Since this is a short holiday week, we decided to run our weekend picks post a few days early. That way you can plan out your family's Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the weekend beyond long before Santa hops on his sleigh.

Seasonal fun abounds this weekend. Enjoy frosty fun at the Bronx Zoo's Wildlife Ice Carving Week, try hands-on projects at the New York Hall of Science's ReMake the Holidays and celebrate Kwanzaa at the American Museum of Natural History's annual festival. It's also a great time to see all of NYC's iconic holiday sights before they're gone, like animatronic department store windows, over-the-top Christmas houses and massive decorated trees.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide, including a list of 35 things to do with kids over the school break. From all the moms at Mommy Poppins, we wish you and your family a fabulous holiday season, whatever you celebrate.

On Christmas Day, as I wipe sweat from my brow while basting a turkey and multitasking pots of various accompaniments, I will exude holiday cheer. Inwardly, I will be silently envious of my friend’s family who, each year, relaxes at Great Taste restaurant, their Christmas mainstay, after getting the heavy lifting over with on Christmas Eve. For those of you who, after a full season of holiday festivities, choose to take it easy on Christmas Day, or who do not celebrate the holiday and are looking for a meal out, there are definitely some options in the greater Hartford area. If you like Asian fare, you can find several delicious choices at various price points. For more traditional holiday fare, you can find restaurants east and west of the river that offer a prix fixe menu. And if you care to travel, check out these restaurants that are open in Fairfield County. Happy holidays!

Is any summer vacation complete without a round of miniature golf? If that thought gets you revved up, how about getting started now? NJ has a few indoor mini-golf courses, ranging from quiet putting practice to standard windmills and waterfalls, to full-on glow-in-the-dark monsters and music, so brush up on your stroke and prepare yourself for the great outdoors!

And for more indoor fun, check out our Indoor Play Spaces, Sports Centers and Fun Zones Guide.

‘Tis the season for skiing. Whether you work the slopes like a pro or are more comfortable sticking with the bunny slope (that’s me!), Pennsylvania residents are lucky enough to have a bevy of ski resorts right here in their home state. If that's not enough, our sponsor, the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association (PSAA), has some sweet deals for families looking to ski or snowboard together this winter. From a special program that lets 4th and 5th graders ski for free with their parents to an offer for first-time skiers, there are opportunities to hit the slopes throughout the state.

Worried about ten days home with the kids over winter break? Don't fear, mom. Many places in Connecticut are offering classes, events and fun things to do with your family. Whether your kids enjoy nature art, cooking or magic, there is something on this list for them! And of course, don't forget to check out Mommy Poppins' complete Connecticut Fun Holiday Guide.

Christmas is nearly here. If, like me, you enjoy catching a Nutcracker during the holiday season, there are still a few opportunities to do that. For families who celebrate Hanukkah or something else and do not consider December 25 a reason for everything to be closed, head to the Zimmer Museum. It’s open. Meanwhile, the winter holidays continue with the commencement of Kwanzaa on Friday. This is a week-long celebration of African American culture and identity. Your kids have probably learned all about it at school, but if they want to know more or if this something your family observes, check out Pretend City on Friday.

After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season winds down, we may soon find ourselves with a surprising amount of free time on our hands. The winter is a perfect time to head indoors for a live performance, so to help guide you in your scheduling, we’ve rounded up some promising, kid-friendly productions in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Plan ahead to get the performances and seats you want!

Read on and click through to the event listings for full details. For more fun winter events, be sure to check our events calendar or sign up for our free newsletter which will keep you up to date on all of the fun, educational and exciting happenings around Westchester and beyond.

Dreary January weather always inspires me to get crafty and creative with my kids. I break out the play dough, glitter glue and dress up bin. Heck, I’ve even used masking tape to make hop scotch on our hallway floor. But then it dawns on me that I’ve got two little ones to entertain (indoors) for at least a couple of months to come and my limited craft skills can only take us so far! Some days, we just need to get out of the house – an engaging activity for the kids and a cup of coffee for mom do wonders to beat the winter doldrums! Here are a list of stores that offer story time/play time to keep NJ kids entertained and parents sane.