There are some Christmas traditions that sustain over generations. The Christmas Village in Torrington is one of them. Families have been coming to visit Santa's amazing playground for decades. Started by Carl Bozenski, former Parks and Recreation Direction circa 1948, the Christmas Village began with a 3-week run and has come back for years since. Every year the opening festivities begin with a parade that draws thousands of holiday lovers. Santa and Mrs. Claus have even arrived in a helicopter!

The museums, monuments, and memorials in Washington, DC grab a lot of attention, and rightly so! This city is filled with culture, art, science, and history. But if you're jonesing for some outside time and the kids need to burn off some energy or if your family wants to get up close with some flora and fauna, the DC area has that in spades, too.

All easily accessible and kid-friendly, these 12 parks, playgrounds, zoos, and open-air theaters are a must for DC families.

The great thing about Washington, DC is so many of the things to do in the city are free. From more than 20 museums to the zoo to great holiday happenings, activities abound in the capitol city that don't break the bank. 

Looking for some of the best ways to enjoy the season without blowing your holiday budget? Get the scoop here on the best holiday activities for kids and families in Washington, DC. (Keep in mind that when it comes to the holiday events on our list, free might mean you don’t need to reserve tickets ahead of time, but it also means you should expect crowds during peak times, such as weekends).

And don't forget to keep the good times going after the holidays with our list of must-do winter activities in the area.

All three of my kids have been fans of Corduroy since they were toddlers, possibly because I was a fan way before they were even born. It’s impossible not to fall for the endearing, mild-mannered stuffed bear created by prolific author, illustrator, and painter Don Freeman. His two books starring the lovable bear—Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy—are among the author’s best-known works.

Naturally, when I learned that The Museum of the City of New York, one of my family’s favorite NYC destinations, was opening a new exhibit dedicated to Corduroy and a curated collection of Don Freeman’s other works celebrating NYC, I knew I’d be first in line. The exhibit is a loving tribute to Freeman, whose affection for New York City is evident in masterful works that display the intricacies and liveliness of a city like no other. A City for Corduroy: Don Freeman’s New York is an engaging, colorful display and makes for a wonderful outing for little ones and grownups alike—a fitting tribute to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Corduroy.

Let the spirit of the season illuminate your heart at the new Holiday Light Show at the Long Island Sports Park in Calverton.

Uncrowded and located directly off the Long Island Expressway, the display is sure to enthrall kids and delight adults with its scintillating light creations, inspiring music, and overall holiday exuberance. And for more merriment, check out the Magic of Lights Show at Jones Beach, the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County light show, and these great things to do on Long Island with kids during the holiday season.

Your little ones might also want to visit a Nutcracker or another holiday show or perhaps travel along a nearby Polar Express train while the air is cold and light. 

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and the folks behind Party City are offering tired parents one more shopping outlet in 2018. Toy City, a seasonal pop-up similar to the Halloween City shops also owned by Party City, opened this fall with about 50 locations across the country. Expect to find some of the season's hottest toy items, from LOL dolls to Legos, at Toy City.

A number of the Toy City locations opened within former Halloween City stores and have been busy converting the shelves from spider webs and broomsticks to Play-Doh and Transformers. 

There are very few things that can lure me into Midtown's big department stores during the holiday season. While I do make an annual exception for Macy's Santaland, the real holiday magic lies outside the doors as the holiday windows come alive with spectacular displays.

Always a Mommy Poppins favorite, and certainly a must-do FREE outing, a holiday windows walk in NYC is especially exciting this year, with interactive elements and beloved characters. We spent a good part of our Sunday afternoon checking out the dazzling displays. Read on for a peek at their magic, and relive the fun of NYC holiday windows in years past.