As busy mamas, we cherish those oh-so-rare moments when we have a few hours (if we're super lucky!) to do whatever we want; whether it's sleeping, shopping, taking a class, or hitting the gym for an intense workout. It can be tricky to squeeze in a spin class when you're in full-time mommy mode, but there are many gyms in New Jersey that offer babysitting options so you can get in shape while your children stay safe. Below is a list of gyms that offer on-location daycare for fitness-oriented mamas.

A week that starts with free coffee and ends with the unburdening of a year’s worth of wrongs is all good. McDonald’s is giving away java with no purchase required. The Jewish New Year is on Thursday, which means many schools will be closed. Your kids probably won’t even have homework. Check the Mommy Poppins event calendar for things to do on Thursday, or consider an outing to the L.A. County Fair. Whether or not you are Jewish, it is a great day to head to the beach, but in Venice the holiday celebration Tashlich by the Sea is one way for a family to celebrate the culture of Judaism, if not the actual religion. Speaking of cultural, end the week on Friday at the San Gennaro Festival in Hollywood.

Fall is here which means the kids are back into the swing of school and it's time to sign them up for enriching extracurricular classes. Today's deals post features five fabulous offers from high-quality after-school programs, including fencing, animation, art, theater and improv. Don't wait to take advantage of these great bargains—discounts this good will be gone long before the first snow falls.

Many of our teens are smart, capable young people who are self-sufficient, self-motivated, mature enough to be left on their own, and responsible enough to be in charge of someone younger. I will never forget the first time I realized that my son could stay home and finish up his homework while I ran to the market. It was liberating for both of us. A few years later, he was even old enough to babysit his younger sister. Of course, it isn’t fair or wise to assume that an older child knows everything he or she should about caring for someone younger; something unexpected can always occur. Whether your teen is an older sibling ready to be in charge of a younger one, or a would-be babysitter interested in earning money looking after neighborhood kids, the effort spent learning the basics of CPR, Stranger Danger, and when to seek help can help you and other parents to feel good about leaving your teen in charge.

Apple picking is a fall tradition in the northeast. In Westchester, we're lucky to have so many local orchards to choose from. In addition to options in Westchester and Rockland, Dutchess and Orange counties offer many more apple picking farms and orchards. Here we gathered our top 5 picks for a day of family fun.

In addition to apple and pumpkin picking, these orchards offer lots of activities including petting zoos, puppet shows, haunted houses, corn and apple mazes, rides, even wine tasting! In addition, some offer other pick-your-own options including nectarines, plums, eggplant and peppers.

For more seasonal fun, check out our September Go List and our roundup of local fall festivals. 

As the weather gets cooler and activities turn indoors, there's no reason kids have to stop playing the sports they've grown to love--or are expressing an interest in trying out. Luckily, there are a few places across Long Island that offers children the chance to stay active no matter what the weather is like outside. These complexes offer indoor sports facilities that cater to leagues for little ones, clinics, birthday parties and more. And for more extra-curricular activities, check out our Long Island Classes Guide.

If you’ve ever visited Washington, D.C., you’ve probably felt the pang of jealousy that entry to the Smithsonian Institution is free. Who wouldn’t want to see great art and rotating exhibits without opening their wallet? Well, now’s your big chance. Saturday, September 27, marks the 10th annual Museum Day Live! On this day, hundreds of museums nationwide offer free admission to visitors, orchestrated by Smithsonian Magazine. Of course there are many fantastic NYC museums participating in this event but we are happy to report that there are also several museums throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley that are also partaking--and we've got all the details! Read on to find out which museums are participating, how to get your FREE tickets and other fun perks.  

Applying to preschool is one of the most important (and potentially harrowing) experiences for young children and their parents. It’s the beginning of their education, their introduction to schooling and their foundation for a life of learning. In NYC, we are lucky to have many preschool choices available, but it can be a lot of work to figure out which one is best suited to your child.

We asked directors from participating preschools at one of our recent Preschool Fairs to share their insights about the admissions process and what parents should look for in a program. Who better to explain how to navigate this journey than these experts, who help families find the right schools for their kids every day? Read on for their top tips.