If you've got a child in public school, you live by the public school calendar. Many local NYC preschools follow the NYC public school schedule, too. We're just over a week away from the first day of school in NYC, so we're re-sharing the New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2024-2025 school year below. You'll want to bookmark it now for reference, and keep it handy to help with planning family vacations and school break camp coverage.

Once again, there will be no snow days. Plan on logging your kiddos on for a day of remote learning whenever buildings are closed for snow or other emergencies.

These are all of the dates you can count on your kiddos being out of school during the 2024-2025 school year.

Houston, we have a new indoor waterpark! Yes, Great Wolf Lodge–the oh-so-popular year-round family destination–just opened a brand new location 35 minutes southeast of Houston in Webster, Texas. The expansive resort has toddler play pools, high-thrill water slides for teens, and lots of other fun activities under one roof, making it an easy vacation spot the whole family can enjoy.

My kids and I had been counting the days until Great Wolf Lodge Houston’s grand opening, so I was thrilled to be one of the first families to book an overnight stay and experience all the fun. Read on for my first hand review of the attractions and amenities, plus helpful tips for planning your trip and ways to save.

Feast & Fettle is a fully-prepared meal delivery service that’s all about bringing fresh locally-prepared dishes made with real ingredients to families across the Westchester area and beyond.

If you've ever tried a meal delivery service, you may have found that the convenience it promises often falls short for families and the quality of the prepared dishes rarely measures up to a homemade meal. Feast & Fettle understands what parents actually need and has created a service that personally-delivers fresh meals made entirely from real ingredients to homes across Westchester, New Jersey, and New England–never frozen and never shipped. There’s no subscription required, you can customize your menu to fit various diets and appetites, and there are always options for kids.

Our family tried it out and, after a week of Feast & Fettle meal delivery service, I’m happy to say the locally-prepared entrees and side dishes did not disappoint. Plus, the easy-to-use service earned me and my husband back time in the day that we really didn’t think existed between our busy schedules and having two young kids.

Read on to learn more about what made Feast & Fettle stand out and get a FREE one-year membership when you place your first order.

Find the best places for apple picking (and more) near Boston!

It's the season for apple picking (and more family fun) throughout Connecticut.

As late August and September arrive, so do thoughts of apple picking near DC. This favorite fall tradition is a must for families, and it often goes far beyond plucking ripe apples from a tree. Many of these Virginia and Maryland apple orchards host fall activities of all kinds, like hayrides, petting zoos, and playgrounds.

All of the apple orchards and farms listed below are within easy driving distance of DC. A few of them even made our lists of the best pumpkin patches near DC and fun fall festivals near DC. Remember that farm conditions and produce availability change throughout the season, so call or check the farms' websites before you visit.

Read on for our list of 14 great places to go apple picking near DC. Then check out our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families for even more great autumn activities.

Here are some great ways to entertain your little one in the Miami and South Florida area.

Apple picking season is here, and many Hudson Valley and Westchester farms celebrate with kid-friendly entertainment, including live music, corn mazes, and hayrides. 

I used to look forward to apple picking every year as a child, and now I have just as much fun watching my little ones run through the orchards—not to mention indulging in fresh-pressed apple cider.

For more fall fun, be sure to check out our rundown of the top spots for hot, delicious cider doughnuts in the area and our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Hudson Valley and Westchester farms.