Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 40 Best Things to Do with Kids in Philly

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A winter oasis, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest houses a skating rink overlooking the Delaware River, a ski chalet-style lodge and more. Photo by Danielle Smith

Winter can test your creativity in entertaining the kids, and sometimes you just need to get out of the house or at least find new indoor activities. Fortunately, we have some amazing outdoor winter activities that allow kids to romp, play, and explore, as well as fresh ideas for being at home that can shake off winter fatigue.

For all the best ways to make the most of the chilly temps, check out the Best Outdoor Ice Skating, and don't miss our Winter Activities Guide. Looking for ways to stay entertained at home? Check out our Boredom Busters Guide for lots of great ideas!

Christmas Weekend 2024 in Atlanta Top Things To Do: Santa Visits, Holiday Lights, and More

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The dazzling Glow Light Show offers a leisurely drive through illuminated installations for all ages. Photo courtesy of the event

 Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend! 

Christmas weekend is almost here, and kids in Atlanta are bursting with anticipation. Luckily, we here at Mommy Poppins have lots of ways for your family to make amazing memories all Christmas weekend long. Meet Santa, for last-minute gift requests and photo opps, at his Post Office at The Battery and Georgia Aquarium. It's also a great time to drive through Cosmic Sleigh Ride by World of Illumination, Glow Light Show, and Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park. We also have the scoop on all the best Atlanta Homes with Spectacular Christmas Lights! 

And make sure to enter the Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour Giveaway! This month, we're giving away a family four pack of tickets to The Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour concert. You can enter to win by signing up for our newsletter here!

Christmas Weekend 2024 in Orlando Top Things To Do: Theme Park Festivals, Holiday Lights, and More

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Winter Wonderland at Wekiva Island is back with a supersized Christmas tree, snow flurries, Christmas lights, Santa, and more! Photo courtesy Wekiva Island

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Christmas weekend is here— hopefully the tree is decorated, presents are wrapped, and holiday plans are finalized. Assuming you're looking to get out of the house on Christmas weekend, Orlando is brimming with things to do. Celebrate Christmas in Orlando at SeaWorld, Epcot, Universal, or any of the other Central Florida theme parks open during the holiday weekend. Looking for Christmas lights? Check out amazing displays at Daytona International Speedway and Leu Gardens.

We've also rounded up the best Orlando Restaurants Open on Christmas Day for Kids as well as What's Open on Christmas Day in Orlando. Whatever your plans this weekend, have a very happy holiday from your friends at Mommy Poppins!

Christmas Weekend 2024 in San Francisco Top Things To Do: Nutcrackers, Reindeer Games, Holiday Train Rides, and More

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The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to see Elf in Concert with the SF Symphony. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

All the last-minute shopping, gift wrapping, quick stocking stuffer trips, holiday lights, and grocery runs have led to this: Christmas weekend. Take a break and have holiday tea at the popular Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz Carlton. See The Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet or Mark Foehringer‘s Nutcracker Sweets version for smaller kids. Grab a warm cup of hot cocoa, and lace up your skates for free ice skating, live music, and holiday kids activities starting this Saturday at Thrive City Winter Wonderland. 

For an extra stocking stuffer, enter the Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour Giveaway! We’re giving away a family four pack of tickets to The Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour concert. You can enter to win by signing up for our newsletter here!

Whether traveling or staying local, staying home or spending it with family and friends close by, we here at Mommy Poppins wish you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours. 

Christmas Weekend 2024 in Los Angeles Top Things To Do: Boat Parades, Holiday Concerts, and More

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Forget the reindeer, Santa is paddling! Photo courtesy of Ventura Harbor Village

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles Christmas weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this holiday weekend.

Merry Christmas weekend, folks! The gift to us all in 2024 has been the many things to do in Los Angeles with holiday activities, light shows, Nutcrackers, and theme park celebrations everywhere you turn. A few suggestions sure to make spirits bright over Christmas weekend: the magnificent Newport Beach Boat Parade, the holiday version of the Warner Brother Studio Tour which puts a seasonal spin on the Gilmore Girls' Stars Hollow, Las Posadas, the nightly free reenactment of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem; and the Los Angeles Ballet's stunning production of The Nutcracker in Hollywood. 

And our gift to you is a ticket giveaway! We’re giving away a family four-pack of tickets to The Wiggles Bouncing Balls! Tour Giveaway. You can enter to win by signing up for our newsletter here. 

However you choose to celebrate, happy holidays from all of us at Mommy Poppins! 

Family-Friendly Hotels for a New York Staycation

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The TWA Hotel isn't far from home, but offers a little mid-century glam and some unique views.

These family-friendly hotels in New York State are a perfect solution for a quick vacation if this isn't the year for traveling to a far-flung destination. With these local hotels, you don't have to forego an escape or hard-earned rest and relaxation just because you don't want to get on a plane. New Yorkers are fortunate to have a variety of family-friendly hotels right at their fingertips.

Whether you want to stay at a family-friendly hotel in New York City and masquerade as a tourist, drive a few hours to enjoy an authentic farm stay, find a place to truly recharge, or seek action and adventure, we've rounded up the 13 family-friendly New York hotels for a staycation.

To find more local destinations to explore, bookmark our Day Trips and Getaway Guide.

Best Places for High Tea in NYC to Enjoy a Cup with Kids

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Afternoon tea at The Palm Court in The Plaza is a long-celebrated tradition and a memorable outing during the holidays or perfect experience gift. Photo by Jody Mercier

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a memorable experience, afternoon tea—sometimes called high tea in New York City—can be a fun outing with kids. It's an especially great winter outing and particularly fitting during the holidays.

Several places serve afternoon tea in New York City, with varying degrees of appropriateness for children. From the fancy Eloise Tea at The Plaza Hotel to the less frilly Russian Tea Room, there are teas—and goodies—for children of all ages and parents of all budgets. Here's our take on the best spots to enjoy high tea in NYC with kids. Bookmark our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants for more family-friendly options for your next meal out.

Ice Skate Under the Brooklyn Bridge at the Newly-Opened Roebling Rink

Jessica Laird's picture Submitted by Jessica Laird on

Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park welcomes visitors to skate under an NYC landmark.

Now open for the winter season, Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo welcomes ice skaters of all ages to take a spin under one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.

It would be tough to find a more breathtaking backdrop for a family ice skating outing than the waterfront city views at Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Nestled right below the Brooklyn Bridge itself, the seasonal pop-up destination welcomes skaters for one hour ice sessions from Monday to Sunday now through February 2nd.

Of course, I couldn’t pass up an invitation to take my daughters and husband for a spin at what I can now only imagine is Brooklyn’s most picturesque rink. So, we bundled up tight and laced up our skates, and I’m here to share the ins and outs of rentals, admission, and more at DUMBO’s must-visit Roebling Rink.

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