Home to Robert McCloskey's Ducklings and the "world's only" Curious George store, the Boston area is known for its kid lit connections. One local children's author is Diary of a Wimpy Kid creator Jeff Kinney,  who’s built an incredibly special bookstore called An Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA. With readings from famous authors, kids' workshops, and cozy spots to read and enjoy a snack, this literary hangout is more than just a shop.

Parents of Boston-area bookworm kids, take note: Not only is the Boston Book Festival in October, with free events and readings, but any day of the week, you could go to An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Cafe to indulge your littlest literati. Here are some more of our favorite Boston children's bookstores, and 12 books that make kids proud to be Bostonians.

The days are long but the years are short. Not to get too sentimental, because truly the first year with your baby can sometimes feel like it is dragging, but it will be over in the blink of an eye. As you struggle with sleep schedules, delight in first smiles, and watch as your baby visibly changes before your eyes you may also be wondering exactly what you should try to do while they are still so small. While they are in this stage of incredible growth and exploration, it’s a great excuse to explore some highlights in Philly, as well as dip your toes into the world of parenting with classes and experiences designed just for new parents and their babies.

There is plenty to see and do in Philadelphia with a baby, either to mark a first, start a new tradition, or find an excuse to get out of the house and interact with other parents! Here are our picks of some of the best, first by season, then year-round.

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with family-friendly things to do, and we've put together a list of preschool-targeted fun for the 5-and-under set. From enriching museums to the great outdoors, these activities cater to the wondrous and imaginative nature of those adorable-yet-challenging minis who have yet to experience the wonders of kindergarten.

Read on for our top picks of must-try activities for toddlers and preschoolers, and depend on our Event Calendar for the tremendous number of worthy events that occur throughout the year.

We may have grown up cruising the streets unchaperoned eating loosely wrapped candy on Halloween night, but we’d no sooner let our own children do that than bounce around the back of a station wagon without a car seat. And while some of us are fortunate enough to have friendly, festive neighborhoods to walk our Avengers and Elsas through, many parents prefer the safety and self-contained nature of a mall, museum, or other organized trick-or-treat event.

Keep an eye on our events calendar and Halloween Fun Guide for complete listings; some venues hold their Halloween celebrations on the weekend, to maximize the holiday. October 31, of course, is the night for ringing doorbells, but for those who prefer to collect their candy in a confined space, we have more than 25 local options below.

Looking for an indoor play space for young children in lower Westchester? You're in luck—a new destination for classes, free play, retail, and parties for the 6-and-under set has just arrived in Pelham: Tig & Peach. We paid a visit and were dazzled by the use of the space.

Read on for the lowdown on Tig & Peach, which opened in September. And be sure to subscribe to our newsletters and follow us on Facebook to stay in the know about other news for Westchester and Hudson Valley families!

For many locals, one of the most picturesque spots in Hunterdon County is Clinton. This New Jersey town boasts lovely views of the Raritan River running through the historic downtown area, and a majestic red mill that's one of the most-photographed buildings in NJ. Clinton is just 1.5 square miles, but what it loses in size it makes up for in atmosphere—there are great nature spots for hiking, picnicking, and swimming, as well as museums and historic sites, holiday-themed festivals and parades, and family-friendly restaurants.

This charming small town makes for a picture-perfect family day trip all year round. Read on for the highlights.

Santa is sprucing up his sleigh and getting ready to fly into New York City’s very own North Pole, Macy’s Santaland, where for the third year in a row, visits with Santa will be by (FREE) reservation only.

Santaland will open for the holiday season Friday, November 29, 2019, the day after the Thanksgiving Day parade, and will welcome visitors through Tuesday, December 24, 2019, Macy’s revealed in a statement.

The 34th Street retailer will reinstate the reservations-only policy it implemented in 2017 as a way to cut down on the lines. (Around 170,000 people visit the NYC Macy's Santaland each Christmas season.) This year also sees the return of the popular Express Lane option. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Santa at Macy's this year.

First opened in 1899, the Bronx Zoo has been a top destination for local NYC families, tourists, and animal lovers of all kinds for generations. I've been a regular at this zoo since I was a child, and now that I'm a parent of three kids in the Bronx, we consider it an extension of our backyard. With its very own show on the Animal Planet channel (the irresistible The Zoo), the Bronx Zoo is arguably the world's most famous zoo.

Located in the heart of the Bronx at the southern end of Bronx Park and near the borough's own Little Italy, the Bronx Zoo is easily accessible via public transit or by car. One visit is sure to leave a lasting impression, though you'll need more than one trip to experience all there is to see and do. And since it is the nation's largest urban zoo, it helps to have some pointers before you go—especially if you are visiting with kids. So read on for 10 tips on visiting the Bronx Zoo like a local.