Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns Opens on Long Island

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Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is back and bigger than ever on Long Island.

Woosh went the wind, out went the lights, and Rise of the Jack O'Laterns returned to our sights. After a 2-year hiatus, the must-see Halloween event is back. With the world's largest pumpkin trail and more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins, our family couldn't wait to experience the spooktacular event again. Here is everything you need to know about Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns and some pro tips for your visit. 

Our Long Island Halloween Guide has tons more ideas for Halloween activities, and you can find more seasonal events in our Fall Fun Guide for Long Island. 

Musical Theater Classes in NYC Where Kids Can Sing, Dance, and Act

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on

Harlem School of the Arts has been providing musical theater classes and more arts education in the storied neighborhood since 1964. Photo courtesy of Harlem School of the Arts

Many of our New York City kids grow up on musical theater. It is, after all, right here in our backyard. Inevitably once they're introduced to the magic of seeing a Broadway show, some of them are going to want to move out of the audience and onto the stage, which is where these musical theater classes in NYC come in handy. Luckily, we live in a place where there are as many ways to be in a show as there are to see a show.

The camaraderie of a troupe of performers can equal the team experience of sports—and then, of course, there are those kids who were just born to be center stage. They gotta sing. They gotta dance. They gotta emote. Help them hone their craft with one of our favorite musical theater classes in NYC.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from dance classes in NYC to music classes for babies, check out our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

Haunted Houses, Horror Nights, and Scary Farms for Los Angeles Teens Who Like a Good Scare

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The entrance to Midnight Falls at the world-famous Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. Photo courtesy of the Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group

Did someone say Haunted House? What goes on at theme parks in Los Angeles for Halloween is nothing like the wholesome thrill of a Tigger-clad child ringing doorbells for candy. It may seem like Los Angeles celebrates a night that's all about children with an awful lot of entertainment that is clearly not for children, but these frightful haunts, houses, and hayrides keep the Halloween fun going for older kids and teens. How to know which haunts are best for which ages? We've braved a few of them to share our reviews of just how scary is scary.

Looking for something not quite so scary, and a good deal cheaper? Check out the coolest free haunted houses and Halloween decorations in Los Angeles. And for perfectly tame Halloween activities for younger kids, we rounded up the best not-so-scary Halloween events for Los Angeles preschoolers. You'll find all this spooky fun, and more, in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

Legoland Florida’s Brick-or-Treat: Building Halloween Fun Brick by Brick

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Pose with a favorite Lego character or a Lego zombie cheerleader!

Legoland Florida was built for kids, so there’s no question that Legoland’s Brick-or-Treat is an ideal fall outing for families. This year’s Brick-or-Treat theme is Monster Party, and plenty of Lego monsters are on site to party with guests! I visited the theme park with my 4-year-old and 9-year-old, and we all had a great time. Guests can trick-or-treat through the park, enjoy special themed shows and activities, partake in a costume parade, and more. The best part? All activities are included with regular park admission, so no separate ticket is needed!

For more Halloween fun around Central Florida, check out our  Mommy Poppins Orlando Halloween Guide.

Fun Halloween Trunk-or-Treat Events Near Atlanta in 2022

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Families unleash their creative sides at the Northbrook UMC Trunk-or-Treat event. Photo courtesy of Northbrook UMC

All October long, kids look foward to trick-or-treating on Halloween. But why wait until the last day of October? Families can visit several trunk-or-treat events happening all over Atlanta, starting mid-October and lasting through Halloween night. These Atlanta Halloween events offer a controlled environment where participating families and businesses decorate car trunks with a festive Halloween theme, then allow young kids to safely trick-or-treat at each car trunk and fill up their candy bags. Get it now? TRUNK-or-treat! 

While searching for the best trunk-or-treats near Atlanta, we found many are hosted by local municipalities and churches, where everyone is invited. A trunk-or-treat also gives parents more bang for their buck so they get more wears out of Halloween costumes. Speaking of bang for your buck, most of these events are free to attend!

Haunted Houses and Hayrides near Philly for Kids: From Simply Spooky to Super Scary

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Take a hayride through the woods at Shady Brook Farm's Eerie Illuminations. Photo courtesy of the farms

Easily spooked or barely fazed, we all have our own personal threshold when it comes to Halloween fright. Everything from friendly ghosts to outright gore await visitors at these local haunted house stops, from scary staples like Eastern State Penitentiary to new haunts on the block like Lincoln Mill Haunted House. Be sure to read descriptions on facility websites to see if a stop is right for your family. 

Kids need more treats than super scary tricks? Visit our Guide to Halloween in Philly to find something for everyone or browse our top 50 Halloween events in Philly for more ways to get some mileage out of those costumes.

Top Free October Events in Boston: Free Halloween Events and More!

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The Best free activities in Boston this October will make you dance in the streets! Honk! photo by Captive Moment

Looking for the top free October events in Boston? Halloween brings plenty of family activitiess to Boston and New England. Parents can save their money for candy because (woo-hoo!) a lot of October's best events also happen to be free. Here are our picks for seasonal fun that won't break the bank.

For more October activities, see our Halloween Fun Guide for Boston Kids. It has everything from Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O'-Lantern Displays to 30 Best Kids' Halloween Movies. And check out our Events Calendar for all the best family activities (and fun free events) in Boston every month.

Las Vegas, Nevada: 50 Awesome Things To Do in Vegas with Kids

Submitted by Jackie Jones on

Take a spin around the lazy river at Mandalay Bay.

"Kid-friendly" is probably not the first word that comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but America's playground for adults is increasingly becoming a popular family vacation destination. While there are plenty of casinos and other grown-up activities on the Strip, there are also many fun things to do in Vegas with kids, including parks, museums, shows, and memorable restaurants. Many Las Vegas hotels also offer amenities specifically geared for children.

My kids and I had a blast on a recent trip to Sin City, and my youngest is already asking when we can go back. Here are 50 of the best things to do in Vegas with kids, including delicious restaurants and kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas. You'll see why Las Vegas made our list of the 30 best warm and sunny family vacation ideas! Check out our Family Travel Guide for more great options for your family's next trip.

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