Columbus Day is on the horizon and that means New York City kids are staring down another day off. Officially rechristened Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day on the school-year calendar, the holiday falls on Monday, October 10, 2022. If it's snuck up on you, don't panic! There are plenty of things to do in New York City whether you're celebrating Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.

Fall offers the perfect chance to hit one of New York City's many destination playgrounds, of course. Still, we've also scoured our Family Activity Calendar and museum listings, and combed through our day trip guides to put together this list of 25 things to do with the family on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. So, step away from the screen and step outside to enjoy all the city has to offer.

Piñatas are undeniably fun, no matter what you're celebrating. But buying one at a store can get expensive, and making one out of papier-mâché can be time-consuming (plus it's a recipe for a Pinterest fail). But we can tell you how to make a piñata out of materials you may already have at home—paper bag and tissue paper.

Whether you're planning a birthday party (these make great party activities for kids to take home as a non-traditional goody bag), a Halloween bash, or just a random weekend activity, paper bag piñatas are a great bang for your buck. We made ours in about an hour, and filled them with our favorite candy. My kids added googly eyes and sequins; your decorations are limited only by your imagination!

For more crafty fun, check out our list of 100 awesome art projects for kids and more crafting fun on our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids.

For parents, the spookiest part of Halloween might just be searching for the perfect look for their kids, but these Halloween costume stores in NYC make the chore a little easier. If you're looking for unique-to-NYC Halloween costume stores, look no further. These dedicated, year-round costume shops have tons of accessories to pair with the perfect costume.

Once you've nailed the look at these Halloween costume stores in NYC, be sure to bookmark our New York City Halloween Guide to find all top Halloween events and FREE Halloween activities in NYC for kids. After all, a Halloween costume can cost a pretty penny, so you'll want to get as much mileage out of it this Halloween season as you can! Of course, we know all the best spots for trick-or-treating in NYC for the main event, too.

These kids' Halloween movies bring all those witches, ghosts, and goblins to life in classic, not-too-scary movies that are perfect for a family-friendly Halloween movie night!

Whip up a seasonal batch of scarecrow snack mix (you'll find the recipe in our list of scary easy Halloween party snack ideas) while you settle in for a cozy night on the couch with one of these kids' Halloween movies. It's the perfect family-friendly nightcap to fall days spent apple and pumpkin picking or puzzling your way out of a corn maze. With so many spooky films available to rent or stream, it can be hard to choose the right one for your family. From preschool to preteen, our list of the best kids' Halloween movies has something to put everyone in the right spirit.

For more Halloween fun, from Halloween jokes for kids to 75 fun Halloween activities for kids—and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

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

A good New Jersey arcade can offer family-friendly diversions for all ages. Mom and dad can wax nostalgic over their youth, while kids can school the old folks on newer technology. At these indoor fun spots, kids and their parents can enjoy vintage attractions like skeeball, Donkey Kong, Asteroids, Space Invaders, Ms. Pac-Man, air hockey, and pinball—plus check out new games, updates of old faves, and even virtual reality adventures.

We've rounded up a few of the best arcades in New Jersey, from Game Vault in Morristown to the Silverball Museum Arcade in Asbury Park, where you can have fun and lose track of time together.

Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids for more great entertainment ideas. 

A bar or bat mitzvah is a special time and a special ceremony for Jewish teens ages 12 or 13, and there are lots of great venues and event spaces for bat and bar mitzvahs in Chicago. From hotels to city lofts and gaming spaces, these bar mitzvah venues in Chicago are sure to pack the fun for friends and family. For more great party resources, check out our Kids' Party Places in Chicago Guide and our Guide to Special Occasions. 

When people think about having fun in Philadelphia, more times than not they picture Center City! As a former Northeast Philly kid and now Northeast Philly mom, I know first-hand that there's just as much fun to be had in Northeast Philly's awesome neighborhoods. Take a look at my family's favorite places to explore and things to do in Northeast Philly, from play spaces my boys love to spots where mom or dad can find some peace while the kids play.

Looking for the perfect family vacation destination in the mountains? My Florida-based family loves the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN area, home to endless kid-friendly attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities. We've visited this beautiful southern vacation spot several times in the last few years and always find new activities for all ages to enjoy, from toddlers to grandparents.

It helps that both of these Tennessee towns are just moments away from two of the area's top attractions: Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood, a mega theme park. And with so many family-friendly Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels, you won't have trouble finding a great place to stay while you're in town.