Kids

Where to Celebrate Maple Sugaring Season with Kids in Connecticut

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Sun, 02/17/2019 - 8:30pm

Soon, sugar houses all across the state get to work on the process of collecting and evaporating clear watery sap into tasty, golden syrup. The traditional maple sugaring season extends from February until late March, though that depends greatly on the weather (freezing nights and warm, sunny days are necessary to provide good sap yields). If you and the kids are interested in learning more about this sweet New England tradition, choose among the many open houses, demonstrations and festivals in Litchfield, Hartford, Fairfield, and New Haven counties. Some sugar houses invite you to stop in anytime the evaporator is running (but call before heading out).

15 Fun Indoor Playgrounds for Kids North of Boston

Submitted by Michelle Curran on Sun, 02/17/2019 - 8:00pm

When winter won't budge, and you've run out of at-home craft and project ideas, it may be time to hit an indoor play space. Head north and you can have your pick: From trampolines to crazy mazes to inflatables, Boston's North Shore is home to tons of play zones where kids can get their energy out. In addition to exercise and entertainment, many of these venues offer special events (like parents' nights out), healthy snacks, birthday parties, workshops, and classes. Here are 15 of our north-of-town favorites; for dozens more options in and around Boston, check out our indoor fun guide.

25+ Art Studios with Drop-In Sessions for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 02/17/2019 - 10:00am

Like the idea of crafting with your kid but cringe at the thought of paint and glitter all over your house? Lucky for us, New Jersey is home to a variety of drop-in art studios that offer your spontaneous painter, potter, glassmaker, and jeweler the chance to get their craft on. The perfect destinations for a cold winter day, these craft-tastic spaces let you skip the mess at home while catering to your budding artist's creative impulses.

15 Awesome Houston-Area Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 10:41pm

Houston's craft beer scene is top-notch, which we probably don't have to tell you. But what might come as a surprise is that it's also very kid-friendly; some of the area's best brews are housed in stellar spaces with outdoor games and room to play. Here are some spots we love to go as a family because there is room for the kids to run around, they are unpretentious, they don't make my husband and I feel bad if our toddler starts malfunctioning during our visit, and the beer is delicious.

For our favorite kid-friendly eateries, check out our roundup of restaurants with plenty of playing room.

4 Must-See Art Exhibits for NYC Kids

Submitted by Suzy Q on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 3:13pm

Have you ever seen an ad or a notice for an excellent art exhibition and thought, “I would really like to take my kids to go see that!” and before you knew it, it was gone? With so many world-class museums and cultural institutions in New York City, it can be a challenge to narrow down your options.

The Brooklyn Museum just unveiled an exciting new Frida Kahlo exhibition this month, and the Whitney, the Guggenheim and the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling also have great shows on display that will be closing this spring. Read on for your kid-friendly guide to four museum exhibitions currently in NYC that are too good to miss.

The World’s Largest Bounce House Lands in Brooklyn, Summer 2019

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 8:29am

As soon as school is out, don’t miss your opportunity to grab your socks and take your summer to new heights. The Big Bounce America, officially the world’s largest bounce house, is landing in Brooklyn, July 26-28, 2019 at Aviator Sports.

This touring bounce bonanza will put your block party to shame with the world's largest bounce house (Guinness certified!), a 900-foot-long inflatable obstacle course, a giant maze, ball pits, slides, climbing walls, and basketball hoops...all to be enjoyed while a DJ spins, confetti blasts, and beach balls fly through the air. Exhausted yet?

Night at the Museum: 5 NYC Museum and Zoo Sleepovers for Kids

Submitted by Allison on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 3:32pm

Sleepovers are all the rage (even Governors Island has gotten into the overnight game). And while a night chaperoning a group of small night-owls might not rank high on your to-do list, kids will get a big kick out of sleeping over at one of their favorite cultural institutions. From the Bronx Zoo to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to the new Sharks! exhibit at Coney Island, there's a museum sleepover to fit every kid's interests. And you'll earn some serious cool parent cred—some of these overnight adventures are so extravagant, they landed on our list of NYC splurges worth doing at least once.

Find Family Fun for All Ages at the Morris Museum

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 11:00am

If you’re looking for an interactive museum experience the whole family will enjoy, head over to The Morris Museum. While smaller and simpler than a big-city institution, the museum, housed in an old mansion, features an eclectic showing of family-friendly exhibits.

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood near Morristown’s historic district, Morris Museum has become one of my family's go-to's for a quick weekend day trip or a stopover at one of its annual festivals. The vintage musical instruments, model train exhibit, and rock and mineral collection remain big hits with my tweens.

In addition to the hands-on exhibits, the museum features a children’s theater and a robust lineup of family programs and events. There are plenty of reasons that Morris Museum is on our list of 100 Things to Do in NJ with Kids!

The Frozen 2 Trailer Is Out and We Are So Here for It

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 10:08am

Elsa and Anna are BACK! Disney just released a Frozen 2 trailer, the sequel to the Let It Go fever that swept up both parents and kids a few years ago.

When Frozen debuted back in 2013, I had an instantly obsessed 4-year-old Elsa wannabe. We knew, like so many other families with young kids, that this Disney musical franchise was going to be a mainstay in our home. Catchy songs and strong, independent princesses, what's not to love?

Fast-forward to 2019, and that obsessed 4-year-old's baby sister is now a kindergartner pining to see the Broadway iteration of Frozen.

All three of us were thrilled to watch the Frozen 2 teaser together. Take a peek to see what you think! My girls are already making me promise we'll see the flick this fall.

Get Out and Drop In! Best Queens Play Spaces and Gyms for Kids

Submitted by Kelly O on Wed, 02/13/2019 - 9:15am

From Queens' formerly industrial waterfront to deep in the borough, family-friendly spots and amenities are on the upswing. There are wide-open spaces to run with abandon, playgrounds aplenty, and indoor play spaces with open play hours are strong in number: In fact, Queens has more indoor play zones than Manhattan and is gaining on Brooklyn.

We found 20+ indoor romping locations in the borough that offer drop-in sessions open to the public (no membership required). Bonus: All of these spots host birthday parties, too, and most are much more affordable than their Manhattan competitors.