It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays in NYC. The Rock Center tree has arrived (though it's not lit yet), the ice-cream truck perpetually parked by my daughter's school is playing Christmas songs (no, I am not making that up) and we're furiously updating our Holiday Fun Guide to help you plan out your season. New holiday-related posts this week include everything you need to know about Macy's Balloon Inflation the night before the big Thanksgiving Day Parade, what's new at the annual Grand Central Terminal and New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Shows and turkey farms you can visit on Long Island.

Speaking of planning your season, are you coming to our Mommy Poppins Holiday Photo Event this Saturday on the Upper East Side? Cross holiday cards off your to-do list as the pros from Big Apple Portrait shoot playful pics of your kids with Santa or against a seasonal background. Other activities include cookie decorating, crafts and storytime, plus giveaways and discounts on cards. Although the morning sessions are pretty much sold out, we still have space in the afternoon so reserve your spot now!

We also have a super-awesome giveaway this week: Four tickets to see the musical Annie on Broadway. Enter now as the giveaway ends early on Friday.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

This weekend, several shows hit the stage. Follow the chronicles of Britt and her friends in Stinky Kids The Musical. Discover what life was like for a family in hiding in The Diary Of Anne Frank. Everyone's favorite mouse, Stuart Little, discovers ways to survive in a super-sized world. Solve the Thanksgiving mystery and find out Who Took Tom Turkey. Feeling more crafty? Head to the South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center to make musical instruments, or to create works of art inspired by nature. As always, check our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family.

Happily, this activity is fully booked, but there's a waiting list available for the Mommy Poppins Holiday Photo Event on Saturday. In addition to getting adorable pictures of the kiddies with Santa, or against a seasonal backdrop, enjoy crafts, story time, giveaways, and discounts on holiday cards.

Our roundup of weekend events features lots of family shows and concerts including the opening of Arabian Nights, The Trolls and Trees puppet show, and Body Music for All Ages, the Boston Globe Ski and Sports Expo, and a Family Works event with Ben Rudnick and Friends. Read on for details, and remember that our calendar is filled with many more activities.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• We’ve adding to our Winter Holidays Guide with:
  • Boston restaurants serving kid-friendly Thanksgiving dinner;
  • Great ways for children and their families to volunteer together and make a difference this Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas; and
  • The lowdown on local productions of a holiday classic, The Nutcracker.

Plus:

• A list of picture books about Boston by some of our favorite authors;
• A review of the Jamaica Plain group, A Far Cry, which introduces classical music to Boston families; and
• Arts and Crafts Classes for Kids in Boston, five places where kids can find a creative outlet

Enjoy!

The balmy days of early autumn are now behind us and the cooler weather is here to stay. Wondering what to do with the kids now that it’s too cold to hit the playground most days? We’ve got the scoop on super-fun indoor play spaces to help you survive the winter months ahead. From painting pottery to rock climbing to just bouncing around, you'll find a variety of options to suit every child. Read on for our list of eight great locations in Morris County and check out our posts that highlight other spots in Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County and Warren & Sussex Counties.

Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry, you'd better not pout, I'm telling you why:  A) because pouting is really annoying, right up there with whining, B) because the Caffeine Fairy is coming to town, bringing sugary stimulation to good mommies and daddies everywhere, and C) because you'll scare away the reindeer. (They're a skittish breed, especially when they're hyped up on frappuccinos).

Santa's coming, too, drawn in by the first signs of winter (all that ice and snow we've been having).  As in seasons past, he can be found at tree lightings and breakfasts across the Southland.  Now might be a good time to start putting some check marks in your "nice" column; count on Mommy Poppins to lend a helping hand.

In fact, we want to help you all the way through this holiday season, every Thanksmakwanzakkah moment of it. Take a moment to sign up for our emails (if you haven't already) so you can be the first to get the latest scoop from us....

...such as our favorite picks for the weekend:

If connecting to the internet while on the parental go is the glue that holds your world together, then you probably already know plenty of family-friendly places with free WiFi; we won't waste your time mentioning obvious coffee shops and libraries (right?). You've likely also caught on that many places offering kids' classes let parents catch up on email while little athletes take gymnastics or fencing class. You might even know that several ice rinks and bowling alleys have free WiFi for waiting parents. But how about some fun, unexpected places with free WiFi that you might not know about? Parents on the Westside, in Hollywood, or Downtown will want to know about the internet hotspots below.

There's so much happening around Westchester this weekend, we're not sure where to begin! Ridge Hill kicks off the holiday season with their annual Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday. Bundle up and enjoy live entertainment, treats, carolers and Santa! Also this weekend, visit the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers for Visits and Photos with Santa.

Not ready to for carolers just yet? No worries! Head to North Salem and learn to make an origami ornament at the Hammond Museum or stop by the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library for STEAM Fest, a celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

If you're feeling musical, Larchmont Music Academy is opening its doors on Saturday for Introduction to Strings. Enjoy faculty performances, learn to conduct, then try out the different instruments and even make your own string instrument to bring home!

In the mood for some outside fun? Make your way to Turkey Day at Muscoot Farm for games, crafts, cider making and fun. For more nature themed fun, go for a Fall Discovery Walk at the Greenburgh Nature Center.

Want to help get your kids into the spirit of giving? We've mentioned a few ways to get kids involved in their communities by volunteering to help other kids. If you're looking for other ways to help, consider checking out Gabi Rocks Neuroblastoma Concert & Fundraiser. The event will feature a children’s concert with a musical performance by L.I. Aardvarks’ Lisa Ammon & Friends and Zev Haber and Pretzelstein along with children’s games and activities. It’s a great way to teach the kids about giving back and helping others.

Read on for top weekend picks. If you see something interesting, click through to the event listing to view full details. Looking for more options? Check our Event Calendar for more fun happening this weekend and beyond. Also, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on all our latest info!