Best Harvest and Pumpkin Festivals in New Jersey for Fall Family Fun

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Bring home a pumpkin from the Happy Day Farm Fall Festival in Manalapan. Photo courtesy of the farm

You know harvest festival season is upon us when New Jersey's farms are bursting with ripe apples ready to be plucked from the trees. We've rounded up dozens of great fall fairs and harvest fests in New Jersey, all packed with signature seasonal fun like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, contests, scarecrow making, live animals, live music, and more. Some even incorporate a little early Halloween fun.

For more seasonal activities, be sure to check out our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide, our New Jersey Halloween Guide, and our mega-list of things we can't wait to do in NJ with kids this fall. 

Best Fall Day Trips to Take from Long Island with Kids

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, which returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration, is worth the drive this fall. Photo courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley

With fewer crowds, more comfortable temperatures, and a pageant of seasonal colors, fall day trips are a great option for Long Island families.

Whether your idea of an autumn getaway involves brightly-hued foliage or an adventure in the urban jungle, we've rounded up 30 fall day-trip ideas from Long Island for families. Some are close by, while others require a few hours in the car or Long Island Rail Road. Some even require a ride on a ferry. But no matter where you go or how you get there, you're sure to create some lasting memories from these fall day trips.

If you're craving an extended adventure, consider one of these nearby destinations for a weekend visit. And, of course, we've got plenty of seasonal fun ideas in our Fall Fun Guide and all-season day-trip inspiration in our Day Trips Guide for Long Island families.

Best Kids Cooking Classes Near Boston: Classes, Camps, and Parties

Audrey Trieschman's picture Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on

Photo courtesy of Taste Buds Kitchen

The best kids cooking classes near Boston teach young chefs safe food prep, healthy eating, and nutrition. Whether our kids are adventurous eaters or too timid to try anything beyond boxed mac ’n’ cheese, parents can help instill good food habits. Cooking together at home is one way to do this. There are also plenty of opportunities for instructive fun through kids’ cooking classes and workshops around Boston. Many cooking classes for kids take the form of a single-class workshop or a two- to three-session program. So, even if your children have regular sports team commitments or semester-long dance or music classes, they can still satisfy their inner foodies without missing a goal—​or a beat.

Many kids’ cooking classes are offered during those long school vacations or summer breaks. Cooking workshops around Boston also make fun birthday parties—best of all, no mess for the parents! We’ve rounded up the top places that offer kids’ cooking classes and workshops in and around Boston. Get ready for your kids to cook up something great!

Best Halloween Events in Miami and South Florida for Kids and Families

Submitted by Lindsey Scannell on

Spend Halloween close to nature at Tinez Farm. Photo courtesy of Tinez Farms

We're ready for Halloween events in Miami and South Florida with ghosts, ghouls, witches, and zombies...plus dancing, pumpkins, and costume contests! Miami families can enjoy tons of Halloween events, like picking pumpkins from a swimming pool patch and trick-or-treat events with and without your pet! Whether you want to be scared, entertained, or stuffed with candy and fall treats, we know which South Florida farms, trunk-or-treat events, haunted houses, and pumpkin festivals are ready to delight kids and families in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and the Florida Keys.

St. Augustine with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in St. Augustine, Florida

Submitted by James Smith on

The secluded St. Augustine Beach is a perfect respite from daily life. Photo Photo by Mancy Carter

Florida has its “Emerald Coast,” its "Space Coast," its “Treasure Coast,” and even its “Forgotten Coast.” But unless you spend time in its northernmost section, you might be unaware of its “Historic Coast,” headlined by the haven of St. Augustine.

About an hour south of Jacksonville, whose sizable airport services most major carriers, sits America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers. To visit St. Augustine’s charming cobblestone streets and seemingly ancient architecture is to be reminded of Florida’s multicultural history.

Of course, these days visitors—adults and kids alike—are better welcomed than the 18th-century pirates who sailed in for plunder. These days, St. Augustine is a seaside haven for kids and families, particularly those eager to mix a little education with all that Florida sunshine.

Read on for our picks for the 30 best things to do in St. Augustine with kids. Then check out our Florida Family Vacation Guide for more great getaways in the Sunshine State.

Discount Broadway Tickets: Five Ways to Save Big on Broadway Shows

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Big-name Broadway shows like &Juliet come at a premium prices, but there are ways to save on Broadway tickets. Photo by Aka NYC.

Scoring Broadway tickets to a top show is a thrill for locals and visitors alike, but with soaring ticket prices, it can be hard to make seeing these family-friendly Broadway shows a regular occurrence. Luckily, there are discount Broadway tickets to be found if you know where to look—and we do. We've got the scoop on five ways to score cheap tickets to Broadway shows.

Not sure what to see? You'll find all our top picks for the best kid-friendly entertainment in our NYC Guide to Children's Theater and Shows.

Trunk-or-Treats in Chicago for Halloween 2023

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Winnetka Park District

Trunk-or-treat events in Chicago mean that it's never too cold, too hot, or too far to walk on Halloween. Trunk-or-treats are perfect for the littlest ghosts and goblins because they take less time and are often during daylight hours. Trunk-or-treat in Chicago involves local families, businesses, or organizations decorating their cars and lining them up in a parking lot so kids can go from trunk to trunk gathering sweets, just like trick-or-treating. And many neighborhoods and suburbs have them, sponsored by their park district, local church, school, or toy store. Trunk-or-treating also offers kids an extra opportunity to grab some candy before Halloween, while supporting local businesses and non-profits.

Best Gymnastics Classes for Kids in Connecticut

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on

They will love hanging out and making friends at the best gymnastics classes for kids in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Farmington Valley Gymnastics & More via Facebook

The best gymnastics classes help kids of all ages develop coordination, strength, and balance. Gymnastics classes also foster confidence, teamwork, and a healthy sense of competition. The best gymnastics classes for kids in Connecticut also provide a mix of classes and private instruction. There are programs geared for competetive gymnastics and others that are just pure fun. Tumble on!

Need a class that you can attend with your little one? Check out Mommy and Me Classes for Babies and Parents in Connecticut. And see all our picks for enrichment programs in the Guide to Classes in Connecticut for Kids.

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