If your child is anything like mine, they get bored with visiting your same old beloved neighborhood playground week in and week out. So, I was excited to hear that after years of closure, West Hollywood Playground at West Hollywood Park had finally reopened. I had heard raves about it in years past, but it's been closed practically my daughter's whole life. Let me cut to the chase: it was worth the wait, and I have a new favorite playground! Better than that, my daughter has a new favorite playground; in fact, she had so much fun at the rock climbing and music-making stations that she insisted we go back the very next day. Read on to discover why this inclusive, all-ages playground is our new favorite, and why I think you'll love it, too.

If you're looking for a new playground to add to your repertoire, we've made lists of the best playgrounds in Los Angeles and also amazing playgrounds specifically designed for toddlers in our Favorite Parks and Playgrounds of Los Angeles Guide.

Forget all about the Happiest Place on Earth, Hersheypark is officially the Sweetest Place on Earth. Hershey's is best known for its chocolate treats, but the candy empire also boasts an epic amusement park—located smack dab in the middle of Hershey, PA. There's something for everyone at Hersheypark, whether you're a chocolate lover or a thrill-seeker. And if you're both ... heaven awaits. One of the best things about Hersheypark is that it's a great vacation for the whole family, from babies to grandparents and everyone in between. You won't find teens thinking they're too grown up for it, or little kids terrified or bored at a park that has nothing but roller coasters. Plus, everywhere you turn, there's chocolate.

Wherever you live, Hersheypark is a travel-worthy destination. Read on for tips on taking a trip to every candy-craving kid's dream theme park. Make a whole vacation of it, exploring all of Hershey, PA and nearby Harrisburg, too. For more theme park vacations, check out our Guide to the Best Family Amusement Parks and Water Parks in the US.

When NYC’s theaters reopened last fall, the first place my daughter asked to go was the New Victory Theater. Keep in mind, she's in high school! But her warm feelings for New York's award-winning, year-round family theater are a testament to the appeal and breadth of the New Victory's programming. Even though she's aged out of some of the shows, many offerings entertain audiences of all ages, including hard-to-please tweens.

Located in the heart of Times Square, the New Victory has been the go-to destination for entertaining, enriching, and affordable theater for young audiences since 1995. And with hands-on workshops, interactive pre- and post-show activities, and performances tailored to kids with autism or other sensory, social, or learning disabilities, the nonprofit organization raises the bar for what children's theater can be. As an enthusiastic and longtime New Victory fan, I'm thrilled to share a preview of the theater's 2022-2023 season, including the best shows for different ages and how to save money on tickets.

The New Victory's 2022-23 season features nine family-friendly shows from across the globe, representing a wide range of genres, including circus shows, puppetry performances, and musicals. Make a night (or a day) of it by catching a performance, attending a pre-show activity, grabbing a bite to eat, and even hitting a few offbeat attractions nearby. Tickets are just $20 to $69 and sell fast so purchase early for the best pricing and seating options. Note that theatergoers ages 2+ must be masked, while vaccination is recommended, but not required.

Pro Tip: If you book three or more shows, you automatically become a New Victory member, which means you save 40% on tickets and 25% on family workshops, plus enjoy unlimited, free date changes up to 48 hours before showtime.

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.

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.