Hit these slopes near Chicago for family-friendly snow tubing this winter season.

The holiday season in San Francisco is magical. From sugar castles and life-sized gingerbread houses to holiday shows and twinkling light displays, there is so much to see and do during the holidays in the Bay Area! With the perfect holiday itinerary, you can make the most of any festive trip with a mix of adventure, entertainment, and fabulous food. 

As a mom in San Francisco, I love sharing my favorite city with fellow families, especially this time of year. This San Francisco holiday itinerary includes family traditions, like a morning at the Ritz-Carlton’s Teddy Bear Tea, and a night on the ice at Napa Valley’s winter wonderland “Merry Meritage.” It also includes family-friendly restaurants, fun activities, and classic theater performances. 

For more holiday happenings in San Francisco, check out our list of best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in San Francisco, and the best Bay Area Polar Express train rides. Discover more holiday outings in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids! 

Snow tubing near Los Angeles? Why not! Living near the beach doesn't mean sand sledding is our only winter sport. A short drive up into the mountains allows our SoCal kids the magical mixture of snow, cold air, velocity, and hot cocoa that makes sledding and snow tubing near Los Angeles endlessly enticing. Skiing is great, but there's nothing quite like good, old-fashioned sledding and snow tubing.

Now, if you've got a kiddo like mine who gets nervous and a little motion-sick on the steep hills, you might prefer our roundup of places where you can find snow near Los Angeles for some (stationary) snowball fights and snowman-building. Plus, find skiing day trips near Los Angeles, and more winter adventures in our Winter Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids. 

Do you want to build a snowman? In Texas? Better hop in the car.

Nothing is better than the twinkle of lights during the holidays, and these family-friendly restaurants in NYC really glow with seasonal splendor. They make for a perfect destination on a cold winter night. No matter which holiday your family celebrates, lean into the enchantment of one of these over-the-top holiday pop-ups and restaurants in NYC, where festive decorations turn dining into a full-on celebration.

Visitors are greeted by jaw-dropping displays—think towering Christmas trees, Instagram-worthy photo-ops, and extravagant winter wonderlands—that transport diners into a magical holiday world. Whether you're seeking an immersive experience complete with themed cocktails and holiday-inspired dishes, or just looking to soak in the festive cheer, these family-friendly restaurants and holiday pop-ups in NYC offer the perfect blend of seasonal spirit and culinary delight.

Keep reading for our picks for the best over-the-top holiday-decorated dining spots, and find more holiday bucket list ideas on our list of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in New York City for Kids.

There's a new scene-stealing dinosaur in town at the American Museum of Natural History, which announced today the arrival of Apex, a 150 million-year-old Stegosaurus fossil that's set to go on display in the lobby of the Richard H. Gilder Center for Science Education this weekend. We got a sneak peek at this new giant, who joins the already impressive ranks at one of our favorite museums for kids in NYC just in time for Christmas vacation visits!

Coney Island's Luna Park has proven it's more than a summer destination, jump-starting the holiday season with its second-annual Frost Fest. This winter celebration features select rides and attractions—including the new Candy Cane Chute—plus holiday lights and decor, photos with Santa, festive food options, and more.

The holidays are here and that means the scramble for last-minute gift ideas and then last-minute gift shopping is inevitable. Thankfully Amazon offers super quick delivery for most gifts...and you get to avoid chaotic stores, busy parking lots, and competitive shoppers. Procrastinators, forgetful gifters, and at-home shoppers: put your worries aside with our helpful guide to gifts that arrive soon after you place your order.

These last-minute gift ideas are all tried and true, tested and beloved. And to keep the love of reading alive at every age, we've included a great literary gift in each category.

Take a look at some of our favorite unique holiday gifts to satisfy every age group! For more great gift ideas, check out the Mommy Poppins Holiday Gift Guide 2024, including the hottest toys and Christmas gifts for kids, cool stocking stuffers, and much more.