Volunteering is a great way to inspire kids (and adults) to be actively involved in their community and can teach important lessons about service, showing appreciation and helping to make our world a better place. It's also a great way to show that one small act of kindness can have a rippling effect on others, creating a stronger sense of community, friendship and responsibility.

Saturday, November 23, is Family Volunteer Day and a great excuse for mobilizing your your little ones into service. There are countless ways you and your family can volunteer your time and talent, so we're focusing this post on ways kids can help other kids. So while you're out this month, enjoying all the wonderful events this season has to offer, consider ways your family can volunteer. We've gathered up several ways your family can get active and volunteer this season (and anytime), including opportunities for even the youngest good deed doers in your brood.

The countdown to Turkey Day is on and you’ll find plenty to get you in the spirit, whether you want to get crafty with the Sculpt a Turkey project at Thompson Park or take part in an old-fashioned Thanksgiving Harvest at The Willows. And to take advantage of the last few weeks of mild weather, check out an apple-cidering demo at Great Swamp or go for a Kids’s Hike & Campfire outing at Alpine Boat Basin. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Jamaica Plain is a great neighborhood for families and kids, whether you are making your home there or just visiting. With tons of green space, playgrounds, and children's classes, it is easy to find activities for kids of all ages. 

8 years ago, when my husband and I cruised down to CT from Boston for a weekend of house hunting, we submitted to our (very patient) realtor a list of our “dream town” characteristics.  Small, but not too small, rural, but not too rural, plenty of activities, great schools, a picturesque downtown, lots of sidewalks, and great restaurants.  AND, a great local community, a farmer’s market with local vendors, a thriving business section, and historical charm.  We thought our exhaustive list would stump our realtor, but no…such a town DOES exist!  It is Ridgefield,  in Fairfield County, CT – to my mind, one of the loveliest towns here in CT, or even in greater New England.

Election Day is a big deal for the candidates and for NYC public school students. They may not have a say in who gets elected but they do get the day off! While we hope that voting is at the top of your to-do list on November 5 (with kids in tow, it's never too early to bring them), that's not going to fill up your day. So we've got some suggestions for fun family outings, all FREE. From a must-see display of "canned" art to a hands-on technology museum to no-cost ice-skating, here are seven great things to do with New York City kids on Election Day. Wherever you end up going, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you find out about all of the other cool things to do nearby.

We hope you've been enjoying our series on Great Small Towns in NJ and have headed out to Chester, Sparta, or Cranford by now. Today's selection is Millburn, New Jersey; as the home of the famed Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn is a center of the arts and culture in Essex County. Millburn also boasts a host of recreational facilities, restaurants, and a beautiful arboretum that will keep any family busy for a great day out in NJ!