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.

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. 

We are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage month, an annual celebration that runs from September 15 to October 15. Several Latin American countries celebrate their anniversaries of independence during this period. It’s a great time to hail our city’s rich Hispanic Culture before we segue into October and Halloween. Start the week making a Mayan Mask at the Library and finish up at Descanso Gardens’ Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns.

A recent study estimates that the average adult spends about an hour a day waiting for something—the bathroom, the cashier, the bus, you name it. But parents seem to wait around even more than that. Plus we get the added bonus of hearing our kids whine, "I'm bored!" and beg incessantly for our smartphones.

But waiting with your kids doesn't have to be dull. You can turn that downtime into quality family time by finding ways to play together (and no, we're not talking about Candy Crush). Inspired by our series of SUMMER OF PLAY posts, here are 10 no-tech activities to try when you're stuck waiting somewhere—hopefully you won't be there long enough blow through all of them in one go!

This month we highlighted Rye and everything it has to offer residents and visiting families. So far, we've taken a look at things to do in the neighborhood and the best places to eat with kids in tow. Now, as we wrap up our month-long coverage, we're turning our attention to the best places for kids to play and learn in Rye.  

Whether it’s specialized classes, sports instruction, language learning or so much more, this area has got you covered and promises fun, exciting and educational activities all year round. Read on for our top picks of the best places to bring the kids in Rye.

Fall is an awesome time to travel.  The summer crowds have dissipated, the weather is usually fine and deals abound.  If you have pre-school kids (or home-schooled kids), or can manage to take some time off, consider sneaking away for an autumn getaway.  If your family is back in the busy swing of school and activities, consider a weekend or quick overnight getaway.  The following destinations are on our radar, thanks to attractive off-peak pricing and excellent seasonal attractions and activities. From Providence to New York State, from Orlando’s theme parks to warm weather dream destinations to a Disney Cruise, here are our best fall travel deals.

Local mom and “Outdoors with Kids Boston” guidebook author, Kim Foley MacKinnon, shares her best family outing tips and picks with you as part of our guest blog series with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors Boston free online community. 

Let’s be honest: it only takes so long to pick out a pumpkin, even if your kids like to examine every pumpkin in the patch for the perfect jack-o-lantern.  My family likes to combine pumpkin-picking with something else, like a corn maze, a train ride, or a fall festival. Here are a few places to elevate your autumn outing.

My daughter is looking forward to celebrating Rosh Hashanah by eating lots of apples dipped in honey, a Jewish New Year tradition that gets us off to a sweet start. Of course you don't need to be Jewish to enjoy this treat, especially since apple-picking season is in full swing. This four-day holiday weekend is a great time to hit a nearby orchard for fresh fruit, or pick a pumpkin for Halloween.

Speaking of, October 31 is just five weeks away and we're furiously updating our Halloween posts on all our sites. This week, New Jersey rounded up haunted houses and creative pumpkin carving events, while Westchester highlighted cool corn mazes, hayrides and pumpkin fests. Fall is a wonderful season for these kinds of fun-filled day trips, and it's worth browsing all of our tri-state area sites for even more destination ideas.

But if you're in need of a real vacation, check out our review of the luxurious Grand Lucayan Beach & Golf Resort on Grand Bahama Island on our Travel site—even though you can't get there this weekend there's always winter break!

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week: