10+ Indoor Play Spaces in Philly for Babies and Toddlers

Play for free indoors at the iconic Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse. Photo courtesy the playground

Mother Nature can often be a real thorn in the side to new parents in Philadelphia. Be it winter snow, spring rain, or summer heat, the weather often discourages getting out of the house with babies and toddlers. Visiting an indoor play space can rescue the little ones from cabin fever as well as offer parents a chance to socialize with other new moms and dads.

Parents in the city need to be a little more creative in finding indoor play areas, with fewer bouncehouse centers than in the suburbs. Mommy Poppins has a list of fun spots to drop-in with tots in and around Center City Philadelphia, including museums, gyms, and stores. 

Be sure to browse our directory for even more indoor fun ideas in the Philly area or our list of indoor play in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties.

Little League Baseball Programs in NYC

Many city Little League programs start with T-ball catering to kids as young as age 4.

The Yankees and the Mets aren't the only ones stepping up to the plate this spring. Thousands of kids across the city are eagerly dusting off their cleats in anticipation of Little League season. As a proud, long-time baseball mom, I know parents are often surprised at just how early in the year you have to register to ensure your child can join them. If you want to get in the game this spring, the time to register for Little League Baseball programs in NYC is now.

Joining a Little League team can be fun for the entire family. Moms and dads volunteer to help manage the leagues, coach the teams, run the concession stands, and maintain the grounds. Since most leagues are nonprofits, registration fees are relatively affordable. Most cost less than $300 for the entire season, and that includes nifty uniforms. If that's still out of your range, some leagues offer financial assistance.

9 Drop-In Indoor Playgrounds Where Boston Kids Can Get Their Energy Out

Race you to the bottom! Photo courtesy of Billy Beez

As temperatures hover around freezing and even trusty toys are getting tiresome, every parent is looking for fun winter activities that can help kids expend energy and get their sillies out indoors. Here are some of our favorite indoor play spaces where little and big kids can slide, climb, dodge, play pretend, and make friends—just as they might on their favorite outdoor playgrounds. Most are a drive outside city limits, but all have lots enough space and options for high-energy fun to make a day trip feel well worth it.

Looking for more ways to play inside? Try out a ninja warrior course or make a splash at an indoor pool. Our Boston Indoor Fun Guide is packed with even more ideas to making the most of cold or wet days.

New Immersive Alien Experience to Crash into Houston

The worm hole tunnel. Photo by Christopher Brielmaier courtesy of Seismique

Seismique, a 40,000-square-foot technologically driven interactive art museum is slated to open in West Houston later this year. And it's not just your run-of-the-mill interactive and immersive art museum - this permanent fixture will explore alien encounters, and will open its doors in Fall 2020.

10 Ways to Commemorate Black History Month in NYC

Journey through your imagination, dive into the past, and learn about black visionaries at the Brooklyn Children's Museum Black Future Festival. Photo courtesy of BCM

To mark Black History Month, many of NYC's museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions offer programs to honor the history of African Americans. The month is filled with creative, meaningful ways to celebrate African American culture and life in New York City. From thought-provoking museum programs to live performances and poetry-filled outdoor experiences, here are 10 ways your family can commemorate Black History Month in NYC.

What to Do When Your Child Doesn't Fit In

From not being invited to the birthday party to getting called hurtful names, hearing that your child feels like they don't fit in can nearly break a parent's heart. But, as we grownups know, the things that make children different are also the things that make them special—and finding ways to celebrate that uniqueness is key to their confidence.

Things To Do in Westchester this Weekend: Chinese New Year, Eaglefest, Valentine Tea

Celebrate the Chinese New Year on Saturday at Purchase College. Photo courtesy of Westchester Association of Chinese Americans

So much fun, both indoors and outdoors, awaits Westchester and Hudson Valley families this winter weekend! Our February GoList heralded several of our faves, and below are some more to choose from.

One of the headliners is the annual Hudson River Eaglefest, a multi-site event that celebrates the eagle’s return to Westchester, with viewing points up and down the river plus various attractions. It’s also time to celebrate the Year of the Rat, and we’ve identified several ways to do so, including the annual Chinese New Year Festival at Purchase College and the Lunar New Year Festival at the Hudson River Museum. For those looking to embrace the season, get outdoors for Winter on the Farm, replete with a pancake brunch, or take advantage of maple-sugaring season at Tappin' the Maple Trees.

We love how many of our top picks this weekend are FREE! Be sure to consult our Event Calendar for tons of activities every single day. If you haven't done so already, sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know! 

Budget-Friendly Midwinter Break Camps for NYC Kids

Artists and experts teach together at ACT Holiday Vacation Camps.

Midwinter recess always seems to be the black-sheep break: It sneaks up on you, and you have no idea how to handle it once it arrives. Here are our top budget-friendly Midwinter Break camps, and good news for procrastinators: They still have openings. If you need more options, check with local museums, play spaces, and after-school centers as many offer coverage.

If you're able to take a few days off and spend quality time with the kids, be sure to check out our list of 35 Fun Things To Do Over Midwinter Break.

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