2 Seasonal Sing-Alongs Worth Sharing with Company

Love playing honorary Auntie or Uncle to your bestie's brood, but have had it as much as the next parents with hearing that precious 20-month-old "nephew" prove that "Your Baby Can Read" while your babies are still working on colors?  Ensure your own tot's top spot on the holiday party child performance circuit when you teach him or her to sing (Or, hey, even lip-sync!) to these off-the-beaten-path holiday tunes.  Bonus?  You'll save yourself endless repetitions of "Jingle Bells" on car rides to come!  Both can be found here, along with several other NPR picks:  

*Shiloh

*Patapan

4 Winter Sports to Try as a Family While Gym Class is Out of Session: Give the gift of quality time to your family this season!

Wall Climbing 

All of the adventure and strength training of hiking minus the trail mix and chapped lips.  Check out one of these spots with older kids for a one-of-a-kind indoor adventure.

Sledding

We love Central Park for classic sled-friendly hills without the exhilaration (and danger!) that comes with worrying about passing cars where the hill meets the roadside.  When you can't get to Grandma's house in Westchester, this urban oasis is the next best thing. 

                 Indoor Swimming

This no-impact aerobic  summer staple for the whole family need not disappear with Labor Day sales each year.  Instead, check out one of the many public or private indoor city pools for an unorthodox way to spend a winter afternoon. 

Cross-Country Skiing

The closest groomed trails may be in Putnam County, but when snowfall is sufficient to allow it, cross-country skis can be rented in NYC's Central Park as well.  With the danger of falls nearly eliminated, the appeal of this intro to winter sporting goes beyond perceived safety to include a great work-out with an amazing view to boot!