24 Best Lunar New Year Celebrations and Parades in NYC for Families

The Better Chinatown Society hosts its annual Lunar New Year Parade on Sunday, February 25. Photo by Bob Dea

Lunar New Year is one of our favorite winter celebrations in New York City. Although the holiday is often referred to as Chinese New Year, many Asian nations celebrate Lunar New Year, and city kids can mark this cultural holiday with family-friendly celebrations citywide, from Chinatown's firecracker ceremony to a Lunar New Year celebration at the Queens Botanical Garden, the FREE celebration at Downtown Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal Mall, and the New York City Lunar New Year Parade and Festival on Sunday, February 25.

25 Best Things To Do in Warwick, NY, with Kids

The Village of Warwick hosts family-friendly events throughout the year, including a free summer concert series. Photo courtesy the Village of Warwick

Warwick, New York, is the southernmost town in Orange County. Bordering New Jersey, it's geographically, one of New York state’s largest towns—is a perfect family-friendly destination for a daycation. It boasts a cute, walkable village, plenty of shops and restaurants, and it is a great destination to visit with kids.

Warwick also has an agriculturally rich environment, with numerous orchards and wineries within its borders—perfect for pick-your-own outings with kids. It's also an official Appalachian Trail Community, making it a great place for hiking and other outdoor fun.

Read on for our in-depth look at Warwick, and all our picks for the best things to do with kids during a visit to this picturesque Hudson Valley town. Find more local fun in our Guide to the Hudson Valley

Best Places for Kids' Haircuts in DC, From Baby Haircuts to Cool Teen Spots

You can't trust just anyone with baby's first haircut!

Whether your toddler is ready for their first haircut or your teen is begging you for the trendiest new style, kids' haircuts can be a real challenge. Even a tiny trim can be a herculean feat if you've got a little one who squirms and wiggles, and one wrong snip can spell disaster for a teen with very specific tastes.

Luckily, there are several salons and stylists in the DC area that specialize in kids' haircuts. Some of these awesome spots offer kid-friendly perks like cool chairs, TVs and video games, treats, and special first-haircut packages. Others have stylists trained in the latest Insta-worthy cuts and styles for teens.

Here are 12 of the best places for kids' haircuts in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. You'll find even more ways to pamper your kids in our list of kid-friendly spas and and kid spa parties near DC.

Indoor Water Parks and Pools for Philly Area Families

Splash around in the tropical waters at Aquatopia at Camelback Resort.

While it might be nice to board a plane to a sunny island, it’s not always possible or cost-effective. Luckily, you can enjoy some summertime fun year-round at the many indoor water parks near Philly. Go dig out your bathing suit from behind your coats and mittens, and get ready to take the plunge at one of these exciting parks and family-friendly resorts.

If you're looking for more indoor fun, check out our Indoor Activities Guide or start planning some faraway quality time using our Family Travel Guide.

Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Houston

Little girl playing at an indoor play space in Houston. Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales

Having a list of fun indoor play spaces in Houston is a must practically all year. After all, we're often navigating either hot and humid summer days or wet winter storms, which necessitates having an arsenal of great indoor options. Fortunately, there's plenty of indoor activities in Houston perfect for kids looking to burn off some of that endless energy. Heck, we even have the largest indoor playground in Texas nearby!

Read on for our favorite indoor playgrounds for any day of the year, and if you still need more indoor fun, check out our Guide to Indoor Fun in Houston for Kids.

Best Outdoor Dining on Long Island: Igloos, Greenhouses, and More Winter Restaurants

Enjoy oceanside dining inside a heated igloo at Gurney's Resort in Montauk.

Outdoor dining on Long Island is still viable in the dead of winter, with family-friendly local eateries offering options like igloos, mini-greenhouses, and heaters. 

While these outdoor dining options come with perks like fairy lights, Bluetooth speakers, plush seating, and more, they also often come at a hefty price tag, and they might be best saved for a special occasion. Reservations are generally required and the spaces often sell out, so plan in advance.

Find more family-friendly eateries in our Family-Friendly Long Island Restaurant Guide, plus plenty of seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

Best Free Fun Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids February 2024

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon for free at the Woodland Lunar Fest NJ 2024. Photo courtesy of the Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Looking for free things to do this February in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

February is the month of love, and you’ll love all the free events happening in New Jersey! It's a month full of holiday celebrations, with a Valentine's Bazaar, many Lunar New Year festivities, and a Black History Celebration.

And don't miss February festival freebies like Ocean County Mall's Winter Beach Blast and Livingston Public Library's Winterfest. 

30 Banned Children's Books You Should Read Today

New Kid book signing with author Jerry Craft. Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins

Books are getting banned at an alarming rate, especially children's books. When you think banned, you think there's got to be something controversial, mature, or upsetting in the books. But many of these books are classics that are beloved by generations of kids.

While kids might want to ban bedtime, bathtime, or broccoli, we're guessing that books like Charlotte's Web and Captain Underpants are things kids would rather celebrate than ban. We've compiled a list of frequently banned children's books that kids of all ages adore. So go ahead, be a rebel. Read a banned book. Books are magic, and knowledge is power.

For more of our favorite books that expand minds, thoughts, and hearts, check out our Best Kids' Books Guide to Great Reads, which includes incredible Kids' Books About Racism, Best LGBTQ Books for Kids, and more great book recommendations.

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