Hayrides are a fall ritual for many families. Depending on the age of your child, you might be in search of a gentle meander through fields or a spine-chilling adventure that sparks Halloween excitement. Tons of Boston-area farms offer hayrides, and we’ve rounded them up for you here. The best part? Most of these farms also offer other activities to entertain your family, like apple picking, corn mazes, and delicious cider doughnuts. Happy—or spooky—trails!

For more seasonal fun for Boston kids, explore our Fall Fun Guide.

All parents talk about their kids "climbing the walls"—but are yours truly climbing the walls, the trees, and random objects not meant to be climbed? Bring 'em somewhere that they can climb (safely!) as high as they like. Rock climbing is a full-body sport that builds strength, endurance, and stamina. It also challenges the mind as climbers make decisions, work out routes, and challenge themselves physically. And, as any kid who has been on a climbing wall at the park can tell you—it's just plain fun!

Most climbing gyms in the LA area offer birthday parties for kids, several offer summer camps, and all the ones listed below allow children to climb with an adult present. If your child really enjoys climbing, a youth team (many gyms offer non-competitive and competition teams) is the best way to get lots of practice and instruction. Of course, sometimes you just need to let them climb the walls for an afternoon. And here's where you can take them.

It might just be every child’s dream to sleep in a tree house, and honestly, it sounds downright magical to us as parents, too. Besides, after the year we all just had, couldn't we all use a little getaway to the woods?

We found a dozen tree house rentals to help make those dreams of sleeping in the trees come true! From Maine to California, consider these kid-friendly tree house rentals for your next family vacation.

Where can you gaze into the eyes of Siberian tigers, watch the antics of a red panda or the graceful dance of a colorful peacock, admire the perfect stillness of a sloth or trace the movements of turtles, or be wowed by the size of a bison - all in one day? At Beardsley Zoo, of course. Listed at the top of our 120 Things to Do With Kids in Connecticut, our state's only zoological park has been harboring endangered species, promoting conservation, and delighting visitors of all ages for nearly 100 years. 

Old MacDonald might have his own song, but he could never compete with these farms near Philly that feature plenty of family-oriented entertainment right alongside the tractors and bales of hay.

The fall is an ideal time to visit these kid-friendly farms in the Philadelphia area. Visits with the animals are a must, and who doesn't love a sweet treat from the farm market to end the day? All of that and much more awaits families at these 10 farms — big on activities for parents and kids alike.

Read on to see at which places you’ll want to spend the entire day with your family.

If you've got an aspiring actor on your hands, there are plenty of great acting classes for kids in New Jersey. These local spots offer lessons to help your star-in-the-making shine whether they're a newbie, aspiring professional, or somewhere in between. And, if your child’s schedule is already booked through the school year, don’t fret—most of these spots offer summer acting camps, too.

For more enrichment opportunities, check out our guide to Classes and Activities in New Jersey for kids.

LA is having an immersive moment, and it's one of the few things we can thank the pandemic for: inspiring the proliferation of these amazing, touch-free, large-scale productions. They're popping up everywhere—in fact, there are two Van Gogh exhibits near LA—and these immersive art experiences will take you from the heart of Vatican City to the art on the street. Walking into one of these larger-than-life pop-up shows is like diving into an artist's palette (and mind!). Traditional museums around Southern California are a wonderful destination for you and your little art lovers, but don't miss a chance to visit at least one of these current or upcoming immersive shows, which are great for kids of all ages and a true treat for art-starved adults!

Read on for the scoop of when these art experiences are popping up, what each entails, and which ones are best to visit with kids.