Best Pumpkin Patches near Los Angeles for a Perfect Family Day

From local parking lot patches to farms near Los Angeles, here's where to find your perfect pumpkin.

Looking for pumpkin patches near Los Angeles, specifically ones where you can go pumpkin picking? To find perfect pumpkin patches near Los Angeles for your family, you've got some decisions to make because they run the gamut from small to large and from folksy to commercial. 

There are festival-type pumpkin patches with extra activities, farms where kids can do their own pumpkin picking, and smaller pumpkin patches in every neighborhood in town. The good news—all of our top picks are photogenic and will make for timeless fall family memories. So, pick a pumpkin, snap a Halloween photo, and maybe even take a pony ride at one of these pumpkin patches.

Find a corn maze near LA and more things to do in Los Angeles in the fall in our Fall Fun Guide for Los Angeles and OC Kids. And if a pumpkin patch visit is your first foray into Halloween festivities this year, you definitely want to find all the best Los Angeles Halloween activities in our Los Angeles Halloween Guide.

San Gennaro Fest and More Great Food Festivals in NYC for Families

The Queens International Night Market is a large, family-friendly, open-air night market in Queens, featuring vendors selling merchandise, art, and food! Photo by Sharon Medina for the Queens Night Market

New York City is one of the world's great foodie destinations and boasts some great food festivals. No matter the season, there's always something good cooking up in the melting pot that is NYC.

We're rounding up some of our favorite annual food festivals in NYC, including autumn's Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, the summertime Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas on the Lower East Side, and Smorgasburg in Brooklyn, which covers three long seasons of eats!

So, pack an appetite and read on for our top picks for food festivals in NYC.

A Day Tripper's Guide to Visiting Mohonk Mountain House with Kids

Explore the stunning grounds and gardens during a day trip to Mohonk Mountain House.

Mohonk Mountain House offers a unique and enchanting day trip from New York City and the surrounding areas. Nestled in the picturesque Shawangunk Mountains of the Hudson Valley, a day at Mohonk Mountain House combines relaxation, adventure, and luxury, making it a perfect getaway for families looking to escape the daily grind.

Read on for our favorite things to do during a daycation to this legendary Hudson Valley resort and find more day trips and getaways in our local travel guide, which includes a roundup of our favorite Hudson Valley resorts for families.

Best Toddler Beds That Make Kids Want to Go To Bed

The Step2 Roadster Toddler-to-Twin Bed is cool for car lovers.

Transitioning to toddler beds is one of those parenting milestones that can feel both exciting and daunting. You want a bed that’s safe and practical, and ideally one that your little one will even want to sleep in.

Finding that sweet spot between affordability, durability, and something that sparks joy can be tricky, but it’s absolutely doable. Here are some of the best toddler beds that might make bedtime go a little smoother, plus tips for transitioning to a toddler bed and what to look for when choosing one.

Check out our Baby and Kid Gear Guide for more of the best products for your little ones. And if bunk beds are what you're looking for, our list of the best bunk beds for kids includes a few great toddler bunk beds.

Try Your Luck at the Best Claw Machine Arcades in NYC

Whether you best the claw machines or not, everyone walks away a winner at Boba Box thanks to its drinks-and-treat packages. Photo by Jody Mercier

NYC claw machine arcades offer tons of fun for the whole family. Created in the late 19th century, claw machines gained huge popularity in Japan and China throughout the '90s, and claw machine arcades in NYC have seemingly been multiplying of late! Unlike most traditional arcades, these NYC claw machine arcades give kids a chance to walk away with a fun take-home prize. When you're ready for a snack, most of these claw machine arcades also serve tasty treats like boba and ice cream.

If you're worried you'll spend a lot and walk away empty-handed, don't fret: Staff at many of these claw machine arcades in NYC ensure guests get a prize by helping people to play or adjust prizes in the machines. Read on for our full list of the best claw machine arcades in NYC, and for more gaming fun, check out some of these awesome traditional arcades across the five boroughs. Don't forget to bring cash!

10 Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 Activities to Celebrate with Kids

Get ready to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, right after Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off in September and lasts into October. Here we've assembled some Hispanic Heritage Month facts and activities for kids to celebrate and honor the Latin culture and roots of many Americans.

Beginning as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, Hispanic Heritage celebrations now encompass an entire month to celebrate the accomplishments and culture of people whose ancestors come from Latin America, Mexico, Spain, and the Caribbean. With more than 62 million Americans claiming Hispanic heritage, that's a lot to celebrate!

Read on for facts, foods, and fun that are perfect for kids and the whole family.

Best Pregnancy and Parenting Classes in New Jersey

New Jersey has many great classes for moms-to-be.

Birthing and parenting classes offered throughout New Jersey range in topics from breastfeeding to infant care to prenatal yoga. Expectant parents can gain knowledge and confidence for a healthy pregnancy and birth through pregnancy and parenting classes focusing on prenatal and postnatal skills. 

You can find more pregnancy and parenting classes in New Jersey, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New Jersey Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Best Preschools on the Upper West Side

Bank Street School offers a progressive, child-centered approach to education. Photo courtesy of the school

When it comes to finding the best preschool in NYC, the family-packed Upper West Side offers plenty of choices. With preschool spots in high demand, it can feel as if you're trying to get your toddler into college!

Take heart, though, great preschools on the Upper West Side are plentiful, so with a little legwork, you'll find the right fit for your family. We're outlining some top Upper West Side preschools below, and we've divided them by type to help you start your search. Don't forget our Preschool Directory is an excellent resource to find more programs as well.

For more help, we've compiled a helpful list of preschool admissions tips, plus 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour.

Pages