Family Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in New England that Welcome Kids

Photo courtesy of Aquila’s Nest Vineyard

New England generally conjures up the tastes of cranberries and maple syrup, but local vineyards prove we can produce some tasty grapes, too, and those make for some fine wineries. Stretching from Connecticut’s "wine trail" all the way up to New Hampshire's White Mountains, many New England vineyards aren't just great places to sip wine with other adults, but also to hang out with kids. Like Boston-area beer gardens and Connecticut craft breweries, these wineries welcome families with beautiful, spacious grounds, and in some cases apple picking, live music, wagon rides, and other fun activities.

Here are our favorite family-friendly vineyards and wineries in New England—from coast to mountaintop. See our posts about outdoor restaurants in Boston and outdoor restaurants in Connecticut for more ideas for dining, or sipping al fresco, with kids.

No-Bake Dessert Recipes Easy Enough for Kids

This no-bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe is so easy your kids can make it!

When the temperature rises, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven! These 12 easy recipes will delight your family’s sweet tooth while keeping the kitchen as cool as a popsicle. Once your child knows how to use a stand mixer and a measuring cup, most of these no-bake dessert recipes can be done independently (or with just a little supervision). While a few of these no-bake desserts require the help of a microwave for melting, nothing will turn up the heat in your kitchen. Stay cool while watching your child whip up something delicious. 

If you are looking for more fun in the kitchen, then check out these Easy Recipes for Kids. 

100 Kids' Books Every Child Should Read Before They Grow Up

Find a new children's book to read today. Photo by Jody Mercier

There is nothing quite like immersing yourself in the pages of a good book. We scoured summer reading lists, book reviews, librarian suggestions, and personal picks to create this list of our top 100 kids' books — page-turners that we hope will transport kids to that state where they lose all sense of time and enter a world filled with imagination. From early readers to young adults, classic books to picture books, check out these top kids' books for a great read any time of year. Find even more great books in our guide to children's books and literature.

The Top 10 Reasons Why I Love My Air Fryer

French fries that are healthy? Yes, please!

How much do I love my air fryer? Oh, let me count the ways ... Despite its name, an air fryer is not really a fryer at all—it's a countertop convection oven that turns foods crispy and golden almost without any oil. But the air fryer goes way beyond fried foods! This tiny powerhouse can cook just about anything you place in it quickly, efficiently, and healthily. The only tricky thing is finding the best recipes that the entire family will enjoy. (Don't worry, I've got you covered with some amazing air fryer recipes.)

9 Must-Try Dude Ranch Vacations for Families

Relax by the pool after a day of riding at the Mountain Sky resort in Montana.

If you’ve always dreamed of roaming the open plains in a saddle, then it might be time to cultivate your family’s inner cowboy on a fab dude ranch vacation. Spending your day trekking through the rugged landscape on horseback before indulging in a five-star meal under the stars is just the beginning when you book a dude ranch getaway. These resorts offer a wide range of low-key activities designed for families. From fly fishing to campfire sing-alongs, these dude ranch adventures will have your family moseying their way all around the country.

Find more family adventures in our National Parks Guide or Camping Travel Guide.  

15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier

No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.

Momming is hard work. But necessity is also the mother of invention, so it seems only fitting that moms have been discovering (and sharing) simple tricks to make mothering a little easier for all of us. From getting kids to eat their vegetables to soothing sunburn, these 15 life-changing #MomHacks will save you a little time and energy—and hopefully a little sanity too.

Looking for more clever mom life ideas? Check out our other creative parenting hacks and tricks, like these fun Tooth Fairy ideas that kids love, some screen-free activities for family night, and even tricks to get toddlers to play by themselves!

10 Hilarious, and Sometimes Very Messy, Bubble Wrap Games for Kids

Bubble wrap games and crafts to try with kids! Photo by Ally Noel

Who can resist the urge to pop that bubble wrap once it comes floating loose from a package? Certainly not any kids we know!

Well, instead of shooing them away from the box as they ready their stomping feet, try one of these 10 clever ways to let kids play with it, get messy with it, and generally have some fun with bubble wrap. It's actually one of our secretly fun exercise games for kids. Also, you're demonstrating some healthy plastic upcycling practices, too. Win-win. Go ahead and add a little "pop" to your playtime. These kid-tested crafts and games will have you engineering roads and creating beautiful swirls and whirls of color and design.

A Camping Getaway in Brattleboro, Vermont

This KOA Campground in Vermont is open spring through fall.

Natural beauty, charming downtowns, and a seemingly endless amount of open space make it is easy to fall in love with Vermont. But camping in Vermont is maybe even more charming of a family getaway!

We recently stayed at a KOA campground in southern Vermont, right next to Brattleboro. This little corner of the Green Mountain State is known for its arts, outdoor adventures, artisanal foods, and tons of Vermont-style fun. Read on for our full campground review, and don't miss our Camping Travel Guide filled with great campgrounds all around the country, or explore our Vermont Family Travel Guide for more New England adventures.

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