December Vacation Week is a wonderful chance to relax with family, but it's also a time when boredom can easily hit kids who are used to daily school and activity routines. To keep everyone happy, a good strategy is to pencil in a variety of events over the time off, making sure to include some free activities in the lineup. There are too many cool events to count this December, with everything from holiday shows to outdoor fun, so peruse our picks below to find some real gems to enjoy with the kids starting before Christmas Day through the New Year. Here's to a holly jolly vacation around town!

While it might not have $12 blossoming marshmallow hot chocolates or frozen hot chocolate served in 40-ounce bowls, Queens still knows hot chocolate. In the city's most diverse borough, it's not about the gimmicks, but the ingredients: cream, steamed milk, syrup, cocoa, shredded chocolate, maybe some whipped cream. Those are the tools in Queens' hot chocolate arsenal. 

My 4-year-old is starting his hot chocolate journey this year, among other amazing holiday activities—and winter fun. Whether Belgian, French, or Mexican, that dark brew of sweet and bitter warmth is a staple of any childhood memory. We're building those memories one cup at a time as lights twinkle in the shop windows and the scent of snow creeps into the air.

Start your child's holiday cheer by visiting one of these Queens locations, but you might also consider a quick trip to these spots in Brooklyn or Manhattan, especially if you're killing time over a school holiday.

Find more great NYC eats in our Family Restaurant Guide.

Nothing says winter quite like curling up on the couch in flannel pajamas and watching a holiday movie with a big bowl of popcorn (or if you're me, Blue Bell peppermint ice cream). But this year, why not take the tradition out of the house, outside even, and enjoy a classic holiday flick on the big screen. You have plenty of choices - from It's a Wonderful Life to Elf - and there is something playing almost every day of December, and a few in January. (For those of you who say bah-humbug to holiday movies, check the end of the list for a few outdoor Festivus options).  

And if you happen to be in one of these neighborhoods or the kiddos are still awake after an evening show, check out these spectacular light displays on your way home. You won't be disappointed! For all holiday-related events and activities, check out our Christmas and Hanukkah guide.

Remember when New Year's Eve meant champagne toasting and late-night dancing? Remember when the dinner reservations were made for two and you didn't need a high chair? Well, those days might be  long gone but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate on New Year's Eve. Lucky for us, there are a ton of family-friendly activities across Fairfield County from celebrations at noon to elegant dinner soirees (that you can enjoy with your children!). If you're looking for some fun kid-friendly New Year's Eve festivities, we've got you covered. And if you're lucky enough to have booked a babysitter or the grandparents want to stay in with the kids, we've thrown in a few grown-up options, too. Happy New Year!

Philly families can find many ways to celebrate Hanukkah throughout the city and surrounding suburbs as can be seen in our jam-packed events calendar. This year's celebration begins on the evening of Saturday, December 24th, and continues for eight days through January 1st. Throughout the Delaware Valley, families can attend menorah lighting ceremonies, listen to traditional stories, make seasonal crafts, watch puppet shows, and eat delicious latkes as they celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Our readers have spoken. This fall we asked all of you—our wonderful community of Boston area parents—to vote for the best family businesses and resources in 24 categories. You chose from 10 nominees in each category (and four voters were picked at random to enjoy great prizes from our sponsors!). Want to know more about the contest? Take a look at our Besties FAQ.

The votes are now in, and we've created this guide highlighting the winners – the best of the best of family-friendly Boston. Here are our 2016 Boston Besties:

Christmas Eve is almost here, which means all the holiday festivities will be wrapping up soon. Hopefully all your Christmas shopping and wrapping is finished and you've got a few moments to spare to celebrate with your family. If you're looking to squeeze in some last minute holiday fun, look no further. Make this Christmas Eve one to remember with one of these great activities in the area. Maybe you'll even start a new family tradition!

For more Christmas fun, check out our holiday guide and our event calendar.

Oh, birthday parties! Kids adore them; parents usually dread them—whether it's for your own child or someone else's. If you're tired of the usual circuit of cold pizza, warm soda, and fill-in-the-blank main activity—or if you don't have the space or time to organize a party in your own home—we've rounded up half a dozen new Long Island kids' hot spots that offer something a little different.

Most new(ish), in a new location, or have recently added birthday parties to their repertoire, and all offer solid basics like a private party space, food and drink, staff hosts, and favors and invitations (sometimes for an additional fee). From science to sewing, yoga to trampolines, laser tag to frolicking with dogs (and, yes, there are some bouncy castles and pottery painting, too), we're pretty sure there's something here to delight everyone on your child's guest list—and to help keep parents and adults guests relaxed and happy, too.

Find even more birthday party inspiration in our Long Island Party Guide for Kids.