Christmas at the Queen Mary is a great place to spend a chilly evening during the holiday season. The vintage ocean liner in Long Beach harbor comes alive with Christmas lights, carolers, encounters with Santa, a seasonal ice rink, a Christmas train, and several other festive and wintery activities. The annual holiday event takes place both on board and around The Queen Mary, meaning lots of twinkly photo ops against the backdrop of the floating monument, as well as exploring the art deco decks of the beloved ship. For us, it's an annual holiday tradition!

An after-dinner drive to take in one of LA's classic neighborhood holiday light displays is a treat all families should indulge in. It's an easy, cheap way to get in the Christmas spirit (or just enjoy someone else's). Of course, counting on other people to decorate their lawns is only so reliable. To be sure of a full evening of holiday lights and holiday cheer, sometimes it's worth driving to a big public light display, or even splurging on pay-to-play holiday lights. Several local destinations indulge us in our desire to see grand-scale Christmas lights, from Zoo Lights to walks in the woods. The bigger the group you can round up, the more festive; it helps to know which of LA's big public light shows are worth the ticket price this holiday season.

Are you looking for a fun day trip with your family to get in the Christmas spirit? Sometimes we need a break from all of the hustle and bustle of the month of December to just step back and enjoy the beauty of the season. Take a ride to PA Dutch Country or the Lehigh Valley to experience vintage Christmas celebrations, amazing light displays, nativity scenes, or amusement parks decked out in their holiday finest.  

Here is our list of some great holiday attractions outside Philadelphia to visit with children of any age. Many are within an hour's drive from the city, so pack the kids in the car and get ready to hit the road! In case you are up for the longer drive, our nearby Mommy Poppins sites in New Jersey and New York City also have fun-filled guides to the holidays.  And don't forget to check out the Philly holiday guide for more Christmas fun.

Find our why my family loves Legoland Florida more than any other local theme park!

As a local Floridian, my three young kids have access to many amazing theme parks in close proximity. Despite the draw of Orlando magic, one of my family's favorite theme parks is Legoland Florida Resort, partly because it's geared toward kids ages 2-12. This means the rides at Legoland Florida are just right for my little ones, but also that the park takes care of all the details needed for a long day at an amusement park with toddlers, babies, and school-age kids. There are things to do while waiting in line, an indoor baby center—and plenty of hands-on and interactive activities.

We love the building and outdoor play opportunities at Legoland Florida, so kids can take a break from ride hopping and flex their creativity. Read on for the top things to do at Legoland Florida, including our favorite rides, places to eat, hours, tickets, and even top Legoland hotel options.

Check out more fun things to do in the area with our Florida Travel Guide or our Orlando Theme Parks & Water Parks Guide, which is perfect for locals and visitors alike.

Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean that you and your family have to go into hibernation. There are some great indoor play spaces in the Hartford area where your active child can burn off excess energy by climbing, bouncing, running, and jumping. He or she might even take a nap for you later! For even more ways to help kids burn off energy when the weather is wintry or wet, check out our Connecticut Indoor Play Guide.

Do your kids love to make slime? Do you not love having your kids make slime in your house? Enter D.I.Y. Slime, the newly opened Westchester storefront whose purpose is to provide slime-making fun that doesn’t ruin your table.

Say no more, right? But there is more. D.I.Y. Slime, located on East Avenue in Larchmont, takes slime-making to a higher level: This is high-end, fancy-pants slime! We paid a visit and got the lowdown on offerings, hours, mix-ins, and more.

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New York City makes a magical vacation spot for families year round. From its world-class cultural institutions to the bright lights of Broadway, towering skyscrapers, history-steeped, old cobblestone streets, and well-known landmarks, there's plenty to entertain your family whether you're here for a day, a week...or even longer.

While a vacation in the concrete jungle can be an action-packed experience, it can also be a challenge. Read on for our parent-tested tips to make a New York City family vacation one to remember.