A brand-new maker space has opened right in Morristown –– and it’s just for kids. The Smithsonian-founded Spark!Lab debuted in a back corner of the Morris Museum in September, and it’s fabulous.

The Spark!Lab is filled with interesting and colorful raw materials with which kids can tinker, build, and experiment. It’s one of 10 in the country, modeled after the original that opened in 2008 in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

We enjoy spotlighting different communities around Long Island, giving folks a punch list for an engaging and entertaining day trip. Steeped in history, teeming with activity, and loaded with natural beauty, the hamlet of Oyster Bay is a true pearl of Long Island.

Whether you're a resident, or you're looking for something new to do on the Island, you'll find lots to do, see, and eat in Oyster Bay. Enjoy museums, restaurants, shopping, parks, gardens, nature preserves, and rich waterfront boasting jam-packed events and activities to keep families busy.  We have plenty of other day trip ideas and walkable downtown areas for you to visit as well.

Philly families are getting a brand new option to celebrate the holidays this year, and it's going to be merry and very bright. The Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular is coming to The Fairgrounds at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in November, showcasing over a million sparkling bulbs amid a family-friendly Christmas lights experience. In addition to the holiday lights, the venue is hosting a variety of Christmas activities and winter fun to keep kids in the spirit of the season.

Read on for details about tickets to the all new Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular and just what to expect when you arrive. And don't miss our Philadelphia Holiday Guide for all the best Christmas and Hanukkah events throughout the region. 

North Hollywood, better known as NoHo to the locals, is a wonderful place to live, and if you're not lucky enough to live here, it's a great place to bring your kids and explore for a day. I moved to NoHo from Hancock Park a couple of years ago and it didn't take long for me to discover all the wonders this eccentric, vibrant, and charming neighborhood has to offer. My five-year-old and I love exploring new places—below I'll share with you the favorites we've discovered, and why I haven't regretted moving to this side of the hill for a second.

Not only are there tons of things to do in North Hollywood with kids, but its location makes it a great base to also explore nearby towns like Burbank, Toluca Lake, Valley Village, and Studio City. So don't just spend one day exploring these neighborhoods, plan on spending several!

While we love an action-packed park or playground, there's something magical about an off-the-beaten-path enclave, too, and New York City streets are packed with them. These secret gardens, hidden on busy city streets, and overflowing with lush greenery and beautiful flowers make for a different kind of escape and cool way to commune with nature. We've scoured the city blocks to find some hidden gardens and botanical wonders for you and your family to enjoy. Here are 15 secret gardens for your next outdoor adventure.

Are your kids doing backflips off of the couch? Climbing the bookshelves? Mattress sledding down the stairs? There are several spots in Nassau and Suffolk counties that offer obstacle training, where your little ninja can test his or her balance, vaulting, tumbling, and more. So go ahead and let that daredevil of yours try out one of these classes or courses that will keep your walls scuff mark-free.

There's much more outdoor entertainment on Long Island, and you can find even more adventurous fun in our rundowns of Long Island theme parks, arcades and other indoor play spaces. Or use items from around your home to build your own indoor obstacle course. Of course, sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

Montessori preschools take a different approach to early childhood development, one which is focused on self-directed learning. Parents choose preschools that use the Montessori method for a variety of reasons, including the positive environment, self-directed curriculum, and individual attention each child receives. This laid-back and sunny approach to school is a great fit for the SoCal lifestyle, which must be why there are dozens of fabulous Montessori schools in Los Angeles. From the Valley to the South Bay, here are some of the most popular preschools in Los Angeles for Montessori learning.

For more great preschools in Los Angeles offering unique opportunities, like these dual-language and immersion programs, check out our Los Angeles Preschool Guide.

Looking for a memorable dinner experience, especially where your little one can let loose and just be a kid? Enjoy a meal and entertainment at these family-friendly Orlando dinner shows. From jousting knights to magic tricks, there are a variety of restaurants offering dinner and a show in Orlando that will keep kids (and adults) smiling throughout the meal.