As we finish celebrating Hanukkah, there are only a few days left until Christmas.  We hope that everyone has a fantastic holiday and school vacation and we look forward to bringing you more information than ever before during 2010.

If your family wants to see some holiday lights, don't forget that you can do this and support a great cause at the same time.  In conjunction with Radio station 107.3 FM, a lights synced to music fundraising drive will run from Sunday December 6th, 2009 through Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 16 Lidge Drive, Farmingville (hours will be Sundays through Thursdays from 530 - 10pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 530 - 11pm).  Holiday lights and lawn decorations will flash, fade, twinkle and dance synchronized to the music.  There is a lock box for donations and any funds donated will go to the Hope For Julianna Fund, to raise money for Julianna Buttners, a local Farmingville resident who was diagnosed with cancer at 3 years old in 2006, only to have it return in this year.  For more information on both the Hope for Julianna Fund and the holiday light exhibit, call Gary at 631.961.1204.

We are fortunate to have some amazing local theaters that put on great productions for both adults and kids. Theater is a wonderful art to expose your children to and it is fun to dress up, go to a show and then out for a hot chocolate to talk about the experience. Remember to check out CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale for Annie, currently running on their main stage, as well as Frosty the Snowman performed in their kids theater this weekend as well as two days over the school vacation.

Last year, we took our kids to the Bronx Zoo over the holiday break.  It was great - all of the exhibits were open and the day we went was pretty mild.  On December 27th, visit the Bronx Zoo for Food Network’s “Salute to Wildlife” Ice Carving Competition as 15 experts compete to create a winning wildlife display! The first 1200 visitors at the competition will receive a FREE playable demo disc of “Cooked or Be Cooked”! The zoo will be in the midst of their Holiday Happenings this weekend, as well as over the holiday break.  For more information, visit our Events Calendar or www.BronxZoo.com.

Visit our Contest page because we've got some great prizes that will give your family lots to do over vacation.  Tickets for shows at CM Performing Arts Center, Madame Tussauds NYC Wax Museum as well as some movie tickets are up for grabs....

Happy Holidays to all of the families and businesses that support LIParentSource.com.  We'll be sending out abbreviated versions of our e-newsletter over the next two weeks.

Santa's getting ready to get back to the North Pole to get ready for Christmas, but he's spending one last weekend at Clix Portrait Studios in Huntington.  He'll be there taking holiday photos on Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 11am to 6pm, so if you haven't done your holiday photos or cards yet, call Clix now at 631.425.2900 to make your appointment (and don't forget to check Parent Perks for the amazing discount they are offering through 12/23!).

If you're looking for some great things to do with the kids over vacation, Jump in Ronkonkoma will be open for open play 12/21 through 12/23 and 12/28 through 12/31 from noon until 6pm.  They will also be open on 12/24 from 10am - 2pm.  Call 631.585.JUMP for reservations for any of these days.

You can also drop in and play at all Gymboree Play & Music locations for Holiday Hangout. Call your local Gymboree for details and times or the main office at 631.266.1114. All Gymboree Play & Music locations will be closed January 1, New Year's Day.

If you're headed into NYC, print out our great offer in Parent Perks for $5 off each ticket for Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Looking ahead.....Coastal Sports in Hauppauge will be hosting a soccer tournament over Martin Luther King weekend, as well as a Presidents week soccer camp.  Stay tuned for more details, or you can call Coastal Sports at 631.813.1599.

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

Local Resources | Parent Perks Discounts | Newsletter Archives

The holidays are a great time for crafts, and what's better than an easy craft for even the youngest kids.  Here's a great way to create fun holiday art by making your own dough.  Kids of all ages will love to create, play, pound and press this dough into their favorite shapes.  Add seasonal cookie cutters for the younger kids and this will entertain them for a long time!

To make, mix 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of warm water, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tsp of oil, food coloring and 1 tsp of glitter.  Mix everything together well.  Store in a plastic container.  Note: this is NOT edible.

Have fun mixing and making different colors!

This great holiday craft recipe was submitted by Gymboree Play & Music.  For more information about Gymboree's classes and birthday parties for kids ages 0 through 5 and to find a location near you, contact them at 631.266.1114 or visit their website here.