At the beginning of November, I noted all the days my kids have off from school so we could plan some fun activities, and now the Veterans Day holiday is upon us! A couple of events offer free admission just for those who have served in the military. You'll also find special activities for all ages on Wednesday, including a family-friendly show (pictured). It's not too early to think winter, either. Now's the time to reserve tickets on a local Polar Express, or if you're thinking of a winter wonderland, the Ski & Snowboard Expo can get you ready for fun in the snow that's sure to be right around the corner. Keep your eye on the full Event Calendar for other exciting happenings.

The week ahead is an exciting one, with a great assortment of uncommon activities to enjoy for Westchester families. Give Veterans Day the gravity it deserves at the Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, where you can honor and thank local heroes—and teach your kids to do the same. Prepare a novel conversation piece for your Thanksgiving celebration (or any time!) at the Story Terrarium workshop, and enjoy “corn-y” fun and education about Native American history at Make a Maize Maze.

These are just the first few of our top picks for the week—all of which are FREE. Read on for more; then browse through our Event Calendar for more options.  Want to receive reminders and updates? Sign up for our FREE weekly newsletters and  follow us on Facebook! 

When cold and dreary days show up it’s always good to have a list of indoor play spaces you can take the kids to when they - and you – desperately need to get out of the house.  Burning off all of that creative energy is a must and what a better way to do it than take them out to jump, swing and climb somewhere else other than your home! We've listed some fun options in Fairfield County. For even more indoor fun check out our Connecticut Indoor Play Guide.

Grocery shopping, making lunches, doing laundry and emptying the dishwasher can become monotonous weekday chores. Why not change things up a bit and venture out to one of the many events featured on our Events Calendar?

From storytimes to sing alongs, from museums to farms, there are many options available all week long. Don't forget that this Wednesday is Veteran's Day, so fly your American flag and thank a soldier. Be sure to use our advanced search options to narrow down your options by age, area and type. This week, put down the laundry basket and have some fun with the kiddos. Enjoy!

A turkey trot can be a fun way to get the kids out of the house Thanksgiving morning—and get out some energy! Many of these fun runs are held in support of a charity, so there’s the added bonus of doing a good deed while you “earn” that extra slice of pumpkin pie.  

We've already highlighted some of the best kid-friendly turkey trots in Westchester, and now we’re turning our attention to the rest of the Lower Hudson Valley. Be sure to check out our Holiday Guide for even more Thanksgiving ideas for families, and keep up to speed with our November GoList. 

I just love holiday craft fairs. I’m not a fan of malls and big crowds, so to me, a holiday fair is the perfect place to find adorable, hand-made gifts for everyone in the family. Not to mention, your purchases help support local artists, so it's a win-win. There’s a certain kind of charm to a holiday craft fair, and I hope you stop by some of these wonderful New Jersey fairs this holiday season.

After the Halloween hoopla filled with candy & costumes and before the December cookie baking & gift frenzy, Thanksgiving brings a slower pace to the seasonal festivities in my house, allowing us to recharge with family and a delicious meal. In my kids eyes, Thanksgiving can seem a tad…well, boring compared to the spooky decorations we put out for Halloween and the gingerbread houses we construct come Christmas. I love Thanksgiving and want it to be a meaningful time for my family - and that means getting them involved. Check out these fun Thanksgiving Day craft events happening all throughout the month of November, where kids can roll up their sleeves and get into the Turkey Day groove - and maybe bring home a little something to decorate your holiday table too!

Hasta la vista, Halloween; it was real. We may have pulled a muscle or two dragging those overloaded trick-or-treat bags around, but at least we earned a break before the next onslaught of holiday overload comes a calling. That's why we're going to fill this weekend with Santa Claus.

What's that? I meant science. There's some serious science happening on the UCLA campus this Sunday. Your kids can prepare for careers in astrophysics, pharmacology, food science... Speaking of putting the food in science, anyone up for a tree lighting?

Tree lighting? No, that was supposed to be "pumpkin launching."  A fitting end for the Halloweeny squash. And it's science, because launching and trajectories and, well, squashing. (Squashing! So nice, you say it ice!)

Keep reading for our merriest picks for this weekend....