Best Family-Friendly Restaurants near the American Museum of Natural History

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Round out your museum day with a kid-friendly meal at these family-friendly restaurants on the Upper West Side.

Starved after your visit to one of the top kid destinations on the Upper West Side? These family-friendly restaurants near the American Museum of Natural History are guaranteed kid-pleasers.

In addition to AMNH, kid-friendly attractions like the DiMenna Children's History Museum at the New-York Historical Society, and the Children's Museum of Manhattan mean few Manhattan neighborhoods scream kid-friendly quite like the Upper West Side, so the area's restaurants are overwhelmingly welcoming to families.

While you really can't go wrong anywhere, we've rounded up more than a dozen of the best spots to grab a quick bite or sit down for a full meal. For more family-friendly eateries, check out our NYC Kids Guide to Restaurants.

My Unpopular Opinion: Kids Shouldn’t Have Cell Phones

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on

How should parents navigate children’s exposure to technology?

Here is my unpopular opinion: kids shouldn’t have cell phones.

As much as a kids' cell phone might seem like the ultimate tool for staying connected, a growing body of research shows that a cell phone for kids—especially a smartphone—can have negative effects on brain development, mental health, academic performance, and more.

"But my kid NEEDS a cell phone to keep them safe." I strongly disagree! Read on to see why I think that...and how to solve these problems without a cell phone.

Save On Top-Rated New York City Outings and Experiences for Kids and Families

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Groupon's online marketplace offers tons of discounts on activities for kids and families.

Find tons of daily discounts on the top New York City kid activities and family experiences in Groupon’s online marketplace.

NYC is certainly a fun-filled city–but it’s an expensive one too! And we all know keeping costs down when you’ve got kids to keep busy is no easy feat.

If you’re looking for New York City activities and outings for the whole family that won’t break the bank, we’ve rounded up some of Groupon’s best deals on top-rated experiences. Take a look at these 4- and 5-star-rated deals that’ll help you save on everything from zoos to movie tickets to tours of iconic NYC landmarks.

Where to Play Pickleball, Tennis, and Other Paddle Sports in NYC

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During the summer CityPickle's outdoor courts transform Wollman Rink into a pickleball paradise. Photo by Jody Mercier

After the drama of the Summer Olympics and the thrill of the US Open, paddle sports are gaining in popularity. More people are picking up pickleball in NYC, plus other paddle sports, and enjoying their own fast-paced matches. If you're ready to dive into the action, check out the best places to play pickleball in NYC this season, plus some top picks for playing indoor tennis with kids in NYC. We've even got an entire list of the best tennis classes in NYC for kids to give you even more options to hit the courts with kids.

Best Baby Classes in Chicago: Mommy & Me, Baby Yoga, and More

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Wiggleworms! Photo by Dan Kasberger for the Old Town School of Folk Music

Chicago's baby and toddler classes give parents and little ones something enriching to do before preschool starts. Chicago parents can choose from dozens of mommy & me and parent & me classes for babies, from swimming lessons to yoga classes, dance classes, and outdoor activities. Many of these classes require parental involvement, but some have drop-off classes available as children get older. These classes provide great opportunities for the littlest of kids to learn lifelong skills.

Check our guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago for more kids' activities and programs.

Best Halloween Events in San Francisco for Kids and Families

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

All aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express, headed straight for Halloween fun. Photo by @thelizw, via the Sacramento River Train, Facebook

Halloween events in San Francisco are haunting all corners of the Bay Area and are springing up at a supernatural rate. There are terrifyingly terrific Halloween activities for kids of all ages, from trick-or-treating to pumpkin patches to Halloween train rides. 

Keep reading below for scary, good Halloween events in San Francisco. Halloween events continue to brew, so check our calendar of events for more haunts and happenings. 

For more spooky and festive fun, enjoy gourds galore at the best pumpkin patches near San Francisco and fall into the best harvest & pumpkin festivals in San Francisco. There are more not-so-frightening festivities to discover in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for San Francisco Kids.  

Best Halloween Events in Los Angeles for Kids and Families

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Treat yourself to an adorable Halloween. Photo courtesy of Kidspace Children's Museum

Halloween events are creeping up on us, bringing chills and thrills, bags full of sweets, and loads of Halloween events in Los Angeles—including Boos at Zoos, Halloween haunts, cemetery tours, and harvest festivals.

Among the Halloween events in Los Angeles we're looking forward to are Carved at Descanso, Boney Island at the Natural History Museum, Boo at the LA Zoo, and tons of Halloween movie screenings, including Hocus Pocus.

Some kids (and adults) like the spooks and scares while other kids prefer gentler Halloween activities, so in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles & Orange County Kids, you'll find our picks for not-so-scary events for preschoolers as well as scary Halloween haunts for big kids—plus free Halloween events in Los Angeles for kids, and much more.

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