Spectacular Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Light Displays in the Hudson Valley

Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center features lots of groovy displays.

Christmas light displays are shining brightly in the area, and we’ve found some great ones for you to check out in the Lower Hudson Valley. The displays range from individually decorated houses—including one with more than a half million lights—to a drive-thru Christmas wonderland.

We've got plenty more holiday light displays for you to consider in our roundup of the brightest drive-thru installations in the tri-state area.

For more holiday fun, be sure to check our Holiday Fun Guide and Event Calendar.

Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for Parents and Kids

Gerber Childrenswear already has Black Friday deals going! Photo courtesy of Gerber

Getting bombarded by Black Friday, early Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Cyber Week, etc deals. It’s fantastic that all these sales are taking place, so parents can save money on all the toys and gear we want to get our kids for the holidays.

What’s not so great? Spending time away from your family to scroll through pages and pages of deals, trying to find ones that are really worth it, actual money savers, truly great & useful products. So we did it for you! From Barbie’s Dream House to Nintendo Switch to stunning wooden indoor/outdoor playhouses, we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday deals for kids.

For more holiday ideas, from gifts for all ages to affordable stocking stuffers, we've got a fabulous NEW Gift Guide.

Things to Do in Chicago's Lincoln Square Neighborhood with Kids

Chicago's Youth Only Makerspace is located in Lincoln Square. OpenShop photo courtesy of BitSpace.

Lincoln Square is a historically-German Chicago neighborhood at the Western stop of the Brown Line. This fun neighborhood is anchored by Giddings Plaza, a pedestrian plaza with a historic-looking fountain just east of Lincoln Avenue between Leland and Lawrence. Its location just off the L and with narrow streets makes it a pedestrian-friendly location with lots of unique shops and restaurants for families to explore.

Many families come to Lincoln Square for its street festivals or for a concert at The Old Town School of Folk Music, which is not actually located in Old Town. But there's plenty to do, see, hear, and eat even after those events are over. Here are some great things to do with kids in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.

If you want to venture to other great Chicago neighborhoods, check out our list of 100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

New AMNH Exhibit Reveals The Secret Life of Elephants

Get up close to a life-sized African Elephant model at the AMNH's new Secret World of Elephant exhibit. Photo by Alvaro Keding/AMNH

Step into The Secret World of Elephants courtesy of a brand-new exhibit now open at the American Museum of Natural History.

The sprawling exhibition dedicated to the world's largest land mammal is filled with life-sized models—some surprisingly pint-sized—interactive displays, and touchpoints aimed at teaching the public about these incredible animals and their evolutionary relatives.

Read on for a sneak peek at this exhibition and find more fun museum exhibits to explore with kids in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums and Galleries.

Sewing for Kids: Best Kids' Sewing Machines and Sewing Kits

The Janome Blue Couture Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine is a great first sewing machine for kids.

Looking for the best sewing machine for kids? How about kid-friendly sewing kits? There are lots of great options to choose from!

Sewing is both a fun and Earth-friendly skill for crafty kids of all ages to learn. Sewing allows kids to work on fine motor skills and flex their creative muscles. Plus, being able to patch a pair of pants or replace a button helps keep clothing out of landfills—especially when kids are older and not outgrowing items faster than they can wear them.

There are so many beginner-friendly sewing machines that it's hard to pick the very best sewing machine for kids. We've rounded up four great options, plus some awesome sewing kits for children. We've also shared some beginner sewing projects and tutorials to help your kids become expert stitchers.

Check out our Earth Kids Guide for more planet-friendly activities and habits for kids, from cardboard box crafts to eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas. And, sign up for our Earth Kids newsletter for more ideas and activities every month.

17 Things To Do in Garden City, New York with Kids

Garden City's quaint downtown makes for a great stroll with kids. Photo courtesy of the Village of Garden City

Garden City is one of Long Island's most desirable communities, with tree-lined streets, a vibrant downtown, highly-rated schools, and plenty of green space. Take a stroll down historic Seventh Street, which plays host to family-friendly events all year round; spend the day learning on Museum Row; or shop till you drop at the area’s largest shopping mall, Roosevelt Field.

It’s no wonder so many families enjoy living and visiting this village. We've rounded up the top things to do on a visit to Garden City with kids. 

Be sure to check out our posts on the best parks in Nassau County for kids and the best indoor play spaces in Nassau County for more great activity ideas in the area. 

Christmas Tree Farms Near Atlanta for Family Fun

Pick your tree then enjoy the festive atmosphere at Yule Forest, with a mug of hot apple cider. Photo by Bethany Paquette

Most Atlanta Christmas tree farms offer an unforgettable experience for families, with helpful staff who aid in cutting, prepping, and hauling Christmas trees. Besides finding the perfect spruce, fir, or pine, many of these Christmas tree farms offer even more holiday highlights, like hot chocolate, a glimpse of Santa, and more! The holiday atmosphere is not to be missed: A visit to a live Christmas tree farm offers the perfect photo opportunity for your newfound or recurring family holiday tradition.     

We've rounded up awesome Christmas tree farms near Atlanta perfect for families! Make a day of it and venture out to a festive Christmas tree farm to find the perfect holiday tree. And for even more holiday happenings, keep checking our Atlanta Christmas and Holiday Guide for up-to-date info about the best events and ideas this holiday season.  

3 Days in Seattle with Kids: Your Ultimate Itinerary

Pike Place Market is the beating heart of Seattle and a perfect place to start exploring. And eating!

Seattle is a city you fall in love with instantly. While there are so many things to do with kids in Seattle, I promise you that in three short days, you can explore enough of the city to feel like a native. It's a vibrantly green, friendly, walkable, delicious, coffee-tinged, slightly weird, and yes, rainy city. It's also a city that knows how to handle the rain: with a smile, no umbrella, fabulous coffee, and plenty of fun things to do indoors.

Let's also not forget the gorgeous summers, stunning views when sun peeks through, and great sports teams. It's such a welcoming, easy city, that if at any point tired kids make you ditch your well-thought-out itinerary (see below) and just play, shop, eat, and walk around, you won’t regret that for a second.

For more things to do in Seattle, check out our list of 35 Things To Do in Seattle With Kids. To explore more of the great Pacific Northwest, explore 50 Things To Do in Portland, OR With Kids and more in our West Coast Family Travel Guide.

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