Take your kid to a birthday party and you expect to see other kids—but what about a flamingo, a bearded dragon, a chinchilla, or a kinkajou? If you have a young animal lover in your family, you can bring more to the party table than safari-printed plates and plastic animals. These New Jersey companies bring over live animals—from ponies for riding to alligators for ogling—that will have your guests talking for weeks, if not years. Some of the animals can be handled and petted; others can be observed up close. Either way, kids will learn a lot and have a ton of fun along the way.

Read on to find out how to transform your home into the petting zoo of your child's dreams for his or her special day. Find more New Jersey kids' party ideas in our Birthday Guide.

When I heard Pasadena's popular Neon Retro Arcade was opening a second location in Northridge, I was psyched. I figured it would be a big hit with CSUN students as well as grown-ups of a certain age (ahem) who fondly remember joysticks and token play. What I wasn't sure about was whether little kids who are used to playing console games on living room wide-screen TVs would be as interested in their parents' pixelated playthings. 

It's no secret that living in New York City and raising kids here isn't cheap. So one of my favorite finds has been the IDNYC program, which, among other things, offers FREE and reduced-price memberships more than 40 cultural institutions across the city.

Since the municipal ID program launched in 2015, more than 1 million people have turned up at IDNYC centers to get their free ID cards and the benefits that being a card-carrying citizen of this great city brings. In 2018, the city introduced several new institutions to the program, including two that might interest NYC families: Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn and Chelsea Piers are now IDNYC partners. At Aviator, you can nab an individual membership for 20 percent off and score 15 percent off party bookings. Chelsea Piers invites you to enjoy 2-for-1 admission at its indoor ice skating rink as well as discounts at its driving range.

The IDNYC card offers more than cultural benefits: Families can take advantage of discounts on prescription drugs, car-share memberships, movies, sporting events, and more. It even acts as a public library card and can help you open an account at a bank or credit union.

I've put my card to use to take advantage of these benefits and more, so read on for a dozen reasons to sign up for your FREE card, including discounted admission to some of the city's best children's museums and zoos.

There are plenty of summer camp options on Long Island, and choosing among them might be dizzying.

But if you have a budding athlete on your hands or one who is trying to improve his or her skills, you might want to consider a sports camp. We've rounded up a few for you. In addition to the camps listed below, check out your local YMCA, community center or township office for programs offered at reasonable prices. And be sure to check out our Long Island Summer Camps Guide for more camps in the area.

Hiking around Houston and its surrounding areas is one of our favorite active pastimes; there's just nothing quite like exploring the great outdoors with your little ones and watching as they discover new things happening in their environment. Our city is full of great trails to tackle with the kids in tow, however sometimes having a guide lead the way is the best option for budding explorers and naturalists. We rounded up four of the best options for getting out and about in nature with your toddlers and preschoolers, turning hiking into an activity that is both educational and fun. 

If you have little scientists at home, summer is the perfect time to stimulate and nourish their interest in science and nature at these summer camps. Long, warm days allow for exploration of forests, beaches, riverbeds, and clear skies. Whether it be paleontology, archeology, animals, or geology, Connecticut, though a small state, packs a plethora to choose from for any science buff. Take a look at these fantastic options available for kids in New Haven County and grant your children the gift of hands-on learning while acquiring new skills and expanding their circle of friends. Also, be sure to check out our CT Summer Camp Guide and our Summer Camp Directory.

Nobody can deny that there are plenty of wonderful ski resorts in southern and central New England. That said, sometimes families want to branch out for something a little different (without going so far as to board a plane to do it). When my family goes skiing, we go to Sugarloaf. Now, look—I know what you’re thinking. Why in the name of all that is holy would we voluntarily drive all the way up to the heart of Maine with children just to go skiing? Let me explain.

Find more family ski destinations in our Skiing and Snow Sports Guide.

It's time to party, New Jersey! We've rounded up 15 of our favorite places to celebrate in the Garden State. Whether your birthday kid is into cooking, laser tagging, bouncing, or crafting, there's a place that's perfect for hosting your next bash. And if you're looking for more specific ideas—for a first birthday, perhaps, or the best spots for preschoolers' parties—be sure to check out our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide.