18 Sugartastic Candy Stores in NYC Kids will Flip For

IT'SUGAR's candy stores are packed with overflowing displays of confections. Photo courtesy of the store

There's no shortage of candy stores in New York City, making it a good place to be a kid with a hankering for the sweet stuff. As we approach the king of all candy holidays—Halloween—this list may come in handy. Of course, this list is worth revisiting for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and any time you can't control your sweet tooth or need a sweet treat.

Many of these candy stores in NYC lack seating and bathrooms; instead, they house shelves and aisles overflowing with packages of colorful, cavity-creating treasures. A few offer more modern treats and additions like chocolate-making classes for kids. Read on for our 18 favorite candy stores in all of NYC.

Find more kid-friendly sugar spots, including our favorite destinations for over-the-top desserts in NYC in our NYC Kids' Restaurant Guide.

Visiting Mass MoCA with Kids - Plus More Things To Do in North Adams, MA in the Berkshires

There's so much for kids to see and explore at Mass MoCA.

North Adams, MA, a hub of arts and culture in the Berkshires, is home to one of the largest centers for visual and performing arts in the US—the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). Mass MoCA is a massive, vibrant space where creativity knows no bounds, even for the little ones. Amidst the colossal industrial buildings, there are a ton of activities tailored for children.

Mass MoCA is housed in a renovated factory space, which allows for large and open galleries spread throughout 14 buildings and 250,000 square feet. In addition to the museum, there are several retail spots, restaurants, a coffee shop, and some outdoor art exhibits. You can also grab a picnic table or spread out a blanket on a grassy spot and enjoy the sunshine and mountain views. So wear comfortable shoes, grab a map with your tickets, and plan to spend a day exploring Mass MoCA.

I recently visited Mass MoCA with my 11-year-old daughter and 10-year-old niece, and we all had a blast. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Mass MoCA with kids, plus more family-friendly things to do in North Adams, MA (including great North Adams hotels).

Check out our New England Family Travel Guide for more nearby fun, including our list of 25 things to do in the Berkshires with kids.

Virginia-Highland with Kids: 35 Best Things to Do in Virginia-Highland, GA

Explore Atlanta's beloved intown neighborhood of Virginia-Highland with our helpful guide!

Tucked between Midtown and Druid Hills, the historic Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta offers families a fun day of exploring tasty restaurants, shady parks, and popular community festivals. And unlike some Atlanta neighborhoods, Virginia-Highland, GA offers tons of sidewalks, making it extremely walkable and stroller-friendly.

Check out our list of 35 top places for families to visit in Virginia-Highland and the adjacent neighborhood of Morningside. Both neighborhoods--over 100 years old--exude a strong sense of community as evidenced by many festivals and events. Families enjoy locally-owned hangouts and independent retailers amidst tree-lined streets brimming with historic bungalow homes. 

Kid-Friendly Factory Tours near Philly from Hershey Factory Tour to US Mint Tour

Hershey's Chocolate World takes visitors through the whole chocolate-making process. Photo by Jody Mercier

Get behind the scenes on everything from chocolate to motorcycles! What better way to enjoy a family-friendly educational experience than with a food or factory tour? From Philadelphia to the suburbs, as well as places that may constitute a day trip, Pennsylvania is a state that makes all sorts of things, and many companies are thrilled to have kids and grown-ups check out the process. That's where factory tours come in. Have you ever wondered how Herr's makes such cheesy cheese puffs? Does your little artist want to visit the Crayola Factory? Does you entire family want to tour the Hershey's Chocolate Factory to learn how they make the chocolate? 

Whether you are just looking for something to do this weekend or take a longer road trip, we have a list for you. Be sure to call or check the websites for the most up-to-date hours and ticket prices. Looking for something in your immediate vicinity? Our Events Calendar always has the latest scoop, and find more ideas for weekend fun with our Weekend Travel Guide

DC Ghost Tour Uncovers the Creepy History of Washington, DC

We were all smiles both before and after the DC Ghosts tour!

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, it's not uncommon to see people dressed like ghosts, goblins, and other creepy characters at Halloween events all over the DC area. But if you're looking for a more authentic experience this October—or all year long—why not try a DC ghost tour? These nighttime walking tours take visitors past places that are said to be haunted by the ghosts of presidents, assassins, heroes, and more.

My family recently went on a DC Ghosts ghost tour operated by US Ghost Adventures. It was the perfect activity to kick off Halloween season, and it taught us some interesting DC history. My 12-year-old twin sons and 9-year-old daughter enjoyed the ghost tour as much as my husband and I did, and while the stories were definitely creepy, the tour wasn't overly scary. In fact, there were several other children in our tour group and no one went home crying. Our kids are still talking about how cool it was.

Did we see any ghosts? You'll have to read on to find out! After you do, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for DC Kids for more spooky (and not-so-spooky) ways to celebrate Halloween, from the best pumpkin patches and corn mazes near DC to the top free Halloween events in the DC area.

Disneyland with a Baby? All You Need Is This Game Plan

Have a memorable day at the most magical place on earth with a baby. Photo by Eduardo Merille/CC BY 2.0

Disneyland with a baby might seem like a big undertaking, but it’s more doable than you might think. Sure, your baby may not remember their memorable Disneyland day, but photos will be stored on your phone for years, proving that your little one did go to Disneyland as a baby. 

From the Baby Care Center to no-height requirement rides, Mickey's Toontown, dance parties, and air-conditioned spaces, Disneyland with a baby is as breezy as a palm tree swaying in the Southern California sky. Keep reading below for the best tips for having the most magical day at Disneyland with a baby. 

Discover the best hotels to stay in Anaheim near Disneyland, and see what other activities there are for kids in Anaheim that go beyond Disneyland. There are more baby-friendly theme parks to explore in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.  

Guide to Visiting Johnson's Locust Hall Farm in the Fall: Apples, Sunflowers, Pumpkins, and More

Fall is full of fun and seasonal photo-ops at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm.

Living in South Jersey, my family is familiar Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford and jumped at the chance to visit its second location a bit further north in Jobstown. Because we love Johnson's Corner Farm, we strapped the kids into the car and drove out to explore this family-friendly farm, one of our favorite farms for family entertainment in New Jersey, and we were glad we did.

The location of this family-run farm is gorgeous; as soon as you step out of your car it is obvious why it is a sought-after wedding venue. For a family day out, there was so much to do as well! We were there for 3 1/2 hours, and if we weren’t exhausted from so much picking, we could have stayed even longer and enjoyed a nice glass of wine while listening to live music as the kids played in the giant sand pit.

So, if you want to take advantage of all the fall photo opportunities and more fun on the farm, read our top tips for visiting with kids and find all our favorite local farms in our Guide for Family-Friendly Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun in New Jersey.

Gift Guide to the Best Toys & Gifts for Kids, 5-Year-Olds to 9-Year-Olds

Suspend Family is a game the whole family can play. Photo courtesy of the Melissa & Doug Toy Company

If you're looking for the perfect birthday or holiday gifts for kids from 5-year-olds to 9-year-olds, you've found the right place!

When it comes to choosing gifts for kids, particularly this marvelous, coming-into-their-own age range of 5 to 9-year-olds, the temptation is to start veering towards digital. While we’re not into screen-shaming at Mommy Poppins, this list is free of screens and leans heavily on hands-on toys, physical books, and wonderfully messy art supplies. These creative and tactile toys keep kids' brains as active as their hands and bodies.

The lack of screen inclusion among these toy recommendations isn't a case of virtue signaling; we've seen that these are the toys that get treasured and played with for years to come.

Looking for awesome gifts for other ages? Find our faves for first birthday gifts, the most beloved toddler gifts, and more in our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays.

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