Texans may not see actual snow as much as our neighbors to the north, but we still manage to get in our fair share of wintertime fun. Whether taking a spin on one of Houston's seasonal open-air ice skating rinks or playing in man-made snow flurries, Houstonians have several festive options to choose from when it comes to activities involving snow and ice. We've not only rounded up the best places in Houston to participate in these winter ventures, but we've also found some stellar spots for winter fun around the rest of our great state as well. 

It’s not exactly the Beauty and the Beast you know, but the latest show from Lythgoe Family Productions is a captivating tale love and acceptance for audiences young and old. If you're wondering whether this holiday show is the right one for your family, read on!

Although young compared to some East Coast cities, Los Angeles has a rich, culturally diverse history worth exploring with the whole family—and a festive place to start is Downtown on Olvera Street. The city's most famous Mexican marketplace is at the heart of historical LA and hosts some of the region's oldest traditions at annual events like Las Posadas at Christmastime, Los Novenarios for Día de los Muertos, and LA's birthday celebration each summer. The colorful pedestrian zone is an ideal place to kick off an afternoon of fun, shopping, good food, and just a little learning.

While it might be too chilly to do any outdoor stargazing, solar system enthusiasts of all ages can marvel at the wonders of the universe from the indoor comfort of the newly renovated, state-of-the-art Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium at Liberty Science Center. The Jersey City–based educational center celebrated the grand opening of its latest and greatest addition—which happens to be the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the entire Western Hemisphere—on Saturday, December 9.

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.