Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Halloween Fests, Boo at the Zoo, Trunk-or-Treats

Westfield gets creep and kooky  at the weekend-long AddamsFest! Photo courtesy of the event

It's pre-Halloween weekend, and spooky, kooky fun is happening throughout New Jersey! Load up on candy at trick-or-treat events like Boo at the Boardwalk, Trick-or-Treat Weekend at Storybook Land, AddamsFest, and the North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Block Party.

Meet some bewitching characters at the Monster Bash and Zombie WalkHalloWheaton, and Witch's Day Out. Or have Halloween fun with animals at Cape May and Bergen County zoos.

Check out our Halloween Guide for more options for family fun, including the best places to trick-or-treat, ideas for easy last-minute costumes, and plenty of free Halloween happenings. And look to our October GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Play Space and Toy Store CAMP Comes to Brooklyn in December

Downtown Brooklyn is getting more kid-friendly with the addition of a new CAMP store and play space. Photo by Jody Mercier

If you’re looking for a unique indoor experience for your kids on a chilly or rainy day, head to the new CAMP store in Brooklyn, scheduled to open on December 1 2019. Unlike many other indoor play spaces in NYC, CAMP is a network of stores with rotating themed experiences. CAMP at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn will boast all of the same imaginative fun as the original Fifth Avenue location, including a cafe, a theater, interactive play stations, and of course, a super-cool toy store

Drop-In Childcare and Date-Night Sitters for Boston-Area Families

Friday night can be fun for kids and grownups! Photo courtesy of Little Gym Boston

Ever find yourself feverishly working your way through your babysitter Rolodex to find that not even one is available? Whether it's a last-minute work commitment, a random appointment, or a spontaneous date night after one of "those" weeks, a great Boston-area caregiver is available. From drop-in childcare to drop-off gym parties, these sitter services will save the day (or night)!

Don't have somewhere you have to be but need a moment to yourself? Check out these Boston area gyms that offer childcare while you break a sweat!

Día de los Muertos: What Other City Has This Many Day of the Dead Celebrations?

Walking in the footsteps of our ancestors at Hollywood Forever's celebration, photo by Laura Esposito

Hauntingly close to Halloween, El Día de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – is a magical holiday that's also a living history lesson, demonstrating the tendency of conquerors to absorb indigenous customs into their own. Christian Europeans arrived in Mexico already fans of All Hallows Eve (modern-day Halloween), only to stumble upon an ancient tradition celebrated by the Aztecs on November 2, with a spookily similar theme. Day of the Dead is a time when the door between worlds is meant to open so that celebrants can honor departed loved ones and hopefully lure them back for a visit.

DC's National Zoo: Things to Know Before You Go

Sea lion training. Photo by Mark Van Bergh/Smithsonian's National Zoo

Any parent knows that taking the kids to the zoo is a win. Burning up energy outside, seeing favorite and exotic animals up close, and maybe picking up a souvenir on the way out is a recipe for a great day. The DC Zoo, officially known as Smithsonian’s National Zoo, is no exception and a must-visit for families, whether they’re local or just visiting the nation’s capitol. And the best part is, it's one of the many free things to do in DC!

Read on for everything you need to know before you visit the National Zoo, including our top tips for making the most out of your visit. If you're looking for more free things to do in DC, check out our list of free museums in DC to visit with kids.

Unplugged Fun on Long Island

Attempt the aerial ropes course at Bounce! in Syosset.

Tired of prying phones, tablets, and game controllers out of the hands of your littles? Maybe you just want a digital detox for your own sanity. Mommy Poppins has created a round-up of places to go and things to do on Long Island that offer unplugged fun. Put down the phones and head out the door.

For more family fun, connect with Mother Earth at these Long Island nature centers, plan a day trip and explore a nearby town or visit one of Long Island's many museums. Or if you're not totally screen-free, check out the 50 Best Kids' Movies for Family Movie Night.

Pittsburgh with Kids: 40 Fun Things To Do in Pittsburgh

A visit here will teach the kids all about local history. Photo courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Pittsburgh has been racking up the cool points lately, landing on "best cities" lists and topping rankings for top spots for sports, restaurants, and even tech. It isn't just college kids flocking here. The Rust Belt city offers plenty of fun things to do for kids and families, including a thriving arts and culture scene.

The Pittsburgh Zoo is a longtime attraction for families, along with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, but unique offerings like the Carnegie Science Center, National Aviary, and Andy Warhol Museum are a draw, too. We've long touted the city as one of our top Pennsylvania weekend getaways for families, but we recently revisited and enjoyed exploring old favorites and finding more fun things to do in Pittsburgh. Read on for a list of 40 things to do, see, and eat in Pittsburgh!

25 Things To Do With Kids in Greenwich

Wagon rides are part of the fun at the Greenwich Reindeer Festival.

Whether you access it by train (the ride from Grand Central Terminal in New York City takes less than an hour) or cross its picturesque town line by car, Greenwich offers a plethora of luxury shopping, restaurants, playgrounds, nature escapes, cultural opportunities, and waterfront activities. Here are 25 places to see and adventures to pursue in this Fairfield County community. 

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