Special Occasions

10 Restaurants for a Kid-friendly Thanksgiving Dinner: Turkey Day the Easy Way

Submitted by Audrey M on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 1:03pm

Picture your ideal Thanksgiving. Are you imagining a delicious multi-course meal shared with family and friends? Or are you imagining hours of shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning while the TV is blaring football, and you're not spending enough time spent with people you already don't see often enough? This could be a good year to try something new. Go out for Thanksgiving dinner—have your feast and eat it, too, while enjoying conversation with family and friends. And best of all, someone else cleans up afterward.

Indoor Party Spots with Mega Play Spaces for LI Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 10/26/2018 - 2:00pm

Birthday parties at home are great when kids are tots and a few games in the backyard are all that is needed. But as kids get older and invitations need to go out, a party venue makes things easier. Here then is our list of indoor party spots with the biggest and coolest play spaces, sure to wow the birthday kid and the partygoers.

For more birthday party ideas, see our birthday party guide for Long Island kids, with recommendations on party spots for toddlers, tweens, and more.

25 NYC Restaurants Serving Family Thanksgiving Dinner

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 10/22/2018 - 4:00pm

Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings—and to spend hours in the kitchen, right? Eh, we New Yorkers of small-space kitchens and rapid-fire takeout options often prefer to let someone else handle our annual turkey fest. Of course, in New York City we can choose from many award-winning restaurants for that amazing dinner. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a number of options in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to make this November 22, 2018 as easy and delicious as possible.

Now, instead of deep-cleaning your apartment to host those far-flung relatives (and their expectations), you can spend the night before Thanksgiving in a more festive way—say, watching the inflation of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons, sightseeing, or even volunteering. After all, what could be more of a New York City Thanksgiving experience than that?

Find even more family-friendly NYC eateries in our local restaurant guide. Visiting and still looking for a place to stay? Check out these top family-friendly NYC hotels, or these Midtown gems offering views of the Macy's parade.

20 Free Ways to Celebrate Your Kid's Birthday

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Mon, 10/01/2018 - 3:00pm

Do an internet search for "NYC Birthday Fun for Kids" and you'd think, based on the results, that what city parents really want more than anything is to find the most outrageously expensive ways possible to celebrate their child’s special day. Clowns! Mermaids! Mermaid clowns!

Nothing against mermaids or clowns, of course, but we’ve got 20 super simple and fun ideas to make your kid's birthday as extraordinary as he or she is, without coughing up the equivalent of next month’s rent. All it takes is a bit of imagination and ingenuity to create new traditions that make the birthday child feel special...without spending a dime.

Check out our Birthday Party Guide for more ideas for the big day, or our 100 Things to Do in NYC list for more memory-making inspiration.

Where to Find Pumpkin Patches Around Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 09/07/2018 - 1:59pm

With Halloween right around the corner and fall finally in the air, it's time to gather up the kids and head out to do some pumpkin picking. We've rounded up several different locations throughout the city hosting pumpkin patches and fall festivals throughout the month of October, so no matter where you are in Houston, you're sure to find a pumpkin patch nearby.

Grandparents' Day in Philly: Time to Send the Kids to Grandma's

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Sat, 09/01/2018 - 10:10am

Whether you call them Grandma, Granddad, Nana, or Poppop, grandparents add an enormous amount of value to the life of a child. They're the best babysitters, treat sharers, spoilers, and we love them so. And what better excuse than Grandparents Day (September 9) to send the kids out for some fun with their grands...and get some time to yourself! To help you and the extended family out, we've rounded up some wonderful ways to celebrate grandparents. From sporting events to nature excursions, there is something for everyone. Keep reading to discover all the ways to show Mom Mom and Pop how much you love them this Grandparents Day. So, #DoSomethingGrand, #TakeAGrandie and make #GrandparentsDay special for the loved ones in your family.

Secret LA: How To Visit Hollywood's Famous Magic Castle

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 06/26/2018 - 2:16pm

You've either seen the imposing Victorian mansion on Franklin Avenue or you've heard about it—Hollywood's Magic Castle, perhaps LA's best insider secret and one of the many places you might want to take your kid in Hollywood. But discovering the Castle is just the beginning. It's invitation-only—so how do you get in?

What You're Missing If You Don't Know Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater

Submitted by Arianna Menon on Sun, 06/24/2018 - 6:27pm

Seeing a puppet show is not only one of the many fun things kids can do in Downtown LA, it's an experience that a child will remember for life. Here in LA we are lucky to have our local treasure, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, the oldest children’s theater in Los Angeles. Although the founder passed on a few years ago, the puppets carry on his legacy, walking, running, and dancing in front of their audience—and even reaching out to little audience members to pat heads and shake hands. Put your kid's iPad away, because this slice of LA history offers real interactivity that is sure to delight.