New Year's Day in Los Angeles: 15 Fun Things To Do with Kids

Start the New Year with an iconic LA event. 2024 Rose Bowl Parade photo by dbking via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

New Year's Day in Los Angeles is all about celebrating with iconic and exciting activities. Begin the day by experiencing the world-famous Rose Parade in Pasadena, where stunning floral floats, marching bands, and equestrian units captivate visitors of all ages. After the parade, dive into hands-on fun at the Sloomoo Institute, or celebrate in a wild way at the LA Zoo. From theme parks to sunshine-fueled adventures, New Year's Day in Los Angeles can be thrilling. 

Start the year by checking off the ultimate LA rite of passage by playing in the snow near LA and going to one of the many beautiful Los Angeles beaches on the same day. Plus, there's always this bucket list of 100 things to do in Los Angeles with kids before they grow up to help you plan out your year ahead. 

49 Quintessential NYC Holiday & Christmas Experiences for Kids

The Dyker Heights Christmas lights attract throngs of visitors to the Brooklyn neighborhood each holiday season. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights

From the NYBG Holiday Train Show to a date with the Radio City Rockettes, New York City serves up so many holiday activities, there's no way one family can see and do it all in a single holiday season.

There are a few holiday activities that are extra special, extra big, and extra over the top or ones that can only be found in NYC, which we believe every kid ought to experience at least once in childhood. These include ice skating under the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and walking the illuminated streets of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, among other holiday delights.

Whether you call NYC home or you're in town for a magical holiday visit, our list of 49 bucket list holiday activities for families represents the very best of Christmas in New York. Find more picks in our NYC Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities.

24 Best Things To Do with Preschoolers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Enjoy the full theme park experience with your preschooler at Legoland New York in Goshen. Photo courtesy of Legoland

Looking for fun things to do with your preschooler? We've found the best things to do with kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley before they head off to kindergarten. 

As a stay-at-home mom, I'm always on the lookout for fun things to do with my little one, especially during the week when the older kids are in school. Thankfully, Westchester and the Hudson Valley offer tons of activities geared toward preschoolers that are fun and enriching, from children's museums to the great outdoors.  

Find even more ideas in our Guide for Preschoolers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks on Long Island for Kids

Buckskill Winter Club offers great ice and is rarely crowded.

Long Island's outdoor ice skating rinks offer exciting wintertime adventures the whole family will enjoy. Bundle up the kids and prepare for a few hours of family-friendly outdoor action. 

We've put together a list of Long Island's best outdoor ice skating rinks open for the season or opening soon. Most are inexpensive and offer skate rentals.

Many of the rinks have lessons and programs for those still learning how to glide and spin. Weather permitting, most of these ice skating rinks are open until the beginning of spring, and all are public during certain days and times. 

If the weather doesn't cooperate, there are plenty of indoor rinks across Long Island, too, that give families a chance to skate all year long. Find more fun seasonal destinations in our Winter Fun Guide.

Birmingham with Kids: 20 Best Things To Do in Birmingham, Alabama

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a car and motorcycle lover's dream come true.

Birmingham, Alabama is perhaps best known for its role in the civil rights movement. While it remains an important center of civil rights history, Birmingham is also home to a thriving dining scene, fantastic urban green spaces, great cultural attractions, and plenty of other things to do with kids. Today, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama.

Here are 20 top things to do in Birmingham, Alabama with kids, from the world-class Birmingham Zoo to family-friendly restaurants and hotels in Birmingham, AL. Visit our Southern States Vacation Guide for more cities in the south to visit with kids, like New Orleans and Charleston.

Atlanta Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids

Head to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds to walk through an outdoor maze of over 1,000 illuminated Chinese lanterns at the Winter Lantern Festival. Photo by Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

26Christmas vacation is one of the best things about the holiday season for many Atlanta kids. Parents, on the other hand, may dread the thought of keeping their children entertained for the winter break. Have no fear! We've got some amazing Atlanta events and activities after Christmas to make the holiday break bearable, even blissful! Read on for our favorite events, activities and tips for the ultimate winter break fun for Atlanta families. 

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