One of the best things about the holiday season is hunting for the best Christmas cookies in NYC. It's the season to indulge in once-a-year special treats. Whether you bake them or buy them, enjoying Christmas cookies is a great way to treat the kids (and you!) between all that shopping, visiting Santa, and checking out amazing Christmas windows all over town.

From traditional European specialties and the American classic sugar cookie, we've rounded up 10 tasty bakeries for Christmas cookies in NYC this season. Find more sweet treats in our Family-Friendly Restaurant Guide and all our top holiday picks in our NYC Kids' Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

Billed as an action-packed indoor entertainment center for LEGO-lovers ages 3 to 10, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester in Yonkers’ open-air Ridge Hill Mall is a great day out for families. Small but mighty compared to the LEGOLAND theme park, the center packs LEGO building stations, play areas, rides, and a 4D movie theater.

I headed there with my 4- and almost-7-year-old daughters on a recent half-day to check it out. Read on for my take on what to expect at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, who it’s best for, and how to get the most out of your trip.

Over the last few years, even Santa Claus has had to learn how to Zoom. This season, families looking for a virtual meet and greet with Father Christmas can choose between a number of 2022 Santa photos and visits that use technological magic to create a remote way for kids to connect with Old Kris Kringle.

From perfectly customized video greetings to live cameos by Mrs. Claus and the elves, there are so many ways to hang with Saint Nick and his crew from the comfort of your own home. Silver linings: no long lines, no crowds, and the ability to really personalize the visit to make your 2022 Santa Claus meet-and-greet extra special.

Read on for some of our favorite virtual Santa visits, coming to you from a few of our partners who sure know how to spread the holiday cheer when we need it most.

This is the start of sledding season in Los Angeles—at the beach! So get ready to grab a sled and hit the sand.

Sledding may involve getting cold and wet in other parts of the country, but that is so ... un-Californian. Sure, there are places near Los Angeles to go sledding on snow if that's your thing, but we're raising California kids, and that means beach sledding. Every winter a few Los Angeles area beaches get their annual sand berms, intended as protection against winter storms and violent surf. Or so they say. The real purpose is clearly to lay the groundwork for the ultimate SoCal winter sport: sand sledding. We've got the lowdown on when those sledding hills storm berms are going up.

For actual winter day trips from Los Angeles where you can find snow in SoCal for sledding, skiing, or snow tubing, visit our Winter Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

If you think about it, the Florida Keys are truly an ideal family vacation destination. Where else can the kids enjoy postcard sunsets, crystal seas, gentle breezes, and exciting water sports without having to leave the country? But until a recent hotel building boom, the Keys have largely been the playground of overstressed grown-ups soaking in the Margaritaville vibe. Mommy Poppins readers know that’s changing. In 2021, we shared our favorite Florida Keys resorts and hotels for families. The latest addition to that list is Playa Largo Resort & Spa.

Playa Largo Resort & Spa is located in the south end of Key Largo, less than two hours from Miami. Part of Marriott’s boutique Autograph Collection, the 178-room resort features a pool, water sports, on-site dining, and one of the few true beachfronts in the rocky Keys. Check out our review of Playa Largo, then visit our Florida Family Travel Guide for more fun in the Sunshine State.

The first storm of the season creates quite a stir for those of us who excitedly await a winter wonderland, and it's hard to match the thrill of holding tight to a sled while careening down one of these awesome sledding hills in the Hartford area. Winter lasts only about 12 weeks, so pack a thermos with hot chocolate, maybe grab an extra pair of mittens and socks, and embrace the snowy (and socially distant) adventures.

If you are looking to explore more winter activities, check out these Fairfield-Area sledding hills and our Connecticut Ski and Snow Sports Guide.

When winter weather turns into a day off from school it’s time to head for the hills—sledding hills, that is. We're lucky to have more than our fair share of awesome sledding hills here in Fairfield County, from gentle dips for toddlers and preschoolers to dramatic slopes that draw brave 'tweens and 'teens. Grab a thermos of cocoa, your warmest mittens, and yes—this year, at least—your face masks, of course.

Here is a list of some local favorite spots to spend a couple hours burning off that cabin fever. If you live in central Connecticut, check out these Hartford-area sledding hills, and for a little bit more of an adventure, visit our Connecticut Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Guide.

One of the perks of living in Los Angeles is that you can go from the beach to the snow in one day. One very looooong day. And between holiday events and Christmas activities—it's hard to find the time. That's why I was excited to take my girls to Snow N Glow; this family holiday outing lets kids experience snow without spending the day strapped in the car. We got to go snow tubing, play in the snow, and have some s'mores without digging out our tire chains. There are two locations, one at the Ventura County Fairground and another at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, so you can pick the one closest to you.

Read on for the details, and check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families for a complete rundown on where you can go snow tubing, skiing, or ice skating near Los Angeles.