As the saying goes, one thing they can’t make more of is land. It is sometimes hard to believe that Los Angeles was initially populated by people who wanted to grow things; they came for the oranges, stayed for the weather, and soon our rural western outpost became a city. Los Angeles is no longer the big suburb it was when I was growing up. I miss that old city but am perpetually grateful for all of the open land that we still have. Huge amounts of acreage have been donated or conserved. This means that on any given day our children can be surrounded by nature on public land that belongs to them and to us. We can leave the city behind to go picnicking, hiking or camping. We have beaches, deserts, the Santa Monica Mountains, and in Orange County, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks: 37,000 acres of permanently protected wilderness designated as national natural landmarks by the State of California and U.S. Department of Interior.

The holidays are right around the corner and your to-do list is probably overflowing.

It doesn't help that schools across the five boroughs let out for winter break recess from December 24-January 1. If you need to be back to work, or just need a day to catch up, there are plenty of holiday break camps in NYC that offer enriching drop-off programs running until New Year's Day.

Whether they're into art, theater, animals, academic enrichment or sports, there are plenty of options for children of all ages. We've rounded up some of our favorite full-day camps to cover your winter recess child care needs.

Could your kid be the next Food Network star? If only they had proper instruction! Throwing your little one a cooking- or baking-themed birthday party is a great way to introduce him or her (and guests) to kitchen basics. Best yet, you don’t have to deal with the messy aftermath of pots and pans. From decorating cupcakes to crafting quesadillas, here are the best places in Westchester that can give them the skills to be Top Chefs for their birthdays. 

Don’t forget to consult our Kids’ Party Planner Guide for additional party ideas, and sign up for our FREE newsletter!

Black Friday is known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Retailers try to lure us in with deep discounts on everything from toys to electronics. Let's face it, though, dragging the kids to the mall isn't the most fun way to kick off the holiday season. This year, why not look for a family activity that will make everyone merry? From holiday shows to winter festivals, we've come up with a great list of things to do on Black Friday that are far away from the busy shopping centers. Be sure to check our Events Calendar regularly for even more great holiday activities throughout November and December.

Must be the Santa Anas, because I'm sensing change in the wind. Harvest gold has given way to red and green; there's a serious CHILL in the air, and our kids are starting to tally up their naughty and nice scores. (Here are a few ways to help tip the scales in their favor.)

We're one week shy of T-Day, and we all know that turkey won't even be cold before we enter a non-stop marathon of holiday frenzy. But luckily, we get to put our own SoCal spin on things. We may do a few turns on the ice, but we'll follow up with a day at the beach (and make sure to brag about it to our friends and family who are not so climatologically blessed).

If you're not feeling the Thankschrismakkuh spirit just yet, there's plenty of non-seasonal fun to keep you happy this weekend: think dinos and Doo Dah, stars and Cirque, mariachi and American Girl. Holiday, shmoliday, we're just here to watch the birds. Next week, however, it's game on.

Keep reading for our not-the-holidays-yet picks for this weekend....

It is evident from the autumnal activities on our Events Calendar that Thanksgiving is swiftly approaching! A variety of seasonal fun is featured this weekend. Philly families can watch a Thanksgiving movie, run (or walk) in a 5K turkey trot, view the fall foliage by train, or go on a nature walk to find wild turkeys.

However, if your family is looking to start the holiday season early, there are many theater productions to help get you in the spirit of the season. The Media Theatre's Jack Frost Saves Christmas and Upper Darby's Performing Arts Center's The Nutcracker are set to entertain audiences this weekend while Laurie Berkner's Holiday Show gets kids singing and dancing at her concert.

To keep up with the latest family-friendly fun, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Can it really be the last weekend before Thanksgiving? That means I'll definitely be hitting the grocery store! Besides a turkey, I'm excited to pick up some ingredients for some holiday recipes my family can make together. We might just need to go to a holiday event, too. Luckily for us, holiday lights start brightening up Faneuil Hall and Edaville USA (pictured) this weekend for a festive time. Other fun events to get families ready for the holidays include everything from an artisan fair to a favorite Christmas play to a menorah workshop.

If you're not ready to celebrate the holidays yet, stop by the Gardner for a special free day or check out the new marine life exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. 

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Besides all the holiday events, we've also got some ways for families to give back this holiday season.
• Our new contributor, Scott, shares the inside scoop on a secret gem for outdoor adventures in Newton. 
• Tree lighting festivities start this weekend and light up Boston through December.

Check out the full Event Calendar for more fun happenings around town. Have a great weekend! And don't forget the turkey!

Let's talk turkey! With Thanksgiving next week, there's plenty of crafting opportunities to enjoy. Participate in Turkey Talk at the Long Island Children's Museum, Turkey/Pumpkin Mommy & Me at As You Wish in Bellmore or drop your children off for a Kids Paint Night at Key to My Art in Amityville.

And with the winter weather still holding off a bit, enjoy a Family Autumn Night Hike at the Sherwood-Jayne Farm. The Holiday Lights Spectacular at Jones Beach also kicks off this weekend.

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