Submitted by Elizabeth Ligameri on
Model trains provide multigenerational fun—everyone from grandparents to toddlers can enjoy an outing to a model train show. We've found eight model train shows in New Jersey perfect for family fun this holiday season.
Read on for our top picks for seasonal train shows and find more curated family fun in our Guide to Holiday Fun in New Jersey.
Submitted by Danielle Smith on
Philly families may have missed out on some holiday fun in 2020, but the 2021 holiday season is more than making up for it. Flight on Ice is bringing the Veterans Memorial Rink to Newtown Square next month. The new ice rink and winter village join Tinseltown, the Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade, and the Visit Philadelphia Fireworks Spectacular as the newest must-do holiday and Christmas activities in the Philadelphia area.
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Submitted by Martha Michael on
Christmas light displays are one of the highlights of the holiday season, and while we love the Elf on the Shelf Experience, the Dodger Holiday Festival, and other walk and drive-thru light adventures, there's something special about wandering through gardens that are decked for the holidays, with nary a commercial tie-in in sight. These holiday light shows at four of our favorite enchanted and enchanting gardens near Los Angeles delight kids with interactive features, and parents with spectacular natural beauty. Dig out those mittens, make a thermos of hot chocolate, and get in the holiday spirit as you soak up the incandescent glow of the holidays at these stunning botanic lighting displays.
For more holiday fun, be sure to check out our complete Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Los Angeles Families.
Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on
New York City knows how to celebrate the holidays, and Hanukkah (or Chanukah—did you know there are more than 20 different spelling variations?) is no exception. The first night of the Festival of Lights arrives on Sunday, November 28, and no matter how you spell it, we've rounded up a whole bunch of ways to celebrate Hanukkah. As a bonus: Many of the events are FREE.
Of note this year is the Jewish Children's Museum's Hanukkah Family Fest and Hanukkah under the Stars. There are also the annual mainstays, from The Largest Menorah Lighting in Brooklyn to Hanukkah on Ice. Find more seasonal celebrations in our Guide to Christmas and Hanukkah for NYC families.
Submitted by Roberta B on
Live holiday events are back in a big way in 2021—so big that even the elves are life-sized! While we totally appreciated the creative holiday drive-thru experiences of last Christmas season, we are definitely excited to be getting out of the car to enjoy holiday lights, decorations, and even outdoor ice skating once again. If all that sounds like a festive evening your family would enjoy, point your car toward Pomona, then jump out of it and enjoy carols, elves, skating, hot chocolate, a trolley ride, and an audience with Santa Claus himself at Elf on the Shelf's Magical Holiday Journey at Fairplex in Pomona.
Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on
Kids might say presents are the best part of the holidays, but we parents know that special experiences like seeing amazing Christmas lights, visiting Santa, and going to The Nutcracker are the stuff of lasting holiday memories. In 2021, take-in holiday drive-thru light displays in Wallingford, meet goats dressed up like reindeer at the farm, or head to The Christmas Town Festival in Bethlehem or Lantern Light Village in Mystic. Here are some of the best Christmas and holiday happenings we are putting on our calendars this year.
For an extra-special day trip or weekend getaway in November or December, see our list of 25 Must-Do Christmas Events and Activities in New England with Kids, and plan more holiday activities with our Connecticut Holiday Fun Guide.
Submitted by Amy Growney on
The Hudson Valley beckons locals and visitors alike to enjoy a day at the farm and there are many great, family-friendly farms in the region, each chockfull of programs and old-fashioned attractions. As farm-themed day trips gain popularity, many small farms are expanding their offerings. In search of a new destination, I recently stumbled on DuBois Farms in Highland, New York.
We had such a fun day at this under-the-radar, uncrowded destination that DuBois Farms is officially our family’s go-to farm spot now. Read on for all the fun in store, including car shows, pick-your-own, and even a pirate ship—and find more farm fun in our Guide to Local Farms and Pick-Your-Own.
Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on
The truth is, it's never too soon to start thinking about preschool. Some of the schools below have January application deadlines; choosing a preschool is a difficult and important decision, so parents of toddlers in the DC area should start doing their research now.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a preschool. Do you want a play-based or a nature-based school? A full-day or a half-day program? Do you have your heart set on a language immersion program or a Montessori school? Be sure to schedule tours or attend Open Houses of any preschools you are interested in to get a feel for them and see if they're a good fit. And keep in mind that popular and highly rated preschools can fill up quickly.
With so many great preschools in the DC area, it can be hard to narrow down your search. To help you get started, here we've rounded up 15 popular preschools in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
