Philly zoos, farms, and public spaces all boast dazzling Christmas lights. But in many neighborhoods, families will find Christmas lights on houses that rival the best professional displays. Entire city blocks, suburban streets, and private homes throughout the region give commercial holiday lights a run for their money, and we've found the best houses to stop by for a fun family outing.

So for a quick post-dinner trip or an extended local tour, read on to find the brightest Christmas lights on houses near you. We've got loads more holiday cheer in our Guide to the Best Christmas Events in Philly.

When the Christmas lights start going up around Los Angeles, you know the festive holiday season has arrived! Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, or Kwanzaa, there is a timeless joy in taking a spin around the neighborhood to look at the local holiday light displays. 

Every year, my family makes multiple trips to all the best Christmas lights across Los Angeles. Our kids put on their Christmas jammies, our to-go cups get filled with hot cocoa (or take a quick detour through to Starbucks), and bring along candy canes or Christmas cookies. Pop on a Christmas classics playlist, and you're ready for an evening immersed in (free) holiday lights magic. Including the famous Christmas lights displays like Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena and Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo (we like our Lanes in Los Angeles!), we've rounded up the best holiday lights on houses across the City of Angels that dazzle. 

Can't get enough Christmas lights? Check out our picks for LA's best holiday light shows and drive-through Christmas lights events, which you'll find in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Los Angeles Families. 

Getting bombarded by Black Friday, early Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Cyber Week, etc deals. It’s fantastic that all these sales are taking place, so parents can save money on all the toys and gear we want to get our kids for the holidays.

What’s not so great? Spending time away from your family to scroll through pages and pages of deals, trying to find ones that are really worth it, actual money savers, truly great & useful products. So we did it for you! From Barbie’s Dream House to Nintendo Switch to stunning wooden indoor/outdoor playhouses, we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday deals for kids.

For more holiday ideas, from gifts for all ages to affordable stocking stuffers, we've got a fabulous NEW Gift Guide.

Lincoln Square is a historically-German Chicago neighborhood at the Western stop of the Brown Line. This fun neighborhood is anchored by Giddings Plaza, a pedestrian plaza with a historic-looking fountain just east of Lincoln Avenue between Leland and Lawrence. Its location just off the L and with narrow streets makes it a pedestrian-friendly location with lots of unique shops and restaurants for families to explore.

Many families come to Lincoln Square for its street festivals or for a concert at The Old Town School of Folk Music, which is not actually located in Old Town. But there's plenty to do, see, hear, and eat even after those events are over. Here are some great things to do with kids in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.

If you want to venture to other great Chicago neighborhoods, check out our list of 100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids. 

Step into The Secret World of Elephants courtesy of a brand-new exhibit now open at the American Museum of Natural History.

The sprawling exhibition dedicated to the world's largest land mammal is filled with life-sized models—some surprisingly pint-sized—interactive displays, and touchpoints aimed at teaching the public about these incredible animals and their evolutionary relatives.

Read on for a sneak peek at this exhibition and find more fun museum exhibits to explore with kids in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums and Galleries.

Looking for the best sewing machine for kids? How about kid-friendly sewing kits? There are lots of great options to choose from!

Sewing is both a fun and Earth-friendly skill for crafty kids of all ages to learn. Sewing allows kids to work on fine motor skills and flex their creative muscles. Plus, being able to patch a pair of pants or replace a button helps keep clothing out of landfills—especially when kids are older and not outgrowing items faster than they can wear them.

There are so many beginner-friendly sewing machines that it's hard to pick the very best sewing machine for kids. We've rounded up four great options, plus some awesome sewing kits for children. We've also shared some beginner sewing projects and tutorials to help your kids become expert stitchers.

Check out our Earth Kids Guide for more planet-friendly activities and habits for kids, from cardboard box crafts to eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas. And, sign up for our Earth Kids newsletter for more ideas and activities every month.

Garden City is one of Long Island's most desirable communities, with tree-lined streets, a vibrant downtown, highly-rated schools, and plenty of green space. Take a stroll down historic Seventh Street, which plays host to family-friendly events all year round; spend the day learning on Museum Row; or shop till you drop at the area’s largest shopping mall, Roosevelt Field.

It’s no wonder so many families enjoy living and visiting this village. We've rounded up the top things to do on a visit to Garden City with kids. 

Be sure to check out our posts on the best parks in Nassau County for kids and the best indoor play spaces in Nassau County for more great activity ideas in the area.