Toddlers. In addition to being world-class tantrum-throwers and tiny dictators, they’re also natural explorers and imaginative inventors who see the potential in everything from cardboard boxes to your new pair of shoes. And sometimes these busy little creatures need a distraction to survive a meal, car ride, or even a diaper change.

It’s tempting to hand over a screen in those moments. (Who hasn’t surrendered their phone on the changing table? Or is that just me?). That phone might be burning a hole in your pocket with all its Miss Rachel magic, but we’ve got over 50 simple and screen-free toddler activities to stash in that back pocket instead.

Because toddlers are hardwired with curiosity, it's easier than you might think to tap into the invaluable benefits of screen-free play, like honing social skills, practicing problem solving, and engaging in creativity and movement. This list features screen-free play ideas and distractions that will delight kids in all kinds of scenarios, whether solo or with siblings, indoors or outdoors, at the airport, or in the waiting room.

For even more screen-free play ideas and toddler activities at home, check out our Crafts for Kids Guide, which includes or list of simple crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. Or try one of our low-effort toddler games.

Ride on toys are the perfect gift to give a child if you really want to "wow" them. After all, what's more fun than zooming around town—or the house—on two, three, or four wheels? Plus, many kids' ride on toys have the added benefit of building balance, coordination, muscle strength, and fine motor schools.

We've rounded up 21 of the best ride on toys for kids of all ages, from toddlers all the way through teens (and even adults). These kids' ride on toys run the gamut from ride on horse toys to scooters to tricked-out electric cars for kids. With these ride on toys, your kiddo will surely be cruising the neighborhood in style.

Find more awesome gifts for kids, from the best first birthday gifts to the best gifts for tweens and teens, in our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide.

If you're looking for a tropical family vacation that balances relaxation and adventure—and requires no passport—Puerto Rico is the perfect location. Check out our five-day itinerary for visiting Puerto Rico with kids and you'll see why! But of course, no family vacation is great without finding an awesome place to stay.

Here are 10 great hotels in Puerto Rico for families, including resorts near the lush El Yunque National Forest, hotels in San Juan, and more. All of these hotels in Puerto Rico feature kid-friendly amenities like stunning pools, gorgeous beaches, kids' clubs, nature activities, and more.

Looking for more great places to stay with kids in the US and abroad? Check out our Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels.

When you visit Luna Park or Deno's Wonder Wheel at Brooklyn's Coney Island, you're seeing a piece of living history. The world-famous and innovative amusement parks have been around since the late 1800s, and luckily, there's a place that celebrates the lengthy history of the area: The Coney Island Museum.

This local hidden gem is a loving homage dedicated to the area's rich history, old attractions and artifacts, and their impact on the culture of entertainment—many locals have no idea the museum even exists. Here's why this NYC hidden gem is worth visiting next time you find yourself in this shore front enclave.

Find big scares across New England for bigger kids in 2025!

As a Philadelphia mom who absolutely loves Halloween but can’t handle the scary stuff, I was so excited to check out Halloween House in Deptford—and it did not disappoint! This is a fun, family-friendly Halloween experience that’s spooky but not scary, making it one of the best Halloween events for families in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area.

Looking for a more frightful experience? Check out our list of haunted experiences in the Philadelphia area or check out our Halloween Fun Guide for even more treats this season! 

Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm isn't your average parking lot pumpkin patch. Rather, it's the epitome of all things fall, and it's the perfect place to celebrate autumn, Halloween, and of course, pumpkins. When we visited, my husband kept commenting on how giddy I was. I couldn't help it—Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm was everything I love about October all rolled into one, big, pumpkin-y package. And this year, the patch is celebrating its 45th anniversary by hosting a season that is bigger and better than ever before. 

Halloween in NYC is just as much fun for teens as it is for little ones. While teens may no longer go trick-or-treating, they still want to hit the streets and celebrate with their friends. Many of our favorite kid-friendly Halloween activities don't appeal to teens, but that doesn't mean there aren't Halloween activities and events in NYC for teens.

We've rounded up the best Halloween events in New York City for teens to help them plan their spooky night. From Halloween-related performances to the world-famous Village Halloween Parade and blood-curdling haunted houses, teens have a lot of options when it comes to Halloween in New York City.

Read on for our teen-approved picks for a ghoulish Halloween in NYC. To give your teens more ideas on how to spend a night out in NYC, check out our recent piece on the best after-dark teen activities in NYC and our entire NYC Teens Guide to Fun Things To Do.