Thinking of sending your child to sleepaway camp for the first time? Are you excited, but nervous too? Sleepaway camps are used to dealing with homesick kids, and they offer some good advice: send mail and care packages for the daily mail call; no electronics (kids will be busy and exhausted with physical activity - camp is meant to be different than home); no phone calls (it makes homesickness worse); and chose a camp that fits your child's interests (horses? water play? nature? adventure?). Some camps let campers choose their activities from a large selection, so kids can do what they enjoy most, while others provide a schedule for campers to try every activity—think about which style is best for your child. Prices vary greatly—from less expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$).

Of course, if your family is not ready for a sleepaway camp just yet, be sure to look at our Summer and Vacation Day Camp Guide!

The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition—and like many holiday standards, it may seem to be one that can't stand up to an age of video games, iPads, and superhero movies. But the Long Beach Ballet, whose production is up until December 24 at the Long Beach Convention Center, has enough pomp, glitz, glamour, wildlife, and explosions—yes, actual explosions—to wow even the most tough-to-please kids (or jaded grown-ups).

Winter festivities practically require us to guzzle hot chocolate and overindulge in sugary goodies. One destination in Central Pennsylvania is dedicated to helping us fulfill that seasonal demand. Not every amusement park is open during the Christmas season, but Hersheypark offers holiday delights in the form of decorated trees, twinkling lights, family memories, and, of course, sweet treats. Amusement park rides might not be on some families' holiday activities list, but Hersheypark’s Christmas Candy Lane can change that faster than you can say "cocoa bean."

One of Rome's greatest draws is close to home this month, particularly if you live in the Valley. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, one of the Vatican’s great wonders and Michelangelo's most famous work, can be enjoyed up close—in between shopping at The Gap and skating on the pop-up ice rink. While tourists who have saved all their lives for this moment are shepherded through the Vatican in a mob for a brief glimpse of the famous Creation of Adam, Angelenos can take a gander at a leisurely pace, feasting their eyes on a traveling exhibit that's as close as the mall.

Few things can make a little kid smile faster than a burst of bubbles floating in the air. The Gazillion Bubble Show, playing north of Times Square at the New World Stages, brings that playful magic to the stage with its long-running show that aims to impress the young and the young-at-heart with bubble fun and tricks. 

This off-Broadway production is a favorite among families looking to introduce their kids to theater. Read on for our review...all about the bubbles.

Picking the right preschool for your child can be difficult. There are so many options to choose from that narrowing down the criteria can really help with the selection process. Preschools that that focus on language, whether through immersion or bilingual instruction, have flourished in the Boston area. To help make your choice a little easier, we’ve rounded up 16 of these preschools in or near Boston where your child can learn French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, or Arabic—or even become trilingual.

The lazy days of December break may be the best time to take part in New Jersey's family-friendly holiday activities—especially if you have visiting relatives to entertain. From spectacular light displays to cold-weather fun, there's plenty to do during the days off from school. 

Most New Jersey schools are closed from Friday, December 22 through Monday, January 1, allowing plenty of time to experience some of the holiday highlights you may have missed in the hectic run-up to Christmas. It's also the perfect time to check out an indoor play space, museum, or fun zone. In my family, ice skating and movies always top the December vacation must-do list.

Be sure to check out our December GoList and Holiday Fun Guide for more great ideas. Happy Holidays, NJ!