Best of 2023 Los Angeles Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings and Other Awesome Stuff

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Don't miss the mammoth trolls at South Coast Botanic Garden. Photo courtesy of Thomas Dambo in collaboration with Imagine Exhibitions.

It's time to celebrate kid-friendly openings that were the cream of the crop in Los Angeles in 2023 – yes, it's the annual "best of" season! Mommy Poppins is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the most exciting new attractions and kid-friendly openings that graced LA this past year. These are the latest gems that might have slipped under your radar. 

From new theme park lands to immersive experiences featuring beloved characters like The Cat in the Hat and Bluey, Los Angeles added fantastic options for family fun in 2023. Keep reading below for our exclusive rundown of the best 2023 kid-friendly openings that stepped into the limelight in Los Angeles this year. 

As we eagerly await the new attractions and kid-friendly openings 2024 has in store for Angelenos, catch a glimpse of the events already on our radar for next year by perusing our Calendar of Events in Los Angeles. 

Lake George’s Newest Winter Wonder: Ice Castles Become Winter Realms and Winter's Dream

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Winter Realms is a snow-capped fantasyland on the shores of Lake George. Photo courtesy of the event

Winter in Lake George, NY transforms this picturesque destination into a snowy wonderland, offering a ton of family fun. And this season, Lake George, NY is getting even better as it debuts two new winter immersive experiences: Winter’s Dream and Winter Realms. Both are located in Lake George Village and offer families a way to bring a little light into the darkest months of the year.

So grab your snow pants, put on those mittens, and check out this list of the best things to do in Lake George, NY with kids during the frosty season, including some family-friendly Lake George hotels. See our Guide to Visiting the Adirondacks & Catskills for even more family fun in this beautiful part of the country, including our list of 40 things to do in the Adirondack Mountains with kids.

17 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other Long Island Celebrations for Kids

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The Long Island Children's Museum's New Year's Eve party has themed activities, a ball drop, and a confetti-filled dance party. Photo courtesy LICM

Ring in New Year's Eve with a big, bold bash at one of these Long Island spots hosting events hours earlier than midnight. No matter how old your kids are, there are plenty of family-friendly New Year's Eve events across Long Island to help you welcome 2024. Top picks for New Year's Eve celebrations include roller skating, balloon drops, gaming, and sparkling New Year's Eve fireworks. 

Here's to a happy and healthy new year, Long Island! 

New Year's Eve Fireworks, Live Shows, and Other New Jersey Celebrations for Kids

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Celebrate with music, magic, skating and a host of other activities culminating in a fireworks show at First Night OCNJ. Photo courtesy OCNJ

If all-night celebrations are a thing of the past for you and your family, you can still make the most of New Year's Eve with family-friendly festivities throughout New Jersey.

We've rounded up New Year's Eve events the whole family can enjoy together, from indoor and outdoor theme park adventures to New Year's Eve fireworks and First Night celebrations. 

Looking for pre-New Year's entertainment? Keep busy with these 21 Staycation Ideas, and be sure to check our Family Activity Calendar for more happenings. Happy New Year, New Jersey!

New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other Hudson Valley Celebrations for Kids

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Celebrate New Year's Eve in daylight hours at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for kid-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Look no further because we have rounded up an assortment of family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations in the area, many are FREE and end at a reasonable hour.

Our picks for family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations include a New Year's Eve balloon drop at Hyde Park's Roller Magic and New Year's Eve fireworks at Hunter Mountain. Kids can also celebrate New Year's Eve at the Westchester Children's Museum or enjoy a New Year's holiday bubble party at the West Nyack Free Library.

For more fun, bookmark our guide to Christmas vacation activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and keep close tabs on our Family Activities Calendar for more fun things to do. Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other NYC Celebrations for Kids

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The ball drops at noon at CMOM! Photo courtesy of the museum

New Year's Eve is almost upon us, and there are lots of ways to ring in 2024 in New York City with kids. We've rounded up the city's best family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations and none include standing in a crowded Times Square to watch the ball drop. Our family-friendly picks include seeing the New Year's Eve fireworks from aboard a cruise around Manhattan, a daytime Noon Year's Eve dance party in Staten Island, and even a special Big Apple Circus performance. However you welcome the new year, we hope it's a blast.

You can find even more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide for NYC Families, and be sure to check out our post on 35 fun things to do over Christmas vacation.

New Year's Eve Fireworks, Parades, and Other CT Celebrations for Kids

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Send 2023 off in style with some family-friendly New Year's Eve activities for kids in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of First Night Hartford

Connecticut is waving goodbye to 2023 with New Year's Eve events and family-friendly celebrations for kids. New Year's Eve with kids sees celebrations take on a special dynamic: finding things to do on New Year's Eve that the kids will enjoy and that will happen before midnight. This year families have a wide range of options to choose from like holiday light drives, ice skating, gingerbread festivals, and more. Here's to ringing in 2024 with fun family memories!

With New Year's Eve extending into the weekend, plan a New Year's adventure with our list of great Winter Day Trips To Take in Connecticut. And if the weather outside is frightful, check out our 15 Ideas for Celebrating New Year's Eve at Home with Kids.

Christmas Weekend 2023 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

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The Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza bigger and better than ever. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for Christmas weekend.

Kids can enjoy lots of holiday festivities this weekend, including cookie decorating with Santa, holiday ice skating on a pop-up rink perfect for first-time skaters, or the holiday train show at the Horace Greeley House.

The whole family can enjoy the spectacular holiday lights displays, many of which are open even on Christmas day, including the Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens and The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck.

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