Peek Inside the New CMOM as it Unveils Plans for a Sprawling UWS Space Opening in 2028

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CMOM has revealed plans for its new, permanent space on 96th Street and Central Park West. Rendering courtesy CMOM/by darcstudio

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan unveiled new details of its $300 million transformation this week. Overlooking Central Park at Central Park West and West 96th Street, the historical church-turned-to-museum will transform into an 8,000-square-foot bustling hub for children and families throughout the city, giving CMOM more than twice the visitor capacity of its current location. The new CMOM is expected to open its door in 2028.

Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest this Halloween, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, like the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide. 

See Stunning Fall Leaves on a Long Island Nature Walk

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The Quogue Wildlife Nature Preserve is open daily and is free of charge. Photo courtesy of the Quogue Lake Wildlife Refuge

Looking for the best nature walks to go see fall leaves on Long Island with kids? Read on for our top picks for reveling in magnificent autumn colors across LI. 

Fall on Long Island is perfect for memory-making with kids. The fall leaves and colors lend themselves to great family photos that will put you ahead of the game for holiday cards. 

So, grab your hiking shoes, pack some snacks, and enjoy a family day at one of these destination nature walks. Be sure to check out our Fall Fun Guide for more kid-friendly activities this season. 

40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day

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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

New Jersey is teeming with potential rainy-day activities that are perfect for when your active kiddos want to do more than curl up with a book or stomp in a puddle. No matter the season, New Jersey has an array of great indoor activities for the whole family, from museums and indoor play spaces to bowling alleys, roller rinks, and more.

If staying in sounds better, we've got plenty of ideas for at-home rainy-day fun, too. Find more picks for things to do with kids on the next bad weather day in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for Kids. 

Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!

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Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden

Whether you're a New York City resident or planning an epic Christmas in NYC itinerary, there are so many holiday and Christmas events in New York City that it's never too early to get a jump-start on planning your holiday season must-do's.

In fact, many Christmas events in NYC are already selling tickets—and fast! So act now to ensure you've secured your seats and reservations to these family-friendly holiday happenings in NYC.

The holiday season is big business in NYC, whether you're looking for a hotel with a view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or booking tickets to a beloved annual show like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, read on for our top picks for Christmas events you need to book now, and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC.

12 Haunted Houses in Chicago Perfect for Families Who Love Thrills and Chills

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Photo courtesy of Sonny Acres Farm

If you like all things thrills and chills, this collection of haunted houses in Chicago is just for you. We've curated a list of haunted houses in and near Chicago, and don't worry—if you've got a little one who's not quite ready for a proper haunted house, we have a few options that'll get the right amount of screams that don't equal nightmares. 

Many of these haunted houses in Chicago (and haunted factories, prisons, forests, and maybe even a haunted office building) are super-scary and not recommended for kids under a certain age. Parents should know their children's (and their own) tolerance for gore and fright before heading to one of these haunted venues.

These haunted houses in Chicago are just a few of the fun Halloween experiences for kids and families. Be sure to also check out our list of free Halloween events and many other Halloween happenings in our Halloween Guide.

Activate Atlanta: A Physical Gaming Experience for Big Kids and Teens

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

Test your physical and mental prowess at Activate Atlanta, a gaming facility perfect for big kids, teens, and adults!

Activate Atlanta is an exciting, live-action gaming activity for families with children ages 10 and older. While kids will love the state-of-the-art gaming elements and light effects, parents will appreciate that this is an active gaming experience, utilizing teamwork with physical movement that includes running, jumping, climbing, crawling, and throwing. My kids were so excited to visit Activate — after only five minutes, my 13-year-old asked, "Can I have my birthday party here?!" Even more exciting? Mommy Poppins readers can use the promo code POPPINS10 to receive 10 percent off when booking online through November 6, 2024!