It takes time and planning to achieve the picture-perfect winter holiday photo for your family Christmas cards or other season's greetings. One of the most important decisions you'll make is the location you choose for your backdrop. With so many beautiful Long Island landscapes, the biggest challenge you'll face is whether to pack up the kids and head to the beach, a lighthouse, vineyard, or even the aquarium. These 13 Long Island landscapes make for stunning and memorable backdrops for your holiday photos.

Find more seasonal fun in our Holiday and Christmas Fun Guide for Long Island families, from virtual Santa sightings to the best light displays, and more.

The luminescent holiday light show Magic of Lights returns to Jones Beach State Park this winter. Guests can enjoy holiday cheer from the comfort of their toasty cars as the spectacular display unfolds along a 2½-mile drive-thru route, illuminating the skies and bringing smiles to all those who visit.

Read on for all the details on this now-annual holiday favorite, plus tips on how to score early-bird pricing. There's also three other lantern shows to illuminate Long Island this holiday season. For more seasonal fun, check out our Long Island events calendar and Holiday Fun Guide.

We enjoy spotlighting different communities around Long Island, giving folks a punch list for an engaging and entertaining day trip. Steeped in history, teeming with activity, and loaded with natural beauty, the hamlet of Oyster Bay is a true pearl of Long Island.

Whether you're a resident, or you're looking for something new to do on the Island, you'll find lots to do, see, and eat in Oyster Bay. Enjoy museums, restaurants, shopping, parks, gardens, nature preserves, and rich waterfront boasting jam-packed events and activities to keep families busy.  We have plenty of other day trip ideas and walkable downtown areas for you to visit as well.

Are your kids doing backflips off of the couch? Climbing the bookshelves? Mattress sledding down the stairs? There are several spots in Nassau and Suffolk counties that offer obstacle training, where your little ninja can test his or her balance, vaulting, tumbling, and more. So go ahead and let that daredevil of yours try out one of these classes or courses that will keep your walls scuff mark-free.

There's much more outdoor entertainment on Long Island, and you can find even more adventurous fun in our rundowns of Long Island theme parks, arcades and other indoor play spaces. Or use items from around your home to build your own indoor obstacle course. Of course, sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

Brunch isn't just for adults anymore. There are plenty of fabulous brunch spots across Long Island where kids and families can indulge in delicious pancakes, fluffy eggs, and menus designed just for them.

From highchairs to kid-friendly cups to crayons at the table, these 12 brunch destinations in Nassau, Suffolk and the East End are designed to keep children happy while serving up some Instagram-worthy meals. And did we mention they're delicious, too?

While you're at it, check out our Long Island restaurant guide, where you can find (among other things) our favorite Long Island spots to enjoy tea with your little ones and restaurants where kids eat free.

Long Island is truly a special place during the holidays. From Polar Express rides to light shows and craft fairs, the holiday spirit is everywhere. Adding to that excitement this season are three new lantern shows that will bring smiles as far as the eye can see. 

Whether you want to be up close or stay warm in the car, read on for details about the walk-thru LuminoCity Festival in Manhasset and the drive-thru Lantern Festival in Roslyn. Enjoy another speclal show at the Queens County Farm Museum, just over the border from Nassau.  

These events are unlike any other; you won’t want to miss them. We will, of course, be updating our Long Island Holiday Guide as the season draws closer. In the meantime, enjoy these great illuminations.   

Nestled in the charming North Shore community of Glen Cove, the new Garvies Point Playground is destined to become a family favorite. You can’t miss the massive sail-shaped climbing tower, a nod to Long Island Sound, that acts as a backdrop. With all of the sights and sounds, you and your kids will love this place.

The playground is located on Dickson Street along the eastern side of Hempstead Bay and is part of a $1.3 billion, mixed-use development. The area has been completely revitalized from idle industrial lots to a vibrant place to live and play. 

Read on for our review, and see our guide to Long Island parks and playgrounds for more outdoor inspiration.   

Home to more than 200 animals sprawled across 30 acres of land in Manorville, the Long Island Game Farm is entering its 50th year. A family-owned and operated business, this animal farm/petting zoo offers unique opportunities to get up close to rare animals. 

After you get your furry fix here, check out the other animal farms and petting zoos on Long Island