31 Fall Day Trips from Los Angeles—Plus Weekend Getaways

Photo courtesy of Underwood Family Farms

Fall day trips with kids from Los Angeles make for fun, seasonal adventures. Or, if you have time, to get out of town for the whole weekend. Although Los Angeles is known as a city without seasons, we all know that is not exactly true. Favorite fall activities are easily within a day's drive, from apple picking to fall foliage, alpine lakes, and national parks. 

The next time you have a day with no plans, hop in the car for one of these fall day trips from Los Angeles. Pack a bag, as you might want to stay longer and turn it into a long weekend away.

Check off all the fall fun in our LA fall bucket list for kids and discover more road trips from Los Angeles for a weekend family getaway. Plus, get inspired for additional local adventures in our Weekend Getaway and Day Trip Guide for Los Angeles Families

Why Online Public School Is a Great Alternative to In-Person Learning or Homeschooling

At PA Cyber's tuition-free online school, students can pretty much learn from anywhere.

PA Cyber is a tuition-free, accredited public cyber school that offers K-12 students across Pennsylvania a personalized education and other benefits.

Finding the right school for your kiddo is all about fit. And whether traditional in-person programs just don’t meet your family’s needs or you're looking for more structure than homeschooling, an accredited public cyber school could be the path you didn’t even know you were looking for.

While Pennsylvania families can choose from a handful of online K-12 programs across the state, PA Cyber is one of the largest, most experienced remote public schools in the entire nation. Here’s why this tuition-free cyber charter school is a real standout for families–plus find out how to apply.

Save On Top-Rated Houston Outings and Experiences for Kids and Families

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

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

Keeping costs down when you’ve got kids to keep busy is no easy feat. So, if you’re looking for fun Houston area 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 must-visit museums to bowling to trampoline parks.

Best Pumpkin Patches and Harvest Festivals Right in NYC

Governors Island’s annual pumpkin patch, Pumpkin Point, returns with thousands of pumpkins and fall-themed decorations arranged across the island’s historic Nolan Park. Photo by Janet Bloom

If you think harvest festivals are the stuff of far-flung farmland, we're here to tell you that you don't have to leave NYC for an authentic harvest experience. NYC is jam-packed with fall activities, including pumpkin patches, hayrides, and even our very own corn maze. So, grab the kids and get primed for fall fun, no car rental necessary.

Of course, if you're looking for a more traditional pumpkin-picking experience, be sure to check out our favorite pumpkin patches near NYC. You can find more seasonal picks in our Guide to Fall Activities in NYC, including our favorite fall festivals in NYC and the best Oktoberfest celebrations for families.

Toast Oktoberfest in NYC at these Family-Friendly Celebrations

Stone Street goes all out with its decorations in honor of Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of the event

Line up your lederhosen, it's time to celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC. We've found Oktoberfest celebrations in all five boroughs. Choose from playing giant games and eating oversized pretzels at Watermark, or riding The Standard's Ferris wheel, and then work off all those carbs during Hike-toberfest in Van Cortlandt Park!

For even more seasonal celebrations, check out our list of the best beer gardens for kids and families in NYC.

Chore Charts for Kids: Age-by-Age Lists

Kids of all ages can pitch in on family chores, and chore charts can help keep them motivated and organized.

Want your kids to help more around the house? A chore chart may be just the ticket! Research shows that engaging in chores can offer significant psychological and emotional benefits, and that children as young as 2 or 3 can handle simple tasks. A chore chart for kids helps them remember what tasks they need to do and gives them a sense of accomplishment as they check off each one (or place a sticker next to it).

Of course, little kids and big kids differ in what chores they can handle and what motivates them to help. We've tapped experts and veteran parents to make these age-by-age chore lists with developmentally appropriate jobs for toddlers to teenagers.

If your big kid's chore chart includes help with meals, check out our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.

20 Best Corn Mazes in New Jersey for Fall Family Fun

Get lost in the maze at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm. Photo by the author

Ready … set … it's time to get lost in a New Jersey corn maze! The Garden State is home to many spectacular corn mazes, ranging from massive,10-acre labyrinths to simple, child-friendly courses with fun attractions just right for toddlers and preschoolers.

Games and clues enhance many of the more elaborate corn maze experiences. Got a tween or teen? Some of these corn mazes offer haunted after-hours experiences for a spooky, nighttime adventure.

Check out the top orchards for apple picking in New Jersey and much more in our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids.

Best Bar Mitzvah Venues in NYC for Families

A synagogue-turned event space, Boerum Hill's Deity is a lovely bat mitzvah venue in New York City. Photo by Kelly Williams

Finding the perfect bar mitzvah venue in New York City is a huge undertaking. Whether you're looking for a full-service bar mitzvah venue to handle everything in-house with an event manager orchestrating the party, or you're searching for a blank canvas to create your unique event, we've found 15 bar mitzvah venues in New York City ready to serve as the backdrop for your teen's big day.

These bat and bar mitzvah venues in New York City range from classic and sophisticated to more laid-back and focused on teen fun. Some of our picks even have multiple event spaces to host  your ceremony and party. If you're looking for more options, consider casting a wider net and hosting your party at one of these spectacular bar mitzvah venues on Long Island.

Of course, we've got more party planning tips for everyone from toddlers to teens in our New York City Birthday Party Guide.

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