If you want to know what the best gifts are for teens and tweens, you need to go to the source. So we did!

It's really hard to come up with gift ideas for teens and tweens that they'll really like that venture beyond electronics, video games, or gift cards. Frankly, even if you go with one of the big three categories, if you're over 20, you are pretty much guaranteed to pick the wrong thing. So we went to the source, asking Charley, who has a keen eye for what the middle and high school crowd is into, to help us come up with a list of gifts teens and tweens will actually be excited to open.

What you'll find here is a mix of electronic gifts kids will be surprised and thrilled by, crafts and artsy gifts for teens who need a little Zen time after school, fashion gifts for teens that don't look like their mom picked it out, and other cool surprises. Read on to discover actually cool gift ideas for teens.

Looking for awesome gifts for other ages? Find the most beloved toddler gifts, cool gifts for elementary school-aged kids, and more in our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays.

It’s fall y'all, and those leaves outside aren’t just fun for a frolic. One of our favorite fall crafts for preschoolers is to leaf press with tempera paint sticks, and it’s not nearly as messy as you might imagine.

Don’t be fooled by the “paint” in tempera paint sticks, which have the consistency of lipstick and make bright, satisfying marks with virtually no mess. They also happen to be the perfect material for making leaf prints, as we discovered by accident when my toddler colored on a leaf and smacked it on a piece of paper in a fit of rage. His oncoming tantrum was thankfully deflected when we noticed the print left behind.

After experimenting a bit, we found that parchment paper was the perfect match for our leaf pressings, with a slippery surface that grabs right on to the tempera. A big bonus is that it dries super fast, plus the transparent quality of the paper allows the prints to double as simple sun catchers when hung in a window.

Read on for instructions on how to leaf press with tempera sticks and make your autumn an artsy one. Check out our Boredom Busters for Kids Guide for more crafts like this, including our list of 100 awesome art projects for kids. Or, bring some royal flair to your fall with our leaf crown craft.

While Long Island is home a bevy of culture and fun family-friendly attractions, there are plenty of secret spots and hidden gems on Long Island just waiting to be discovered. That's part of the charm of this island we call home. We've rounded up 17 secret spots on Long Island that kids will love.

From endless stairways to stroll gardens, kids get a kick out of discovering these under-the-radar destinations. The best part: They're almost all FREE. So, read on for our top picks for secret spots on Long Island, and bookmark our Long Island Visitors Guide for Families, for more can't-miss spots to visit.

With immersive settings, engaging themes, and entertaining storylines, escape rooms are a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family. There are many escape rooms for kids throughout the DC area, so families with children of all ages can get in on the fun.

In escape room games, players are "locked" (don't worry—they can actually leave at any time) in an elaborately themed room and must work together to break free by deciphering clues, cracking codes, and solving puzzles before time (usually 60 minutes) runs out. While the puzzles and clues are typically geared for tweens, teens, and adults, younger children love to help out and embrace the exciting themes.

Here are 14 top escape rooms for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more indoor fun near DC with kids of all ages—including the best indoor rock climbing gyms and awesome trampoline parks—check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces and More in DC.

It's finally playground season, and there are tons of playgrounds in Houston. A ton. (Including some pretty great splash pads.) And some are better than others. So, if you'd like to find a park with a great playground in Houston where you can easily spend a few hours or even the entire day, read on to learn more about these 13 parks in Houston with playgrounds that are definitely worth the drive. 

For more info on parks near Houston, places to hike, and more outdoorsy adventures, check out our Outdoor Activities Guide for Houston Kids.

We're super excited to tell you about a new way to get updates from us and use Mommy Poppins more easily on your phone. Introducing notifications from Mommy Poppins, which you can sign up for instantly on your phone—right from our brand new web app.

That new popup around the corner? We’ll let you know when it’s open—and if it’s worth the hype. We’ll also give you inside tips on how to get there, when to go, how to make the most of your outing with kids, and if the food is varied enough for your picky eaters and worth the price!

Read on to learn how to sign up for notifications and how to get the Mommy Poppins app on your phone.

Oslo, Norway makes for an unforgettable, adventure-filled family vacation spot full of stunning natural landscapes and family-friendly activities. As Norway's capital, Oslo is an international city with great museums, cultural sites, and attractions the whole family will enjoy.

Oslo is also easy to navigate with kids. The city is very walkable, and its great transportation system (including buses, trams, trains, and ferries) makes it convenient to get around without a car. Oslo is clean and safe, and most people speak English. While there is plenty to do indoors in the winter, summer is also a great time to visit, when the temperature is pleasantly balmy and the sun doesn't set until almost midnight.

Read on for some of our favorite things to in Oslo, Norway with kids, including family-friendly Oslo hotels. Find more European family vacation destinations, including London and Amsterdam, in our Europe Family Travel Guide.

It's officially spooky season in the Hudson Valley, and you won't want to miss a trip to Pumpkin World, the Hudson Valley's newest spectacular Halloween exhibition, featuring more than 5,000 artistically carved, lit pumpkins spread throughout Clover Stadium in Pomona. With the numerous activities for kids, plus food and beverages available for purchase, my family was able to enjoy a full evening at Pumpkin World, and everyone had something to do.

Read on for the scoop on this Hudson Valley Halloween attraction, which is one of our top Halloween events in the region. Find more Halloween fun in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide.