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.

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.

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.

Many people ask why take a toddler or baby to Walt Disney World if they won't remember it? It's simple! Parents will always remember their child's first time riding Dumbo, or the smile/horror on their face seeing Mickey for the first time. Toddlers and babies at Disney World will have fun, experiencing new and exciting things. Bonus? Kids are free until they turn three! So for all our parents who dream of bringing their toddlers and babies to Disney World, we have your definitive guide for the best experience possible.

For more tips on a visit to Walt Disney World, like Visiting Every Park at Walt Disney World with Kids or the Best Disney Character Breakfasts for Kids, check out our Orlando Theme Parks & Amusement Parks Guide.

Atlanta playgrounds are the best spots in town for kids to explore the outdoors. Atlanta offers access to so much lush, green space, and Atlanta playgrounds make use of these idyllic spots by attracting the most energetic park enthusiasts: kids! These playgrounds, from Buckhead to Smyrna, have special attractions like water canons, climbing nets, rope pulls, and splash pads—as well as the tried-and-true classics like slides, swings, and monkey bars.

Looking for something else to do outside? Check out Atlanta's best playgrounds for toddlers, hikes for the whole family, and more in our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Atlanta.

Farewell, giant pandas!

It's time to say goodbye to some of Washington, DC's most beloved residents. Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji, the Smithsonian National Zoo's giant pandas, are scheduled to fly home to China by December 7, 2023. While the pandas' departure is bittersweet for the DC area, it is also a chance to celebrate the conservation efforts for this species and the collaboration between the National Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

To help local families see the pandas off, the zoo is hosting a nine-day Panda Palooza full of panda-themed games, activities, entertainment, and more. Here's what to know about this celebration and the beloved pandas.

American Girl dolls bring back fond memories, and the new American Girl Store in Westfield Century City resurfaces those memories even more. The difference was that I got to create new memories with my two-year-old daughter as we had the sweetest day getting dolled up at the American Girl store. 

As a millennial mom, I remember adjusting Molly's glasses on her face, and dressing her in her finest plaid outfit. I remember cozying up in our red living room chair with an American Girl book in one hand and Molly in the other. From manicures to books, keep reading below for what you can expect at the new two-level American Girl Store in Los Angeles. 

The American Girl Store is just the start of the fun at the Westfield Century Mall. Check out why the Westfield Century City is the best mall for kids in LA. 

As the world’s first children’s museum, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum has been a beloved NYC destination since 1899. This Crown Heights institution offers three floors of rotating and permanent interactive exhibits plus hands-on cultural and science programs for little ones, ages 6 months to 10 years. The Brooklyn Children's Museum aims to inspire children to ask questions and discover answers through exploration and play.

My children and I have spent countless hours in the Totally Tots exhibit and graduated to explore all the Brooklyn Children's Museum offers. Read on to learn why the Brooklyn Children's Museum is one of our top NYC museums for kids, and find all our top culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for Kids.