Well done, parents. We made it through the season's first challenge (and hopefully got rewarded with our share of the Snickersy, Kit Katty goodness). Now is a good time to take a moment to reflect, and what better time than Veterans' Day, as we honor those who have served our country. Unlike most holidays, this one isn't all about the kids, but Veterans' Day is a school holiday, and we've got the scoop to help you commemorate the holiday with your kids.

Soon enough, we'll be feeling winter's first chill and stuffing stockings with figgy pudding (that's a tradition somewhere, isn't it?), but luckily none of that's started yet. I mean, it's barely November.  It's not like you can already go ice skating at outdoor rinks across LA (gasp!). No one's putting up any Christmas trees (zoinks!) or inviting you to come see Santa (ho ho ...seriously?).

But. But. We haven't even done Thanksgiving yet! (At least this year T-Day doesn't coincide with Hanukkah .. but Christmas Eve does!)

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the weekend. (99.9% yuletide free!)

Pre-Thanksgiving travel is like the calm before the hectic holiday travel storm.  If you can manage to get away just before or just after Turkey Day, you won’t find big crowds and you will find deals.  East Coast residents can enjoy discounts at rustic Shenandoah National Park, off-the-grid Maine Huts &Trails, the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, urban-cool New Haven and Woodloch Resort in the Poconos. Out west, consider a trip to Los Angeles, Death Valley or Phoenix. There are warm weather deals in Florida and at Atlantis in the Bahamas.
True travel mavens are gearing up for Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, when the Internet is flooded with hotel and airline bargains.  These deals are usually announced at the very last minute, so you won’t get much advance notice. In recent years, hotel chains like Starwood, Sheraton, Embassy Suites and Marriott have offered consumers deep one-day-only discounts. All-inclusive family resorts like Beaches and Club Med have also offered bargains, so keep these chains in mind if you’re looking to score a Cyber Monday vacation deal.

This weekend brings two of our top family event picks of the month and they're both FREE: the awesome annual Canstruction display at Brookfield Place and the first-ever New York Festival of Light in Dumbo. The FREE fun continues with a no-cost concert by kids' crooner Elizabeth Mitchell at Carnegie Hall, a gratis production of Pinkalicious at the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library and FREE family flicks at MoMA.

Looking ahead, if you're already in the Turkey Day planning phase, our Thanksgiving Fun Guide is up, and we'll be adding more posts over the next few weeks.

All of our best bets for this weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar.

As a fall chill fills the air, kids will start turning indoors for fun and games. Let them loose at these new play spaces for indoor enrichment, classes, open play and more. With art, music, sports, dance and other offerings, there's a boredom busting activity that's just right for both your little and big kids.

And for more ideas on indoor fun on Long Island, check out our Inside Activity Guide.

Feel that chill in the air? November is here in full force, and there are plenty of activities to keep busy on this post-Halloween, pre-holiday weekend. Get a sneak preview of the holiday season with Santa's Arrival at the Quakerbridge Mall. And don’t forget your shopping list when you stop by the Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique. Speaking of castles, catch a performance of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Pax Amicus Castle Theatre. Treat the little princesses in your life to a day of beauty and fun at the Day Out for a Queen and Her Princess. And the whole family will want to load up on delicious food and fun at St. Anthony’s Orthodox Church International Festival. And remember, you can check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

While we make it a point to encourage our readers to buy local whenever possible, we realize that doing holiday shopping online helps you avoid crowds and stress-while staying in your PJs. In addition to offering cool incentives like discounts and free shipping, many online retailers also give back to those in need during the holiday season by donating a portion of their proceeds to various charities. The opportunities to "shop for a cause" at this time of year are almost limitless, so we've highlighted nine favorites we think are particularly great for families. So go ahead and spoil the ones you love and feel good about it!