Ghost tours are perfect Halloween (or anytime!) fun for teens, tweens, tourists, and even locals who love LA.

My kids are teenagers. That means they are too old for pumpkin picking at Underwood Farms. They also have inherited my horror of a jump scare, which means they have no interest in Halloween Horror Nights or the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. But these kids raised in the era of true crime podcasts can get down with some real-life spooky stories. So when I heard about US Ghost Adventures LA tours, it sounded like a perfect family Halloween teen outing.

I signed us up for the LA Ghosts: Terrors of Tinseltown Tour, and guess what? I was right! An evening of laughing, walking, learning, spooking, and eating chocolate with your teens is worth its weight in gold. Read on to learn more about just how scary the tour is, where it goes, and why it's my family's new Halloween tradition.

For more fun with teens, check out our Los Angeles Activities Guide for Teens and Tweens. And, since this tour made me remember how fun it is to play touring in my own town, I really recommend checking out our Ultimate 3-Day LA Itinerary by a Local Mom. Man, I love LA.

Ready for some cool, crisp autumn air and a bright expanse of fall foliage? Perfect, because a spectacular show of fall leaves is within a short drive from Los Angeles at multiple locations. There are lots of options for pumpkin picking in Los Angeles but if a relaxing fall drive is more your speed, pack some pumpkin-spiced snacks and hit the road. Not only are our suggestions filled with cute towns and gorgeous hikes, but they also provide fantastic photo ops with stunning multi-colored leaves as a backdrop. (Just in case you're already starting to think about that family holiday card photo!)

For more fall activities from our bucket list of things to do this fall, fall day trips from Los Angeles, and local fall festivals, be sure to check out our Los Angeles Fall Fun Guide.

Planning a family game night? Check out our ultimate list of the 100 best board games for kids and families.

Children see magic because they look for it. Houston kids won’t have to look far, because the Museum of Illusions has opened a location in the Galleria. My family loves immersive experiences, and with over 60 different exhibits, this museum is like no other venue we have seen. 

The Museum of Illusions Houston packs a lot into a small space including optical illusions, visual tricks, and hands-on interactive displays. They even have something called a vortex tunnel that still has us questioning reality. Needless to say, my kids' minds were blown.

We think it will blow your minds as well. But before heading out, read on to learn what to expect from your visit. And don't forget to check out our list of Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families and our Children's Museums and Exhibits Guide for Houston for more museums to explore.

With fewer crowds, more comfortable temperatures, and a pageant of seasonal colors, fall day trips are a great option for Long Island families.

Whether your idea of an autumn getaway involves brightly-hued foliage or an adventure in the urban jungle, we've rounded up 30 fall day-trip ideas from Long Island for families. Some are close by, while others require a few hours in the car or Long Island Rail Road. Some even require a ride on a ferry. But no matter where you go or how you get there, you're sure to create some lasting memories from these fall day trips.

If you're craving an extended adventure, consider one of these nearby destinations for a weekend visit. And, of course, we've got plenty of seasonal fun ideas in our Fall Fun Guide and all-season day-trip inspiration in our Day Trips Guide for Long Island families.

The best kids cooking classes near Boston teach young chefs safe food prep, healthy eating, and nutrition. Whether our kids are adventurous eaters or too timid to try anything beyond boxed mac ’n’ cheese, parents can help instill good food habits. Cooking together at home is one way to do this. There are also plenty of opportunities for instructive fun through kids’ cooking classes and workshops around Boston. Many cooking classes for kids take the form of a single-class workshop or a two- to three-session program. So, even if your children have regular sports team commitments or semester-long dance or music classes, they can still satisfy their inner foodies without missing a goal—​or a beat.

Many kids’ cooking classes are offered during those long school vacations or summer breaks. Cooking workshops around Boston also make fun birthday parties—best of all, no mess for the parents! We’ve rounded up the top places that offer kids’ cooking classes and workshops in and around Boston. Get ready for your kids to cook up something great!

Florida has its “Emerald Coast,” its "Space Coast," its “Treasure Coast,” and even its “Forgotten Coast.” But unless you spend time in its northernmost section, you might be unaware of its “Historic Coast,” headlined by the haven of St. Augustine.

About an hour south of Jacksonville, whose sizable airport services most major carriers, sits America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers. To visit St. Augustine’s charming cobblestone streets and seemingly ancient architecture is to be reminded of Florida’s multicultural history.

Of course, these days visitors—adults and kids alike—are better welcomed than the 18th-century pirates who sailed in for plunder. These days, St. Augustine is a seaside haven for kids and families, particularly those eager to mix a little education with all that Florida sunshine.

Read on for our picks for the 30 best things to do in St. Augustine with kids. Then check out our Florida Family Vacation Guide for more great getaways in the Sunshine State.