Target's Car Seat Trade-in Returns: Get the 2024 Details

Ready to upgrade your car seat? Target's trade-in event is back!

Is it time to toss or upgrade your child's car seat? Beginning on September 15, 2024, Target will recycle your expired, damaged, or just yucky goldfish-crusted and stained one and help you save on a new model through its popular car seat trade-in event. Whether you're expecting a new baby, or simply sizing up, read on for all the details on this year's trade-in program.

For more ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, and all around be good to Mother Nature, check out our Earth Kids Guide and sign up for the Earth Kids newsletter.

School Calendars 2024-2025: Important Dates for Philadelphia School District

It’s never too early to try to start planning for the next school year. Since Pennsylvania’s largest school district has released the academic calendar for Philadelphia for 2024-2025, now is the time to start preparing for staff development days (read: days off for your kids). Philadelphia’s school district calendar now recognizes the Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid al-Adha, and Good Friday with days off, representing more of the cultural diversity in the district. Students will be in school for Indigenous Peoples Day and Veterans Day, when schools will honor these days with in-school learning related to these holidays.

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

The weeping cherry blossoms nestled in Boscobel's formal garden are stunning in the spring.

Spring is in the air, and that means it's cherry blossom time. These beautiful flowers typically bloom in late March through early May in the New York region. In addition to the opportunities to see cherry blossoms in New York City—including the famous blooms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden—there are some great spots north of the city.

Read on for our favorite spots to see cherry blossoms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and find more fun springtime destinations and outings in our Spring Fun Guide.

Here's Why the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is a Must-See Spring Event

The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is full of springtime family fun. Video by Andre Sala

Enjoy world-class cherry blossoms this spring in New Jersey at one of the region's premier festivals. The 2024 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Newark's Branch Brook Park from Saturday, April 6 through Sunday, April 14, 2024, allows you and your family to revel in rows and rows of gorgeous cherry blossoms. There's definitely no need to travel to D.C. to see a stunning display of lush blooms! 

The event features two festivals-within-the-festival, the Essex County Family Day and Bloomfest. Both Family Day and Bloomfest offer plenty of family fun, including performances, bounce houses, a nearby playground, live music, and Japanese cultural demonstrations. It all takes place under the fragrant canopy of the sprawling park's 5,000 cherry blossom trees—the largest collection in the country.

Read on for an overview of Branch Brook Park and the festival, along with tips for visiting with kids, and find more seasonal must-dos in our Guide to Spring Activities in New Jersey.

Spring Break 2024: 49 Fun Things To Do in NYC

Enjoy a tropical spring break daycation with a trip to DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Photo by the author

Spring break 2024 is barreling toward us. If you're worried about keeping the kids entertained over NYC's spring break, we've got it covered. If you're sticking around the city for a spring staycation, there's plenty to keep every age group busy. From exploring our favorite kid-friendly museums to playgrounds worthy of a subway schlep, and destination-worthy tourist attractions, we've rounded up 49 things to do with kids in New York City during the upcoming public school spring break.

New York City's spring break runs from Monday, April 22-Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Add in two weekends and you've got nine days to fill with fun. Some of our picks only take place on specific dates; others run the entire duration, but all are engaging ways to get out and celebrate spring.

If you're hoping to get out of town, be sure to visit our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for some inspiration or consider booking a last-minute spring break vacation on the cheap.

Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Galapagos Islands with Kids: A Family Vacation You'll Never Forget

Head across the Pacific Ocean to meet the amazing creatures of the Galapagos Islands.

If you're looking for the family vacation of a lifetime, consider a trip to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. One of the most beautiful and pristine natural landscapes in the world, the Galapagos Islands offer cruise adventures, breathtaking scenery, close encounters with sea turtles and other animals, and the chance to see flora and fauna that exists nowhere else.

The Galapagos Islands are also a great place for families to witness real conservation work in action and to learn about the revolutionary work of Charles Darwin. While getting to the Galapagos takes a little advance planning, it is is absolutely worth the effort to visit.

Read on to learn all about visiting the Galapagos Islands with kids, including how to get there, the various cruise options, and other tips and tricks. You'll find even more exciting places to visit, from sunny spots in the Caribbean to culture-filled European cities, in our International Travel Guide.

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