Pen & paper games are great screen free boredom busters that require no money or equipment—just paper and some pens, crayons, or pencils! That makes them both affordable and perfect for when you're on the go. Many pen & paper games are simple enough for kids but lots of fun for adults, too, so the whole family can get in on the fun.

Here are 35 of the best pen & paper games for kids of all ages, including games that require one, two, or multiple players. This list includes math games, word games, logic puzzles, and even classic games we used to play as kids—remember MASH? Our Games & Activities Guide for Kids has even more screen free boredom busters, including our list of the 100 best board games for family game night. Let the fun begin!

The Hudson Valley is a year-round destination for families throughout the tri-state area, and it's no surprise, as there are tons of activities in the Hudson Valley that cater to kids. It boasts natural beauty, delicious food, and wonderful museums, historic sites, theaters, and play spaces.

With events timed for nearly every holiday, and enough attractions to suit any family's interest, the Hudson Valley beckons visitors searching for a family getaway or day trip. Keep reading for our list of the top 50 things to do in the Hudson Valley with kids, which ranges from the obvious (hello, Legoland New York!) to the under-the-radar.

If you're looking to spend more than a day in the region, be sure to peruse our top picks for family-friendly hotels in the Hudson Valley, and find more family-friendly destinations nearby in our Adirondacks, Catskills, and Hudson Valley Guide.

How does a busy mom of three get each of her kids between different schools, afterschool programs, playdates, birthday parties, and all the other things little New Yorkers do? That’s exactly what Upper West Sider Charleen was desperately trying to solve for herself when she teamed up with her friend Martine to start ShuttleCub.

ShuttleCub is a game-changing child transportation solution built by and for NYC families with safety, professionalism, and care at its core. With its thoroughly vetted fleet of transportation companions, parents can pay reasonable rates to have trusted escorts get their children from point A to point B anywhere in Manhattan.

If a family trip to Spain is on your bucket list, it’s totally worth the trek across the Atlantic! From sunny beaches to magical cities, Spain is packed with kid-friendly adventures, delicious food, and culture packed into every plaza.

If traveling abroad feels daunting, read on for our travel tips and itinerary ideas for how to plan a trip to family vacation in Spain.

If you've got a child in public school, you live by the public school calendar. Many local NYC preschools follow the public school schedule, too. The New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2025-2026 school year is below, and you'll want to bookmark it now for reference—and to help with planning family vacations and school break camp coverage.

Once again, there will be no snow days. Plan on logging your NYC kiddos on for a day of remote learning whenever buildings are closed for snow or other emergencies.

Having the grandparents come visit is a huge win not only for the kids, who will get someone’s undivided attention for more than 10 minutes, but also because you’ll finally get a chance to either get out of the house without little humans attached to you like Velcro or finish up one of the dozens of items on your to-do list. We’ve created a list of fun activities for grandparents and grandchildren that work on holidays, weekends, birthdays, Grandparents Day, or just a boring old Wednesday.

From cooking up a storm to playing endless rounds of Gin Rummy, there’s something on this list that’ll appeal to grandkids (and grandparents) of all ages, interests, and abilities. Because, let’s face it, trying to explain how exactly Roblox works isn’t going to do much when it comes to memory-making with grandparents.

We've got more grandparent suggestions, from 101 Questions To Ask Grandparents About Their Lives to the Ultimate List of Cute and Unique Grandparent Names, all in our Mommy Poppins Parenting (and Grandparenting) Guide.

As parents, we do a fair amount of shopping for our kids, and we're always in search of a good bargain for ever-growing bodies. Personally, I love hitting children's consignment shops and thrift stores.

Besides being a great way to find inexpensive clothes and baby gear, it's fun to stumble across unique items you would never see at a big chain store. Consignment shops are also excellent spots for buying staples like strollers that you use for a little while and then need to pass on.

Shopping secondhand for kids' clothes isn't just budget-friendly—it's also sustainable, community-driven, and fun. From upscale consignment shops in Manhattan to neighborhood gems in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, NYC offers a treasure trove of stylish options for infants, toddlers, tweens, and even expecting parents. If you're shopping for—or with—older kids, take note: There are also some amazing vintage thrift stores in NYC.