NYC Kids’ Guide to Family-Friendly Volunteer Activities Year-Round

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NYC families can deliver fresh meals—and smiles—by volunteering with City Meals on Wheels. Photo courtesy of Citymeals on Wheels

Volunteering is a great way to teach children about the importance of helping others and a nice way to give back to your community and those who need it. There are many family-friendly volunteering opportunities in NYC, and many can be performed year-round.

We've compiled some of these family volunteer activities in NYC below, including ways to give back with a local community org or from the comfort of your own home. We've got picks for families who want to fight food insecurity, help beautify the city, and even make some new furry friends. In addition to the information below, we also have an entire post on Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities that you can explore this holiday season.

27 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Atlanta for Kids

Submitted by Melanie Preis on

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns to Atlanta Botanical Garden for an amazing Christmas lights event. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden

'Tis the season for holiday activities around Atlanta! Families looking for wholesome merriment have plenty of options this holiday season, including Illuminights at Zoo Atlanta and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts. You can't go wrong with one of Atlanta's biggest holiday mainstays and Christmas events, Stone Mountain Park Christmas or try something new like Elf the Musical at the Fox Theatre. Feeling nostalgic for Atlanta holiday traditions? The Pink Pig will once again be at the Georgia Festival of Trees. We've included even more great ideas to have an amazing Atlanta Christmas with kids!

33 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Orlando for Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Dazzling Nights is back at Leu Gardens with its dazzling winter wonderland of lights. Photo by Creative City Project

Get ready for Orlando Christmas events that are fun and family-friendly this holiday season, including theme park holiday lights, holiday parades, Christmas tree ceremonies, and more! The theme parks offer major fun, like more than 3 million lights on display at SeaWorld Orlando or a magical Harry Potter Christmas at Universal Orlando Resort. Families can visit the charming town of Mount Dora for a lighted boat parade, experience ICE! at Gaylord Palms, enjoy a Florida "snowfall" at Celebration Town Center, and more.

15 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Westchester for Kids 2025

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has become a Yonkers tradition. Photo courtesy of the conservancy

This year's must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in Westchester include a wintry mix of spectacles, tree-lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, and other fun. We’ve got the lowdown on top holiday attractions to keep your family’s spirits high.

Westchester's many festive holiday displays include Holiday Lane at American Christmas, a walk-through Christmas wonderland featuring more than 100,000 twinkling lights, friendly animatronic characters, and nine enchanting themed areas.

Families can also drive through 100-foot light tunnels and meet Santa and other characters at the Westchester Winter Wonderland's Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza.

Find even more ways to celebrate the season in our curated Christmas and Holiday Guide for Westchester Families. We're busy populating our Family Activity Calendar with loads of fun throughout the holidays, so keep close tabs to stay informed.

20 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities on Long Island in 2025

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

LuminoCity returns to Long Island with another stunning installation at Eisenhower Park. Photo courtesy of LuminoCity

Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events on Long Island for kids? Read on for our top picks.  

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Long Island! We’ve rounded up the most magical family-friendly holiday events, from dazzling lantern festivals and drive-thru light shows to free favorites like the Animated Story at Hicks Nurseries and Huntington Holiday Spectacular.

Plus, don’t miss must-do classics like LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park and the Jones Beach Light Show, because nothing says holiday cheer like twinkling lights and smiling kids.

We've got plenty more ways to make seasonal memories in our Long Island Guide to Holiday Fun. 

21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New Jersey for Kids in 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

The Turtle Back Zoo holiday lights show in West Orange is one of our top picks for family fun this Christmas. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner

Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events in New Jersey? Read on for our top picks in the Garden State in 2025. 

Make your list—and check it twice—because we've got all the details you need for annual must-do holiday experiences and top Christmas events in New Jersey. These Christmas events and holiday activities, including annual favorites like PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights, and newcomer Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms, are sure to get everyone in the seasonal spirit over the next few weeks. 

You can also stay up to date with family-friendly holiday fun in our Family Activity Calendar and find more Christmas events and holiday hoopla in our seasonal Holiday Guide for New Jersey Families.

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