Best Things To Do on Halloween in NYC with Kids: Halloween Events on October 31

Join the Halloween party at Bryant Park to enjoy eerie magic tricks, face painting, arts & crafts, and spooky stories. Photo by Angelito Jusay

Few holidays rival the scope and spectacle of Halloween in NYC, and while we've already told you about tons of fun things to do in NYC on Halloween, consider this your must-do guide to the big day. Our NYC Halloween Fun Guide overflows with Halloween parades, FREE Halloween events, and we've even spilled the beans on the best trick-or-treating spots in each of the five boroughs.

The countdown to Halloween is officially on. Some things are certain: The trick-or-treating in Tribeca will be packed with amazing costumes. The Jackson Heights Halloween Parade will be as big as ever, and the BAMboo! block party and Myrtle Monster Mash are going to rock Brooklyn.

Whatever you decide to do on Monday, October 31, arrive early and expect crowds. For the best ways to plan an epic Halloween night with your NYC kids, scroll on. Most of our picks are FREE or inexpensive.

Cemetery Lane at Heritage Square Is a Candy-Filled Historical Haunt for All Ages

The Victorian-era buildings at Heritage Square are the perfect backdrop for a haunted trick-or-treat outing.

For most of the year, Heritage Square is a living, open-air architectural museum that hosts guided tours of the buildings—and while they are purportedly haunted, visiting is not a spooky experience. However, when mid-October rolls around, Heritage Square transforms into Cemetery Lane. It’s a land of monsters, ghosts, games, and, of course, candy. The ghouls have a lighthearted approach to spooking, focused on handing out candy and not terrifying small children. Open until Halloween night, Heritage Square’s Cemetery Lane is a perfectly unique way to celebrate both Halloween and Los Angeles.

I took my two little girls, and our whole family had a wonderful time. This taste of LA will become part of my family's Halloween tradition for years to come. Here's why...

And if you're looking for more Halloween outings that are great for kids of all ages, check out our reviews of Haunt O' Ween and Nights of the Jack. You can find those reviews, and loads more fun activities for the spooky season, in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

First Thanksgiving Recipes to Make Today—Kids Can Help Prepare!

When you mix some traditional dishes into modern favorites, kids learn about the culinary history on Thanksgiving.

While our 21st century Thanksgiving feast may bear little resemblance to a 1621 celebration or to the meal popularly referred to as the First Thanksgiving, it's fortunate that we don't have to travel back in time to learn about the traditions that are at the root of today’s holiday. In fact, we only have to travel about 45 minutes south of Boston to Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA, to find what is often called the birthplace of our national Thanksgiving celebration. Curious to know what a “first” Thanksgiving would have looked like, we spoke with Kathleen M. Wall, culinary historian at Plimoth Plantation, for some insights and recipes that kids can help make.

55 Fun Things To Do around Miami with Kids Before They Grow Up

Get up-close with crocodiles at Zoo Miami. Photo by Ron Magill for Zoo Miami

Whether you're raising your kids in Florida or just bringing them here for a great family vacation, Miami (and the rest of Southern Florida) has plenty of kid-pleasing things to do. Snowbirds might not realize it, but there there is so much more to do in Miami with kids than just the beach. Miami Dade families enjoy outdoor activities all year round, from boating and pools to splash pads and parks—but there are also top-notch museums, animal encounters, great sports teams, and farms. And don't forget about Miami's proximity to the Everglades.

Read on for our favorite things to do around Miami, Florida with kids, including top-recommended family-friendly Miami restaurants and kid-friendly Miami hotels (for fledgling snowbirds).

100 Things To Do in San Francisco With Kids Before They Grow Up

The Bay Area Discovery Museum has the most stunning view of any kids' museum. Ever.  Photo courtesy of the Museum

Kids born here will leave their hearts in San Francisco, the Golden Gate city, the City by the Bay, no matter where the world takes them. But they’ll take with them a million memories of growing up here: of the crooked streets, cable cars, bridges, boats, and tons more unique and amazing things to do in San Francisco with kids. Sure, you've visited Alcatraz and seen a Giants game. But whether you’ve lived here all your life, just moved to town, or are visiting for the weekend, there are sure to be a few of these 100 not-to-be-missed, family-fun outings that you have yet to do.

Check out our list of 100 things to do in San Francisco with Kids, and be sure to let us know if we’ve missed anything! If you’re looking for more things to do in the Bay Area this weekend, or anytime, be sure to check out our picks for this weekend, and our loaded San Francisco calendar of events.

Best Consignment Shops in Connecticut: Where To Find Gently Used Clothing for Kids

Connecticut consignment shops buy and sell a vast selection of gently used clothing and more. Photo courtesy of Around the Rosy.

The best consignment shops in Connecticut let parents save and make money. Kids are always growing, as are their clothing and shoe sizes. Keeping up can pose a challenge and someties strain a budget. Connecticut's consignment shops can meet your family's needs with amazing selections and discount prices. Beyond clothing, many of these stores have toys, gear, furniture, and more. Consignment shops in Connecticut are great options to save money with gently used clothing for kids—and parents! In addition, consignment stores buy quality goods, letting parents earn back some money with those barely used items. Finally, consignment shops give customers a new meaning to sustainability by purchasing and selling items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Whether you're buying, selling, or both, here is our list for best consignment shops in Connecticut.

For more great ways to stretch the family budget, check out our guide to Fun Free Things To Do for Connecticut Kids. And keep an eye on our Events Calendar for the latest activities, fairs, and seasonal markets around Connecticut!

Amsterdam with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam is famous for its flowers and canals. Photo courtesy of i amsterdam

With its placid canals, narrow cobblestone streets, and diminutive canal houses, Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It also holds a special place in my heart, as I lived there throughout my twenties. But during a recent family trip to Amsterdam with my wife and 8-year-old daughter, I was also pleasantly surprised to discover how easy it is to experience Amsterdam with kids. Playgrounds are plentiful, restaurants are welcoming (national dishes include pancakes and French fries), and museums are geared towards children. Plus, every Dutch person learns English at a young age, so language isn't a barrier.

Here are 30 of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids, including great Amsterdam hotels for families and the best restaurants in Amsterdam for kids. Discover more family travel destinations in our European Travel Guide for Families, which features other kid-friendly cities in Europe such as London and Paris.

8 Top Dual Language Preschools Near Chicago

Photo courtesy of the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center

If you’re interested in exploring the many benefits of a dual-language preschool in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. Preschools in Chicago featuring dual language programs provide a curriculum that is either partly or completely immersed in a second language. The goal is to help students reach developmental, literacy, and language milestones in two languages. We’ve rounded up some great preschools in Chicago as well as the nearby suburbs. Some schools on this list continue through elementary school as well. 

For more preschools in Chicago, check out our list of Top Montessori Preschools in Chicago.

Pages