Queens is NYC's most diverse and action-packed borough, so it's no surprise there are tons of birthday party places in Queens where little New Yorkers can celebrate. In fact, there are so many awesome birthday spots in Queens alone that it deserves a post of its own.

These Queens birthday party places cater to all kinds of kids, from active to artsy to animal lovers. As a Queens mom with two children, I've been to many of these spots personally and can vouch for their fun factor. You can find additional birthday inspiration in our NYC Kids Guide to Birthday Parties.

Horseback riding lessons on Long Island offer kids a unique way to learn an exciting lifelong skill, gain confidence, and have a lot of fun. From pony rides for little ones to weekly lessons and trail rides for older kids, Long Island stables and equestrian centers have various options for beginners to advanced riders. 

Animal-loving kids will have a chance to bond with a beautiful horse or pony and learn how to care for and communicate with their new friends. Kids should dress appropriately for riding lessons. Boots are preferred, and some stables provide helmets at the lessons, while others require you to bring your own.

Read on for our list of the best stables and equestrian centers across Long Island for horseback riding lessons kids will love. For more active adventures, check out our guide to Long Island Family Fun.

Explore our guide to the best neighborhoods in CT for trick-or-treating!

Find the best neighborhood for trick-or-treating this Halloween in Boston!

Planning a family vacation to Europe? Glasgow, Scotland is the perfect place to visit with kids. The Scottish city is one of the world's friendliest destinations and boasts stunning architecture, gorgeous gardens, and plenty of family-friendly activities. From playgrounds and pub lunches to museums and mural trails, there are so many things to do in Glasgow, Scotland.

Here are nearly 50 things to do in Glasgow, Scotland with kids, including the best family-friendly Glasgow hotels and restaurants. Bookmark our European Travel Guide for Families, for more fun cities to visit in Europe, including Paris and Rome.

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.

Find a night full of fun at these sleepover spots around Boston!