Elf on the Shelf's Magical Holiday Journey: Christmas Lights, Ice Skating, and a Ride to Santa Claus

Santa Claus greets the trolley at Elf on the Shelf Magical Holiday Journey.

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.

The 15 Best Holiday and Christmas Events and Activities for Connecticut Kids

Photo courtesy of  Carl Bozenski Christmas Village

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.

Day Trip to DuBois Farms in Highland For Seasonal Fun Without the Crowds

The tractor ride at DuBois Farms was a kid-pleasing treat.

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.

15 Popular Preschools near DC: Great Preschools in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

The Little Folks School devotes itself to educating the whole child. Photo courtesy of the school

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. 

10 Things To Do at Terhune Orchards in Princeton

Fill an entire day at Terhune Orchards, where family-friendly fun on the farm abounds.

Spread across 250 acres of prime New Jersey farmland, Terhune Orchards has long been one of our favorite family-friendly farms. It's the perfect place to whisk away your spirited child and let them run wild through the corn maze or explore the sunflower field, jump in muddy puddles, or prop them on your shoulders to pick the best-tasting apple from the tippy-top of the tree.

A pastoral play space, it overflows with opportunities for outdoor fun in any season. There are educational programs, plenty of fresh produce, seasonal festivals, live music, and even some grown-up perks. Read on for 10 fun things to do at Terhune Orchards, and find more family-friendly farms in our Guide to Pick-Your-Own and Farms in NJ.

The Ultimate Philadelphia to New York City Holiday Travel Guide

Budget-conscious elves already know...leave the car in Philly and hop on a Peter Pan bus to NYC for a family holiday trip. Photo courtesy of Peter Pan.

Philadelphia is an amazing place to spend the holiday season. But as much as we hate to admit it, New York City is a strong frontrunner for the ultimate holiday destination. This time of year in New York is downright magical, and at 100ish miles away, a trip to the Big Apple during Christmastime is a tradition that many Philly families treasure. We figured that the ultimate holiday destination deserves the ultimate holiday travel guide, so we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to get from Philadelphia to New York.

Traveling from Philadelphia to New York is a route with myriad options, and parents can expend a lot of energy debating taking the train from Philly to NYC, taking the bus from Philly to NYC, or driving up the turnpike, never mind the traffic and parking headaches waiting to greet you on arrival. We’re making your family trip to New York City for the holidays or any other days as hassle-free as possible, by mapping out all the best ways to go from Philly to New York, and throwing in a few suggestions of what to do when you arrive.

12 Family-Friendly Hikes in New England

Kids love climbing the rocks at Purgatory Chasm. Photo courtesy of Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Facebook

Go on a hike: it's good for your health, is an amazing family bonding activity, and you can get great family photos!

New England is home to some of the most gorgeous, yet kid-friendly places to hit the trails—even in the White Mountains of New Hampshire where there is an impressive cluster of 4,000 footers. We’ve rounded up the best places to take a hike in all of New England, from tranquil parks to adventurous state parks and more. So grab your hiking boots and get ready to explore nature on mild, kid-friendly terrain (some are even drivable), and maybe see some wildlife along the way.

Looking for more ways to get out in nature with kids? Explore our list of 10 State Parks and Forests in Massachusetts and 25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit. Or, learn about the 15 best destinations for a fall day trip from Boston

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