Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Photo courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
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Cookeez Makery is one of the hottest new toys of 2024!
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Make memories to last a lifetime at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos.
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Test your family's knowledge with this fun list of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader questions.
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Printable word search puzzles are a great way to keep little brains engaged.
Printable Word Puzzles for Kids: Great Sites for Word Searches, Crosswords, & Word Scrambles
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100 Best 'Would You Rather' Questions for Clever Kids
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These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
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The Saguaro in Palm Springs, California, beckons families with its pool and more.
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All you need for Crazy Hair Day are some cupcake baking cups! Photo by the author
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Timber Ridge Lodge in Geneva, Wisconsin features both an indoor water park and outdoor pools.
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Teachers have found inspiring ways to be there for our kids. Here are some ways to show our appreciation. Photo by Yan Krukov, Pexels
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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Kids love these jokes that require audience participation. Photo by Jay Wood via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Go ahead. Hand them the iPad; these websites for kids are fun and at least a little educational. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Belize is the perfect tropical vacation destination for families.
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Photo of girl laughing by Amina Filkins via Pexels
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Jokes for Kids and More Humor for Kids: The Funny Pages
Toys make perfect first birthday gifts for budding toddlers! But which ones? We've got you covered.
Best First Birthday Gifts: Toys and More for 1-Year-Olds
Get a sunscreen they won't mind slathering on! Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen Lotion image courtesy of the company
Reef-Safe Sunscreen for Kids: Protecting Their Skin and the Planet
Skip the candy and the plastic that ends up in a landfill with these creative goody bag and party favor ideas. Photo courtesy of Hannah Rodrigo/Unsplash
Unique Goody Bag and Party Favor Ideas for Kids' Birthday Parties
Being a dad is one of the two best jobs on earth. Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado
Preparing for Fatherhood: Parenting Tips From Our Favorite Dads
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Crafts & Games Guide: 100s of Activities for Kids
Kids can play these daily word games alone or with a friend. Photo by Sara Marentette
7 Games Like Wordle for Kids: Daily Word Games Online
Sea otters really don't want to get lost! Photo courtesy Joe Robertson/CC BY 2.0
50 Fun Animal Facts For Kids You Won't Believe
These questions to ask grandparents help kids get to know their favorite people a little better.
101 Questions To Ask Grandparents About Their Lives
It's time to plan the ultimate Bluey birthday party!
Bluey Birthday Party Ideas: Bluey Birthday Cake, Games, and More
Adorable? Yes. Useful? No way. Babies don't need shoes.
Deinfluencing Your Baby Registry: Baby Products You Totally Don’t Need
Starface's star-shaped pimple patches make kids look and feel awesome while dealing with pimples.
Best Teen Skincare and Pimple Patches Kids Are Obsessed With—From a Teen!
Kudos diapers use four times more plant-based materials than competing brands. Photo courtesy of Shark Tank Products
Best Diaper Subscriptions in 2023: Amazon, Honest, and More
It's up to kids to save our planet, with a little guidance from us. Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels
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Earth Kids: Green Activities for the Planet
There are so many fun ways to reuse your Imperfect Foods boxes. Photo courtesy of Imperfect Foods
How To Get Free Stuff, Save Money, and Reduce Waste
Grab your list and head out for a scavenger hunt with the kids!
Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids - Plus Cute Printables!
Now we can send you articles about things to do in your neighborhood that match your interests!
Mommy Poppins' New Web App and Notifications Are the Easiest Way To Find Fun Things To Do
Walking, talking, grabbing, holding, smiling, laughing... it's all coming. But when? Photo by Tatiana Syrikova, via Pexels
Developmental Milestones for Babies in the First Year
One top tip is getting kids involved from the planning stage, and they'll want to help cook! Photo by Brooke Lark, via Pexels
Family Dinner Secrets from Savvy Parents: Weekly Menu Planners and Meal Planning Made Easy
Just one kid composting can save 400 pounds of food waste a year. So yes, one kid can make a difference! Photo by Maureen Wilkey
Climate Change: How One Kid (You) Can Take Action
When kids are bored, bored, bored, it's handy to have a whole list of fun things to do. Photo by Mommy Poppins
"I’m Bored, What Should I Do?" 100 Things To Do When Kids Are Bored
There's nothing like a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. Photo courtesy of Cotton Bro Studios
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Top Types of Parenting Styles from Gentle Parenting to Tiger Mom: Which Is Best?
Disney turns 100 and there will be celebrations from coast to coast. Photo courtesy of Disneyland
20 Family-Friendly Openings We're Looking Forward to in 2023
How about a birthday celebration at a local park for free! Photo by Antonius Ferret vis Pexels
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Free Activities, Events, Classes, and Camps for Kids
It's easier than you'd think to turn a simple paper lunch bag into a festive piñata!
How To Make a Piñata at Home: Easy Paper Bag Piñatas
Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Trader Joe's how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: for being inexpensive, gourmet and friendly.
The Best Trader Joe's Food for Families: 50 Favorite Products and Reader's Tips
Snuggle up with one of these beloved bedtime stories for kids. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
41 Best Bedtime Stories for Kids, Including Free Bedtime Stories Online
Screen time doesn't have to be a solo activity with these fun, free online games for kids to play with friends.
20 Free Online Games For Kids to Play Together
Take a spin around the lazy river at Mandalay Bay.
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Las Vegas, Nevada: 50 Awesome Things To Do in Vegas with Kids
SingleCare offers major savings on more than 10,000 prescription drugs through its free app.
This App Offers Up to 80% Off the Whole Family’s Prescription Meds–Here’s My SingleCare Review
The outdoors are a natural playground for curious kids.
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Remember getting your first Cabbage Patch Kid? Photo by Charlotte B
100 Classic Toys for Kids: Favorite Classic Toys, Retro Toys, and Vintage Toys
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The Ultimate Road Trip Guide for Families
Are you brave enough for some of these spooky ghost stories?
21 Kid-Friendly Ghost Stories and Spooky Stories for Kids
A perfectly packed lunchbox helps kick the school blues. Photo courtesy of www.YumboxLunch.com
100 School Lunch Ideas for Kids: Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Actually Eat
Revel in the dirty hands! Outdoor activities help kids sleep better and jumpstarts their imaginations.
30 Outdoor Activities in Nature for Kids for Hands-on Outdoor Learning
Rent a gorgeous backyard pool like this for your family for an hour or a day. Photo courtesy of Swimply
Resort Passes and Daily Pool Rentals Near You: Family Resort Daycations for Everyone
Alphabet Soup. Photo courtesy of foodwithfeeling
100 Top Easy Recipes for Kids: Kid-Friendly Recipes for Every Meal
Gather 'round the campfire and sing some fun songs. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
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These funny jokes for kids will have them laughing in no time!
75 Jokes for Kids That Will Keep the Whole Family in Giggles
Things like having a children's museum with a view like this make it easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Discovery Museum
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Kids can give parents tickets if they forget to turn off the water to soap hands or brush teeth!
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A zip line and more await at Portland's Eagle's Nest Treehouse. Photo courtesy of julian@hipcamp
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Did you know a pillow fight is a great way to get proprioceptive input? Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Find a bare patch of soil to place your seed bomb. Spread them far and wide! Photo by the author
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The Outdoor Play Plaza at Greensboro Children's Museum in North Carolina.
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Enjoy stunning views of the Thames River.
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London With Kids: 60+ Best Things To Do in London on a UK Family Vacation
How does your garden grow? Photo by Filip Urban, Unsplash
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Taco Tuesday makes meal planning easy and dinner kid-pleasing.
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Enjoy the clear turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos.
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Watch as kids become entranced by a live show. Photo by Alexis Buatti Ramos, courtesy of the New Victory Theater
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Our guide to living a more earth-friendly life.
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Plan the perfect at-home kids' birthday party with these ideas and tips. Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights!
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50 Fun Things To Do in Paris with Kids
Children are natural advocates for the planet and our actions truly can make a difference.
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Abracadabra! These videos teach kids how to do magic at home! Photo by Amina Filkins/Pexels
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Try wrapping your tongue around a few of these tantalizing twisters! Photo courtesy of Saeed Karimi via Unsplash
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Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
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Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
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The outdoors are a natural playground for curious kids.
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girl making apple pie courtesy of canva
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Need a kids' music playlist that will get you dancing, eating, and even learning state capitals? We found a playlist for every occasion.
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Have a Post-it party! Easy but fun games for toddlers can be made with household items.
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The Muppet Show never goes out of style. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprise, Inc.
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The Light We Feel Inside encourages children to look to Black female changemakers of the past as guides for their biggest feelings.
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Milo Imagines the World, by Matt de la Peña was one of our favorite books of the year.
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Mexican Instant Pot Quinoa warms on a chilly night.
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Ride the San Diego Zoo Skyfari. Photo courtesy of Christina Simmons, for the San Diego Zoo.
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Walk the rocks at Fort Williams for views of Portland Head Light and the waves.
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With Bestow, get a personalized term life insurance quote—no medical exam required—in as little as five minutes.
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Climb to the highest point in Tennessee at Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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SeaWorld Orlando theme park, zoo and aquarium offers exciting rides and roller coasters, up-close animal encounters. Photo by the author
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Dessert charcutterie boards, like this S'mores Board, delight kids and parents alike.
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Build trains, cars, houses, and creatures with cardboard boxes!
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50 Genius Things to Do with Cardboard Boxes, Plus More Cardboard Crafts and Activities for Kids
A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
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Use recyclables and household objects to build a better bridge.
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Visit Adirondacks
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Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
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100 Things To Do in Los Angeles Before Kids Grow Up
The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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This Week: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Viewing Tips, Holiday Volunteering with Kids, Amazing Canstruction Pics, Thanksgiving Crafts

11/7/13 - By Raven Snook

Thanksgiving and the overall holiday season were the hot topics across all of our sites this week. We shared what's new at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; posted cool Thanksgiving crafts; highlighted holiday vacation deals on our Travel site; and rounded up kid-friendly holiday volunteering opportunities in NYC, Westchester and New Jersey.

Speaking of ways families can give back this season and have fun, on Election Day my daughter and I went to the annual Canstruction exhibit at Brookfield Place and took the awesome photos above. All of the structures are made from full cans of food, which will be donated to City Harvest later this month. Go gawk at the amazing works and bring cans of food to give to the charity, too. Another cool way to help local families in need? Attend our Mommy Poppins Holiday Photo Event on Saturday, November 16. Not only will you get crafts, storytime and awesome pics of your kids with Santa or against a seasonal background, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Food Bank For New York City. Book your session today.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

It's a new month so we have a new neighborhood focus: Brooklyn Heights. We kicked off our coverage with a roundup of the top 35 things to do with kids in the area.

We also started updating our NYC Holiday Guide for the season with posts about the best places to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, cute Thanksgiving crafts and where to volunteer with kids during the holidays.

Even though it has already passed, most of our suggestions for FREE things to do with kids on Election Day are still valid!

The Big Apple Circus' brand-new show, Luminocity, is set in Times Square and full of jaw-dropping feats.

We got a sneak peek at the overhauled Queens Museum, which reopens this Veterans Day weekend with lots of fun and FREE family activities.

More best bets for the three-day holiday weekend include a stage adaptation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar/, FREE family films at KidCinemaFest and the NYC Veterans Day Parade.