Topsfield Fair: 7 Tips for Family Fun at America's Oldest Fair

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on

The Topsfield Fair is one of our favorite fall traditions in Massachusetts, and since it's celebrating its 200th birthday this year, expect it to be bigger and better than ever. Running from September 28th through October 8th, this agricultural fair—which bills itself as America's oldest—has hundreds of vendors, rides, animals, shows, and special entertainment to see. But don’t worry: We share our tips for hitting all the highlights—and saving some bucks on tickets, too.

Best Halloween Parades and Spooky Kid Events in Fairfield County

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on

Halloween seems to get bigger and better every year--and I'm not just talking about the size of the candy bars. Back in the day, we were happy just to trick or treat in our neighborhood, but these days, you can start celebrating at the beginning of October and continue celebrating all month long! Even if you don't live for Halloween, we've got a lot of great ideas for ways to get out there and enjoy (both spooky and non-spooky) in our Connecticut Halloween and Fall Fun Guide.

Here in Fairfield County we have a huge variety of activities and events from Halloween parades to hayrides to pumpkin patches and more. We've collected some of our favorite Halloween happenings here, but don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletters and keep tabs on our event calendar so that you won't miss any Halloween fun!

50 Best Things to Do in Park Slope with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on

It's hard to beat Park Slope for a day of family fun. With its tree- and brownstone-lined streets, high-performing public schools, destination playgrounds, top restaurants, and a host of cultural and kids' activities—not to mention all the natural beauty and kid-friendly things to do in Prospect Park—Park Slope is one of the best family neighborhoods in NYC.

The Slope is a true community: Local shopkeepers know their regulars by name, neighbors sit and chat on their front stoops, and parents share info and swap baby items on the massive online board Park Slope Parents. For our purposes, we're defining Park Slope as stretching from Fourth Avenue to the eastern side of Prospect Park, and from Flatbush Avenue south to Prospect Avenue. Here are our top 50 things to do with kids in Park Slope, from culture to eating, shopping, and playing.

Top Indoor Birthday Party Places for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on

Hey, it isn't always park or pool party weather, but kids can still have a blast celebrating inside! And trust us: There is no shortage of places for Westchester kids to get their party on—whether the birthday boy or girl wants to jump on trampolines, scale a rock wall, bake cookies, do yoga, or race go-karts.

Here, we’ve put together a list with choices for a variety of ages (and invite lists)—from preschoolers to tweens and teens. Looking for even more options? Check out our full Party Planning Guide or head straight to our directory.

Awesome Party Places for NYC Kids

Jessica Laird's picture Submitted by Jessica Laird on

New York isn't exactly a cookie-cutter city, so it may not come as a surprise that there are kids' party places for just about every interest under the sun. Sports fanatics can invite guests to hit an indoor ice skating rink or a high-tech golf driving range, while little athletes can celebrate with trampolines and obstacle courses in state-of-the-art gyms. Imaginative birthday boys and girls can mark the day with a fairytale-inspired fantasy ballet party, while tech lovers can throw LEGO- or Minecraft-themed bashes. There are even animal encounters for underwater enthusiasts and mobile pizza parlors for fun-loving foodies.

If you're on the hunt for a venue for your own one-of-a-kind kid, take a look at these awesome spots with packages for tots, tweens, and teens (plus, plenty of help from experienced party pros). For even more ideas, take a look at the New York City Party Guide, or browse our directory for party places, entertainers, and even party supplies.

Indoor Play Spaces for Babies and Toddlers in Delaware County

Submitted by Lori McManus on

When you are the parent of a toddler, you know there is only so much time you can spend in the house making crafts and enjoying at-home play. A little socialization and a change of environment can do wonders for a cranky preschooler (and mom or dad)!

Hitting your local library for storytimes, guest performances and craft days is always recommended. However, sometimes toddlers just need to run around like, well, kids, and not worry about using their inside voices. If it's too cold or rainy to head to the playground, our list of indoor drop-in play spaces in Delaware County is here to save the day.

Be sure to also check out our roundups of indoor play spots for little ones in Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia.

Where Kids Eat Free: 20 Restaurants that Treat Los Angeles Families Right

Roberta B's picture Submitted by Roberta B on

Ah, those three little words: kids eat free. Even if we suspect that a box of mac and cheese and a couple of chicken fingers have lured us into buying a $10 margarita, we don't regret the margarita for a moment if the kids ate free.

We’ve put together a list of restaurants throughout the Los Angeles area that offer free kids' meals at least one night a week (and up to four!). The restaurants vary from local joints to national chains, from the Valleys to the beaches, from Italian to Hawaiian, and from seafood to steakhouses—enough to satisfy picky and non-picky eaters.

Also check out our lists of birthday freebies with free meals for kids (and adults!), and, of course, kid-friendly happy hours on the Westside, in Silver Lake and Los Feliz, and in Orange County.

Family-Friendly Beer Gardens and Breweries on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on

Sometimes, even the most dedicated parents need a break. Craft beer has become increasingly popular in the past decade, prompting a surge in the opening of local breweries, gastropubs and restaurants. These family-friendly breweries and restaurants are a great compromise. Parents can wind down without having to find a babysitter, and kids can have fun in an exciting, new atmosphere. 

At these charming establishments, parents can enjoy a regular beer offering or a seasonal specialty. If wine is your drink of choice, however, don't miss our guide to kid-friendly wineries on the East End.

16 Boston-Area Beer Gardens and Oktoberfests that are Fun for Families

Elyse Andrews's picture Submitted by Elyse Andrews on

Boston has seen an absolute boom in beer gardens (or biergartens) in the last few years, and luckily for anyone with kids, many are welcoming to families. If you like to sip a craft brew outside, these are the places to go with little ones in tow: Many have live music, lawn games, and great views. From the heart of the city to several of the suburbs and mountain resorts nearby, there’s likely a beer garden near you that's open from summer through fall or just in celebration of Oktoberfest. Sip—and play!

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