New Yorkers just experienced their first significant snowfall to jumpstart the new year, and we have an entire season of cold weather days ahead of us. With temperatures hitting single digits and the luster of awesome holiday gifts wearing off, you're probably thinking about ways to keep your kids busy from now until spring without breaking the bank or losing your sanity. Fortunately, whether you're a resident or just visiting the city that never sleeps, there's no shortage of free things to do in NYC this winter.

In fact, we've found 25 free things to do in NYC, and there's truly something for everyone on our list of freebies, from exploring nature and outdoor family fun while kick-starting healthier habits to festive celebrations of the Lunar New Year, interactive and creative art installations, and activities that encourage future activists and celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. These engaging experiences don't cost a thing, and we've even found a collection of cool things to do indoors, too!

Visiting the park with a toddler can be both a blessing and a curse. While a trip to a playground may be great for helping toddlers burn off some of their endless energy, playground sets can pose dangers to fearless toddlers. That's why parents of toddlers absolutely love finding a park with the holy grail of little kid park features: a toddler-sized playset, swings with leg holes and backs, soft ground for new walkers, etc. There are many great parks in Houston, but the list below features parks with plenty of options for parents who want to take their kids to the park and know that their toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy park equipment meant just for them.

Winter in New England: It can feel cozy, yes, but also incredibly long. Here is some inspiration for winter activities in Connecticut that will get your family out and about on some fresh-air adventures—or at least make indoor time a little more interesting. Whether you want to sled, ski, hike, collect some maple syrup, or explore the great outdoors at our fantastic nature centers, there are fun (and safe) ideas for kids of all ages.

If this isn't enough to keep your troops from a winter mutiny, you can find even more ideas in our Connecticut Winter Fun Guide—from Outdoor Activities You Can Do At-Home this Winter to the Best Snow Tubing Spots for Connecticut Kids and so much more.

Finding bliss and relaxation on vacation is so much easier when the kiddos are happy. Whether you're looking for a hotel in Los Angeles because you're vacationing, housing out-of-town guests, or indulging in a staycation—here are our picks for the best hotels in Los Angeles that cater to the smallest guests. These kid-friendly resorts offer a little slice of paradise, family-friendly amenities, and unique experiences that might make you want to ditch any thoughts of other destinations and spend every weekend in SoCal. The best part is watching the kids have a blast, too.

If you're looking for other cool sleeping options near Los Angeles, we've got the Coolest California Vacation Rentals for Families, the Best Campgrounds near Los Angeles, and more in our Los Angeles Weekend Getaway Guide.

Ready to send your little one off to preschool? There are plenty of options throughout Westchester—from cities and towns with universal pre-K programs to nature preschools and half-day cooperative nursery schools. If you're looking for a school that offers longer hours to accommodate your schedule, we've rounded up preschools that offer full-day sessions.

While there are many preschools that offer add-on programs outside of their core morning or afternoon hours (including, for example, early drop-off or extended day), the schools on this list all have core full-day options, many of which include early morning drop-off and early evening pick-up options.

For even more options, check out our Preschools Guide for Westchester Kids. 

Many ski mountains want to attract families, but Keystone Resort in Colorado is raising the bar for family ski resorts with more amenities, perks, and free skiing for kids.

One of the closest ski towns to Denver airport, Keystone does all it can to make itself a fun and family-friendly destination. On top of conveniences like ski-in/ski-out condo accommodations and wagons for hauling all that gear, Keystone has a full lineup of children's programming to keep kids entertained on and off the mountain, plus special perks like an express family gondola line and free family parking. And, perhaps best of all, kids 12 and under ski free.

About 75 miles west of Denver and a roughly two-hour drive, I visited Keystone Resort to check it out. Here are the top things that make Keystone one of the most family-friendly Colorado ski resorts. For more kid-friendly ski resorts, check out our Skiing, Snowboarding, & Snow Sports Guide for families.

If you're looking for an indoor destination to play this winter, there's no shortage of New York City stores and indoor places where kids can play for free. You'll find options ranging from building Lego Friends to playing the latest Nintendo games to rambunctious indoor playgrounds and mild-mannered train tables. Spend enough time playing, and your kids will be so exhausted by day's end, they might not even whine about leaving the Nintendo system behind (fingers crossed).

For more indoor play options, check out our guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Offering a day out for the family that is sure to wear them out tastefully, Cold Spring  lends a view of the Hudson, a Main Street full of shops and eateries, and plenty of history. The collection of shops on Main Street are some of the best, most eclectic little stores to visit in the Hudson Valley, each standing alone and offering something unique from the one next door.

This charming town is surrounded by farms, nature trails, and adventures on the water. In short, it's one of our favorite Hudson Valley destinations.

Read on for 25 family-friendly things to do in this local haunt, and find more things to do nearby in our Guide to the Hudson Valley.