In the weeks leading up to Halloween, it's not uncommon to see people dressed like ghosts, goblins, and other creepy characters at Halloween events all over the DC area. But if you're looking for a more authentic experience this October—or all year long—why not try a DC ghost tour? These nighttime walking tours take visitors past places that are said to be haunted by the ghosts of presidents, assassins, heroes, and more.

My family recently went on a DC Ghosts ghost tour operated by US Ghost Adventures. It was the perfect activity to kick off Halloween season, and it taught us some interesting DC history. My 12-year-old twin sons and 9-year-old daughter enjoyed the ghost tour as much as my husband and I did, and while the stories were definitely creepy, the tour wasn't overly scary. In fact, there were several other children in our tour group and no one went home crying. Our kids are still talking about how cool it was.

Did we see any ghosts? You'll have to read on to find out! After you do, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for DC Kids for more spooky (and not-so-spooky) ways to celebrate Halloween, from the best pumpkin patches and corn mazes near DC to the top free Halloween events in the DC area.

Get behind the scenes on everything from chocolate to motorcycles! What better way to enjoy a family-friendly educational experience than with a food or factory tour? From Philadelphia to the suburbs, as well as places that may constitute a day trip, Pennsylvania is a state that makes all sorts of things, and many companies are thrilled to have kids and grown-ups check out the process. That's where factory tours come in. Have you ever wondered how Herr's makes such cheesy cheese puffs? Does your little artist want to visit the Crayola Factory? Does you entire family want to tour the Hershey's Chocolate Factory to learn how they make the chocolate? 

Whether you are just looking for something to do this weekend or take a longer road trip, we have a list for you. Be sure to call or check the websites for the most up-to-date hours and ticket prices. Looking for something in your immediate vicinity? Our Events Calendar always has the latest scoop, and find more ideas for weekend fun with our Weekend Travel Guide. 

Disneyland with a baby might seem like a big undertaking, but it’s more doable than you might think. Sure, your baby may not remember their memorable Disneyland day, but photos will be stored on your phone for years, proving that your little one did go to Disneyland as a baby. 

From the Baby Care Center to no-height requirement rides, Mickey's Toontown, dance parties, and air-conditioned spaces, Disneyland with a baby is as breezy as a palm tree swaying in the Southern California sky. Keep reading below for the best tips for having the most magical day at Disneyland with a baby. 

Discover the best hotels to stay in Anaheim near Disneyland, and see what other activities there are for kids in Anaheim that go beyond Disneyland. There are more baby-friendly theme parks to explore in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.  

Living in South Jersey, my family is familiar Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford and jumped at the chance to visit its second location a bit further north in Jobstown. Because we love Johnson's Corner Farm, we strapped the kids into the car and drove out to explore this family-friendly farm, one of our favorite farms for family entertainment in New Jersey, and we were glad we did.

The location of this family-run farm is gorgeous; as soon as you step out of your car it is obvious why it is a sought-after wedding venue. For a family day out, there was so much to do as well! We were there for 3 1/2 hours, and if we weren’t exhausted from so much picking, we could have stayed even longer and enjoyed a nice glass of wine while listening to live music as the kids played in the giant sand pit.

So, if you want to take advantage of all the fall photo opportunities and more fun on the farm, read our top tips for visiting with kids and find all our favorite local farms in our Guide for Family-Friendly Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun in New Jersey.

If you're looking for the perfect birthday or holiday gifts for kids from 5-year-olds to 9-year-olds, you've found the right place!

When it comes to choosing gifts for kids, particularly this marvelous, coming-into-their-own age range of 5 to 9-year-olds, the temptation is to start veering towards digital. While we’re not into screen-shaming at Mommy Poppins, this list is free of screens and leans heavily on hands-on toys, physical books, and wonderfully messy art supplies. These creative and tactile toys keep kids' brains as active as their hands and bodies.

The lack of screen inclusion among these toy recommendations isn't a case of virtue signaling; we've seen that these are the toys that get treasured and played with for years to come.

Looking for awesome gifts for other ages? Find our faves for first birthday gifts, the most beloved toddler gifts, and more in our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays.