Halloween kicks off with your best pumpkin carving idea... The cornerstone of any great Halloween display—the jack-o'-lantern—is always one of our favorite things to do with kids in the fall, right after the apple picking and a pumpkin patch outing. Pumpkin carving is one of those rare activities that every member of the family can enjoy: little kids love the mess, big kids love the chance to wield a knife, and parents love to show off latent creative skills. From easy to timely to spooky pumpkin carving ideas, we’ve rounded up 20 of our favorite pumpkin carving stencils, all of which include a link to the FREE pumpkin carving stencil design.

Be sure to check out our Halloween Guide for loads more ideas for Halloween fun: We've got over 100 ideas for kids' Halloween costumes, scarily funny Halloween jokes for kids, Halloween movies for the whole family, and so much more.

And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!

Explore some of the best Central Florida boardwalk trails for families. While the Orlando area is bursting with beautiful hiking trails, nature paths, and parks, sometimes you need something that's 100 percent stroller-friendly; a path that's easy for new walkers, with no roots or rocks in their way; or maybe your kids want the unique experience of walking on water!

These Orlando boardwalk picks are stroller-friendly, accommodate children, and offer the perfect outdoor adventures for families to enjoy nature and burn off energy. For more outdoor adventures, check out the Top 10 Natural Springs in Florida Near Orlando and Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Orlando and Central Florida.

You can feel good about a visit to Muddy Paws Farm Rescue for two reasons: Your kids will be thrilled feeding and petting the farm animals, and you'll have donated to an incredible nonprofit that rescues mistreated animals.

Located in Southampton, New Jersey, Muddy Paws has more than 100 animals for your family to pet and pamper. If this sounds like a fun outing for your family, read on for tips on visiting the farm with kids.

Read our roundup of New Jersey's best petting zoos for more great places to visit some furry friends. 

Libraries across Long Island provide incredible opportunities for kids to learn, play, read, and explore. Parents can entertain kids for hours in any season and weather with a visit to one of the fantastic, hands-on, FREE play spaces and children's rooms many Long Island library branches offer. 

From building blocks galore to exciting nature discovery zones to wooden trains to board, Long Island libraries offer kids a place to let their imaginations soar. We’ve rounded up a list of destination-worthy Long Island libraries with memorable play areas, both indoors and outdoors. For more family adventures as the weather cools off check out our Free Things to Do Indoors on Long Island and 15 Family Fun Centers on Long Island. 

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Denali National Park in Alaska offers an unforgettable adventure for families, with a chance to see the tallest mountain in North America and a variety of wildlife. Whether it’s spotting a moose, enjoying a scenic hike, or visiting sled dogs, there are countless ways for families to have fun.

If you feel daunted by Denali National Park’s 6 million acres, remote location, limited road access, unpredictable weather, or even bears(!), we have tips to help you navigate any potential hurdles. Denali is a fantastic destination for families looking to create lasting memories while exploring one of the country's most iconic national parks.

Find more family fun in Alaska, including our insider's guide to Sitka and our list of free things to do in Seward, in our Alaska Family Travel Guide

The tri-state area has some of the most spectacular fall leaves in the US. Families looking to peep some fall leaves near NYC can head out to some amazing, unique, fall foliage-filled locations in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley.

Our list of where to see fall leaves near NYC includes something for all autumn connoisseurs, from adventurous views from above to more leisurely fall foliage frolicking. The best time to see fiery fall leaves in New York and the surrounding areas is likely early October.

For even more seasonal activities, don't miss our Guide to Fall Fun and Day Trips.

My daughter may be in college now, but we still catch as many shows as we can at the beloved New Victory Theater. That’s a testament to its reputation as New York’s premier performing arts destination for families, with programming that entertains and engages kids and adults alike–so you never outgrow its offerings. Sure, sometimes we bring a 6-year-old cousin along, but just as often we don’t!

Right on 42nd Street in Times Square, the off-Broadway theater has been the go-to destination for enjoyable, enriching, and affordable theater for young audiences and their grown-ups since 1995. With hands-on workshops, pre-show activities, post-show photo ops, and performances tailored to kids with autism and other sensory, social, and learning disabilities, the nonprofit has introduced multiple generations to the magic of the performing arts and raised the bar for what family theater can be.

As a theater enthusiast and longtime New Victory fan myself, I'm thrilled to share a preview of the venue’s 2024-25 season, including the best shows for different ages and tips on how to save money on tickets.

October means HALLOWEEN! But that’s just one day, there are 30 more days to fill with awesomely spooky, costume-filled, pumpkin-spiced October fun.

In addition to Halloween, you can also celebrate Fluffernutter Day, Rosh Hashanah, Wear Something Gaudy Day, International Sloth Day, and more — all in October. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve also rounded up all the Halloween fun with days set aside for Halloween parties, Halloween movies, and pumpkin carving (we've got easy templates so your pumpkins will impress even if you have limited art skills, promise!).

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. For more ideas for Halloween activities, check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.