CAMP, one of our favorite NYC stores where kids can play for FREE (and one of our favorite new additions to NYC last year, period) isn't your average toy store with a play space. The entire space reinvents itself every season, making it an imaginative wonderland designed for repeat exploration.

Situated on the corner of 16th Street and Fifth Avenue, CAMP looks like a retail shop from the street—albeit one with an on-site cafe and a funky collection of merchandise, from toys and games to books and clothing. But look closer and you'll see that there's something spectacular hiding behind a secret door. Find the entrance (with the help of a super-friendly CAMP counselor) and you're in for hours of fun, and a cool indoor place to play.

CAMP has reinvented itself again, with a toy-focused theme just in time for the holiday shopping season—read on for a peek inside.

New York City might officially have a case of Yayoi Kusama fever. The 90-year-old Japanese contemporary artist, best known for her immersive infinity mirror rooms, debuts a new float in the NYC Thanksgiving Parade later this month, and will mount a large-scale exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in May 2020. Meanwhile, just last week Kusama unveiled one of her celebrated new works at David Zwirner's Chelsea gallery, in an exhibition that is FREE and open to the public on a first come, first entry basis.

The installation, titled "Dancing Lights That Flew Up To The Universe," made our list of the most-anticipated family activities in NYC this fall. Part of the artist's "Every Day I Pray For Love" exhibition, Kusama's new infinity room is on display until December 14, and if you're looking for a unique art experience to share with your kids, this just might be it. For a look inside the space and tips on what to expect—and how to visit with kids—read on.

'Tis the season for festive lights, jingle bells, and, of course, figuring out clever poses and hiding places for your Elf on the Shelf every single day until Christmas. This holiday season, you can put a new twist on the holiday tradition with a performance The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical by Mills Entertainment​.

The show's nationwide tour kicks off on Thursday, November 14, in Easton, Pennsylvania, and continues through Tuesday, December 29, with stops in Atlanta, GA, Red Bank, NJ, Lynn, MA, Wallingford, CT, and Sugarland, TX, among others.

During the holiday season, families gather to enjoy delicious meals, exchange gifts, and celebrate the year gone by. But for many New Yorkers, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time. Volunteering is a wonderful way to help others in the community and an ideal opportunity to teach children the true spirit of the season.

We've rounded up some of our favorite kid-friendly volunteering opportunities. No matter where in the tri-state area you live, the age of your children, or your family's interests, chances are there is a program that can use your help.

The Nutcracker: It's among the most enduring of holiday family traditions in these parts. And just as there are many kinds of Boston families, there are different Nutcrackers appealing to different tastes, from the Boston Ballet classic to a high-energy, hip-hop interpretation. But Tchaikovsky's beloved confection is hardly the only holiday-themed stage performance delighting kids across Boston this month and next. Families can carol with the Pops, sing along with Rudolph, discover what your elves on the shelf are up to and more. All the shows are terrific, but tickets will go faster than cookies at Christmas Eve, so we'd advise booking sooner than later. 

Attention, ocean and animal lovers: New Hampshire now has its own aquarium! Boasting 32,000 square feet of tide pools and hands-on exhibits, newly opened Living Shores differentiates itself from other aquariums by offering more opportunities to interact with sea life. Plus, it's next door to Story Land amusement park, so you can plan a trip to Living Shores as a standalone winter escape or a counterpart to an amusement park visit in the warmer months. 

For days when you want to marvel at underwater worlds but can't make it all the way to New Hampshire, The New England Aquarium is one of our favorite attractions closer to home.

If Thomas, Percy, and James are a part of your daily conversations, take advantage of the many train and railroad attractions throughout New Jersey. From North Pole excursions to the world's largest model railroad, the Garden State has it all.

The holidays are an extra-special time for train-lovers, with Christmas train rides, model train shows, and rides through holiday lights. We've rounded up all these and more below, so read on for a list of places where you can ride the rails with your little one, check out amazing displays, and more.