Lego, Star Wars, and More Awesome 2024 Advent Calendars for Kids and Parents, Too!

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Build the excitement as the festive celebrations approach! Photo courtesy of Lego

Advent calendars are the perfect way to turn a torturous wait for the holidays into excited anticipation. I have to confess, I am a bit of an advent calendar obsessive; last holiday season we had eight going for our family of four, plus one for each of the cats! My kids each had a toy one (Lego for my son, Harry Potter for my daughter) and a candy one, I had a wine advent calendar, my husband had a dark chocolate one, and we always have a family one and a kindness advent.

Find the perfect one, or two, for everyone in your family—from baby’s first to something for your blasé teen—from this list of the very best advent calendars for 2024. But hurry—the coolest advent calendars sell out fast.

For more Christmas activities that get kids in the holiday mood, check out our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids. And for the perfect gift for everyone on your list, our Gift Guide has unique, tested, and beloved recommendations for kids of every age and interest.

18 Eerily Fun Ghost Tours in Atlanta & Georgia

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Step into the shadows of St. Mark Church, where history and mystery intertwine. Photo courtesy Atlanta Ghost Tours

Halloween is almost here, and there are great Atlanta ghost tours awaiting brave souls...alive and dead! Blending historical facts with hair-raising ghost stories, Georgia ghost tours allow families to explore prominent landmarks after the sun sets. If your Halloween calendar is already booked, many of these ghost tours occur year-round!

We’ve rounded up the best ghost tours around Georgia, including Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah (ranked as one of the most haunted U.S. cities!). While some ghost tours welcome kids of all ages, it may be best to leave toddlers and preschoolers at home due to tour length, required walking, limited restrooms, and spook factor. Purchase tickets now as many tours sell out close to Halloween.

Scary Haunted Houses in Orlando for Teens and Tweens

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Explore immersive worlds, complete with a few jump-scares at Haunting Nights at Leu Gardens. Photo courtesy of the gardens

Orlando haunted houses will make even the bravest teens and tweens cower this Halloween! We've got the spookiest, creepiest Halloween events sure to make older kids and adults run for cover. Make sure to check out the details of each of these Orlando haunted houses and spooky sites, as many have minimum age requirements for entry as well as details about the dos and don'ts of visiting. Be ready for scares around every corner—you've been warned!

For tamer Halloween scares, check out our entire Orlando Halloween Guide for more ideas of where to go and what to do during the spooky season.

21 Things To Do on Long Island Before Your Baby's First Birthday

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Spend a day at a Long Island beach with your baby during their first year.

A baby's first year is full of memorable firsts and, on Long Island, there's always something new to experience and explore with your little one. From a baby's first dip of their tiny toes into the ocean to their first play cafe fun to a first barnyard adventure, we have you covered.

The photo-worthy moments we've listed below will be plentiful. so be sure to have your phone or camera ready for some great pictures. 

For more new parenting tips, check out our Baby Guide for New and Expecting Long Island Parents. 

Best Trunk or Treats in New Jersey for Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Take your trick-or-treaters off the street to hit up one of these family-friendly trunk or treats in New Jersey. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Family-friendly trunk or treats offer New Jersey kids a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Instead of wandering door-to-door, young trick-or-treaters can load up their Halloween bags with candy from decorated cars.

These trunk or treats—most of which are FREE—take place in parking lots, parks, and on blocked-off streets. They sometimes include parades, costume contests, and other Halloween activities.

Another bonus for sugar-crazed kids: Many of these trunk or treats take place before Halloween. That means double the loot if you make your plans right!

For more boo-tiful Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Guide for New Jersey Families. 

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