NJ's Most Amazing Jack-o'-Lantern Displays and Pumpkin Festivals

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Enjoy dozens of pumpkin- and fall-themed activities at the Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Kick off the festive fall season at one of the many wonderful pumpkin-themed events and festivals happening around New Jersey, from elaborate jack-o'-lantern displays and carving competitions to good old-fashioned pumpkin picking at local farms. There's also plenty of fun to be had at pumpkin decorating events. 

Read on for our top picks, plus a couple of bonus events worth a drive across state lines. You can find our guide to pumpkin picking in New Jersey and even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Haunted Houses and Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Walks for NYC Kids

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The Queens County Farm Museum's Haunted Farm House is full of winding paths and sudden surprises.

When it comes to Halloween thrills with kids, a tricked-out haunted house or slightly spooky Halloween walk just might be the right kind of boo for you. Haunted houses have long been popular suburban Halloween staples, and we've got the scoop on Long Island haunted houses and Westchester's top spooky attractions. For city kids, haunted houses in NYC are more limited. The most spooky picks, like Blood Manor, are definitely grown-ups only. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City offering gentler Halloween chills for families.

Read on for the scoop on kid-friendly haunted houses in NYC, plus Halloween walks with more gentle thrills—and heed the age warnings. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers. We've got the scoop on NYC's top Halloween events and plenty more spooky fun in our New York City Kids' Halloween Fun Guide.

32 Best Things To Do with Kids on Catalina Island

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There are tons of Catalina adventures on the water. Photo courtesy of Catalina Tours

Catalina Island offers a quick getaway that will make you second guess if you left California and somehow found yourself on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Easily done in a day trip or longer if your family prefers, Catalina Island is reachable by an hour-long boat ride (or slightly longer, depending on the port you depart) from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. 

There are endless activities for kids on Catalina Island, from glass-bottom boat tours to bison expeditions and just playing in the sand at the beach. Plenty of entertainment and activities will keep little ones and grown-ups happy for a day or a weekend trip on Catalina Island. 

When departing from Long Beach, check out these things to do in Long Beach with kids. If islands are your thing, drive up the coast to explore Channel Islands National Park with the family, and plan your next adventure with our Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for Los Angeles Families. 

Best Family Resorts That Will Sell Out for the Holidays - So, Book Now!

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Create cherished holiday memories at the Hotel del Coronado. Photo courtesy of the hotel

As the saying goes, there's no place like home for the holidays. But we say home is wherever your family is. And if your family is looking to get away this holiday season, book your trip now—some of the best family resorts are booking up quickly!

We've rounded up a dozen great family resorts to spend the holidays at with the whole gang. Some of these family resorts go above and beyond with holiday decorations and activities, making your family feel like they're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Others are near destinations that do it up for the holidays, including Disneyland and Disney World.

Prefer to spend the holidays in paradise? We've also included some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts and other hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. These family resorts, along with others on our list of warm and sunny family vacation spots, provide a welcome respite from Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

See our Family Resorts and Hotels Guide for more great places to spend the holidays with your family.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Toddler Events in Boston

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Greater Boston's zoos are a hit with preschoolers for some not-so-scary Halloween fun! Photo courtesy of the Franklin Park Zoo

Looking for some not-so-scary Halloween events in Boston for toddlers and preschoolers? For little kids, Halloween is usually more about the treats than the tricks. The excitement is in getting dressed up for a costume parade, making decorations, and hitting the trick-or-treat trail with a pillowcase or pumpkin bucket in hand.

For fun, not-so-scary Halloween happenings in and around Boston this month, read on. We've rounded up some of 2023's best Halloween activities for families with young children. While older brothers and sisters may want to be spooked (or even scared silly), these activities are for kids and families who just want the Halloween festivities to be sweet.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Toddler Events in Connecticut

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Raise your hand if you want some not-so-spooky Halloween fun in Connecticut this year! Photo courtesy of the Hill-Stead Museum

If your kids are young, you prefer not-so-scary Halloween activities and events during spooky season. Connecticut loves its toddlers and preschoolers, so many places offer events that are high in fun, but low in fright. That way, the little princesses, pirates and superheroes can still dress up, collect some candy, and have Halloween fun. We've pulled together all the Connecticut activities that will entertain small kids without the scares!

Be sure to check out our Connecticut Halloween Guide for 2023. It's filled with our insider tips to a fun and safe Halloween. Our guide to the Best Places to Trick-or-Treat in Connecticut will help maximize fun—and your candy haul! And see our post on Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas for some family craft time this Halloween.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in NYC for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Start your trick-or-treating off right at BAM's free Halloween party, BAMboo! Photo courtesy of BAM

Halloween can be magical, with over-the-top decorations and plenty of family-friendly Halloween events in NYC, but little revelers are often overwhelmed by its trappings. With that in mind, we've tracked down a bunch of Halloween activities that are perfect for preschoolers and deliver just the right amount of "treats" for the pint-sized crowd, including our very own FREE Mommy Poppins Halloween bash.

Enjoy these gentle Halloween events for the under 5 set while you can—your kids will be celebrating at the Village Halloween Parade before you know it. You can find more festive happenings for all age groups in our New York City Kids Halloween Guide, and our Family Activity Calendar, which is continually updated with new, fun events as we learn about them.

Elmhurst with Kids: The Best Things to Do in Elmhurst, Illinois

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Butterfield Park is one of several great outdoor spots in Elmhurst. Photo courtesy of the Elmhurst Park District

Nestled 25 miles from downtown Chicago is the quaint and vibrant town of Elmhurst, Illinois. If you’re looking for a new train town to explore, Elmhurst is a quick ride from the city and many of the main attractions are walkable. Make a day or a weekend out of exploring all Elmhurst has to offer for families. Between kid-friendly museums, state-of-the-art playgrounds, and family-friendly breweries, there is something for kids and adults to enjoy in Elmhurst.

Check out our Visitors Guide for more neighborhoods to explore near Chicago.

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