This post is sponsored by Frost Valley YMCA, but the opinions are those solely of the author.

‘Tis the season for celebrating long-standing family traditions—and starting some new ones, too. When the holidays get a little too hectic, one of the best ways to take a breather and really enjoy quality family time is with a weekend away. And since you might be short on time, the closer to home, the better.

Our sponsor Frost Valley YMCA—located in the Catskills, about 2.5 hours from midtown Manhattan—is open for family weekends from September until June, but winter is a truly special time to visit. There are plenty of outdoor activities (snowtubing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowshoe hikes), as well as indoor fun (the climbing wall and winter-themed arts and crafts). And this year, Frost Valley is offering two getaways at reduced rates to help everyone celebrate the season.

There are several towns and villages around Long Island kicking holiday cheer up a notch with Main Street or Downtown celebrations. With horse-drawn carriage rides, hot chocolate, and Santa Claus sightings, the entire family will really get a kick out of these events. 

And for more seasonal events, check out our Holiday Fun Guide.

In the mood for a movie? The Peanut Movie is getting parents and kids in the holiday spirit; Disney Screen at the Century in Huntington Beach is screening four Pixar movies for the price of one admission; and the beloved Little Mermaid is back at El Capitan. But if you've been trying to find the words to answer your kids' questions about what's happened in Paris, you might try hunkering down for a movie at home one day this week to share a beautiful portrait of Paris as it was and will be again, in the classic film The Red Balloon. This brief film (available at many libraries and Amazon) is about a boy, the balloon that becomes his friend, the bullies that torment him, and the boy’s liberation from cruelty when all of the balloons in Paris join forces to raise him up above the city.

Heading back outdoors, this week brings free days at Descanso and the Arboretum, a Chaparral themed evening in Temescal Gateway Park, curbside stargazing in Burbank and Sylmar, and holiday celebrations in Glendale, Burbank, and Manhattan Beach. For parents of very little ones, the Family Room in San Marino offers two classes for parents struggling with the topic of food: Baby Led Weaning: The Mush Stops Here and Stress-free Toddler Feeding. Sometimes it is nice to get a little help before they find out about fro-yo, ice cream, and pizza.

Though not always easy, there is nothing quite like a childhood in the city. Los Angeles has much to offer and Mommy Poppins has lots of ideas for things to do on our Daily Events Calendar.

As the weather’s getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, it’s a great time to take advantage of outdoor nature activities before the winter arrives. This week, there are plenty of nature exploration opportunities, including Awesome Animal Artists, Preschool Walk: Gobble Gobble and Tot Walk: Animal Homes. Plus, enjoy some free and fun library programs including Magic Workshop and Bouncy Booktime. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

The holiday season is in full swing, with kids able to make their own potted turkey at Hicks or autum wreaths at LICM. Families can also take in the holiday lights as the Jones Beach Spectacular kicks off on Friday.

For even more activities, check out our Long Island Events Calendar, which is updated daily. You can also get the best events of the week sent directly to your inbox each week if you sign up for our newsletter.

There's no denying it any longer. The holiday season has been starting up a little earlier each year, and this coming week boasts several events to get the whole family in the spirit already—yes, already! From a fun holiday musical to a ride on the Polar Express (pictured) to finding holiday craft fairs, you're covered. Even visits with Santa are ramping up, with Santa opening up shop at local malls this week. Keep your eye on the full Event Calendar for other exciting happenings as we march forward into the most festive weeks of the year.

For more options check out our jam-packed Event Calendar and our November Go List. Have a great week!

Mad Libs Live!, a zany family musical inspired by the popular fill-in-the-blank word game, opened in early November at Manhattan’s New World Stages.