Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Harvest Festivals, Blessing of the Animals, Honey Weekend, Boo at the Zoo, Raptor Fest October 4-5

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Due to expected rain on Saturday, some outdoor events may be canceled or rescheduled. Before you head out, check the event's official website for updates. Fall fun abounds this weekend at a slew of seasonal fetes like the annual Harvest Festival on Randall's Island, Wave Hill's Honey Weekend and the kickoff of the Bronx Zoo's month-long Halloween celebration, Boo at the Zoo.

There's lots of cool kids' culture, too. Symphony Space starts its new season of family performances; the Bronx Museum of the Arts hosts an interactive family day; the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre revives Hansel and Gretel's Halloween Adventure, and you can even catch a special preview of the soon-to-open kids' flick Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Fall Fun Guide. And if you like to plan ahead, check out our brand-new October Go List, which highlights the absolute best things to do with kids in NYC all month long.

Napa Valley Weekend Getaway: Family Friendly Wineries and Delectable Eats

Submitted by Anna Fader on

I’ve always wanted to travel to Napa. The appeal of great food and wine, beautiful scenery—Napa just exudes "the good life." But how often do we actually make the leap to take that trip? Not often enough.

So when Hilton invited me to do just that and visit Napa as part of their Hilton #BeAWeekender campaign I jumped at the chance. I love the idea of seeing weekends as mini-vacations, not just a two days to catch up on chores. Travel can be both restorative and reformative. Experiencing a different place gives you context to your own normal life as well as immersing you in another one. How awesome to fit that into a weekend!

We had a great trip to Napa. What I discovered was what you would imagine: incredible food, charming scenery and lots and lots of lots of wineries. The thing I really liked was that each winery we visited offered a slightly different type of experience so the visits weren’t just about tasting wine, but taking in the winery. We did this trip as adults only and, of course, a visit to Napa makes a great adults-only getaway, but the trip works for families too. Many of the wineries are kid-friendly and I’ll share some tips on doing this trip as a family as well.

Westchester Kids Will Have a Summer to Remember at Gate Hill Day Camp

Submitted by Linda DiProperzio on

Now that my boys are getting older, I’m looking more seriously at summer day camps as not only a way to keep them occupied when school is out, but also as a place where they can explore their interests, try new things and, of course, have fun with friends. After reading about our sponsor Gate Hill Day Camp and its variety of programs, I'm sad they're not in my area (I'm on Long Island). Because whether your children want to spend their summer improving their athletic skills, learning to cook, or exploring the arts and sciences, there is something for most kids ages 3-15.

News: Free Classes & After-school Programs for NYC Kids, Pixel Academy Coming to Manhattan, TheatreworksUSA Debuts Weekend Family Shows

Submitted by Alina Adams on

This edition of our biweekly news post includes all upbeat info—no closures, no bummers! Find out about a bunch of brand-new FREE enrichment programs for kids, a couple of worthy crowdfunding campaigns, a big Brooklyn maker space coming to Manhattan and how your kids can try to snag a trip to Hollywood for the premiere of Disney's Big Hero 6.

Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend Oct 4-5: Pumpkin Festivals, Harvest Hayride, Book Bonanza & More!

Submitted by Sasha Muzzarelli on

It’s officially October, the season of Halloween, pumpkins and all that is autumn! New Jersey has no shortage of pumpkin activities this weekend so check out one of the many fall events like the annual Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm, the Pumpkin Train Festival at Whippany Railway Museum or the Holmdel Harvest Festival at Bayonet Farm. For some nighttime fun, sign up for a cozy Harvest Moon Hayride at Alstede Farms. And if you’ve got little animal lovers in the family, head to Community Day at Woodlands Wildlife Refuge – a special once a year event where the sanctuary opens its doors to the public. And remember, you can check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

 

Haunted Halloween Hayrides in New Jersey For Tweens and Teens

Submitted by Laura J on

Things that go bump, bump, bump in the night… It’s the season for shivering and quivering; howling and frowling (that's not a real word, but it should be). Take your love-to-be-scared tweens and teens and hayride through the darkness full of wicked witches and the undead. And if you make it out alive, take a deep breath and take on the haunted houses and spooky trails in these five great New Jersey haunts.

Off The Beaten Path Halloween: Where to find unusual Halloween activities in NJ

Submitted by Kristen Haas on

Halloween is a time of year when we search for new and fun things to do with our NJ kids. There are plenty of spooky events, but why not try something unique this year? Sling a pumpkin with the family, settle in for some classic ghostly tales ! If you are in the mood for something different this Halloween, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of “off the beaten path” Halloween events for NJ kids and families.

The Biggest Baby Shower Ever is Coming To Boston: A Q&A with Big City Mom Co-Founders

Submitted by Kristin Quinn on

We recently spoke with Leslie Venokur and Risa Goldberg, the driving forces behind Big City Moms and the organizers of the Biggest Baby Shower Ever. Big City Moms is a resource for for moms, moms-to-be, and families to connect through a variety of special and customized events. For the first time ever, the company has brought the Biggest Baby Shower Ever, a show that features over 100 of the best companies in the baby industry, to Boston.  We are excited to attend this event and meet our readers (and future readers!) face to face.  Stop by the Mommy Poppins Boston table to find out about our favorite things to do in Boston with kids, what you can do now to get connected with other new parents after the baby arrives, and how to get through the winter months with little ones. But first, get the details on the Biggest Baby Shower Ever straight from the moms who are making it happen. 

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