Crayola Flowers Has a Bright New School Fundraising Idea

We got to check out the pop-up that launched Crayola Flowers with a "Giving Garden" in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

There’s a bright new school fundraising idea blooming: Crayola Flowers has a new fundraising platform just in time for fundraisers for schools, sports teams, scout groups, and more.

With colors for every team, school, or occasion, you can order flowers for a friend, and a cut will go to the nonprofit of your choice, or use the platform for the next big fundraiser at school and the proceeds go directly to your organization. Crayola Flowers is putting a new spin on raising money that it promises makes sense, scents, and cents for its nonprofit partners.

Looking for more ideas that make this school year a little easier? We've got some easy school spirit week ideas, plus a list of school supplies that are truly unique and useful. They're all in our
Back-to-School Guide.

Grand Residences Riviera Cancun: Family-Friendly, All-Inclusive Luxury in Mexico

Grand Residences Riviera Cancun has two large pools for lounging and swimming.

Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is an all-inclusive Caribbean resort that definitely lives up to its “grand” billing. Every room on the beachfront property is a suite, and the service is charming and detail-oriented, with staff who learn your name.

On a recent three-day visit, we swam in the pool and ocean, took a day trip, attended a cooking class, and had a blissful massage at the on-site spa. We thought the resort was perfect for families who want luxurious touches and value elbow room.

Read on for all the reasons we think Grand Residences Riviera Cancun  is a splurge-worthy option for a sunny vacation. Then be sure to check out our Guide to Family Resorts and Hotels for other spectacular places to stay on your next getaway, including our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids

Best Corn Mazes near NYC for Families

The whole family can get in on the corn maze fun at Outhouse Orchards. Photo by Sara Marentette

Navigating the twists and turns of a corn maze is a perfect fall outing for adventurous NYC families. But with dozens of corn mazes near NYC scattered throughout the rural parts of the tri-state area, the real challenge is deciding which one to visit.

While my family loves our annual corn maze trip to the Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze because of its proximity and kid-friendly size, there are plenty of corn mazes near NYC for families looking to get out of the city for an authentic country experience.

Here, we've compiled a list of almost two dozen of the area's best corn mazes—most within 90 minutes of NYC. Find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun near New York City.

These Funny Animal Memes Explain the Stages of Parenting Perfectly!

No one said the teen years would be pretty!

Cat memes, dog memes, and more funny animal memes tell the story of the stages of parenting...

Bawling babies, terrible twos, sassy school kids, petulant pre-teens, terrifying teenagers—let’s be real, no matter where you’re at in your parenting journey, it feels like the toughest stretch, right? That’s why we’ve got you covered for the entire ride with 20 of those delicious, bite-sized morsels of humor known as memes.

Sometimes all it takes is a good laugh to get through a rough patch, and what’s funnier than our trials and errors depicted through the animal kingdom? Get your giggles on with a tour of the stages of parenting as told through cat memes, dog memes, and other funny animal memes.

For more parenting humor, check out Funny Parenting Memes That Will Make You Feel Seen and 25 Funny Mom Jokes. It's all in our Jokes and Humor Guide.

52 Things To Do in Newport, RI with Kids

Sailing is always on the agenda in Newport. Photo courtesy of Sail Newport

Newport, Rhode Island, has a reputation as a summer playground for the elite, but in truth, it makes for a great family vacation. Yes, you will see fabulous Gilded Age mansions on the cliffs and expensive sailing yachts in the harbor, but coastal Newport also has lots of budget-friendly family fun and even free things to do for kids of all ages.

See our Rhode Island Travel Guide for more local family activity ideas. 

Best Kid-Friendly Wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area

V. Sattui Winery is the perfect place for a picnic.

Kid-friendly wineries do exist, and you can find them all over the San Francisco Bay Area.

Vibrant vineyards, rolling golden hills, fresh country air, and delicious wine make for the perfect day out for grown-ups. But many of the Bay Area's wineries also cater to kids with fun games and activities, animals, playgrounds, non-alcoholic beverages, lots of open space to roam, and plenty of kind hospitality. One Sonoma winery even has a swimming pool!

With nearly 500 wineries in Napa Valley alone, it can be hard to know which ones are family-friendly. We're here to help with our list of the best kid-friendly wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Whether you're taking an epic California family road trip through wine country or just looking for a fun day trip from San Francisco, these wineries are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

For more family vacation ideas in the Golden State, check out our California Family Travel Guide.

Corn Mazes in Connecticut: Fall Fun for Families

Families are taking the field this fall, for family fun at Corn Mazes in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Preston Farms

Locals are spoiled with lots (and lots!) of corn mazes in Connecticut to explore; almost every town is close to one. For Nutmeg families, it's an autumn tradition. Many locations boast not just interesting fields of carved corn, but food, animals, ice cream, games, and play areas. As always read through the most updated information on how challenging the maze is and how you should dress. Many offer easier alternative corn mazes for the little (or less patient) kiddos. 

For more fall events and seasonal family activities, see our Fall Bucket List for Kids. Find the best spots for apple picking in Connecticut, or learn about all the fall festivals and fairs you can add to your calendar.

A-MAIZE-ing Corn Mazes Near Houston

The P-6 Farms Annual Fall Festival features a corn maze. Photo courtesy of P-6 Farms

While drought conditions have lowered the number of corn mazes near Houston, there are still several corn mazes to enjoy at Houston farms, along with other fall favorites like pumpkin patches and fall festivals. So if you have kiddos dying to run through some corn fields, head to one of these larger-than-life Houston corn mazes on fall fun farms where you can also see animals, pick pumpkins, and more. And don't forget to check our Fall Fun Guide for Houston Families for more seasonal activities.

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