Weekly Wrap Up: New Year's Eve in NYC, NJ and LI with Kids, Things to Do in Times Square, New Year's Resolutions

We've had a quiet week here at Mommy Poppins, post-wise at least. Since the kids are off from school, we've been running around making the most of NYC during the holidays.

Over Christmas weekend, we went caroling in Washington Square Park, caught the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, bought and decorated our tree, and went to see the famed Christmas House in the Bronx. This weekend, we're looking forward to family fun on New Year's Eve, and a resolution-filled New Year's Day. We hope that your family is enjoying the break as much as we are!

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut, as well as selected stories from our sites in Boston and Los Angeles.

New York City

We kicked off the week with a roundup of kid-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations. This year, we'll be joining neighbors for the Central Park dance party, fireworks and run.

Although most New Yorkers groan when Times Square is mentioned, we spotlighted cool things to do with kids beyond the usual tourist attractions, including three bowling alleys, a carousel, a comic book shop and a Tom Otterness playground.

Start off 2012 right with our list of enriching things to do as a family on New Year's Day.

Although we're still enjoying the sight and smell of our Christmas tree, it's almost time to say goodbye. We've got the scoop on how to recycle your tree in NYC.

New Jersey

It's all about holiday break and New Year's in NJ, too. We highlighted awesome things to do while the kids are off from school.

Family-friendly New Year's Eve fun includes fetes at iPlay America and The Funplex.

Lastly, we rounded up indoor play spaces in Hudson County.

Weekend highlights include First Night Morris 2012 and the annual New Year's at Noon Party and Parade in Dover.

Long Island

You can find plenty of kid-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations out on LI, too.

Best bets for the weekend include a seal cruise in Freeport and a New Year's Day hike and lighthouse tour on Fire Island.

Connecticut

Our CT site has a list of art classes for kids in Fairfield County.

Family-friendly New Year's Eve events in Hartford County include the annual First Night Celebration and New Year’s Eve Family Jump in Bristol.

Things to do this weekend include Christmas By the Sea at Mystic Seaport and The Wizard of Oz at the Shubert Theater.

Los Angeles & Boston

It's all about December 31 at our faraway sister sites, too. We've got the scoop on how to celebrate with the kids in LA and Boston.

Giveaways

Both our LI and NJ sites are giving away family four-packs to Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey, which is playing multiple venues in the tri-state area. Read this post for details about how to enter NJ's giveaway. You can find the info for LI's giveaway here.