It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in New Jersey, with local holiday celebrations throughout the state. Enjoy tree lighting extravaganzas in Galloway, Stone Harbor and Cranbury, plus a Festival of Trees in Basking Ridge. Warm up at some museum events this week, including MAM Park Bench and Morris Museum’s Tot Tours. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

During the summer months we try to spend as much time out of the house as possible.  Between all the beach days, zoo visits, farmers markets, weekend getaways and festivals, the cost of all these things can quickly rack up. After all this, it's nice to find ways to save money in as many ways as possible. Many restaurants allow children to eat free so I have compiled a list of places where kids can eat free so that your money can be spent on other entertaining things to do. For a list of some of our fave family friendly restaurants in Central CT, but not necessarily free, check out our other post also.

The holiday season is in full swing, with Hanukkah celebrations and light shows taking center stage this week. Looking for more seasonal fun? Check out our Holiday Guide.

For even more activities, check out our Long Island Events Calendar, which is updated daily. You can also get the best events of the week sent directly to your inbox each week if you sign up for our newsletter.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we at Mommy Poppins have been scouring all the great holiday events for Westchester families to bring you the best of the best. Below are our top picks for the coming week.

There are numerous Chanukah events to choose from, such as Light the Chanukah Lights, as well as assorted Christmas activities, including theatrical events like Christmas with the Celts and the Community Holiday Musical "Pageant."

In addition to our top picks, there are other options to choose from (both holiday-themed and otherwise) on our Event Calendar, and our December GoList showcases our top picks for the rest of the month! 

As much as we all love family getaways, the packing, planning and even the 24/7 togetherness can be a tad stressful. The action-packed holiday season only adds to that stress for many of us. Take time to unwind and spoil your family (and yourself!) on your next winter weekend vacation from New York City at one of these family-friendly resorts that feature top-notch spas.

We focused on Northeast resorts that are far enough away from the city to feel like you've actually "gotten away," but not so far that the length of travel makes your getaway feel like a chore. Read on for our picks that make shedding tension effortless while offering plenty of distractions for kids, too.

For more options check out our frequently updated Event Calendar and Holiday Guide for all sorts of fun.  Have a great week!

Sunday marks the first night of Hanukkah and there's no shortage of ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights in New York City this week. Take to the ice for Chanukah on Ice, check out olive pressing workshops for families or view the nightly lightings of World's Largest Menorahs in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Other highlights for the week of December 7-11 include the opening night of Dance Patrelle's Yorkville Nutcracker, a music-filled Christmas tree lighting in Greenwich Village and a FREE screening of Return of the Jedi.

Looking for fun ways to get in the holiday spirit? If you haven't gotten your Christmas tree street-side yet, how about a day trip to a local tree farm to cut your own? Or perhaps a cozy Polar Express Santa train ride with the kids. If you're already feeling a touch of holiday overload, the science spectacular that has nothing to do with the season, That Physics Show, is in town.

Find more family activities in our Event Calendar, Holiday Fun Guide and newly minted December GoList.

Our best wishes for a happy Hanukkah!

From awesome old-fashioned ice cream shops to great places for skating, fishing, and family hikes, plenty of family-friendly activities await in New London County. Whether you play at the children's museum, interact with beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium, relax on sandy beaches, or pitch a tent and roast marshmallows under the stars, no matter where you end up, at least 25 family-friendly adventures await. Beautiful year-round, this area of the state is especially lovely during the summer and fall.