One of my family’s favorite holiday activities is checking out the many light displays on Long Island. Last year, after a seven year absence, the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Jones Beach returned—and we couldn’t be happier! With over 150 animated and synchronized displays and about 300,000 lights, it is the largest holiday light display on Long Island. There is something to wow every member of the family, so of course, we’ll be returning this year. For first time visitors, here's some insight into what you can expect.

‘Tis the season to be jolly! With Hanukkah celebrations in full swing and Christmas just around the corner, you can be sure there’s a holiday outing for everyone this weekend. Check out a Country Christmas with Santa with a cozy campfire and s’mores at Alstede Farms, take in a classic performance of New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker featuring the NJ Symphony Orchestra or take a magical Santa’s Helpers Walking Tour in picturesque Princeton. For more activities to keep the kiddos busy, book tickets to an innovative puppet performance of Goodnight Moon, sign up for Winter Solstice Candle Making at the Watershed Reserve or make some deliciously sticky treats at PJ Library’s Messy Chanukah Celebration. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For additional activity options, check out our Event Calendar.

Target lovers take note: The retail giant is opening a 16,000-square-foot pop-up store and indoor play zone for kids in Chelsea this holiday season, saving New Yorkers the schlep to the Bronx, Brooklyn or East Harlem for those last-minute shopping needs.

"Target Wonderland" officially opens to the public on Wednesday, December 9, but we got a sneak peek.

Featured in our recent roundup of holiday shows other than The Nutcracker, Boston Children's Theatre's production of The Velveteen Rabbit is a fantastic experience for even the youngest theatergoers.

The adaptation of the classic story by Margery Williams absolutely captivates. The actors, lively puppets, and adorable set bring to life the stuffed toy and the boy who makes him real. Child and teen actors add an authentic feel, quite possibly with the added effect of infecting young audience members with the acting bug. In fact, I might need to check out some local acting and theater classes now that my girls have seen other kids on the big stage!

More than 75 oversized puppets will help bring classic children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other works by famed author Eric Carle to an off-Broadway New York theater this January.

Jonathan Rockefeller's The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show comes to NYC from Australia where it debuted in January 2015 and continues to tour the country. Rockefeller's adaption stands out with its large, colorful puppets and lively storytelling of a caterpillar's metamorphosis geared specifically to first-time theatergoers, including toddlers and preschoolers. While we've told you about previous NYC productions of this iconic early childhood classic, including just last year, we're excited to welcome a new entrant—especially given its seemingly ambitious scope.

Watch a preview clip of the show below!

Winter break is around the corner, and your kids are about to be off school for weeks! If you can’t spare the vacation time to stay home with them or you don’t fancy the idea of being stuck indoors playing the entertainer during the whole break, vacation camps are a great option. Kids can play sports, games, create art projects, and learn new skills that will keep their minds ready to go when they head back to school in January.

Let’s face it, sometimes our kids grow too quickly. Those dreaded growth spurts can leave us needing to furnish our children with a new wardrobe all too soon! I have a solution which has been a well kept secret until now; check out one of these local New Haven consignment shops and events for kids. They offer tons of gently used children’s clothing to keep your kids well dressed until the next time your child seems to jump two sizes in a matter of a month.