Quirky New Jersey Museums and Attractions for Kids

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Step into the world of Grimm's fairy tales at Fairy Tale Forest in Oak Ridge, NJ. Photo courtesy of Fairy Tale Forest

New Jersey has some weird, wonderful, and unique attractions for when you feel like exploring someplace new and different with the kids. The attractions we've curated below give kids a fascinating look into a world of fairy tales, insects, surfing, trains, and more.

If you're ready to wander off the beaten path, here are 15 unique museums and quirky spots that have all the makings of a memorable family outing. Find more ideas for a great day out in our Guide to Museums and Art for New Jersey Kids. 

Columbus Day Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

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The Pine Island Pumpkinfest, where you can decorate a pumpkin for Halloween, is a Columbus Day tradition. Photo courtesy of the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley over the long Columbus Day weekend? We've got tons of family-friendly events to add to your list.

Whether you call the holiday Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day, we're celebrating the day off on Monday, October 14, 2024, with tons of fun things to do. Special events held only on Monday include Kids' Day at Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion and Pine Island's Pumpkinfest. 

Families can enjoy the festivities all weekend, including Monday, at Wappingers' Carni "Fall" and Legoland New York's Monster Party. In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, learn about some of the original inhabitants of the Westchester area at a Lenape Indigenous Peoples' Day presentation at the historic St. Paul's Church.  

Where to Go Indoor Trick or Treating in Chicago

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Spider-Man in action. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

There's a reason there are plenty of indoor trick-or-treating spots in Chicago: The weather doesn't always cooperate, and that's just an accepted fact of life in our fair city. So when snow, slush, thunderstorms, or even worse weather threaten Halloween, trick-or-treaters will always have lots of indoor trick-or-treating options to turn to. (Hey, this isn't our first rodeo.) Those of us who fondly remember walking through snowy neighborhoods with our Halloween costumes stuffed inside our winter coats are welcome to brave the elements on Halloween night. But when the weather turns really nasty, it can be safer—and more enjoyable—to take the fun inside.

The Chicago Park District hosts Halloween events indoors at community centers around the city. Plus, many malls throughout the Chicago area host indoor trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Check your local mall's website or social media pages to find out if yours hosts Halloween trick-or-treating, and in the meantime, watch this space for a growing list of options for rainy, snowy, or otherwise monstrous Halloween nights in Chicago.

A Lite-Brite Experience Is Coming To Los Angeles

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Step into Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder. Photos courtesy of Fever Productions.

Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder will illuminate the way to nostalgia with an immersive experience at Santa Monica Place. Parents can relive joyful memories of a classic childhood toy, while kids can get introduced to the colorful Lite-Brite world. 

The Lite-Brite experience will captivate with hypnotic color and technology. Step into a futuristic iteration of the simplistic toy beloved for generations. It should be no surprise that thousands of colorful lights will be part of the experience. 

For more new interactive experiences in Los Angeles, dig into slime at Sloomoo Institute and visit Dino Valley at Legoland to relive prehistoric times.

Spend the Night at the Museum: 5 Museums and Zoos that Host Sleepovers in Philly

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Elmwood Park Zoo's Zoo Snooze is an outdoor overnight adventures feature a campfire and giraffe feeding. Photo by Apiary Photography

Every Philly family should have a bucket list of things to do with the kids in Philadelphia. Make sure that list includes some nighttime activities, maybe spending a "night at the museum," sleeping by a shark tank, or camping out at the zoo. Philadelphia is home to several museums and cultural institutions that host fun overnights. Some of these events are geared towards families, while others are great outings for scout troops or other large groups. Many can sell out ahead of time, so be sure to make reservations well in advance.

Looking for more things to check off your bucket list? Don't miss our roundup of 100 Things To Do with Philly Kids Before They Grow Up.

Best Manhattan Birthday Party Places for Preschoolers

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Preschoolers can party the day away at locations around Manhattan,

When it comes to finding the best birthday party places in Manhattan for preschoolers, parents of the under-5 crowd know that the little ones seem to have boundless energy. Fear not: These preschool party spots can keep them engaged and keep the fun coming.

We've rounded up the best Manhattan birthday party places for your preschooler's next party below and have even more options for NYC birthday party places in our NYC Kids Guide to Birthday Parties and Directory, including these indoor birthday party destinations with mega playgrounds.

Honor Indigenous Peoples Day 2024 with Your Kids

Submitted by Meghan Rose on

From books to food to land recognitions, discover the best ways to honor Indigenous Peoples Day 2024 with kids.

In the fall, we can celebrate Public Lands Day (September 28), Indigenous Peoples Day (the second Monday in October), and Thanksgiving. They’re all opportunities to honor the rich history and cultures of Native communities. 

Where I live, it’s become commonplace to open theater or music performances with a land acknowledgment, recognizing and honoring the Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the land. I love this practice, and have brought it into our home for our own celebrations.

Read on to discover how to research which Indigenous peoples originally inhabited the land where you live, when and why Columbus Day became Indigenous Peoples Day, and other ways to honor Indigenous Peoples Day 2024 with kids.

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