14 Drop-In Indoor Play Spaces for Philly Area Kids

Photo courtesy of Giggleberry Fair

Winter, spring, summer  or fall, it’s always a good season to play! No matter what the weather looks like outdoors, indoor play spaces are perfect for keeping little ones entertained, and exercised. Here’s a list of great spots you can visit with your kiddos, even when the climate’s not working in your favor. And don't forget to get more ideas for indoor fun with our Indoor Activities Guide

20+ Things To Do on February Break with NJ School Kids

Climb and explore at Liberty Science Center. Photo courtesy of LSC

Sandwiched between the bustling holiday break and the itching-for-warm-weather spring break falls New Jersey's mid-winter February break. This year, Presidents Day falls on Monday, February 15—and depending on the district, NJ schoolchildren will have a three-, four-, or even five-day weekend, making it the perfect time for a family outing or day trip, or two. 

Whether you choose to hang indoors at popular play spaces, or embrace the winter weather with snowtubing and other places to play outside, there's plenty to keep everyone busy on the long weekend.

Read on for the best February break activities for NJ kids, and don't miss our Events Calendar for even more ideas.

10 Best Indoor Water Parks for Kids in the US

Chill out in the lazy river at the Pump House indoor water park in Vermont.

An indoor water park is often the perfect quick family getaway whether it's the middle of winter and you need warming up or you have a special occasion to celebrate but don't want to risk the party being washed out. And we're not talking the dip pool at the downtown Best Western. We're looking for indoor water parks with mega water slides, relaxing lazy rivers, toddler-friendly splash pads, and thrilling wave pools.

Those living in the North and Midwest no longer have to seek sunny locales to beat the winter blues given the rising popularity of indoor water park resorts. And residents of the South now have ways to beat the heat when even water won't cool you off from a blazing sun. The year-round fun of an indoor water park is a bonus for everyone!

Here are our picks for the best indoor water parks for kids around the country, including Pennsylvania water parks indoor, Wisconsin Dells indoor water parks, and more top selections. Find more great trips in our Family Travel Guide.

Indoor Play Spaces With Weekend Hours for NYC Kids

Explore everything that CMOM has to offer. Photo by the author

Indoor play spots are an essential resource for NYC families with young children—and limited square feet—as temperatures begin a steady decline into winter. Unfortunately, so many of the city's indoor play spots are limited to weekday hours. While that's great for caregivers Monday through Friday, mom and dad are left out in the cold, scrambling to fill weekends with their preschoolers in other ways. But, lucky for you, we've uncovered nearly three dozen fantastic play spaces with weekend hours.

The spots all offer drop-in play hours for kids; no membership required. All include playthings sized just right for the little ones, including babies in many instances. They are stroller-friendly and equipped with changing stations, making them no-fuss options for the toddler squad.

Indoor Swimming Pools with Day Passes and Family Swim in Boston

Enjoy a heated lazy river—right in the city! Photo courtesy of Kroc Salvation Army Center

When the kids are wired but it's wintry or rainy, a dip in an indoor pool can be just the thing to set the day right. Swim lessons are important for setting a foundation for pool safety, but splashing around in the off-season can also help transform doggy paddlers into more confident swimmers. The trick is, many indoor pools require seasonal memberships, and not all welcome kids. We've rounded up some pools that offer day passes or drop-in swim times for families. 

See our Indoor Fun Guide for more ideas for helping kids unleash a little energy when the weather doesn't cooperate!

Cooking Classes for Kids in Connecticut

Kids are encouraged to explore world cuisines (that includes pizza!) at Sur La Table. Photo courtesy of Sur La Table

Cooking classes are a great kids activity. Kids love cooking and are definitely more likely to eat cuisine they have helped prepare. So get those aprons ready and sign your child up for a kids' cooking class! Pros at these kid-friendly cooking schools in Fairfield County and Hartford, Connecticut reinforce the importance of practicing safe cooking techniques and trying new foods. For kids toddlers through teens, these cooking programs are sure to spark creativity, expand palates, and maybe even inspire your resident junior chef to lend a hand in your own kitchen. 

Check our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in Connecticut for more educational and fun ideas.

Free Things to Do with Philly Kids in February

Photo courtesy of The Kimmel Center

Keeping the kids entertained during the winter months can be challenging. However, February offers Philly families many exciting opportunities for free fun including holiday events recognizing Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day. Plus, this year is a Leap Year so there's an extra day of fun.

Young children can participate in an interactive musical session at The Kimmel Center.  Those interested in nature can check out free maple sugaring events at Norristown Farm Park or winter celebrations at Briar Bush Nature Center and Wagner Free Institute of Science. Future carpenters can build something special for their valentine at your local Home Depot. Tech kids can learn python programming or text mining while children interested in history can sing happy birthday to our first president, George Washington.

With so many options, it may be difficult to choose! Keep reading to discover more great ways to make memories without spending a dime, and for extra ideas for free fun, check out our Free Activities Guide.

February GoList: Best Things To Do with LA Kids

February is a time to appreciate where we live perhaps more than any other—not simply because of the opportunity to celebrate the valentines, presidents, parades, and whales below, but also because we live in a place where we can ski in the snow one minute and be sand sledding at the beach barely an hour later. Our hearts go out to our friends and family shivering in other states, of course; they really should come to visit. We'll use our weekend event roundups, our 100 Things List, and this February GoList to show them a good time, while they escape that winter thing they're all suffering from.

All of the cooler-than-cool activities below are on our daily events calendar, but a little extra notice helps to make sure your kids don't miss out. Click through to the full listings so that you can automatically add them to your calendar. Happy February!

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