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Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US and Caribbean for Families

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 1:07pm

An all-inclusive resort, or one with extra levels of service and amenities, is almost always a boon to parents traveling with their kids. All-inclusive hotels relieve some of the pressure to entertain little ones, feed them, and even make it easier to decide what to do next during a family vacation.

We've rounded up some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, as well as here in the U.S. Of course, they don't always come cheap, so we've included a couple of more budget options, too. These soup-to-nuts getaways will please the most discerning pint-sized guests (and their paying adults).

Read on for family-friendly resorts that make vacations easy, so you can kick back, relax and just enjoy.

13 Places to Host a First Birthday Party in Houston

Submitted by Ashley Jones on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 12:52am

Congratulations! You've almost survived an entire year of keeping a tiny human alive and now, it's time to plan a celebration to mark the occasion. First birthday parties come in all shapes and sizes and often involve guests of all ages including parents, siblings, friends from daycare, and more. Choosing the theme, decor, food, and location for a first birthday party can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. We've rounded up a list of Houston area venues that provide age-appropriate activities for your birthday boy or girl to help you plan a fun, festive first birthday celebration. And for more ideas, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Houston families.

Best Pumpkin Patches for LA, Ventura, & Orange County Pumpkin Picking

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 4:05pm

Ready to talk pumpkin patch? Yes, the time has come to surrender to the Great Pumpkin—who is, frankly, spoiled for choice around the Southland in Halloween season. We would never presume to call one pumpkin patch more sincere than the others, but LA’s pumpkin patches (and pseudo pumpkin patches) run a satisfying gamut from small to large, folksy to commercial. Whether you're hoping for a hit-and-run Halloween photo or a day's outing in autumnal reverie, your pumpkin picking destination is below...

NYC's Only Corn Maze and More Fall Fun at the Queens Farm Museum

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 3:00pm

There aren't many better ways to get the family excited for the fall in NYC than taking the kids for a tour through a three-acre corn maze in the middle of Queens and letting their imaginations run wild. The Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze opens for the season September 21, and it's just one of the quintessential fall activities happening at this New York City institution.

The Amazing Maize Maze is the only corn maze in the city. My family and I have conquered lots of these mazes and can happily say that the one at the Queens County Farm Museum is just as much fun as its country counterparts. We made it through in just about one hour—even with a pair of 8-year-olds leading the way. That left us plenty of time to enjoy other farm fun. We've got some tips for how to make the most of your visit to the farm and the corn maze. But no, we aren't giving you the route. You'll still need to figure that out yourself!

New Halloween Show "The Sleepy Hollow Experience" Rides Into the Rivertowns

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 12:15pm

Sleepy Hollow is the place to be during Halloween season, with a slew of large-scale holiday attractions throughout the surrounding area. From walk-through fright fests to cemetery tours and more, the village made famous by Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman piles on the spook. This year, a new attraction is coming to town: The Sleepy Hollow Experience, an immersive theatrical production presented by the producers of the renowned Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze.

Shows are selling out quickly, with limited tickets available. Read on for the skinny on The Sleepy Hollow Experience, and be sure to sign up for our FREE newsletters and follow us on Facebook to stay in the know about Halloween and other happenings throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley!

Halloween and Fall Train Rides for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 11:34am

Halloween and hayrides go hand in hand, but if you really want to up your game this year, take a trip on a Halloween train! From spooky to scenic, these fall train rides offer a unique bit of fall fun for the whole family: passengers can take a seat in a vintage caboose, travel through gorgeous fall foliage, visit a pumpkin patch, and even trick-or-treat onboard. After the ride, round out the day with autumn activities like corn mazes, crafts, and a costume party.

Don't miss out on one of these four seasonal NJ railway adventures—plus one across the Delaware in Pennsylvania.

Check out our NJ Fall Fun Guide for even more seasonal family fun around the state, and sign up for our FREE newsletters to get the latest Halloween coverage and more delivered right to your inbox.

Hayrides Near Boston: Harvest or Halloween Fun

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 10:30am

Hayrides are an 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!

Best Hayrides Across Connecticut for Kids and Families

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 10:00am

Like apple picking and pumpkin hunting, hayrides are a seasonal ritual for many Connecticut families and one of our favorite fall things to do. The state's many farms that offer hayrides or wagon rides usually offer other fun activities, like corn mazes and cider making. For more ideas on how to enjoy autumn splendor in southern New England, check out the Mommy Poppins Fall Fun Guide.

13 Birthday Party Venues for Philly Tweens

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 9:00am

You've made it! You have a decade or more of parenthood under your belt, and new and exciting challenges and learning experiences are on the horizon. Your little baby is a baby no more, but a tween! And that in-between age calls for something unique and fun that really celebrates the individual your child is and has become. Here are some of our top picks.

Jewish Museums in NYC: 6 Cultural Spots for Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 8:30am

One of the best aspects of growing up in NYC is that kids are exposed to lots of different cultures. In fact, it's not uncommon for children of all backgrounds to want to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, Purim and Lunar New Year—and perhaps even teach their parents how it's done.

Exploring various traditions at school and with friends is fun, but there are also many New York City institutions where you can learn about different cultures in more depth, from the Museum of Chinese in America to the Japan Society to the National Museum of the American Indian. As the Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, here are six great NYC spots where kids can learn about Jewish culture, traditions, and history.