As 2021 draws to a close, we're looking back on the year that was in NYC. There were highs that let us touch the sky, and lows that left us reeling, regrouping, and reevaluating. But in between it all, we managed to get out and enjoy a revitalized, rebounding city that packed plenty of kid-friendly fun. With that in mind, here are 15 highlights that make up our annual best kid-friendly openings in NYC.

As we prepare to count down to the end of another extraordinary year, we’re looking back at all the wonderful new kid-friendly attractions that opened in New Jersey in 2021, as well as few delayed openings from 2020. We added a few new indoor play spaces, a new water park, and a museum dedicated to an iconic anti-slavery activist.

If you didn’t get enough shopping during the holiday season, swing by the new Toys R Us flagship at American Dream. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center. Speaking of Legoland, the much-anticipated theme park finally opened its doors this year just over the border in New York. We've also added outposts of popular chains, including The Gravity Vault, and what’s old is new again, as the State Theatre New Jersey reopened its doors after extensive renovations.

Whether you want to play all day or shop till you drop, you’ll find plenty of options on our list. Read on for the 14 coolest, brightest, and best new openings in New Jersey for kids.

The pandemic still slowed things down in 2021, but it didn’t stop our city from getting some incredible new additions like playground upgrades, art exhibitions, and entries to the ice cream scene. With an emphasis on safety and outdoor activities, Philly families have been able to enjoy new play spaces, culture, and of course, some sweet treats over the past year. So in the spirit of year-end list-making, we're running down the best kid-friendly destinations that opened in Philly in 2021.

Venues across the DC area gradually opened back up in 2021 after being closed for much of the year prior due to the pandemic. And along with the reopening of many beloved museums, indoor play spaces, and other kid-friendly places, there were several new things that opened near DC for kids and families. They include the National Children's Museum, the newly renovated Franklin Park, and several other new exhibits, playgrounds, play spaces, and more.

Here are our picks for the 12 best things that opened near DC for kids and families in 2021. Be sure to check the websites for updated Covid policies!

In 2021, Chicago saw an awesome variety of new kid-friendly exhibits, activities, restaurants, pop-ups, and more for families. Many of these new places in Chicago for kids came as unique options to give people a way to get out and enjoy time together during a trying year. If you didn’t get a chance to visit some of the great spots on this list in 2021, these are all open for business and ready for exploration in 2022. 

We said goodbye to the horrible year of 2020 with the promise of renewal, recovery, and a return to normalcy in 2021. And on Long Island, that was more or less what we got. At least until the last few weeks.

Learning to cope with COVID-19, we managed to entertain our kids with trips to the beach, outdoor activities, and the occasional visit to the play space. And as new entertainment venues opened in 2021, we were there with our parent-strong team of local writers to give you the official Mommy Poppins take on these openings.

When planning a trip to Orlando theme parks, staying at one of the off-site hotels near Disney World or Universal can be a big money saver—especially if you also want to do things in Orlando other than the theme parks. Westgate Resorts Orlando offers two properties near Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa is closer to SeaWorld and Universal Studios, while Westgate Vacation Villas is slightly closer to Disney World, but both of them offer large family-sized rooms with kitchenettes, on-site water parks and activities, and budget-friendly prices.

We recently stayed at one of the Westgate Resorts Orlando budget properties, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, to see how it stacked up for an Orlando family vacation. Here is the inside scoop.