The Halloween talk has already begun. Will there be trick-or-treating? If so, will everyone wear Darth Vader masks? Should we buy candy, or will we just end up eating it ourselves? The trick-or-treat debate will doubtless go on right up until Halloween night, but we already have some answers to the haunted house questions that affect bigger kids: Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and Knott's Scary Farm have both canceled their epic annual haunts for the 2020 Halloween season. But out of the ashes of those haunts has risen another—a haunt likely to be THE Halloween ticket to buy this season: the Stranger Things Drive-Into Experience.

Attempting to throw a birthday party these days can be downright stressful. Indoor parties involving groups of invited guests may be out the question for some time, but there are options to create outdoor celebrations that are fairly safe and socially distanced. If you are looking to gather a small group, health experts agree that outdoors is best. We've rounded up 10 outdoor party games that can be played at a distance for maximum fun and safety. Sure, it's going to look a little different this year, but you can still host a small birthday party, complete with awesome outdoor party games for kids.

Where do babies come from? According to an one baby doll factory, there are no storks involved—only cabbages. If you've ever wondered how the iconic Cabbage Patch Doll is actually born, a visit to North Georgia's Babyland General Hospital may render you and your family speechless (and provide a fun and unexpected daytrip from Atlanta).

Five months into the coronavirus shutdown, area families are getting antsy and in need of entertainment. Though New York's numbers are looking good, the need for social distancing remains. Luckily, we're surrounded by creative operators offering private family experiences and tours that make social distancing while enjoying an out of this world excursion possible. Best of all, some of these splurge-worthy private family experiences even come to you.

Once you've had your fair share of fun at our beautiful area swimming lakes, taken a day trip or two, or even booked one of these local family-friendly camping sites, consider spicing up these last weeks of summer with a pick from our list of private family experiences.

Whether you're action-oriented and want to ride in a helicopter or are happy to have a family rendezvous with ponies, we've rounded up a variety of options. What's more, this destination-worthy list includes providers based in New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and the Hudson Valley. Read on for a dozen options and get ready to book an unforgettable experience for your nearest and dearest.

This simple science experiment yields delicious results. With a pizza box, some tin foil, and plastic wrap, you can harness the sun’s power to cook up a storm. Solar ovens are the perfect way to spend a sunny day and sneak a little science in at the same time. 

One of our 64 Easy Science Experiments for Kids, solar ovens are a great way to get first-hand experience working with thermal energy while repurposing some trash from pizza night. 

Anchored by majestic mountains and charming small towns, the White Mountains region of New Hampshire offers family adventures year-round. Whether you want to chase waterfalls or cool off in crystalline lakes at the peak of summer, enjoy the spectacular fall foliage, or play in sparkling snow when the state morphs into a winter wonderland, this area of the Granite State features everything from countless hiking trails, to giggle-inducing amusement parks, relaxing campgrounds, and shopping outlets.

Below are 25 of our favorite things to do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, as well as places to stay. Find more family travel in our Guide to New England.

Anyone raised around New England knows the best part of summer is discovering a new swimming hole to plunge into on a hot day. Explore any mountain range or river valley and you're sure to encounter a number of lovely, cool, and, if you're lucky, little-known swimming spots. Here are swimming holes that locals know and love in various corners of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Bring your towels and good sense—many of these naturally formed swimming holes are rocky, and depths can be tricky to determine.

For more beautiful spots to splash this summer, check out our favorite swimming lakes in the Northeast.