What's Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles? Places Open for Family Fun

Stroll through vibrant foliage and gardens. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens

Thanksgiving might be known as the holiday where you eat food and watch football all day, but there's much more to do on this holiday in Los Angeles than you might think. Sometimes, you need a change of scenery or a break from the relatives, so knowing what's open on Thanksgiving in LA for family fun is invaluable—for clearing the house to prepare the meal and for walking it off afterward.

Stuff your Thanksgiving with much more than just food. You could spend the whole holiday out and about in Los Angeles by going to one of the places below that you may not have realized welcome visitors, and by eating at one of the many restaurants in LA open on Thanksgiving

Gobble up more holiday goodness with Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities for kids, and see where to kick off the Christmas festivities with the best neighborhood holiday lights in Los Angeles. For more holiday happenings, check out our Events Calendar and peruse our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families

All Aboard for These Fun Holiday Train Shows in NYC: NYBG Train Show, Grand Central, and More

The NYBG Holiday Train Show is a winter wonderland with enchanting trains and twinkling cityscapes. Photo by the author

Trains are a way of life for most New Yorkers, but come Christmastime these holiday train shows in NYC add a little sparkle to New York's favorite form of transportation as little engines and cabooses take center stage during the holiday season.

The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show is always one of our must-do Christmas events in NYC, with electric model trains whizzing by nearly 200 NYC landmarks made out of acorns, twigs, bark, berries, leaves, and other botanical bits and pieces. My family and I make it a point to go every year—it's truly a quintessential New York holiday experience. There's a reason it's No. 43 on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids in NYC.

But, the big NYBG holiday train show isn't the only holiday train show in NYC. Read on for more details on all the Christmas train shows the city has to offer this season, and, for an extra special holiday treat, take the kids on a full-size Christmas train ride with these nearby Polar Express and Santa trains.

43 Holiday and Christmas Party Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Festive crafts are an essential part of any holiday party for toddlers and preschoolers! Photo courtesy of Canva

The holiday season is prime time for parties, and we've got a bunch of fun Christmas party ideas for the littlest partygoers. These games, crafts, and finger foods will keep toddlers and preschoolers occupied for hours and are easy for busy families to pull off.

Whether you're organizing a classroom party or entertaining younger guests at home, here are over 40 Christmas party ideas for toddlers and preschoolers. Find more festive fun in our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids, including our heaping list of 101 Christmas crafts.

Navigating Tough Times: Expert Tips to Care for Your Child's Mental Health

We've partnered with Connecticut Children’s to share guidance from their free 2024 Mental Health and Wellness Toolkit.

Parents play a pivotal role in helping their kids feel safe and supported–from comforting their newborn cries to battling teenage bullying. To help caregivers create the kind of stable environment that builds children’s emotional well-being, Mommy Poppins has partnered with Connecticut Children’s to share guidance from their free 2024 Mental Health and Wellness Toolkit. As always, the comprehensive kit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate advice from leading pediatric experts 100% dedicated to kids.

60 Things to Do in Dallas and Fort Worth with Kids Before They Grow Up

Looking for something to do in Dallas today? Boy howdy, have we got you covered!

Check out the very best things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth with kids. We’re talking museums, attractions, events, activities, seasonal fun, and more—basically, all the things any good North Texan should have on their bucket list.

Kids. One minute they’re playing in the sandbox and the next they’re off to the movies with friends—gasp! Thank goodness there are so many things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth that there are plenty of opportunities for making memories before they grow up.

As a parent in DFW, there’s a good chance you’ve done some of these things, but this list of 60 things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth with kids is bound to have a few adventures you’ve wanted to try and maybe even a few you’ve never heard about. The best part? There’s always next weekend.

If you manage to get all these things done, there's so much more to do in Texas, like booking a stay at one of the best resorts for families and checking out the coolest road trips in Texas

NYC Subway Primer: How to Get Around with Kids

 Off to new adventures with an OMNY card in hand!

The New York City subway is the largest public transportation network of its kind in America with 472 stations on 25 routes, spread along 665 miles of track. Riding the subway is the fastest, easiest way to get from point A to point B in NYC, and it's a great way to travel with kids.

But, if you're not 100% familiar with the subway system, are traveling with a stroller, or hit schedule changes, it can really stink. The subway system can be a little daunting to navigate, so we've got all the info you need to ride the subway. We've also rounded up the best online resources to make it easier to get around NYC by subway, especially with kids.

If you're visiting NYC, be sure to bookmark our Visitors Guide, which includes a ton of parent-tested tips plus our top picks for the best attractions in NYC and how to make the most of a budget-friendly visit, too.

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in the Hudson Valley

"Peace, Love & Lights" brings a drive-thru light experience on the site of the Woodstock Festival. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods

This year's must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in the Hudson Valley include a wintry mix of spectacles, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, and other fun. 

Whether you’re looking for a drive-thru holiday lights display or a Christmas event outside in frosty air, we’re highlighting can't-miss holiday activities in the Hudson Valley below. Enjoy Lego-themed holiday festivities at Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular or dance and sing with the holiday characters at A Frosty Fest.

For an unforgettable family holiday experience, put on your pajamas and take a Polar Express-themed train ride with Santa through the Catskill Mountains.

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

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Hottest Toys and Christmas Gifts for Kids

Cookeez Makery is one of the hottest new toys of 2024!

Looking for the best Christmas gifts for kids? Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide 2024, with the hottest toy suggestions for kids of all ages.

'Tis the season—it’s time to get serious about Christmas gifts for kids. The holidays will be here before you know it, and that means shopping. Lots of shopping. To help you find the perfect gift, we've talked to kids, toy experts, and parents to fill our gift guide for 2024 with some of the hottest toys of the season.

Whether your toddler loves Ms. Rachel or your teenager is dying for the latest Percy Jackson book, we’ve got the perfect gift for kids of all ages and interests.

For more gift ideas, check out the Mommy Poppins Holiday Gift Guide 2024, which has suggestions for cool stocking stuffers, baby's first Christmas gift, and more.

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