Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

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Decorate a pumpkin at the Pine Island Pumpkinfest, a holiday weekend tradition. Photo courtesy of the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley over the long Indigenous Peoples Day weekend? We've got tons of family-friendly events to add to your list.

Families can enjoy carnival rides throughout the holiday weekend at the annual Eastchester Columbus Day Carnival, which also features a parade, fireworks, and live music. Alternatively, enjoy fall farm festivities all weekend long, including hayrides, live music, kids' activities, and cider and donuts, at Muscoot Farms' Pumpkin Picking Weekend.

For some early Halloween fun, check out the Sleepy Hollow Paddleboarding Witches Festival, which also includes vendors, food trucks, and a live telling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a visit from the headless horseman. In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, learn about some of the original inhabitants of the Westchester area at a Lenape Indigenous Peoples Day presentation at the historic St. Paul's Church.  

Best Neighborhoods or Streets in Philly to See Halloween Decorations

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Photo courtesy of Spirits of '76

Get into the Halloween spirit with the best family-friendly Halloween streets in Philadelphia. Whether it's historic neighborhoods festooned with spooky decorations or fun-filled extravagance, these are some of our favorites places in the area to see Halloween decorations and lights.

Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for more spooky things to do!

Haunted Houses and Walks in NYC for All-Ages

Submitted by Diana Kim on

The Bronx Zoo hosts a pair of Halloween events, including the after-dark Harvest Glow. Photo by Terria Clay/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo

When it comes to Halloween thrills with kids, a tricked-out haunted house or spooky Halloween walk might be the right kind of boo for you. Haunted houses have long been popular suburban Halloween staples, but haunted houses in NYC are more limited. The most spooky picks, like Blood Manor, are definitely for teens and older. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City offering gentler Halloween chills for families.

Read on for the scoop on kid-friendly haunted houses in NYC, plus a few more scary options for tweens and teens. Be sure to heed the scare factor. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers. We've got the scoop on NYC's top Halloween events and plenty more spooky fun in our New York City Kids' Halloween Fun Guide.

How to Get Free Baby Stuff: Diapers, Formula, Baby Gear, and More

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Have sweet dreams of all the free baby stuff you'll get. Photo by Garrett Jackson courtesy of Unsplash

Free baby stuff includes diapers, formula, baby gear, and samples that companies and organizations offer to new and expectant parents.

Free baby stuff can be a life saver for new moms and dads. After all, the cost of all those diapers, wipes, baby food, and other baby gear quickly adds up. But there are plenty of places that offer free baby stuff to offset the costs of newborn and infant care.

From baby registry welcome boxes to free baby samples to diaper rewards programs, there are many free items that new and expectant parents can get from companies. Plus, don't underestimate the generosity of friends, family, and neighbors.

This guide covers free baby samples, diaper and formula programs, registry welcome boxes, and local ways to get free baby stuff. Check out our Baby and Maternity Guide for more of the best baby gear, as well as our Guide to Free Activities, Events, Classes, and Camps for Kids for other ways to save. 

Launch Trampoline Park Lands in Brooklyn with Wall to Wall Play

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Launch's new Bay Ridge location is a welcome addition where city kids to expel some serious energy!

Launch trampoline park has landed in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, transforming the old Modell’s space on 86th Street into a high-energy indoor playground that’s already drawing crowds of local families. With wall-to-wall trampolines, giant slides, a climbing wall, and arcade games, Launch brings a much-needed indoor entertainment destination to South Brooklyn—especially welcome as colder months approach and parents look for active, weatherproof places to let kids burn off energy.

For more indoor play spaces, check out our list of the 24 best kids' indoor playgrounds and play spaces in NYC, and bookmark our NYC Kids Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones in NYC for even more romping spots. 

Kids Go Free to SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular–Get Tickets Now

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SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is the annual Halloween event for SoCal families looking for spooky season fun.

Where can you find a festive pumpkin patch and a pack of Humboldt penguins? A candy-filled trick-or-treating trail and stunning sea turtles? SeaWorld’s Annual Spooktacular is a one-of-a-kind Halloween event you don’t want to miss.

SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is the annual Halloween event for SoCal families looking for action-packed, family-focused fun this spooky season. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 2nd, plus Halloween Friday, the Spooktacular is totally interactive, photo-worthy, and included with general admission to SeaWorld–which is FREE for kids with a paid adult ticket throughout October.

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