Christmas Vacation in Philly: 37 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids

Wild Lights at the Elmwood Park Zoo is winter break fun for the whole family. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Winter break is almost here, and the kids are going to need full-time entertainment. After they've binged all the Christmas movies or have had their fill of Hanukkah happenings, it's time to get them up and off the couch for all the winter adventures they can handle. We've got everything you need to fill your winter break bucket list, from holiday lights to winter excursions and more. So plan an entire week's itinerary with our picks below.

If you're looking for more ways to keep the kids busy this winter break, check out our Winter Activity Guide and our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

Christmas Vacation in Orlando: 17 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids

Enjoy the holidays during winter break at Legoland Florida Resort. Photo courtesy of Legoland

Most schools in Central Florida are closed for winter break between December 25, 2023 and January 5, 2024, leaving two weeks for family fun. This Christmas break is a great time to take day trips from Orlando, catch up on holiday events, and enjoy time to sleep in!

From the Best Holiday Lights in Orlando to Must-Do Christmas Activities, Mommy Poppins Orlando has you covered this winter holiday break! Here are some ideas below to help plan those school-free days, and be sure to check our Orlando events calendar for other local things to do as they develop. 

Westgate Branson Woods: Family-Style Suites in the Charming Ozark Town

Westgate Branson Woods Resort is nestled on 145 beautiful wooded acres in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Photo courtesy of the resort

When it comes to family travel, a comfortable crash pad is a must in my book! And the fact that my family of five doesn't fit in your standard hotel room always complicates our vacation planning. But a recent trip to Branson, Missouri, came with a pleasant, super-sized surprise. My visit landed me in one of the most lovely, family-friendly Branson, Mo. hotels: the Branson Westgate Woods Resort. It was the perfect place for us to stay in one of our favorite Christmas towns in the US.

The rustic, mountain lodge-themed property sprawls out over 145 beautiful, wooded acres and packs in plenty of family-friendly activities. But when you've had enough fun, the spacious, suite-style accommodations wait to welcome you back like a warm hug—cozy fireplace included!

Read on for more of what you can expect from this Branson, Mo. hotel and the town it calls home, then bookmark our Midwest Family Vacation Guide to start planning a trip of your own.

Holiday Magic at PaleyLand: Santa Photos, Holiday Movies, and More

Until January 7, The Paley Center has been transformed into a five-story winter wonderland.

While you may know The Paley Center for its expansive library of TV shows and movies or its epic VR-filled gaming studio, from now until January 7th, the much-loved museum has been transformed into a five-story winter wonderland! Dubbed “Paleyland,” the seasonal attraction invites visitors to sip hot chocolate, snap photos with Santa, catch screenings of classic holiday movies, and so much more.

My daughters and I jumped at the chance to visit PaleyLand in Midtown Manhattan and it did not disappoint. Here’s what to know before you go:

What's Open on Christmas Day in CT: A List of Awesome Things To Do

Lace up your skates on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for family fun in Connecticut! Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins.

If you are wondering what's open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve in Connecticut, there are light shows and fun things to do and see. When the "most wonderful" time of year is here, and decorations are up, menus are planned, and most gifts are wrapped, you may be thinking about some activities that will help you cherish family time. This list of 17 events happening on and around Christmas Day in Connecticut is sure to have something for everyone, from Christmas Eve skating and a reindeer festival to a much-loved free light show.

With media issues fixed and "It's a Wonderful Life" cued up, I'm ready for Christmas! No matter what you celebrate, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or a combination, have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy as much as you can with our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Families.

What's Open on Christmas Day in Boston: A List of Awesome Things To Do

There is fun to be had, indoors and outside, on Christmas Day in Boston! Snowtubing at Fruitlands, photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism.

Most places are closed on Christmas, but we’ve come up with 20 things to do with kids and found out what's open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Boston. These ideas can add some multi-generational family fun to Christmas, whether you want to be warm and cozy indoors or get outdoors for some fresh air. Finding things to do on holidays can be a really special activity, whether your staying home with immediate family, or gathering with siblings, cousins, grandparents, and other loved ones.

For more ideas, explore our Holiday Fun Guide.      

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