Pack a thermos of cider, bundle up the kids, and discover why these towns are the perfect backdrop for your fall adventures near the Windy City.

Fall in Orlando means cooler weather, pumpkin picking, hayrides, and yes, corn mazes! Orlando corn mazes at family farms transform fields into fun adventures, offering more than just a stroll through the stalks. With extras like pony rides, ziplines, barrel trains, play areas, and pumpkin patches, visiting a corn maze near Orlando makes for the perfect fall day trip for families.

Want even more seasonal fun? Check out our Fall Fun Guide for Orlando Kids to get the latest and greatest scoop! And sign up for our free Orlando newsletter to get updates on fall festivals and Halloween happenings straight to your inbox!

Long Island has no shortage of farms on Long Island, but not all farms are created equal. From petting zoos and playgrounds to festivals and u-pick, the farms we've hand-picked below are sure to make a family outing unforgettable. 

My family particularly likes farms where we get to spend substantial time feeding and petting the animals, as well as farms with interactive play equipment–and LI has some great options for both. 

Be sure to check out our Fall Activity Guide, featuring our Pick Your Own Guide to Farms on Long Island. 

Banned Books Week is October 5-11, 2025, and the Banned Wagon is hitting the road! Powered by Penguin Random House and presented in partnership wth EveryLibrary and First Book, the Banned Wagon celebrates the freedom to read and share ideas, highlights the value of open access to information, and shares the harm of censorship.

The Banned Wagon makes stops in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 8. Visit the wagon to receive a FREE banned book for each person while supplies last! Everything from picture books to novels will be available.

Read on to learn more about the Banned Wagon and where to find it, about banned books, and about how you can help fight book banning. Our list of 30 banned children's books you should read today shows just how important this mission is. You'll find it in our Guide to the Best Kids' Books.

No-carve pumpkin ideas for safe pumpkin decorating, from pumpkin painting to mess-free, stress-free pumpkin primping.

Maybe the gourd’s guts gross your kids out, or you’re avoiding the knives and flames that Jack O' Lanterns require, or you just want less mess. We’ve got hacks that require zero actual hacking, but are still a fun and creative activity that leaves you with festive pumpkins. If even paint is too messy for you, we have a whole list of no-carve and no-paint ways to primp your pumpkin. Get ready to trade seeds for sequins and goo for glue to jazz your Jack O' Lantern without the carve.  

For older kids who can handle a good carving session, browse our piece on Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas featuring links to 20 free pumpkin stencils! For more ways to make the most out of this Halloween, check out our Halloween Guide and look for festive activities near you in our Local Halloween Fun and Activities Guide.

New York City kids (and parents) who love spooky vibes with a side of history have a new experience to add to their must-do list: Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours. Think of it as the city’s most stylish ghost tour—where Gothic charm meets Brooklyn grit—all aboard a custom-designed Victorian trolley that looks like it rolled straight out of a Tim Burton film.

Part history lesson, part ghost story, and part quirky field trip, Madame Morbid takes families and friend groups on a haunted ride through Brooklyn’s past. From tales of forgotten cemeteries to urban legends that refuse to die, it’s a delightfully eerie way to see the city from a new angle.

Find more fun for the spooky season in our NYC Kids' Guide to Halloween Fun, which includes all our top picks for the best things to do in NYC this Halloween. 

October means HALLOWEEN! But that’s just one day, there are 30 more days to fill with awesomely spooky, costume-filled, pumpkin-spiced October fun.

In addition to Halloween, you can also celebrate Fluffernutter Day, Yom Kippur, Wear Something Gaudy Day, International Sloth Day, and more — all in October. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve also rounded up all the Halloween fun with days set aside for Halloween parties, Halloween movies, and pumpkin carving (we've got easy templates so your pumpkins will impress even if you have limited art skills, promise!).

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. For more ideas for Halloween activities, check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

The details on Houston's latest indoor playground.