While we have some bummer things to report (a couple of closures, such is the way of NYC), most of our news is great. We've got cool new kids' businesses, two awesome entertainment announcements (hello Toy Story 4!) and culture discounts for families. Plus, the scoop on a plan to transform struggling city public schools by helping the students and their families. Check it all out below!

'Tis the season for many things—including the spread of cold and flu germs. With school back in session and the colder weather upon us, it’s no surprise kids get sick more often. With the holidays coming up, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everyone's kids stay healthy, but both of my sons have already battled the common cold, as well as a crummy case of the croup. 

And while traveling to the pediatrician’s office is part of being a parent, there are times when I wish there was another option. I not only dread the drive in bad weather, but I also worry about exposing my kids to a waiting room filled with even sicker children. Last year, I took my older son to the pediatrician with a simple cough (with my younger, healthier son in tow), and a week later they both came down with a whole new nasty virus. So when I found out about our sponsor KidsHousecalls, which sends a board certified pediatrician to your home to treat your child, I was all ears.

Birthday party planning is never simple. Throw in the added fun of planning a party during the holidays and busy parents might lose their minds. Unfortunately, it's all too easy for November and December birthdays to get lost among all of the other holiday celebrations. Luckily, New Jersey offers some great ways to make your little one's birthday special no matter when it is. We have some great birthday ideas that will make your kids happy to celebrate their special day during the holiday season. For more great year round birthday party ideas check out our Birthday Party Guide.

We recently wrote about some wonderful places to Shop for Handmade Toys and Children's Items in New York City. We wanted to complement that list with some other great suggestions for buying natural and green toys. What's the difference? While some natural toys are indeed handmade, others come from eco-certified production facilities. Most important, all differ from commercially mass-produced, run-of-the-mill wooden toys in terms of quality, origin and construction from sustainable, safe, natural, non-synthetic materials.

It seems like Thanksgiving gets lost in the holiday shuffle. Right after Halloween, the gift shopping begins--and Santa is already ready and waiting at the local mall! But Thanksgiving is a day that deserves to be celebrated, and parents can help kids learn more about the holiday with plenty of events happening across Long Island. From finding out more about Native American culture to creating holiday-themed crafts, there is something to keep the kids occupied during these few weeks before Thanksgiving. And for more family fun this season, check out our Holiday Fun Guide.

What? The kids don’t have school on Tuesday, but they do have school on Monday and Wednesday and the rest of the week? Who knew, but apparently World War I came to an end on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. In other words, Veterans Day is one day off that can’t be neatly tied to the weekend.

If you are home with your kids, make Tuesday a train day with Thomas the Tank Engine. If you work (and a mid-week day off is a huge inconvenience), how ‘bout sending them to beach camp? But if your plan involves a day out at a museum, be sure to call first; some spots are closed for Federal holidays. Have a great week!

New York City is a flurry of holiday shopping at this time of year. There are wonderful seasonal markets all over town selling crafts, unique boutique goods, food and more. These cool local spots aren't just in Manhattan either; there are several markets in the outer boroughs, too.

Unlike the craziness of Black Friday, these shopping experiences are much more relaxed for families. Plus, you're often supporting local businesses and artisans. We love shopping local so much, we made it the focus of our Holiday Gift Guide. Read on for our round-up of New York City holiday markets.

As Veterans Day approaches, you may be thinking about ways to teach kids about the importance of the day. There are many ways that they can pay tribute to America’s veterans, such as making cards and distributing them to relatives who are veterans or veterans at nursing homes and VA medical centers, or putting together care packages (a good use for excess Halloween candy!) for veterans stationed overseas. In addition, there are several events and memorial celebrations in the Hartford area beginning the weekend of November 8-9, and on the actual day, November 11. Use your discretion, as some of these activities may be more suitable for older children.