Great Preschools in Brooklyn for Little Learners

Students can enter Brooklyn Heights Montessori and continue their educational journey all the way through eighth grade. Photo courtesy of the school

Brooklyn families are fortunate to have a number of great Brooklyn preschools at their doorsteps. The borough is home to a wide range of preschools, which vary in size, educational philosophy, and scheduling flexibility.

To help families find the right preschool fit, we've rounded up 16 great Brooklyn preschools and divided them into categories, including traditional Brooklyn preschools, year-round Brooklyn preschools, Montessori and Reggio Emilia preschools in Brooklyn, and religious preschools in Brooklyn.

Preschool spots are always in high demand, so it's important to start your school search early. Most NYC preschools require you to apply in the fall a year before your child enrolls, with acceptance letters going out in February or March. The process begins by researching preschools' websites, taking tours, talking to other families, and considering what's most important for your family in a preschool.

For a comprehensive list of NYC preschools, check out our Preschools Directory, which includes our top picks for preschools in Park Slope, plus many more resources, including our best preschool admissions tips as well as 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour.

Long Island Libraries with Great Play Spaces and Children's Rooms

Westbury Memorial Public Library has a separate children's library building with play spaces. Photo by the author

Libraries across Long Island provide incredible opportunities for kids to learn, play, read, and explore. Parents can entertain kids for hours in any season and weather with a visit to one of the fantastic, hands-on, FREE play spaces and children's rooms many Long Island library branches offer. 

From building blocks galore to exciting nature discovery zones to wooden trains to board, Long Island libraries offer kids a place to let their imaginations soar. We’ve rounded up a list of destination-worthy Long Island libraries with memorable play areas, both indoors and outdoors. For more family adventures as the weather cools off check out our Free Things to Do Indoors on Long Island and 15 Family Fun Centers on Long Island

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29 Best Things To Do in NYC October 2024 with Kids

The Princess and the Pea lands at the New Victory Theater this month. Photo by Foteini Christofilopoulou/courtesy of the theater

In October, New York City is crawling with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and of course trick-or-treating—so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes! But Halloween isn't the only game in town in October...

We're super psyched for all the other glorious shenanigans October has in store, including the new (non-lethal) Squid Game: The Experience, Diwali in Times Square, The Princess and the Pea at The New Victory, and the new Barbie exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design.

Of course, Halloween lurks at month's end, and, never fear, we have you covered when it comes to FREE Halloween fun, including a Mommy Poppins + Seaport Kids Halloween party. Find all our top picks for the spooky season in our New York City Halloween Guide.

18 Best Things To Do in New Jersey October 2024 with Kids

Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, magic show, treats and more. Photo by the author

Halloween is the name of the game in October, which means New Jersey is alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and of course trick-or-treating—there are plenty of opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

This month is jam-packed with fun fall activities and awesome things to do in New Jersey. Find Halloween theme park excitement at Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest Extreme. Local seasonal celebrations include Westfield's Addamsfest and Cranford's Scarecrow Stroll.  

Check out even more October fun in our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide

37 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles October 2024 with Kids

No tricks, just treats at Boo at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Zoo

There are tons of things to do in Los Angeles for ghouls and gals, but Halloween is the name of the game in October. Los Angeles comes alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and, of course, trick-or-treating—so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

Major treats are in store for things to do in Los Angeles for families this October. Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA clowns around at the Santa Monica Pier, boats dress up in their Halloween finery for Marina del Rey's 3rd Annual Halloween Boat Parade, and wheeled gourds speed to the finish line at Manhattan Beach's Pumpkin Race Festival. 

Favorite frightful Halloween activities include the chance to boo at the zoo, remember Coco along with a live orchestra in a live-to-film concert at the Soraya, view Carved jack-o-lanterns in La Canada-Flintridge, walk through immersive pumpkin houses at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City, and so much more. 

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles in October—we're adding more events to the Los Angeles Family Event Calendar daily. Keep reading for the very best things to do in Los Angeles this October, and don't forget to check back weekly for our picks for the best things to do in Los Angeles each weekend.

35 Best Things to Do in Orlando October 2024 with Kids

Pig on the Pond is an annual community event featuring carnival rides, kids zone, BBQ competition, and more. Photo courtesy of the event

Families are in for a treat this October in Orlando with a packed calendar of fun events to enjoy, including Halloween and fall festivals!

Fall festivals are in full swing and we've scoured the area for the best Orlando events in October for families and kids. Central Florida's theme parks are seasonally decorated, and guests can enjoy events such as Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular, and Legoland's Brick-or-Treat. Set aside an October weekend to navigate your way through one (or more) of the Orlando corn mazes, snap family photos at a pumpkin patch, and make lasting memories at more events in Orlando.

Some of the best Halloween events in Orlando are included here, but be sure to check out our fully loaded Orlando Halloween Guide and Fall Fun Guide for Orlando Kids for all happenings and ideas this October. 

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