Weekday Picks for Philly Kids: Storytime, Museums, Performances Dec 7-11

As the holidays are in full swing, one can become consumed with the every growing 'to-do' list. Take a break from shopping, baking, and decorating to engage your children in some of the many activities that fill our Events Calendar.

Take the kids to see Family Stage's Cinderella performance at Augustus Lutheran Church. Visit the Michener Museum for its annual Holiday Open House. Explore the Academy of Natural Sciences during its Tiny Tots session. Enjoy a family concert and menorah lighting at The Glazier Jewish Center. Or, register for Cookie Time with Santa at Longwood Gardens.

Read on to see our top weekday picks. And, don't forget to browse through our December GO List to plan out the rest of the month's activities... so, put away the strands of tangled holiday lights to get out and enjoy some fun!

Mount Southington- A Perfect Winter Skiing Day Trip

Snow isn’t that fun when you have to drive in it! It sure is more entertaining when you can enjoy it in other ways! This winter, instead of traveling far away for a family ski trip, we stayed local and enjoyed the slopes of Connecticut’s very own Mount Southington in Hartford County. It’s a perfect spot conveniently located right off highway 84 in the rural hills of Plantsville/Southington. A popular destination for both skiers and boarders, they have fourteen trails, ranging from bunny slope to black diamonds. The resort has something for every level of skier. They have a great variety of terrain including a terrain park. We've reviewed five other Connecticut Ski Resorts as well as many more ski resorts in our Ski and Snow Sports Guide.

Spanish Sing-Alongs for Preschoolers

Savvy parents know that introducing children to other languages and a variety of cultures at an early age can pay off in a number of ways, especially in a diverse city like New York City—and music makes for a fun entry point for young kids. 

Spanish, of course, is the country and the city's second most spoken language, so we tracked down some of NYC's most popular kid sing-alongs and language arts programs en Españ​ol. We selected a handful of options that are especially engaging for toddlers and preschoolers who are at the early stages of testing out language. Of course, you can find more formal dual-language/immersion programs for children of all ages in NYC if you are looking for a more rigorous approach.

Gingerbread Houses, Crafts and More for Long Island Kids

With the DIY boom underway, kids are rolling up their sleeves and tackling craft projects and creative activities more and more. And what better time to make something special than the holiday season? Check out this list of holiday themed projects, crafts and activities across Long Island that are sure to deck your halls. For more holiday fun, view our Holiday Activity Guide.

Where To Find the Best Holiday Lights in Somerville

The season for holiday magic is upon us and one of the best ways to share the wonder of winter with your family is by touring local light displays in Somerville. Residents take the phrase “deck the halls” to heart by creating fabulous displays that include homemade wooden characters, lights linking multiple houses and life-sized nativity scenes. The City of Somerville goes all out too, decorating the major squares and City Hall Plaza with lights and trees. Here’s where to find the best lights in Somerville this holiday season!

Holiday Shows in Fairfield County

Now that the turkey has been served and the calendar has officially turned to December, it's safe to say the holiday season has arrived in FC. Fairfield County has a rich history in theater, so what better way is there to celebrate the season than to spend an afternoon with your loved ones while getting a little culture. 

Thankfully, there are many theaters all over Fairfield County that offer some seasonal stage fun. From the Family Friendly Shows at the Palace Theater in Stamford, to a live performance of A Charlie Brown's Christmas in Danbury, there is something in every corner of the county. Enjoy timeless classics, modern classics, and completely new productions. There is even something on this list for those who are "Christmas-ed out." Also, make you check out this full list of Holiday Shows in Connecticut that Aren't The Nutcracker.   From the very young, to the young at heart, there is sure to be something on this list that will have you “fa-la-la-ing” all the way home.  

NYC Holiday Store Windows Walk 2015: Saks, Bergdorf, Barneys and More

Taking in the famously decked-out New York City department store holiday windows is one of those magical holiday experiences every kid should try at least once. Peering into the creative scenes built into these city's storefronts is a great way to take a break from the holiday rush—and it doesn't cost a dime—making for a fun family activity this winter. Some windows include interactive elements that kids can even partake in.

My family looks forward to these displays so much, we go on an annual Midtown “window walk” to visit all of them in a single stroll. You can peek at our 2013 and 2014 window walks, too. Go at dusk or nighttime to up the wow factor.

The 2015 store windows appear particularly PC this year with few displaying any reference to a specific holiday. Instead, expect to find lots of shiny, sparkly non-denominational winter themes like the millions of colorful crystals at Bergdorfs, the sweet holiday treats at Lord & Taylor and the magnificent light show at Saks.

Read on for all the details and a sneak peek of what you'll see on your NYC department store holiday windows walk. You can find lots of other seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.

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