Along Came a Spider Pavilion: Big Spiders Are Back at the Natural History Museum

Spiders are the stars at the Natural History Museum.

The spiders are back! It's time to say buh-bye to the beautiful butterflies of the Butterfly Pavilion to make room for their slightly spookier friends. Every fall, the Spider Pavilion takes over the space on the Natural History Museum’s South Lawn and turns it into the seasonal home to more free-range, eight-legged tenants than anyone in his right mind could want. The Spider Pavilion is an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare and an eight-year-old boy’s version of heaven.

The Spider Pavilion is the perfect fall outing, if you're looking to branch out beyond the typical pumpkin patch or corn maze. For even more spooky, creepy, crawlie fun, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

This New Birthday Party Place in NYC is MAD Fun

Celebrate your next birthday party in NYC at the Museum of Arts and Design.

When it comes to birthday party planning, I'm usually an intrepid DIY-er. We've partied in plenty of parks and playgrounds perfect for a fete, and my not-so-hidden talent is definitely cake decorating, but celebrating my daughter's recent birthday at the Museum of Arts and Design was so much fun and so stress-free, I just might leave my independent birthday party planning streak behind.

Though the venue is new to the New York City birthday party scene, our Museum of Arts and Design's birthday party had it all: A stunning, private party space with a spectacular view of Central Park, a welcoming energetic staff who kept the party moving and took care of every last detail, and an artist-led workshop that was fun and sent everyone home with a cool keepsake. Read on for more details on our cool birthday party at the Museum of Arts and Design, and find more tips for planning your kid's next milestone celebration in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

NYC's Only Corn Maze and More Fall Fun Await at the Queens County Farm Museum

The Amazing Maize Maze is waiting to be explored at the Queens County Farm Museum.

There aren't many better ways to get the family excited for the fall in NYC than taking the kids for a tour through a three-acre corn maze in the middle of Queens and letting their imaginations run wild. The Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze is now open for the season, and it's just one of the quintessential fall activities happening at this New York City institution.

The Amazing Maize Maze is the only corn maze in New York City. My family and I have conquered lots of these corn mazes and can happily say the one at the Queens County Farm Museum is just as much fun as its country counterparts. Read on for our tips to make the most of your visit to the Queens County Farm Museum and its corn maze. But no, we aren't giving you the route. You'll still need to figure that out yourself! If you're on the hunt for more seasonal fun, be sure to bookmark our Guide to Fall Fun in NYC.

Families First Practically Preschool

OFFER: 10% off if you register for Fall! Use code MP10

Families First has 3 levels of programming- We start out with grown-up partners in the classroom and gradually introduce separation and independence. At 2.5 years old, children enter a classroom independently for a 3-hour drop-off class.

All of our Practically Preschool classes follow a pattern, so that children feel comfortable in the classroom, knowing what to expect. Children start out with free play with some selected toys, welcome songs where children are greeted by name, stories, art projects, letter recognition, counting games/songs, snack or lunch, and each class ends with goodbye songs to reinforce the connections and recognizing individual children.

Programs: We have flexibility and options for 1,2,3 and 5 days a week of instruction, depending on age.

 

Ages: 1-4 years

Costs: $455-$6,120

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75 Fun Halloween Activities for Kids: Halloween Crafts and Treats for Spooky Fun

Kids can make Halloween window decorations for the whole neighborhood to enjoy! Photo by Briesha Bell, via Unsplash

These Halloween activities and outings, Halloween crafts for kids, Halloween treats, and more will keep your crew hauntingly busy until it's time to trick-or-treat!

Once you have picked out your costume and carved your pumpkin, what else is there to do? So much! We have rounded up our favorite family Halloween activities that will keep the pumpkin spice flowing all month long. We’ve got all your Halloween bases covered with a little bit of everything from spooky s’mores to learning how to dance the Monster Mash. So set up an outdoor movie and whip up a batch of scarecrow snack mix, and let's get this (Halloween) party started!

For more Halloween fun, from Halloween jokes for kids to the best Halloween movies for kids—and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!

Sid Jacobson JCC

Sid Jacobson JCC offers programs for children of all ages. Learn how to swim in our state-of-the-art aquatics center with our swim lessons and classes. Want to show off your skills in the pool? Join our Barracudas Swim Team! Become a sports star with our lessons and classes. Looking to stay active after the school day? Try out our enrichment classes offered on-site and off-site in the Herricks and Port Washington school districts. Want to show off your theatre skills? Sign up for one of our children's theatre productions! We have an Early Childhood Center for ages 18 months-5 years with before and after-care available. Special needs programs are available for children 5+ years. Have a teen athlete? Join our one of our Maccabi teams!.

Ages: 18 months-18 years for children's programs

Costs:  Costs vary depending on programs. Financial aid options are available. Please contact our membership department for more information.

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Rock Climbing After-School Program

Climbing is unlike any other sport out there. You don’t need any experience to have a great time and we’ll help your kids gain skills to progress. Our Junior Programs are designed to get kids started and take them as far as they want to go – from casual climbing with friends to competitions and Team Rock, our competitive climbing team. Learn the basics of climbing, build confidence and focus, and do lots of climbing!.

Ages: 3 - 16 years.

Costs:  Costs vary depending on program. Please visit our website for more information..

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Brooklyn Youth Chorus

Founded in 1992, Brooklyn Youth Chorus is regarded as one of the top youth choruses in the United States, noted both for its artistic rigor and its high-quality musical training.

Brooklyn Youth Chorus offers world-class voice training for young people ages 5-18 with an emphasis on healthy vocal development, music literacy, and group performance. The Chorus also features multiple performing ensembles, known for delivering professional-level performances in a wide variety of settings, from concert halls to professional recording studios.

Programs:Running from September to June each year, the Chorus offers vocal instruction and private lessons for students across seven divisions, separated by age and experience level. Each student’s musical ability, experience and maturity are assessed before finding them a home among the divisions:

Pre-Preparatory - Ages 5-6 (No audition required)
Preparatory I - ages 7 to 8
Preparatory II - ages 7 to 8
Pre-Teen I - ages 9 to 11
Pre-Teen II - ages 9 to 11
Teen - ages 12 to 18
Advanced Performing Ensembles - ages 12 to 18

All students get the chance to perform. All levels perform at the self-produced semester-end concerts. The advanced performing ensembles also have the opportunity to perform at professional concerts and contracted engagements. At each level, the students progress, from the most rudimentary musical skills and vocal technique introduced in introductory levels, to the more sophisticated required for professional-level performances of complex and challenging choral music.

 

Ages: 5-18 years.

Costs:  Costs vary depending on program. Financial Aid, Multiple Locations

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