Call me a crazy New Englander, but this time of year is what I live for. I love slipping on a pair of boots, some fleece, perhaps a scarf if there's a nip in the air, and loading up the family into our SUV, with a destination in mind...a local fair. Fair season ranks up there with premieres of favorite new television shows, the first snow of the year, or that first, warmish spring day when you can begin to taste summer. It's a rite of seasonal passage, spending too much money on fried dough and games you'll never win, riding the ferris wheel and stopping at the top with an unencumbered view of the entire midway and beyond. It's delightful. Eastern Connecticut has a many opportunities to savor the Fall season, so take advantage of as many as you can!

This fall brings with it some super fun outdoor festivals, pick-your-own farm fun, new interactive art, train rides, and more for the 5-and-under set! 

We've rounded up almost two dozen great events in New Jersey this fall (September through early November) that are perfect for preschool-age kids. Catch big names at preschool-friendly performances of Peppa Pig, Daniel Tiger, Shopkins, Disney On Ice, and Thomas & Friends at Liberty Science Center.

Or head outside with your little ones to enjoy the beautiful weather and colors at events like the Great Pumpkin Train ride, Terhune Orchards’ Fall Family Weekends, and Hefty Harvest and Scary Scarecrows at Camden Children’s Garden.

Read on for the full list of fun fall events for little ones in New jersey. Don't forget to check out our Fall Fun Guide and Event Calendar to find even more great things to do this season. 

Usher in the fall season in Westchester with a host of family autumn festivals. The area's harvest celebrations are packed with fun seasonal activities for kids, including pumpkin fun, hayrides, apple-cidering, doughnuts and more.

We've rounded up details on the best upcoming fall festivals in Westchester, several of which made our September GoList. Be sure to consult our guide to best places for apple picking, many of which include festival-like added attractions.

Looking for more family fun? Get the most out of the season with our newsletters and follow us on Facebook. 

When it comes time to choose a preschool for your NYC kid, especially the first child, the decision can seem daunting. What if you pick wrong and she hates it? What if you hate it? What if he won’t get the leg up you’re hoping for at this school? What if...what if...what if….?

At the time, it might even feel like the biggest parenting decision you’ve made to date, besides perhaps where to give birth or which pediatrician would care for your new baby. Seasoned parents, however, will tell you: It’ll be OK. 

Trust your gut—and it’ll be OK—and if it’s not, switch, or there’s always next year!

This post is currently being updated for 2018.

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year to enjoy the outdoors in the Delaware Valley. The temperature is cooler, skies are clear and the changing leaves create a spectacular backdrop to any event. Fortunately, there are so many opportunities to celebrate the season - whether it is attending a harvest festival in your community, or taking a drive to a farm or orchard. We have rounded up a list of some of the numerous events taking place this fall, including hayrides, pumpkin patches, scarecrow-building, live entertainment, and cider donuts! Keep checking our event calendar as well as our Fall Activity Guide, as we are continuously adding new events for fall!

Summer may be coming to an end, but the crisp weather of fall is a great time to get out and explore your local park in New York City. Even better, check out a new playground—and with the recent influx of capital dollars, all five boroughs are boasting freshly renovated play spots begging to be explored during your next outdoor adventure.

We've rounded up six completely revamped playgrounds that reopened during the past six months, plus another handful to be revealed before we ring in the new year. So grab those sneakers and get ready to explore one of these shiny new play spots. You can always find more of our favorite playgrounds in our NYC guide.

Whether you're looking for an alternative to traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, or you just want to have a little extra Halloween fun in the days leading up to the big event, the zoo just might be the place for you. Visiting with the animals is always an enjoyable way to spend a family day, but throw in some candy, costumes, and spooky activities, and you're bound to have a howling good time. 

In my house, we like to mark big occasions with a special little treat.  Last day of school? Let’s get a donut! First day of school? How about a milkshake? But, sometimes not just any old milkshake will do. Sometimes you need to go big. Sometimes it’s a REALLY big occasion that needs  you to go so big that your milkshake needs its own zip code. Connecticut has a rich variety of ice cream parlors (check out our favorites in New Haven, Fairfield, New London, and Hartford) and over-the-top food experiences from Insane Ice Cream to a Chocolate Trail.  The latest wave of Frankenfoods to sweep the Nutmeg State seems to be Freakshakes.