Winter is officially here and the days are getting colder. For most parents, that means looking for indoor playspaces for the kids. I recommend checking out the BeanStalk Ropes Course nestled in the front entrance of the Jordan's in Reading; a hidden gem my family recently discovered and can't stop raving about.

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to do more fun things with your kids, why not kick off 2017 by taking advantage of all the great places that are open on New Year's Day? We came up with six resolutions for NJ families and found activities to fulfill each one—all at places that are open on January 1, 2017. Just a few options include skating at a roller rink, and meeting the underwater occupants of Adventure Aquarium. If being outdoors is more your speed, you can hit the slopes, visit a Winter Wonderland, or see some dazzling light displays. Read on for the full scoop on super-cool adventures to celebrate your family’s first day of 2017. And if you're still looking for things to do on New Year's Eve with the kids, we've got that covered, too. Happy New Year! 

Ringing in the new year at the iconic Times Square ball drop or at an impressive fireworks display are on many a native and traveler's NYC bucket list. But for new parents? Or those with a preschooler or toddler in tow? Let's be honest, you'll be lucky to be awake at 10pm.

Still, there are plenty of events in New York City for early-to-bed families. From museums to restaurants, read on for our best bets for ringing in 2017 with toddlers, preschoolers, and any kid or parent who prefers getting extra ZZZs over sticking around for the annual fireworks barrage.

Find family events happening all weekend in our New Year's roundup, and more seasonal fun in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Boston rings in 2017 with its annual First Night celebration, the country’s oldest and largest New Year’s Eve arts festival. The celebration features music, dance, ice skating, and theater performances. There's a family festival in the Copley Square area and a procession to Boston Common, where fireworks for families light up the sky at 7pm. Best of all, the festival is completely free, with no buttons required.

New Year's Day is generally a quiet one on Long Island, but that doesn't mean you need to stay home. Chances are you've spent the winter holiday break taking in shows, ice skating, and even crafting at home. Well, if the kids are starting to hang from the rafters, you may want to head back out for some final holiday fun before school starts back up on Tuesday, January 3.

We rounded up more than a dozen of the top kid-friendly Long Island destinations that are open on New Year's Day like the aquarium, Bayville Winter Wonderland, museums, and even trampoline and indoor fun zones to help the whole family bid a sweet farewell to the holiday break.

Be sure to check out our events calendar for more fun ideas and our best family event picks for the New Year's Weekend and New Year's Eve celebrations.

The new year is here, and it's time to rest, right? Wrong. The kids have other ideas; but don't worry, we are here to help.  Enjoy learning about whales, a full moon hike, ice fishing, winter camping, and a whole lot more this month! You'll find 20 of our best picks for you and your family this January. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get a list of each week's highlighted events. Happy New Year!

Growing up in my parents' house, the Christmas season began with Advent, not Black Friday, and lasted until January 6 - the celebration of Epiphany. This meant not one ornament, nativity scene, or wreath was removed until the wise men had delivered their gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And the tree - the one "we" (mainly my mother) painstakingly picked out and meticulously decorated - shone brightly with multi-colored lights every night even after we returned to school from winter break. Nowadays, people seem to hang decorations as soon as the Thanksgiving turkey is carved and there are scarcely any vestiges of Christmas to be seen by New Year's Day.

So, whether your traditions include chopping down your own Norman Rockwell-worthy tree or adorning something more akin to Charlie Brown's, when the branches start to brown and that heirloom glass ornament is looking precarious, it's time to un-trim that tree and kick it to the curb - literally. Houston and the surrounding areas offer several ways to recycle your tree after the holidays. Be sure to remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, stands, etc beforehand (flocked trees are not accepted). And if you need to get rid of holiday string lights, bring them with you when you check out Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo. There is a receptacle near the entrance.