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Top Haunted Houses and Halloween Events for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 1:00pm

Think you can handle the Creepy Morgue at Playland or survive the Haunt at Rocky Ledge? Whether you’re local or a daytripper, Westchester is a hot spot of exciting and fun (and terrifying!) Halloween happenings for children. We've collected some of the best frights, a couple ideas better suited for the younger ghouls, and a few fun parades in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Keep in mind that the listed age minimums are suggested by the event producers. You know your kid best—what’s no big deal to one grade-schooler could cause nightmares for weeks to another.

Ultimate Halloween Guide for NYC Kids: Parades, Costumes, Parties

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 12:40pm

For New York City kids, Halloween is much more than just trick-or-treating on October 31. The entire month is filled with a terrifying number of costume parades, pumpkin festivals, and plenty of FREE Halloween happenings leading up to the big night of trick-or-treating. You think getting your kid to choose a costume is hard? Trying to figure out which NYC Halloween celebrations to hit is enough to make you run screaming into the night, which is why we've rounded up the absolute best ways to get into the spirit of the season.

You'll find top picks for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, and several fun family day trips to the nearby Hudson Valley and New Jersey. As always, we included only our favorite events, and many are FREE or inexpensive. To make sure your fam is truly prepared, we've also included info on where to get children's costumes and professional makeup done in NYC. Booyah!

Best Fall Corn Mazes Near Philly for Hayrides, Pumpkins, and More

Submitted by Lori McManus on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 12:23pm

As cool crisp nights begin to make outdoor excursions more bearable, fun fall-themed activities for families to enjoy seem to pop up all over. You can choose traditional favorites such as apple picking, pumpkin picking, or enjoying the fall colors or go on an adventure, exploring a corn maze as a family.

The corn maze is a Pennsylvania tradition—quite literally. The first corn maze as we know it today was built in our state in 1993, and 25 years later, the Keystone State boasts some truly impressive mazes. The largest occupies twenty five acres, and many of them feature special themes, games, and activities. The sheer variety of these mazes offers something for kids of all ages, and some farms even offer nighttime hours, where kids can work their way through the darkened maze with flashlights. Some mazes even offer thrills and chills for the truly adventurous. All told, there is something for everyone.

Best Science Museums for Kids in New Jersey and Beyond

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 11:40am

With STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) at the forefront of most school curriculums, it makes sense to get kids engaged and excited about these subjects from an early age. Fortunately, the Garden State is home to many museums and science centers where fun and learning collide.

From mind-blowing minerals to awe-inspiring archeology and astronomy exhibits, with plenty of hands-on learning opportunities for all ages, these destinations are as entertaining as they are educational. Read on for a dozen of our favorite spots in and near NJ.

Kids Free October in San Diego: Deals at the Zoo, Legoland, Seaworld, and More

Submitted by Dana Zepeda on Sat, 09/22/2018 - 1:21pm

The lazy days of summer may be over, but that's no reason to trade adventurous family outings for a never-ending cycle of school drop-offs, pick-ups, and algebra homework. Instead, pack up and head for San Diego during San Diego Tourism Authority's annual Kids Free promotion.

The citywide campaign kicks off October 1, enticing families to visit San Diego's big-ticket attractions like Legoland, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wildlife Park, and Seaworld. Children can eat, stay, and play for free at more than 100 participating hotels, restaurants, museums, and parks until October 31.

We've selected 10 offers that we think are particularly good deals; put two or three together, and you've definitely got savings worth traveling for. Scroll down for a link to all 100+ free opportunities for kids in October.

Campgrounds Near Houston to Make Your Family Fall in Love With Nature

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 10:40pm

My family is a camping family. We also are a family that loves to book our weekends full of things to do, whether that's taking advantage of activities around Houston or traveling elsewhere. Camping started as something fun and cheap (emphasis on the cheap) to do in college with my then-boyfriend and current husband, and it slowly morphed into our preferred way to get out of town and see various parts of the city as the years passed. As our family has grown, we've gone from tent camping to trailer camping and tried out everything else possible in between.

Best Petting Zoos around LA Where Kids Can Get Their Animal Fix

Submitted by Mike Anderson on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 10:16pm

Kids of all ages love animals, from babies barely aware that the cow goes "moo" to older kids who can somehow spit out the full Latin name of a rare South American pig most adults don't know exists. So it's very special when children get the opportunity to go beyond the classic zoo to meet critters in closer quarters, and even get their hands on them (gently, of course).

Pumpkin Patches in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Tania Pesce on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 5:00pm

The farm fields are brimming with bright orange pumpkins just waiting to be picked and painted, carved, or baked into scrumptious desserts. Pumpkin picking is one of the most beloved fall activities and there is no shortage of patches in the greater Hartford area. Head out on a crisp autumn day and find just the right pumpkin to decorate with your child. Don't forget to roast and enjoy the seeds! For even more fall fun, check out our CT Fall Fun and Halloween Guide.

Pumpkin Patches Near NYC Where Kids Can Pick Their Own

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 1:40pm

We can't fight it anymore: The Halloween season is upon us! And what's Halloween without the perfect pumpkin? Sure, you can grab one from the local farmers' market, grocery store, or one of the few pumpkin patches right here in New York City. But for a more immersive experience, head to the country to pick your own pumpkin this fall. Many of these farms and orchards offer additional activities for kids, including hayrides, bouncy houses, corn mazes, and apple picking, so you can expand your hunt into a family day trip.

Like our recent profile of nearby pick-your-own-apple orchards, these 12 pumpkin patches are all about an hour from Midtown Manhattan by car. We even found a few reachable via public transportation.

Top Pumpkin Patches and Picking for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 11:30am

Nothing says fall (or Halloween) quite like a pumpkin. When these festive gourds start appearing on front stoops and in windows across New Jersey, you know autumn really has arrived. This year, skip the grocery store pumpkins and take a day trip to one of NJ's excellent pumpkin patches, where you're sure to run into more fall fun, including barnyard animals, hay and corn mazes, and even the season's other favorite fruit: apples.

Red on for more than a dozen spots where you'll be sure to find the perfect pumpkin.

Closer to the New York border? Check out these Westchester and Hudson Valley pumpkin patches. If you're in south Jersey or headed for a Bucks County getaway this fall, our Philadelphia site has the scoop on Pennsylvania pumpkin patches.