like all anyone can talk about this week is the blizzard and the cold, but after all, it is the dead of winter in NYC. And not everything about it is bad. The freezing season brings snow days (though not this week for New York City public schools, which sparked much controversy not to mention a brief tantrum from my eight-year-old). Plus sledding, skiing, great winter travel deals, and crazy hats and headgear, like the horse head in the pic. (I couldn't help but sing the Mister Ed theme when I saw that kid... I don't think he or my daughter had any idea what I was doing.)

There are also plenty of great indoor activities to check out this season. This week we rounded up the best family theater shows opening this winter, profiled a Queens restaurant with a playroom and published our first full week of WeeWork activity posts so you can enjoy family fun without having to leave your home—a nice option when it's in the single digits!

We also have a great giveaway going this week: Enter to win a family four-pack to Sesame Street Live Elmo Makes Music at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Even if you don't snag the prize, we've got an exclusive discount code so you can save 25% on tickets to select performances. All the info you need is right here.

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

This weekend, take a trip to the East End and make a stop in Bridgehampton. There’s plenty on tap for nature lovers at the South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center. Hone investigative skills and learn about beach erosion, master the art of knot tying, or go on a walk to observe seals. For crafty fun, head to the Children's Museum of the East End. Listen to a story and create a bird feeder, or put those culinary skills to the test and make Belgian waffles. For those in Nassau County, celebrate the release of the upcoming Lego Movie at Barnes & Noble, or make kooky kaleidoscopes at the Long Island Children’s Museum. As always, check our events calendar every day for activities for the family.