Long Island Children's Museum Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Hear the sound in music and the music in sound in Sound Showers.

For 30 years, the Long Island Children's Museum has been educating and entertaining Long Island children. And now, the museum is ready to kick off a celebration commemorating its three decades as one of Nassau County's most beloved places for kids.

The best part? Everyone is invited to this celebration, which opened with last weekend's Three Cheers for 30 Years party, and includes throwback admission prices on the museum's actual birthday, Tuesday, November 21.

Christmas Tree Farms on Long Island

Dart's Christmas Tree Farm in Southold has a Magic Color Forest to frolic through.

Finding the perfect Long Island Christmas tree is the next logical holiday ritual after you've finished Thanksgiving turkey and completed your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

From Huntington to Riverhead and points farther east, Long Island has many great tree farms where enthusiastic families can cut a gorgeous tree for a modest cost. These farms range from simple roadside acreage to full-fledged holiday destinations. 

These farms are all located in Suffolk County, where farmland is more abundant, and are listed by town. If you want to get away, consider a day trip to a Christmas tree farm in New Jersey or the Hudson Valley. And, as always, find more ways to celebrate in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Holiday Train Shows on Long Island for Families

 All aboard as Santa visits the Riverhead Railroad Museum of Long Island. Photo courtesy of the museum

Holiday train shows are a festive way to kick off the Christmas season with the kids. Long Island offers several interactive spots to see model train magic in action. 

Train-loving kids and adults alike will be mesmerized and delighted by the sights and sounds of these model train shows and the charming mini villages they navigate. Many holiday open houses even host the man of the season–Santa for a jolly visit with the whole family. 

If all this train watching makes your family eager to climb aboard a railroad car, read our roundup of Polar Express and other Santa trains near Long Island and NYC. For even more ways to enjoy the season check out our Guide to Holiday Fun on Long Island.

50 Fun Activities for Grandparents To Do with Kids: For Grandparents' Day and Every Day

For Grandparents' Day or any day, the best gift is more time with grandkids! Photo courtesy of Canva

For holidays, weekends, birthdays, Grandparents' Day, or any old day, we've created the ultimate list of fun things for grandparents to do with kids. From weekend sleepovers to afternoon visits, there's something on this list that will appeal to grandkids (and grandparents) of every age, interest, and physical ability.

This list is sure to keep kids (and grandparents) entertained and making marvelous memories. Because let’s face it, while kids never get enough time with grandma and grandpa, sometimes the generation gap can make it hard to think of things to do together.

We've got more grandparent suggestions, from 101 Questions To Ask Grandparents About Their Lives to the Ultimate List of Cute and Unique Grandparent Names, all in our Mommy Poppins Parenting (and Grandparenting) Guide.

Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut: Cut-Your-Own Christmas Trees in 2023

Get ready for the holidays (and Santa coming to town) with a visit to a Christmas tree farm in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Dzen Family Tree Farm

Christmas tree farms in Connecticut help families get merry in classic New England style. Cut-your-own Christmas trees have become one of our most anticipated activities of the holiday season. After choosing a favorite Fraser fir or blue spruce, even my teenagers enjoy placing the saw blade to the base and cutting it free. The comedy which ensues in trying to get it back to the car is also a great memory, but mostly for mom and dad. Tips: Bring thick work gloves, cut your tree low to the ground, and then give your fresh-cut tree a good shake to get rid of any lingering bugs or critters. 

Explore our Connecticut holiday fun guide and list of Free Holiday and Christmas Events for more ways to make great holiday and Christmas memories in 2023.

Christmas Tree Farms Near Boston

Christmas tree farms near Boston provide a magical holiday moment for families. Photo courtesy of Smolak Farms

Looking for the best Christmas tree farms near Boston? Once you cut your own Christmas tree straight from a field, it's hard to go back to purchasing one from a parking lot. From the crack of the bark to the sharp evergreen aroma, a fresh-cut tree is special. Finding the perfect one and chopping it down at one of the many cut-your-own Christmas tree farms near Boston makes for a fun family adventure. Some of our favorites, from north and south of Boston to the western suburbs, have festive music and beautiful holiday decor for sale, too. So read on for the top Christmas tree farms near Boston!

For more holiday and Christmas activities, find great events in our list of the Top 25 Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in New England for Kids and explore our Boston Holiday Fun Guide.

Best Christmas Tree Farms Near Houston

Pick your own tree this year at one of these Christmas tree farms near Houston. Photo by Bauhaus 1000 via Canva

Visit one of these Christmas tree farms near Houston for a magical holiday adventure instead of heading to the store or dusting off fake pine needles from the attic. Not only will you be supporting local tree growers, but you'll also be making memories with your family to last a lifetime. Here are eight Christmas tree farms near Houston ready to provide you with the perfect Christmas tree, and many of them also have fun holiday activities and festivals, like Christmas at Old Time Christmas Tree Farm.

For more fun things to do this holiday season, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families.

Top Christmas Tree Farms Near Chicago

Cut your own tree this year at one of these Christmas tree farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Comstock Images

Our favorite Christmas tree farms near Chicago turn picking out a tree into a memorable holiday adventure. Many of these adorable Christmas tree farms near Chicago also have festive treats, gift shops, and hayrides out to the fields. Whether you’re looking to grab one that’s pre-cut, fresh from the farm, or to cut-your-own Christmas tree, this list has them all. While many of the farms offer saws and twine to cut and transport your tree, but you’re also welcome to bring your own to help avoid lines and keep the wait times with little ones to a minimum.  A few farms, noted below are also pet friendly. 

For more festive, holiday fun, check out our Holiday Guide for Kids.

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