Los Angeles is all about outdoor activities at Christmastime—and nothing says "This is why I moved to Southern California" quite like a Christmas boat parade. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, boat owners gussy up their crafts and parade them up and down waterways for applauding spectators, who line the harbors and marinas from Dana Point to Ventura. Driving around looking at holiday lights is great; letting them float by you at one of these dozen sailing holiday parades is even better.

Just when we thought the holiday season in Philly couldn't possibly get any more festive, a new parade announcement is adding to the excitement. The Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade will send floats representing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese New Year marching down Market Street en route to City Hall, for a family-friendly multi-cultural celebration. The parade is the latest addition to a stellar lineup of Philadelphia Christmas activities and events, which also includes a new fireworks show.

Also known as pork buns, gua bao-style buns are a Taiwanese night market staple. Pillowy, yet compact and stuffed with mouth-watering ingredients, bao buns are a great light meal when you and your family are on the go or looking to try something new. A tasty finger food, these morsels are perfect for foodies-in-training. If you want to introduce your kids to this staple, here are five kid-tested—and approved!—restaurants serving bao buns in NYC. Even a picky eater will find a bao bun to love among these picks.

Find more kid-approved eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

New York City really knows how to light it up for the holidays. Aside from all the residential light displays and tree lightings, holiday lantern shows and seasonal Christmas lights sparkle across the city. From the Brooklyn Botanical Garden's new Lightscape display to the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo, the city sure does shine during the Christmas season. This year, there's even a duo of outdoor holiday lantern shows in Queens and on Staten Island, offering the perfect festive destination for Christmas 2021.

So, read on for all the details you need to get your glow on this holiday season and bookmark our Christmas Fun Guide for more seasonal happenings.

Active families looking for a new way to enjoy the great outdoors take note: Rail biking with Revolution Rail Company in charming Cape May, New Jersey, is an exhilarating, family-friendly experience! Gather your brood for a bike riding adventure along a deserted railroad track, passing abandoned train cars and winding through scenic marshland before stopping at a quaint overlook. Adding to the fun: On the way back to the station, you can stop at a nature preserve for a short walk along the trail.

Read on for our review of this fun family outing that's perfect for fall, and find more fun things to do outdoors in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

It takes time and planning to achieve the picture-perfect winter holiday photo for your family Christmas cards or other season's greetings. One of the most important decisions you'll make is the location you choose for your backdrop. With so many beautiful Long Island landscapes, the biggest challenge you'll face is whether to pack up the kids and head to the beach, a lighthouse, vineyard, or even the aquarium. These 13 Long Island landscapes make for stunning and memorable backdrops for your holiday photos.

Find more seasonal fun in our Holiday and Christmas Fun Guide for Long Island families, from virtual Santa sightings to the best light displays, and more.

Access to great, kid-friendly theater is one of the perks of raising kids in NYC. And while the industry has been slow to come back from the pandemic, I recently brought my 8-year-old to see the new Winnie the Pooh adaptation playing at Theatre Row, and it turned out to be just the right outing for our return to live entertainment.

Read on for our take on the show and four reasons it's a great first show, whether you're a long-time theater lover or introducing your kids to the stage for the first time.

There are plenty of reasons you might want to add some vegetarian recipes to your family's meal rotation. Studies have shown that having a vegetarian dinner even one night per week—like the Meatless Monday campaign suggests—can make a positive impact on your family's health and on the environment. Or perhaps you’re simply curious: Is it possible to create a vegetarian dinner your family will enjoy?

We’re here to tell you it is, no matter how finicky your kids might be. The next time you're looking for a meatless meal, try one of these 20 vegetarian recipes your picky kids will love. BONUS: Most of these vegetarian recipes are easy enough for your kids to join in on the prep!

And if you’re looking for more dinner inspiration, check out these easy Crockpot meals, sheet pan dinners, and kid-friendly TikTok recipes.