Thanksgiving celebrations may look different in 2020, but this holiday is still best spent gathered around a table with loved ones. If you're looking for places that will prepare a Thanksgiving meal for you—more appealing than ever, perhaps, this stressful year—look no further than these Connecticut restaurants offering turkey and all the trimmings for takeout or pickup dinner. Think roasted turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, kid-friendly mac and cheese, and, of course, pies of all kids.

If you are in the mood to cook (and learn a little history), consider rounding up your little chefs to try these old-fashioned, "first" Thanksgiving recipes that you can make with kids. Our Connecticut holiday guide has even more ideas for making your time at home and with family more festive and meaningful than ever in 2020.

Fans of the uber-popular American Ninja Warrior television show have a brand new place to play and train. New York Ninja Academy recently opened in Midtown West, bringing with it a state-of-the-art gym offering classes for kids and adults and giving visitors a chance to experience the challenging obstacles the ninja warrior movement has made famous.

Hiding behind a roll-up garage door on unassuming West 55th Street, this unexpected addition to the kid scene aims to challenge kids physically and mentally, building skills far beyond physical strength. Read on for our review of this new action-packed ninja gym and find more spots to entertain active kids in our Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones.

Hacklebarney State Park is quickly becoming my family’s favorite place to hike in New Jersey. It has bridges, rocks to scramble over, stairs, plenty of picnic tables, big trees soaring overhead, and wild rivers and creeks running through it. There’s even a modest playground tucked into a little clearing toward the very end of the hike, a nice reward for kids and all their hard work.

Recently named the top K-12 private school in Nassau County by Niche.com, Friends Academy is a Quaker independent college prep school for kids ages three years through twelfth grade.

With a driving mission based on the principles of "simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, and service," Friends is deeply committed to developing and supporting a diverse community where every student is recognized as an individual with their own unique gifts, talents, needs, and purpose.

Read on to learn more about Friends' beautiful campus, state-of-the-art facilities, top-notch faculty, and personalized curriculum. You can also sign up for an upcoming virtual open house here.

With Broadway dark and bans on public gatherings still in effect, it's easy to tire of the same old streaming content. If you're craving a trip to the theater, you're in luck: The show has gone on for kids at these four theater groups who are putting on exciting, interactive online theater performances.

You'll find something for every age group, and the best part is, kids are part of the on-screen action. Some of these creative online shows are also available for private events and birthday parties.

So, next time kids beg for a little screen time, skip the family movie night, show your support for live theater, and stream one of these engaging and spirited interactive online theater shows for kids.

If you don’t want to deal with making a multi-course feast for Thanksgiving, consider this: Lots of restaurants in Westchester are offering Thanksgiving dinner takeout with all your favorite fixings. Plus, there are plenty of area bakeries offering delicious pies, cakes, and other treats for pick up or delivery as well.

Here, we’ve rounded up eight restaurants offering everything from turkey to stuffing and even options for non-turkey lovers. We’ve noted order-by dates when available, but be sure to call ahead to make sure you get yours in on time.

Find more ways to celebrate all month long in our roundup of the best family-friendly happenings in Westchester and nearby this November, and bookmark our continually updated Event Calendar for more fun options.

Thanksgiving may be a day to bond with your family and maybe watch some football, but let's face it: It's also a heck of a lot of cooking, cleaning, and organizing. In a season where family gatherings may be smaller and simpler than usual, a festive, pre-made Thanksgiving dinner takeout meal is an easy way to feed the family.

Restaurant curbside pick up has become part of our new normal, and it's the perfect way to take the stress out of Thanksgiving dinner. So, ditch the fuss of cooking, and try ordering a homemade Thanksgiving meal to-go from one of these restaurants or grocery stores. Doing so leaves you with more time to tune into the big Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or plot a family-friendly hike to work off some of those holiday calories.

With tons of open space and charming New England main streets, Litchfield County is day-trip heaven for Connecticut families. Although it’s the state’s largest county, the northwestern corner of Connecticut has the lowest population density in the state. This makes it an ideal location to plan a family “getaway” without spending hours on the road.  

From farms and flowers to skiing and skating, Litchfield County is the perfect spot to take a deep breath, recharge your batteries, and make some family memories.