Westchester's Winter Wonderland Charms Visitors With Drive-Thru Light Show

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is a festive 1.2-mile drive through Kensico Dam Plaza.

Formerly an uber-popular walk through experience, Westchester’s Winter Wonderland has been reimagined for safe, seasonal fun and returns for a second consecutive year as a drive-thru holiday lights extravaganza.

Read on for our full review and a sneak peek at some of the stunning displays, and remember our Family Activity Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide are overflowing with curated picks to celebrate, whether you want to venture out or need some ideas for a festive night at home.

45 Awesome Santa Activities for Kids in Connecticut

Santa greets families on the daytime Santa Express and the evening Northern Lights Limited Christmas trains. Photo courtesy of the Naugatuck Railroad

Out of the corner of your eye, you see it. The red suit and snowy white beard which signal the arrival of the very symbol of joy and giving during the Christmas holidays: Santa Claus! Today the tradition is alive and well in many, many different kinds of places from train stations, farms, and even on the water! If you're looking to mix it up with a Santa outing that's a little bit different, we have rounded up our 45 favorite Santa activities across the state. 

Some events are free and require no preregistration, but many of those that do require advanced tickets are very popular and can sell out early, so you'll want to buy tickets as soon as possible. Check websites for updated mask and COVID-19 requirements. For more holiday and Christmas activities, see our list of The 15 Best Holiday and Christmas Events and Activities and our Holiday Fun Guide for Connecticut Kids.

Holiday Light Shows: Christmas Displays and More in Orlando for 2021

Celebrate the holidays at Legoland with seasonal shows, holiday Lego characters and more. Photo courtesy of Legoland

For many Orlando families, visiting local Christmas lights is a treasured holiday tradition. It’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit, and Orlando has no shortage of options. From dazzling displays at the theme parks to lighted boat parades, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to see Christmas lights here in Central Florida.

Get an exclusive view of Give Kids the World Village as it's tranformed into a wonderland of lights at Night of a Million Lights; stroll through illuminated forests and watch dancing light displays at Leu Gardens' Dazzling Nights; or venture to Mount Dora for the town's amazing seasonal lights. Read on for the very best holiday light displays around Orlando and Central Florida.

10 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes To Bake with Kids

We’ve tested out dozens of Christmas cookie recipes over the years, and these are the very best.

While my family will happily bake and eat cookies any day of the year, we really ramp it up for our Christmas cookie baking. We have hosted an annual Christmas cookie party every year since the kids were born, and it’s a tradition they look forward to almost as much as opening their stockings. Because they love to be part of the cookie baking process, we have amassed a ton of Christmas cookie recipes. They range from super easy Christmas cookies the kids could help make and decorate when they were tiny, up to more sophisticated Christmas cookie recipes their tween tastebuds love. We’ve tested out dozens of Christmas cookie recipes over the years, and these are our top ten: including our favorite never-fail, best ever Christmas sugar cookie recipe.

We’ve got more kid-friendly holiday treats, like these yummy Hot Chocolate Bombs, in our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids, plus loads more Christmas fun for the whole family in our Ultimate Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities.

LAX with Kids: Rideshare, Drop off, Pick up, LAXit Shuttles, and Car Seat Options

Rest easy about getting to the airport safely when you book one of these services for holiday travel.

Hooray, we can travel again, this holiday season! That thought quickly becomes: Oh-oh, we can travel again this holiday season. LAX plus kids plus holidays? There's really no cheap and easy way to do it. Calling Uber or Lyft while pulling bags off the belt doesn't work anymore, and even old-school taxis aren't allowed to wait outside every terminal as they do at other airports. With or without a car seat, departures and arrivals at LAX with kids require a plan.

We've made some calls, followed some links, and shaken some people by the lapels to gather the info below, featuring options that provide safe transport to the airport for your most precious cargo. And if all else fails? The Proud Bird by LAX has just been given a complete overhaul as a cool food hall that comes complete with a playground AND a liquor license...

Where to Take Pictures with Santa Near Philly

Give Santa a wave at Linvilla Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Kids and adults alike can't wait to see Santa Claus every year. Children are excited to tell him their Christmas wishes, and parents get a snapshot of a precious memory; everyone loves this tradition! Children young and old in the Philly area can find Santa riding a train, on the farm, amusement park, at brunch, and of course, at one of his favorite hangouts–the mall. Whichever spot your family chooses, Santa pictures make special memories that last well beyond the holiday season.

We've made a list, and we checked it twice, of where to take Santa Claus pictures in the Philadelphia area. For extra fun, we included places offering seasonal entertainment once the photo session is complete. Check out Philly's Best Holiday and Christmas Events for even more seasonal entertainment options.

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30 Things To Do in Oahu With Kids

Kids can ride a train through the Dole Plantation. Photo courtesy of the plantation

Thinking of taking a vacation to Hawaii? The island of Oahu will give your family the perfect blend of fun activities and blissful relaxation on the beach. And with so many fun things to do in Oahu, your kids will never get bored! Oahu may be known as one of the more touristy of the Hawaiian Islands with its highly developed roads, luxury resorts, and metropolitan sophistication, but it also has the charms of more laid-back islands like Maui. All on one island, you can enjoy the turquoise waters of Oahu's soft, white sand beaches and the streets of Waikiki that are bustling with energy.

Below, we’ve listed 30 things to do in Oahu with kids, including great Oahu hotels and resorts and delicious Oahu restaurants. For more  warm and sunny family vacation ideas, check out our Family Travel Guide, where we share the best things to do with kids in destinations throughout the US and the world.

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