For parents, New Year's Day is a time to focus on the 3 Rs: rest, resolutions, and—finally!— routines, which we can all finally get back to now that holiday "break" has passed. But even for those of us who couldn't be more eager for the rhythms of school and work to start again, it's a treat to take one last day to close out the holiday season and officially welcome winter. Here's what's happening—or simply open—on January 1.

Whether your kid bedazzles like a future Betsey Johnson or just likes to make a mess with paint, glue or glitter, there's an artistic option out there for his or her next birthday party. Yes, I said his. Pottery is obviously gender-neutral, but even some of the others on our list consider the fact that boys have a right-brain, too. Add in the fact that arts & crafts-based parties have built-in party favors, and something to focus that boundless energy on...just add cake and WHA-LAH!! For more fun party ideas check out our Party Guide! Here's some fun in Fairfield County.

New Year's Eve with kids can be a totally different experience. Instead of staying up until midnight, you might be skipping the cocktails to check out a countdown to noon event and early fireworks. Or maybe you're lucky enough to have a sitter and spend NYE with your spouse or significant other! Either way, New Year's Day is the perfect time to relax and get in some extra family time before heading back to work. Check out these great events in the area on New Year's Day for some family fun.

While typically considered a holiday largely for adults, ringing in the new year isn't solely for the 18-and-up age group. In fact, Houston has quite a few festivities lined up for kids and the whole family on New Year's Eve. Whether it's making a special trip down to Kemah Boardwalk to watch fireworks over the water, or heading to the ever-popular Children's Museum of Houston to enjoy a more traditional balloon drop and "Noon" Year's countdown, there's something for everyone on this list of family-friendly New Year's Eve activities. 

Dewberry Farm is an easy favorite when it comes to planning fall activities, and once the holiday season hits it becomes a choose-n-cut Christmas tree chopping destination. However, this year the farm has added another layer of holiday cheer to the festivities: the brand new Trail of Lights and Christmas Village, touting it as a "Christmas Adventure as Big as Texas!" Christmas lights become a bigger and bigger deal each year as our kids get older, and when we had the opportunity to check out the Trail of Lights I knew it was a holiday activity we had to add to our list.

Spoiler: it was a BIG hit... dare I say... (drum roll...) as big as Texas? 

While they may not be able to stay awake until midnight, kids still have plenty of opportunities to celebrate New Year's Eve in the Philadelphia area. From museums and zoos, to parks and moon bounces, many venues are hosting afternoon events for the little ones. Several options on our list provide prime seating for the city's early (6 PM) fireworks show over the Delaware River. Children can have their own countdowns, toss confetti, watch a mini ball drop, and, who knows, maybe even get home before bedtime!

See our list of fun places to ring in the New Year with kids. Many of these are ticketed events, so be sure to make plans before they sell out.

If you are looking for something else to do on December 31, there are plenty of other non-New Year's themed events listed on our calendar

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are among those rare times on Long Island when many family-friendly places are closed. But not everything is shut down.

As it turns out, there is quite a bit to do December 24-25. While some of your options are out of the house and may cost money, some free possibilities are listed in this roundup of activities the whole family can enjoy.

For more seasonal fun, be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide. Plus, we have your best bets for things to do with kids over the holiday break, too.

Kids like candy. It's a fact I deal with on a daily basis. I counteract it with lots of activity and as much good food as my 5- and 10-year-olds will tolerate. But here's something they don't know. I like candy, too. So when the assignment hit my inbox to visit and review the brand-new Hershey's store, it was an easy decision. I'd even brave Times Square for it! 

Read on to find out the good, the bad, and the ugly of our trip to the middle of the city in search of massive amounts of chocolate.