Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in New Jersey for Preschoolers

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Enjoy specialty food, hay rides, and plenty of fun and games at Diggerland's Diggerfest. Photo courtesy of Diggerland

New Jersey offers plenty of not-too-scary Halloween celebrations perfect for the preschool set. From trunk-or-treats to over-the-top events at amusement parks and zoo celebrations, these safe activities let toddlers experience the magic of Halloween. Good news for parents: Many of them are FREE!

Read on for dozens of fun and preschool-friendly Halloween events in New Jersey, plus a couple of extra-special events just over the border in Pennsylvania. You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Peek Inside the New CMOM as it Unveils Plans for a Sprawling UWS Space Opening in 2028

Submitted by Miao Li on

CMOM has revealed plans for its new, permanent space on 96th Street and Central Park West. Rendering courtesy CMOM/by darcstudio

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan unveiled new details of its $300 million transformation this week. Overlooking Central Park at Central Park West and West 96th Street, the historical church-turned-to-museum will transform into an 8,000-square-foot bustling hub for children and families throughout the city, giving CMOM more than twice the visitor capacity of its current location. The new CMOM is expected to open its door in 2028.

Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest this Halloween, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, like the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide. 

See Stunning Fall Leaves on a Long Island Nature Walk

Submitted by Thien August on

The Quogue Wildlife Nature Preserve is open daily and is free of charge. Photo courtesy of the Quogue Lake Wildlife Refuge

Looking for the best nature walks to go see fall leaves on Long Island with kids? Read on for our top picks for reveling in magnificent autumn colors across LI. 

Fall on Long Island is perfect for memory-making with kids. The fall leaves and colors lend themselves to great family photos that will put you ahead of the game for holiday cards. 

So, grab your hiking shoes, pack some snacks, and enjoy a family day at one of these destination nature walks. Be sure to check out our Fall Fun Guide for more kid-friendly activities this season. 

40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on

Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

New Jersey is teeming with potential rainy-day activities that are perfect for when your active kiddos want to do more than curl up with a book or stomp in a puddle. No matter the season, New Jersey has an array of great indoor activities for the whole family, from museums and indoor play spaces to bowling alleys, roller rinks, and more.

If staying in sounds better, we've got plenty of ideas for at-home rainy-day fun, too. Find more picks for things to do with kids on the next bad weather day in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for Kids. 

Pages