Here's something deserving of applause: This is the first jam-packed NYC season of fall theater in NYC for kids since 2019! Even better, you don't need to shell out big bucks on Broadway to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience. In fact, this fall theater season boasts more high-quality, family-friendly productions for young audiences than ever—so many in fact, we have a whopping 21 picks on this list of the best fall theater in NYC for kids, and that's after whittling down the contenders.

Preschoolers will be thrilled to see Disney doggy Bluey and fuzzy Sesame Street stars live on stage. Older kids can check out page-to-stage adaptations of The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and The Three Musketeers. Plus everyone in your family can enjoy the circus spectacles coming to town, including Big Apple Circus, Bindlestiff Calvacade of Youth, and Circus Vazquez. Best of all, many of our picks are $25 or less per ticket. Read on for our top picks for fall theater in NYC for kids and bookmark our NYC Guide to Children's Theater and Shows for more top picks and reviews.

Columbus Day is on the horizon and that means New York City kids are staring down another day off. Officially rechristened Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day on the school-year calendar, the holiday falls on Monday, October 10, 2022. If it's snuck up on you, don't panic! There are plenty of things to do in New York City whether you're celebrating Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.

Fall offers the perfect chance to hit one of New York City's many destination playgrounds, of course. Still, we've also scoured our Family Activity Calendar and museum listings, and combed through our day trip guides to put together this list of 25 things to do with the family on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. So, step away from the screen and step outside to enjoy all the city has to offer.

For parents, the spookiest part of Halloween might just be searching for the perfect look for their kids, but these Halloween costume stores in NYC make the chore a little easier. If you're looking for unique-to-NYC Halloween costume stores, look no further. These dedicated, year-round costume shops have tons of accessories to pair with the perfect costume.

Once you've nailed the look at these Halloween costume stores in NYC, be sure to bookmark our New York City Halloween Guide to find all top Halloween events and FREE Halloween activities in NYC for kids. After all, a Halloween costume can cost a pretty penny, so you'll want to get as much mileage out of it this Halloween season as you can! Of course, we know all the best spots for trick-or-treating in NYC for the main event, too.

Kids love all things magic, and parents can find a handful of magicians, magic shows, and magic shops in NYC. At these mystifying destinations, kids can attend magic shows in NYC staged by world-class magicians, plus stock up on all the tricks of the trade, and even enroll in a magic class to learn the craft themselves.

From Abracadabra to The Brooklyn Magic Shop and beyond, read on for the best magic shops in NYC, plus our favorite magic classes and New York City magic shows, then marvel when your kid learns to perform unbelievable sleight of hand tricks that'll leave you amazed. Find more offbeat classes for kids in our New York City Classes for Kids Guide.

The beautiful Hudson Valley is home to 18 New York state parks, which offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy easy hikes near NYC along tree-lined trails with stunning panoramic views, and lots of special features like waterfalls, swimming lakes, and sandy beaches. With so many beautiful easy hikes near NYC, it's hard to know where to start.

To help, we've picked our favorite kid-friendly easy hikes in the Hudson Valley. In addition to opportunities to enjoy nature and wildlife, some of these Hudson Valley state parks—like Bear Mountain and Franklin D. Roosevelt state parks—have additional attractions such as zoos, playgrounds, pedal boats, and even a giant swimming pool. Best of all, these easy hikes near NYC make for a quick day trip for families coming from the city or Lower Westchester. Read on for all our top picks for easy hikes in the Hudson Valley's beautiful state parks, and find more green spaces to explore in our Guide to the Great Outdoors.

When it comes to birthday party planning, I'm usually an intrepid DIY-er. We've partied in plenty of parks and playgrounds perfect for a fete, and my not-so-hidden talent is definitely cake decorating, but celebrating my daughter's recent birthday at the Museum of Arts and Design was so much fun and so stress-free, I just might leave my independent birthday party planning streak behind.

Though the venue is new to the New York City birthday party scene, our Museum of Arts and Design's birthday party had it all: A stunning, private party space with a spectacular view of Central Park, a welcoming energetic staff who kept the party moving and took care of every last detail, and an artist-led workshop that was fun and sent everyone home with a cool keepsake. Read on for more details on our cool birthday party at the Museum of Arts and Design, and find more tips for planning your kid's next milestone celebration in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.