As a recent convert to west coast life, I'm prepared to say that, while the rivalry between east and west may never be settled, there’s no doubt that Los Angeles is the best choice when it comes to raising a family. Sure, a New York subway ride has its gritty charms, but the Big Apple just can’t compete with all that the City of Angels has to offer when it comes to entertaining kids. Don’t believe it? Feel free to tour Manhattan in February, though a better idea would be to start working your way down our LA Bucket List. Meanwhile, here are my favorite 10 things about parenting among the palm trees.

You don't have to go far in NYC to see gorgeous holiday lights and festive Christmas displays. Right here in Midtown Manhattan, the big department stores, such as Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue, light up the streets with gorgeous gratis holiday window displays. They're playful, colorful, whimisical, and even interactive in some cases.

Take a family stroll down Fifth Avenue to see the 2017 windows—it's one of our favorite FREE holiday activities in the city! But first get a sneak peek of this year's fun with our video and photos of the the top displays.

Be sure to visit our Holiday Fun Guide to find other activities and things to do along the route and throughout the season, including Santa pictures, tree lightings, and train shows.

We Angelenos love our holiday lights, and we are blessed with an abundance of viewing opportunities. But sometimes logistics can be an obstacle, particularly for families with small children. Where do we park? How far do we have to walk or drive? Can we find all the displays…? One simple and family-friendly solution is the Zoo Lights display at the Los Angeles Zoo. This large scale sparkle, which replaces the old Griffith Park Lights drive-through event, puts everything you want to see within the grounds of the LA Zoo, and parking is free (merry Christmas to me!).

Do you find yourself doing the "Hot Dog Dance" while making dinner? Do you sometimes sway to the sound of Doc McStuffins singing “Time for Your Check Up?” Then you—and presumably your kids—will be excited to hear that Disney Junior is launching a national dance party tour featuring characters and music from many of their most-loved shows.

Kicking off in March, the Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour will be an interactive concert with singing, dancing, and even games. You’ll hear songs from Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor, Doc McStuffins, The Lion Guard, Vampirina, and Puppy Dog Pals. It’s the first time all of these characters will appear together in one live show. 

It will tour several Mommy Poppins regions, including New Jersey, Texas, and Los Angeles.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show returned to New York City this fall with new Eric Carle stories to tell. Running an easily digestible 55 minutes and filled with bright colors and oversize puppets, this beautiful stage show easily captivates toddlers and preschoolers.

We caught the show when it first opened in January 2016, and so we were eager to see the new version, which swapped out two of the previous Carle picture book stories for two new ones. It also moved to a theater downtown. Read on for our full parent review of this show playing throughout the holidays and into February 2018.

Has your LA kid caught the acting bug? Does he or she love to perform and sing? Musical theater camps can provide the outlet, with instruction, rehearsals, and a final performance or a recital. Most performing arts camps around Los Angeles and Orange County, California, offer a specific show each session, so you can pick your week based on the show or theme that mosts interests your kid, tween, or teen. Several of the summer theater camps below run for two or more weeks, giving campers plenty of time to learn and rehearse before the big show.

Each of these LA summer camps offers something unique—it might be location, depth of offerings, small camp sizes, or after-hours care. If you're hoping to find something close to home, be sure to check out your local Parks and Rec offerings. And if your child is not interested in performing, maybe a movie or animation camp would be ideal. Whatever your camper's interests, you're sure to find fresh ideas in our Summer Camps Guide.

New York City's annual transformation into a wonderland of holiday magic never gets old, especially with kids in tow. For preschoolers, however, crowds can be daunting and there's little patience for lines and lots of noise. Still, it's a magical time to introduce toddlers and preschoolers to amazing seasonal spectacles—the lights, music, ballets, trains, Santa, and more.

We've rounded events that cater to the preschool set. From abridged performances to gingerbread mania and interactive events and workshops, there's plenty of holiday magic to go around.

Mortality, legacy, and forgiveness. These are heavy subjects for an animated movie aimed at families but, once again, Pixar rises to the challenge. Coco is a visually stunning, thematically rich, and emotionally powerful film that resonates differently for various ages. Set against the backdrop of Día de los Muertos—the Mexican holiday honoring the dead—Coco is Pixar's first feature to focus on a character of color. Miguel Rivera, a 12-year-old aspiring musician, is magically transported to a luminous afterlife where he uncovers long-buried secrets and realizes the importance of family.

Chances are this movie is on your kids' wishlist, but perhaps you're worried a flick focused on—let's be blunt—death might make for an upsetting experience, especially if you have tots in tow. Read on for everything you need to know before you go to this PG-rated release, as well as whether it's worth splurging on 3D.