Advent calendars are the perfect way to turn a torturous wait for the holidays into excited anticipation. I have to confess, I am a bit of an advent calendar obsessive; last holiday season we had eight going for our family of four, plus one for each of the cats! My kids each had a toy one (Lego for my son, Harry Potter for my daughter) and a candy one, I had a wine advent calendar, my husband had a dark chocolate one, and we always have a family one and a kindness advent.

Find the perfect one, or two, for everyone in your family—from baby’s first to something for your blasé teen—from this list of the very best advent calendars for 2024. But hurry—the coolest advent calendars sell out fast.

For more Christmas activities that get kids in the holiday mood, check out our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids. And for the perfect gift for everyone on your list, our Gift Guide has unique, tested, and beloved recommendations for kids of every age and interest.

Revelers can once again line the city's streets for this year's Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. Celebrating more than 100 years, the Philly parade is one of the oldest local holiday traditions. Giant floats of every variety, bands, dancers, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, will join the route to help the City of Brotherly Love kick off the holiday season. Venturing out on Turkey Day morning to watch the show march through the city is a family Philly bucket list experience––but it definitely requires some planning and preparation.

For key details including the 6abc Dunkin' Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade start time, route, and more, read below for our comprehensive guide. Visiting from out of town? Check out these top Philly hotels for families. 

The Museum of Jewish Heritage might not be atop your list of must-visit children's museums in NYC, but a new exhibit geared toward young people aims to change that. Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark opened this week and marks the museum's first foray into programming for kids.

Geared toward ages 9-12, we got a sneak peek at this exhibition at one of NYC's top Jewish culture spots before it opened and were struck by its storylines, presentation, timeliness, and connections to today's news. Read on to learn why we can't wait to visit—and re-visit—this long-term exhibition with our own kids in tow. You'll find all our top picks for exhibitions with kids in our NYC Kids' Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

Dr. Seuss has delighted readers for decades with its whimsical world of classic characters and tongue-twisting rhymes. Those beloved Dr. Seuss stories will jump off the pages and land in Los Angeles, creating an immersive world for kids and parents alike through the Dr. Seuss Experience. 

Read on for what to expect at the Dr. Seuss Experience in Los Angeles, and if your favorite Dr. Seuss book characters like The Cat in the Hat or The Grinch will be present in the Dr. Seuss installments available to explore. 

For another interactive Los Angeles experience for kids that bursts with fun, get lost in Bubble World. 

Once the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, the next order of business is finding stocking stuffers your kids will love! Santa’s big-ticket items might be under the tree, but unique stocking stuffer ideas are a great way to surprise children with smaller, thoughtful gifts that don’t break the bank. So we’ve made a list—and checked it twice—of the best stocking stuffers for kids at every age.

We’ve got cool stocking stuffers for teens and tweens, as well as stocking stuffers for toddlers and kids, and all of them are under ten bucks (our gift to you). For even more help getting ready for the holidays, including the best advent calendars and where to get free toys this holiday season, be sure to check our Family Holiday and Christmas Guide.

Whether you're looking to get spooked this Halloween or are searching for a milder thrill, Long Island is home to many haunted houses that are up to the task. We've rounded up the scariest spots delivering Halloween thrills for teens and not-so-spooky events and displays that are suitable for younger kiddos.

If you're looking for something more low-key, there is plenty of Halloween-themed fun at LI pumpkin patches, and we've got tons more seasonal fun in our Long Island Halloween Guide.

There's no shortage of candy stores in New York City, making it a good place to be a kid with a hankering for the sweet stuff. As we approach the king of all candy holidays—Halloween—this list may come in handy. Of course, this list is worth revisiting for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and any time you can't control your sweet tooth or need a sweet treat.

Many of these candy stores in NYC lack seating and bathrooms; instead, they house shelves and aisles overflowing with packages of colorful, cavity-creating treasures. A few offer more modern treats and additions like chocolate-making classes for kids. Read on for our 18 favorite candy stores in all of NYC.

Find more kid-friendly sugar spots, including our favorite destinations for over-the-top desserts in NYC in our NYC Kids' Restaurant Guide.

North Adams, MA, a hub of arts and culture in the Berkshires, is home to one of the largest centers for visual and performing arts in the US—the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). Mass MoCA is a massive, vibrant space where creativity knows no bounds, even for the little ones. Amidst the colossal industrial buildings, there are a ton of activities tailored for children.

Mass MoCA is housed in a renovated factory space, which allows for large and open galleries spread throughout 14 buildings and 250,000 square feet. In addition to the museum, there are several retail spots, restaurants, a coffee shop, and some outdoor art exhibits. You can also grab a picnic table or spread out a blanket on a grassy spot and enjoy the sunshine and mountain views. So wear comfortable shoes, grab a map with your tickets, and plan to spend a day exploring Mass MoCA.

I recently visited Mass MoCA with my 11-year-old daughter and 10-year-old niece, and we all had a blast. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Mass MoCA with kids, plus more family-friendly things to do in North Adams, MA (including great North Adams hotels).

Check out our New England Family Travel Guide for more nearby fun, including our list of 25 things to do in the Berkshires with kids.