Want to fill your home with the smell of fresh pine, balsam, fir, or spruce this holiday season? Head to one of several festive Christmas tree farms near DC, where you can cut your own Christmas tree for a truly authentic holiday experience and photo opportunity.

If you're not up to the challenge of chopping down a tree, no worries—many of the Christmas tree farms on our list also offer fresh-cut trees ready to be wrapped up and wrangled into your living room. So, you'll get the experience of visiting a Christmas tree farm without all the extra work.

Most of these Christmas tree farms in Maryland and Northern Virginia open the day after Thanksgiving and close when they run out of trees, so be sure to call or check the website before you go. And if you're looking for more holiday fun, see our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our ultimate list of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC. Here's to making holiday memories with your family!

Whether you're a tourist stuck in Times Square or a local on the go, finding a clean public restroom in NYC can be a challenge. However, with a little insider knowledge, you might realize there are actually clean and safe bathrooms all around NYC. This guide to NYC public restrooms includes the best resources for finding a clean public WC in the city, from restroom finder apps, to maps that claim to have mapped every bathroom location in NYC, to the most reliable places to find bathrooms in any borough. 

If you want more insider tips on navigating NYC with kids, check out our NYC Travel Guide for Kids and Familles. 

Holiday train shows are a festive way to kick off the Christmas season with the kids. Long Island offers several interactive spots to see model train magic in action. 

Train-loving kids and adults alike will be mesmerized and delighted by the sights and sounds of these model train shows and the charming mini villages they navigate. Many holiday open houses even host the man of the season–Santa for a jolly visit with the whole family. 

If all this train watching makes your family eager to climb aboard a railroad car, read our roundup of Polar Express and other Santa trains near Long Island and NYC. For even more ways to enjoy the season check out our Guide to Holiday Fun on Long Island.

OK... so Bismarck, North Dakota is probably not among the first places you think of when looking for a family-friendly destination, but this capital city has a lot going for it. Aside from the state Capitol (which you can visit for free), Bismarck, ND boasts a fabulous zoo and a free history museum. It also has that warm Midwestern appeal and those great accents, similar to what you'd find in Fargo, another great North Dakota town.

My kids and I had a blast exploring Bismarck! Read on for our top 20 things to do in Bismarck, ND with kids, including great restaurants and places to stay. Also, check out our Midwest Travel Guide for more great cities to visit with kids.

Trains are a way of life for most New Yorkers, but come Christmastime these holiday train shows in NYC add a little sparkle to New York's favorite form of transportation as little engines and cabooses take center stage during the holiday season.

The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show is always one of our must-do Christmas events in NYC, with electric model trains whizzing by nearly 200 NYC landmarks made out of acorns, twigs, bark, berries, leaves, and other botanical bits and pieces. My family and I make it a point to go every year—it's truly a quintessential New York holiday experience. There's a reason it's No. 43 on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids in NYC.

But, the big NYBG holiday train show isn't the only holiday train show in NYC. Read on for more details on all the Christmas train shows the city has to offer this season, and, for an extra special holiday treat, take the kids on a full-size Christmas train ride with these nearby Polar Express and Santa trains.

The holiday season is prime time for parties, and we've got a bunch of fun Christmas party ideas for the littlest partygoers. These games, crafts, and finger foods will keep toddlers and preschoolers occupied for hours and are easy for busy families to pull off.

Whether you're organizing a classroom party or entertaining younger guests at home, here are over 40 Christmas party ideas for toddlers and preschoolers. Find more festive fun in our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids, including our heaping list of 101 Christmas crafts.

Parents play a pivotal role in helping their kids feel safe and supported–from comforting their newborn cries to battling teenage bullying. To help caregivers create the kind of stable environment that builds children’s emotional well-being, Mommy Poppins has partnered with Connecticut Children’s to share guidance from their free 2024 Mental Health and Wellness Toolkit. As always, the comprehensive kit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate advice from leading pediatric experts 100% dedicated to kids.

Check out the very best things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth with kids. We’re talking museums, attractions, events, activities, seasonal fun, and more—basically, all the things any good North Texan should have on their bucket list.

Kids. One minute they’re playing in the sandbox and the next they’re off to the movies with friends—gasp! Thank goodness there are so many things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth that there are plenty of opportunities for making memories before they grow up.

As a parent in DFW, there’s a good chance you’ve done some of these things, but this list of 60 things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth with kids is bound to have a few adventures you’ve wanted to try and maybe even a few you’ve never heard about. The best part? There’s always next weekend.

If you manage to get all these things done, there's so much more to do in Texas, like booking a stay at one of the best resorts for families and checking out the coolest road trips in Texas.