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.

Want to cut down on the amount of “stuff” your kids receive for Christmas, a birthday, or another special day, but make sure the occasion is no less memorable? We’ve rounded up some of the coolest experiences the Boston area has to offer kids—and we think the smiles you’ll get are worth the splurge. Plus, less time spent shopping means more time for you and your family to enjoy fun activities together.

December is a busy month full of holiday festivities, including live shows, Santa sightings, shopping and more. Before you know it, the holiday break is upon us and you may find yourself wondering how to keep the kids entertained while off from school.

As much as kids love the break, we know how quickly they can become stir-crazy sitting around at home, even during the holidays. No worries—we've rounded up a ton of places that will keep your wee (and not so wee) ones busy and entertained. These drop-off camps include art, sports, games and other activities for kids of all ages. 

There are many opportunities for a dose of Christmas cheer in the Boston area, but I recommend including Edaville's Christmas Festival of Lights on your holiday must-do list this year. During the holiday season Edaville USA is decorated with over 17 million (that's right, 17 million) lights! Admission also grants you the opportunity to enjoy the park's newest attraction, Dickens Village, with Santa on hand for pictures; a train ride for an up-front view of the light structures; and Edaville's 90 family-friendly rides and attractions, including the iconic Thomas Land.

When I was a kid, going to a performance of The Nutcracker was one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Like many little girls, I would sit in the theater and imagine that I was Clara, waking up on Christmas Eve to find a Nutcracker prince battling a mouse king in my living room, and then getting whisked away to a magical land where snowflakes, candy, and flowers danced just for me. 

From the look of the crowd at Mayo Performing Arts Center, where NJ Ballet is performing The Nutcracker through Christmas Eve, kids are still really into it. And this grown-up loved it, too. 

It's no secret that today's kids will need a robust education in STEM subjects to thrive in an economy exploding with science and technology careers. Both in and outside of schools, educators and parents are looking for ways to provide more science, technology, engineering, and math studies for children. There are many programs out there, but which ones really teach the skills that kids need? We checked out a Sylvan Learning EDGE class to see what Sylvan Learning, long-known for tutoring and test prep programs, offers with its Sylvan EDGE STEM programs.

Sylvan EDGE offers six week programs for kids from grades 1 to 6 in Robotics for Kids, Engineering, Coding for Kids, Math EDGE, plus Sylvan EDGE Camps. My 10-year-old son tried out a Robotics for Kids class, and it definitely stood apart from many of the other STEM activities we’ve tried.

It’s time to flip the on-switch for Orange County’s annual show of over-the-top holiday light displays, which are at least as extreme as the ones in LA. From the north end to the south, Orange County boasts a number of spark-tacular holiday adventures to walk or drive through. Some are individual homes; some are entire neighborhoods, and let’s not forget one illustrious Boat Parade. All in all, you and yours can take joy, with oohs and ahhs, in the mega-watt experience sans the hefty Edison bill. So, pack up your gloves, scarves, hot chocolate, and flip-flops. Pile in the car and take a drive to see a bounty of wintry wonderland lights.

We've rounded up some great deals from our partners to get your holidays hopping with special savings. Help yourself to free delivery and $10 off from a local farmers' market, savings on winter break camp, and discounted tickets to top holiday attractions like CHILL at the Queen Mary and Descanso Gardens' Enchanted Forest of Light. As always, you'll find lots more holiday fun in the Mommy Poppins Holiday Guide.