Lace up those skates and enjoy the fresh air at these ice skating rinks near Philly. Of all the fun activities the holiday season brings, ice skating is at the top of the list. Bundling up in hats and scarves and warming up with cider or hot chocolate after a spin on the ice at a local ice skating rink in Philadelphia is sure to please kids young and old. There are several temporary festive outdoor ice skating rinks in Philadelphia and in the Philadelphia suburbs, providing unique settings for this winter activity, and many Pennsylvania state parks also offer ice skating when the conditions are right. 

For more ways to enjoy everything this season has to offer, check out our list of Polar Express and Christmas Train Rides and our Philadelphia Holiday Guide, filled with the best Christmas events and activities, as well as events for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and more.

An inclusive playground in the bucolic South Shore village of Rockville Centre has opened and welcomes families and children of all abilities. The space aims to create a safe and engaging environment where every child can play and explore together.

With all of the ways to climb, spin, roll, and run in this massive outdoor play space, Mr. B’s All-Inclusive Playground is sure to be a hit with kids.

Read on for our review, and see our guide to Long Island parks and playgrounds for more outdoor inspiration. Of course, if you want to head to an indoor play space, we have you covered as well.

Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities throughout New Jersey offer great ways to connect as a family this holiday season. Volunteering together can spark the joy of giving in children of all ages.

Read on for our rundown of volunteer opportunities for kids of all ages in New Jersey, from activities suited to younger kids, like coloring greeting cards, to ways for teenagers to serve Thanksgiving dinners. 

Check out other feel-good holiday ideas in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families.

New York City's outdoor ice skating rinks are ready for a new season, and we've rounded up our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC. Whether you want to take a twirl on some long-running classics, like the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink and the always-free Bryant Park rink, or explore new favorites like the waterfront rink coming to Domino Park, our list of family-friendly outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC continues to grow.

Read on for our top picks for outdoor ice skating rinks for beginners and experienced skaters alike. And, if it ever gets too cold to glide outside, know you can always hit one of NYC's indoor ice skating rinks.

Thanksgiving in Los Angeles has plenty of kid-friendly restaurants open on the holiday for families to enjoy without needing to cook or clean. Let's face it: sometimes, an ideal Thanksgiving does not involve hours of shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning while the TV is blaring football. So, have your feast and eat it, too, while enjoying conversation with family and friends. You might even have time for some Thanksgiving family activities since someone else will be doing the dishes. 

Before or after Thanksgiving dinner, see what's open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles. For more Turkey Day family fun, like funny Thanksgiving jokes for kids to tell at the table, check out our Guide to Thanksgiving Fun for Families. 

Do you love the holidays? A stay in a top Christmas town or a trip to a nearby Santa's Village that goes all out for December 25 can be a great way to share that festive spirit with the whole family. Some of the most spectacular Christmas towns are right here in the US. These local spots celebrate Christmas with mega holiday lights displays, Christmas markets, special performances, and plenty of opportunities to meet with Santa Claus. Each of these unique locations gives us plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season in style!

Read on to find an dazzling Christmas town or Santa's Village near you so your family can get into the holiday spirit in a big way, from Koziar's Christmas Village in Pennsylvania to Riverside, California. Find even more holiday (and winter) vacation ideas in our Family Travel Guide.

Has your family decided to go easy this year and find a restaurant open on Thanksgiving 2024? This tasty food-centric holiday will bring families together again, as everyone is looking forward to relaxing with some good food and stimulating conversation. We don't blame you if you aren't looking forward to actually cooking that meal as there are many restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Connecticut serving up delicious and creative, inspired holiday meals. Many of these restaurants are open on Thanksgiving and offer special pricing for kids.

Mommy Poppins recommends making reservations ASAP, as seating can fill up very quickly. And if you're looking for a few extra laughs over the long Thanksgiving weekend, check out 25 Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids They'll Gobble Up.  And have fun throughout the season with 50 Thanksgiving Crafts, Games, and Activities for Kids and Families.

Have a festive and fun Thanksgiving 2024 (without all the mess and stress!)