Halloween is such an exciting time for Philly kids. Games of make-believe come to life when kids dress as their favorite superhero, princess, or storybook character. And, whether you spent weeks creating a Pinterest-worthy costume out of recycled materials or you purchased the perfect outfit from a local shop, Philly parents are glad to know there are many free events for their kids to wear their latest Halloween gear.

Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some free fun for everyone in the family. From parades to mall events to pumpkin patches, young ones and older kids alike can savor all the sweetness of this candy-filled season. Many of these activities distribute treats and most encourage kids to wear costumes which is sure to delight the little pirates, monsters, or fairies in your crew. Be sure to browse through our event calendar for a multitude of delightfully spooky activities. For now, continue reading to find free Halloween fun!

If you have never been inside a corn maze, imagine entering a twisting, winding dirt-paved series of paths cutting through a giant field of corn stalks. Should you go left, right, or straight ahead? Remember, only the right decision will get you out of the maze. Now, try navigating through the maze at night time amid sounds of rustling cornstalks and shadows along the path. Spooky, right? Check out our roundup of flashlight corn mazes throughout the state for some spooktacular fun. And, for more autumnal adventures, check out our Fall and Halloween guides. 

Celebrate a birthday by battling the undead in a zombie apocalypse. Spend the school break brewing potions in the Mages' Guild. Cap the school day with an epic afternoon NERF battle. These fantastic adventures are 100% reality at Guard Up, a local spot in Burlington and Waltham, Massachusetts, offering weekly classes, summer camps, birthday parties, and school holiday camps for ages 4 and up.

As magical as Guard Up may seem, the real wizardry is that the carefully developed programs actually teach creative problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and yes, even STEM, all through gamified adventures kids will love. And that's just the tip of the iceberg; the more you hear about Guard Up the cooler it sounds.

Lucky for us that we live in a world with Octobers, particularly in Connecticut. Columbus Day falls during one of the loveliest times of the year bringing crisp autumn days filled with all things us New Englanders love best: pumpkin everything, cider donuts and some pretty stellar leaf peeping.  Columbus Day offers a great excuse for the playground or event digging in the sand and looking for seashells at the beach. Whether you're in the mood for aviation history, sharks or jellyfish, tigers or sloths, Renaissance masterpieces, testing your agility or your taste buds, or a scenic drive, you will likely find something for everyone on our list of recommendations. Here, in no particular order, are plenty of ways to spend a Monday off from school. 

Thanks so much to all who participated in the first-ever Houston Bestie Awards.  This contest closed on November 26th, 2017.  For a full list of winners visit the Houston Bestie Guide.

When fall arrives in the tristate area, serious leaf-peepers tend to head upstate. But when you have little kids, the idea of packing them into the car, with all the snacks, for a long drive through traffic, to try to point out clusters of colors in the distance, is often less than appealing. What if we told you that you don't even have to leave Brooklyn to see some genuinely beautiful fall foliage? The reds, oranges, yellows, and purples of maple trees, oak trees, and more are right here. You just have to know where to look.

A safe bet to find those stunning fall colors will always be your local park or garden, such as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (the Japanese garden is typically gorgeous at this time of year). But for a FREE neighborhood walk, consider these blocks in Brooklyn for family walk. We've even pointed out top spots to stop for a break along the way.

Columbus Day is an official state holiday, which means kids are blissfully free from school for the day—and we parents are forced to put our thinking caps on. What to do on a Monday in October? Luckily, our city isn't content to let this annual occasion for remembrance pass by without fanfare, and there are some great fall activities to occupy families or—if you're working or busy on Monday, just the kids—for the day. From fairs that celebrate the explorer himself to day-long science and art camps there's sure to be something that will inspire you to make the most out of the holiday.

When you live in New England, you tend to get really excited about all of the fall things. From country fairs to cider donuts, pumpkin patches to corn mazes—fall is our very favorite. Which brings me to the season’s main event: leaf peeping. This fall, why not try riding as a passenger a New England’s vintage railroad, and really wrap yourself up in autumn’s patchwork quilt of colors. For the ultimate leaf-peeping experience (with heaping slice of nostalgia) climb aboard a railcar at the Railroad Museum of New England tucked in the upper Naugatuck Valley. For more seasonal fun, check out our guide to Fall activities and subscribe to our newsletter for even more ideas delivered straight to your inbox.