Ever wondered what makes a car go? Why some cars sound different? What safety gear is most effective when racing? Why is it important to use weather compliant tires and steering wheels? The Hot Wheels: Race to Win exhibit at the Discovery Cube Los Angeles is providing all these answers through interactive videos, displays, and “hands-on” stations giving the whole family opportunities to learn while unleashing their inner race car drivers. The iconic miniature vehicles, which have been igniting kids’ and collectors’ imaginations since 1968, are the centerpieces of this traveling show: some vintage models are enclosed in glass cases, while others serve as die-cast models to experiment with high-speed racing.

Here in the Northeast, what apple picking is to fall, maple sugaring is to winter. The season begins in February and runs through late March. Ideally, temperatures must dip below freezing at night and warm up during the day to stimulate sap flow. Thus, the maple-sugaring season is brief. And to make just one gallon of pure maple syrup, it takes more than 40 gallons of sap!

We've rounded up maple-sugaring fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Read on for details on where to learn about and celebrate this centuries-old tradition. Looking for more seasonal fun? Check out our Westchester Winter Fun Guide, and look to our Event Calendar for new events added daily. 

Rain or shine, a list of indoor play spaces can be like a Golden Ticket in your pocket. On a rainy day, it can be the place to let your kids run (or jump) free and stay dry. Even on a sunny day, an indoor play space can be the answer to “What are we doing today?” If you’re in the Los Angeles area, there are plenty of indoor play spaces to choose from; but Orange County also has many play places that are fun to visit—and even worth the drive if you’re outside the area. And of course all of the indoor playgrounds below are great birthday party options, too.

When you gotta go, you gotta go...but when you're out and about and have a potty-training preschooler or an infant in need of a diaper change you don't always have the luxury of advance planning. You need to find the closest, (hopefully) cleanest, publicly accessible bathroom—and fast.

Have we ever got a list for you. Thanks to the work of one thoughtful, brilliant Rutgers professor, Dr. Wansoo Im, (hey, Jersey's good for something!) we now have an interactive map of every city bathroom. Get your bookmarks ready.

Presidents Week 2020 is approaching, leaving many parents wondering how to keep their kids occupied with school out. Chase away the winter blues and boredom cries with these classes, activities, and camps during the break.

From science experiments to jewelry making and sports skills, these Long Island camps have it all. Drop in for a day or the entire week.

For more activities during the week off, check out our Best of February Break list of events and activities, February GoList, or our daily events calendar.

You can always find more camps for kids in our Camps Guide and full directory of listings.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to homeschool your child? With its richness of museums, family programs, concerts, architecture, and parks and playgrounds, New York City might just be the best classroom in the world. But for many families, figuring out how to homeschool can be daunting. Here are a few resources to help you get started on your homeschooling journey.

Baseball is a big deal in my house. Evenings and weekends are spent on ball fields and in batting cages and all three of my kids have donned Little League uniforms. As much as I love watching them play, I've been a long-time fan of the pro game, too, so when I heard one of our favorite local culture spots, the Museum of the City of New York, was honoring trailblazer and American hero Jackie Robinson, I had to visit.

From the moment we drove down the road and saw Ice Castles NH gleaming on the horizon, it was love at frost sight. The castles are a beautifully detailed work of art that is a frigid feast for all your senses and a perfect family winter weekend getaway.

Ice Castles is a completely immersive experience that is currently located in six cities throughout North America. Professional ice artists work tirelessly to hand-place hundreds of thousands of icicles into stunning formations. The end result is a labyrinth of twisting paths that open up into gorgeous ice canyons, grand archways, and a fun surprise or two.