Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Boston, MA

There's no excuse for boredom during the month of December.  There are events left and right, as well as traditions to be made and repeated.  Boston is full of annual events, such as:

The Copley Square Tree Lighting is an annual event not to be missed.  Kick off the holiday season with Mayor Menino and the Friends of Copley Square for this festive event complete with hot chocolate and cookies for everyone.  Afterwards, shop in the fabulous stores Boston is famous for!  Wednesday, December 3^rd, 5-6pm.  259 Dartmouth Street, Boston.

If you want to talk traditions, this one has been ongoing since 1940!  The Boston Common Holiday Tree Display annual event includes the lighting of Boston's official non-denominational holiday shrub, and trees throughout Boston Common, The Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall.  The 46-foot white spruce will light up when Mayor Menino, together with Santa Clause, throws the switch.  The celebration will include entertainment, refreshments, and family fun.  Thursday, December 4^th, 6-8pm.  Boston Common.

The Annual Skating Rink Opening at the Charles Hotel will take place on Sunday, December 7^th.  Join Santa for this family-friendly event and enjoy complimentary skating and rentals all day!  The indoor children's holiday activity room will be the perfect spot to warm up, and you won't go hungry with free holiday treats to sample!  Upper Courtyard at the Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge.

Enjoy holiday music at The Bells of Boston.  Taking place every Saturday through December 20^th at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, get some shopping done while you're there too!  Or enjoy some holiday fare at one of the many delicious food kiosks inside the hall.  Performance area located inside of the Quincy Market Building in the Upper Rotunda.

Since 1966, First Night New Year's Celebrations in Boston are synonymous with New Year's Eve.  Offering many exciting performances and activities for the whole family, the event spans over 40 indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city.  Popular attractions include the Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center, which features interractive activities for all ages, gigantic ice sculptures on the Boston Common and at Copley Square, a glittering fireworks display and a Mardi-Gras style procession that sweeps through the streets of Boston.  For more info, visit www.firstnight.org.  Wednesday, December 31st, beginning at 1pm.