Best Pumpkin Patches and Harvest Festivals Right in NYC

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Governors Island’s annual pumpkin patch, Pumpkin Point, returns with thousands of pumpkins and fall-themed decorations arranged across the island’s historic Nolan Park. Photo by Janet Bloom

If you think harvest festivals are the stuff of far-flung farmland, we're here to tell you that you don't have to leave NYC for an authentic harvest experience. NYC is jam-packed with fall activities, including pumpkin patches, hayrides, and even our very own corn maze. So, grab the kids and get primed for fall fun, no car rental necessary.

Of course, if you're looking for a more traditional pumpkin-picking experience, be sure to check out our favorite pumpkin patches near NYC. You can find more seasonal picks in our Guide to Fall Activities in NYC, including our favorite fall festivals in NYC and the best Oktoberfest celebrations for families.

Toast Oktoberfest in NYC at these Family-Friendly Celebrations

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Stone Street goes all out with its decorations in honor of Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of the event

Line up your lederhosen, it's time to celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC. We've found Oktoberfest celebrations in all five boroughs. Choose from playing giant games and eating oversized pretzels at Watermark, or riding The Standard's Ferris wheel, and then work off all those carbs during Hike-toberfest in Van Cortlandt Park!

For even more seasonal celebrations, check out our list of the best beer gardens for kids and families in NYC.

Chore Charts for Kids: Age-by-Age Lists

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Kids of all ages can pitch in on family chores, and chore charts can help keep them motivated and organized.

Want your kids to help more around the house? A chore chart may be just the ticket! Research shows that engaging in chores can offer significant psychological and emotional benefits, and that children as young as 2 or 3 can handle simple tasks. A chore chart for kids helps them remember what tasks they need to do and gives them a sense of accomplishment as they check off each one (or place a sticker next to it).

Of course, little kids and big kids differ in what chores they can handle and what motivates them to help. We've tapped experts and veteran parents to make these age-by-age chore lists with developmentally appropriate jobs for toddlers to teenagers.

If your big kid's chore chart includes help with meals, check out our Guide to Easy Recipes for Kids.

20 Best Corn Mazes in New Jersey for Fall Family Fun

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Get lost in the maze at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm. Photo by the author

Ready … set … it's time to get lost in a New Jersey corn maze! The Garden State is home to many spectacular corn mazes, ranging from massive,10-acre labyrinths to simple, child-friendly courses with fun attractions just right for toddlers and preschoolers.

Games and clues enhance many of the more elaborate corn maze experiences. Got a tween or teen? Some of these corn mazes offer haunted after-hours experiences for a spooky, nighttime adventure.

Check out the top orchards for apple picking in New Jersey and much more in our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids.

Best Bar Mitzvah Venues in NYC for Families

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A synagogue-turned event space, Boerum Hill's Deity is a lovely bat mitzvah venue in New York City. Photo by Kelly Williams

Finding the perfect bar mitzvah venue in New York City is a huge undertaking. Whether you're looking for a full-service bar mitzvah venue to handle everything in-house with an event manager orchestrating the party, or you're searching for a blank canvas to create your unique event, we've found 15 bar mitzvah venues in New York City ready to serve as the backdrop for your teen's big day.

These bat and bar mitzvah venues in New York City range from classic and sophisticated to more laid-back and focused on teen fun. Some of our picks even have multiple event spaces to host  your ceremony and party. If you're looking for more options, consider casting a wider net and hosting your party at one of these spectacular bar mitzvah venues on Long Island.

Of course, we've got more party planning tips for everyone from toddlers to teens in our New York City Birthday Party Guide.

Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers on Long Island Who Come to You

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Let Them Play brings foam play equipment and ball pits to your backyard.

Long Island's at-home birthday party entertainers have expanded their offerings in the past few years and notched up the engagement factor for optimal birthday party fun. Consider hosting your next soiree at home with the help of these birthday party pros.

From drive-in style movie nights and mobile spas to pop-up glamping tents and backyard laser tag competitions, at-home birthday party services on LI give kids fabulous entertainment options in a comfortable setting.

All of the options below service the entirety of Long Island. For more party planning help, check out our Long Island Party Guide.

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