Home to beloved sports teams and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio is a city with a bustling energy and an all-American spirit. There's so much for families to do in this town set on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, including plenty of attractions that are really affordable or entirely free.  And step aside, New York and Chicago: Cleveland is a foodie city too, with delicious restaurants that will please the whole family.

My family spent a week in Cleveland over the summer, and my daughters are already asking when they can go back. Here are our top 30 things to do in Cleveland with kids, including kid-friendly places to eat and great Cleveland hotels. For more Midwest vacation ideas, including our guides to Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, check out our Midwest Family Travel Guide

Located about 30 miles from downtown Chicago, Schaumburg is a quick weekend drive from the city or surrounding suburbs. If you live in Chicagoland, you’ve likely heard of Schaumburg's big attraction, Woodfield Mall. But, Schaumburg has tons of other fun and family-friendly places to explore, too. From outdoor activities to LEGOLAND, you'll find plenty of fun things to do with kids in Schaumburg. And for more things to do in Chicago neighborhoods, check out our Visitors Guide.

Ghost tours are perfect Halloween (or anytime!) fun for teens, tweens, tourists, and even locals who love LA.

My kids are teenagers. That means they are too old for pumpkin picking at Underwood Farms. They also have inherited my horror of a jump scare, which means they have no interest in Halloween Horror Nights or the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. But these kids raised in the era of true crime podcasts can get down with some real-life spooky stories. So when I heard about US Ghost Adventures LA tours, it sounded like a perfect family Halloween teen outing.

I signed us up for the LA Ghosts: Terrors of Tinseltown Tour, and guess what? I was right! An evening of laughing, walking, learning, spooking, and eating chocolate with your teens is worth its weight in gold. Read on to learn more about just how scary the tour is, where it goes, and why it's my family's new Halloween tradition.

For more fun with teens, check out our Los Angeles Activities Guide for Teens and Tweens. And, since this tour made me remember how fun it is to play touring in my own town, I really recommend checking out our Ultimate 3-Day LA Itinerary by a Local Mom. Man, I love LA.

Ready for some cool, crisp autumn air and a bright expanse of fall foliage? Perfect, because a spectacular show of fall leaves is within a short drive from Los Angeles at multiple locations. There are lots of options for pumpkin picking in Los Angeles but if a relaxing fall drive is more your speed, pack some pumpkin-spiced snacks and hit the road. Not only are our suggestions filled with cute towns and gorgeous hikes, but they also provide fantastic photo ops with stunning multi-colored leaves as a backdrop. (Just in case you're already starting to think about that family holiday card photo!)

For more fall activities from our bucket list of things to do this fall, fall day trips from Los Angeles, and local fall festivals, be sure to check out our Los Angeles Fall Fun Guide.

Planning a family game night? Check out our ultimate list of the 100 best board games for kids and families.

Children see magic because they look for it. Houston kids won’t have to look far, because the Museum of Illusions has opened a location in the Galleria. My family loves immersive experiences, and with over 60 different exhibits, this museum is like no other venue we have seen. 

The Museum of Illusions Houston packs a lot into a small space including optical illusions, visual tricks, and hands-on interactive displays. They even have something called a vortex tunnel that still has us questioning reality. Needless to say, my kids' minds were blown.

We think it will blow your minds as well. But before heading out, read on to learn what to expect from your visit. And don't forget to check out our list of Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families and our Children's Museums and Exhibits Guide for Houston for more museums to explore.

With fewer crowds, more comfortable temperatures, and a pageant of seasonal colors, fall day trips are a great option for Long Island families.

Whether your idea of an autumn getaway involves brightly-hued foliage or an adventure in the urban jungle, we've rounded up 30 fall day-trip ideas from Long Island for families. Some are close by, while others require a few hours in the car or Long Island Rail Road. Some even require a ride on a ferry. But no matter where you go or how you get there, you're sure to create some lasting memories from these fall day trips.

If you're craving an extended adventure, consider one of these nearby destinations for a weekend visit. And, of course, we've got plenty of seasonal fun ideas in our Fall Fun Guide and all-season day-trip inspiration in our Day Trips Guide for Long Island families.

The best kids cooking classes near Boston teach young chefs safe food prep, healthy eating, and nutrition. Whether our kids are adventurous eaters or too timid to try anything beyond boxed mac ’n’ cheese, parents can help instill good food habits. Cooking together at home is one way to do this. There are also plenty of opportunities for instructive fun through kids’ cooking classes and workshops around Boston. Many cooking classes for kids take the form of a single-class workshop or a two- to three-session program. So, even if your children have regular sports team commitments or semester-long dance or music classes, they can still satisfy their inner foodies without missing a goal—​or a beat.

Many kids’ cooking classes are offered during those long school vacations or summer breaks. Cooking workshops around Boston also make fun birthday parties—best of all, no mess for the parents! We’ve rounded up the top places that offer kids’ cooking classes and workshops in and around Boston. Get ready for your kids to cook up something great!