This time of year can be wonderful and magical for kids and adults alike, but I often worry about my kids turning into little “gimme” trolls when the holidays come around. To help the whole family focus a little less on getting and a little more on giving this holiday season, take a look at these local opportunities. They are easy to incorporate into hectic schedules and perfect for teaching kids the joy of giving in a meaningful way. If you’d rather donate your time as a family, check out my post about volunteering with kids during the holidays. 

The Statue of Liberty, despite its world-renowned status, is one of those iconic local landmarks that few NYC families may think to visit. After all, you have to take a ferry to it and order tickets in advance—not exactly the makings of a spontaneous weekend outing with the kids.

But a tour of Lady Liberty, including a hike to the crown and a ferry stop at Ellis Island for a bit of history, actually has plenty to offer families, whether local or visiting from elsewhere, especially for those with kids ages 5 and up.

Eager to see this monument up close and cross it off our family’s NYC bucket list, I recently made my way to the Statue of Liberty with four kids, ages 5 to 7, in tow and just one other adult. Read on for the scoop on how to score tickets, as well as must-know tips for families like kid height requirements for tours of the crown. 

The countdown to Thanksgiving is in full swing and that means the NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is looming large on the horizon. We've already given you our insider tips for where to watch the parade and how to manage the crowds at the balloon inflation, but now we're sharing a sneak peek of four of the giant balloons set to join the 89th annual parade on Thursday, November 26, for the very first time—or the first time in a number of years.

Macy's held a test flight Sunday in the Citi Field parking lot so new additions could get a few steps under their wings before the big parade day. Read on to meet the cast of (new) characters.

I admit, last weekend I was sort of freaking out about the whole "November isn't Christmas" thing, but it's cool now. We met Santa,  hung with a few elves; there's red cups all over town, and we're even thinking of meeting up with Santa again (because we'll have lots of opportunities).

Stuff may not be over 'til the fat lady sings, but the holidays ain't even started until the Family Guy (creator) gets his croon on. Twice. But you can also do science by way of animation, twice, and I don't think it has anything to do with the holidays. We've got Smurfs, Giant Robot, Sir Topham Hatt, and the Peanuts; we've got stunt dogs and Okee Dokee Bros, all of it non-denominational.

Yes, you can start your holiday shopping now. Yes, you can skate and play in the snow. And break out the pecans because we've got Nutcrackers, twice. And if there is one lesson that this weekend in November can teach us, it is that the holidays are there for you if you want to find them. Me, personally, I look in those red cups. Twice.

Keep reading for our most down for the season picks for this weekend....

By mid-November, Philly families can sense the excitement of the holidays. So, does our Events Calendar, as it is jam-packed with events celebrating the season. Santa has arrived at the mall and holiday shows have already hit the stage.

However, if you aren't quite ready to delve into the holidays, there are tons of wonderful non-holiday events this weekend. Attend the National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. Learn about the Native Americans at Great Valley Nature Center's Lenape Festival. Or, hear the West Philadelphia Orchestra at its free concert, held at Philadelphia's Central Library.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, which is delivered on Thursday mornings. And, don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram to keep up with the latest postings. In the meantime, read below to check out this weekend's top picks.

Live family-friendly theater is abound this weekend with Charlie Brown in Bellmore, Sleeping Beauty in Islip, Annabelle Broom in Elmont and Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny in Brookville.

Families can also get their fitness fix in at the Fairway 5k Turkey Trot in East Meadow, where kids can try their best to "Chase the Gobbler!"

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Somehow I think my family and I are not the only ones who cannot wait for the new Star Wars movie. In the meantime, we're happy to get a glimpse of favorite Star Wars™ characters and scenes (pictured) this weekend at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center. Believe it or not, it's time for parents to start looking at schools for next year, and lots of open houses are popping up on the calendar. You can also get a head start on your holiday shopping this weekend at one of many upcoming craft fairs. If you're looking for something musical to do instead, there's an amazing choice of concerts around town, featuring a wolf, some jumping monkeys, and a favorite Latino group. Finally, we get to check out the local skatepark opening up with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday. Yeah!

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• It's that time of year again: The Nutcracker is in town and we have the lowdown on area performances.
• Thinking about taking the kids to The Peanuts Movie? Get the full scoop here!

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

A motley mix of fun and fascinating family events are in store for Westchester and Hudson Valley families this weekend. In addition to the live shows we highlighted in our fall family performances, there are two STEAM-themed programs: STEAM Fest and Poughkeepsie Mini Maker Faire. Learn the art of millinery—or, hat making—at Alice in Wonderland Hats; find out if the next celebrity hotshot will be discovered locally at Westchester Teen Idol; and let the force be with you at Lego Star Wars Days.

That’s not all! Read on for the rest of our top picks; then consult our Event Calendar where you’ll find more great events like a Diwali performance, a terrarium workshop and other diverse options to choose from.  Planning ahead? Consult our November GoList.