Turtle Back Zoo is one of our favorite attractions in New Jersey, and for plenty of reasons: it’s an incredible, beautiful destination that appeals to kids of all ages, with great exhibits and programs. Crucially, it also offers several opportunities for kids to get hands-on experience with animals. The facility also hosts amazing holiday activities, camps, and family-friendly programming throughout the year.

Turtle Back Zoo is located in Essex County in the South Mountain Reservation, and there are tons of other things nearby for kids to do—including romping in a treetop adventure course and playing some mini-golf; read through our guide below for the many nearby activities worth checking out. 

Turtle Back Zoo has been enthralling visitors since it opened in 1963, with a collection of 140 animals of 40 species, and it has continued to expand its rich offerings over the years. Should you go? Of course! Should you have a game plan? You better. Read on for what you should know before you and the family get wild.

If you're looking for other great New Jersey adventures, check out our rundown of the state's top things to do with kids. And be sure to peruse our guide to Zoos and Gardens for New Jersey Kids if you're on the hunt for other animal encounters. 

The New York Renaissance Faire descends on Sterling Forest again this fall, running on weekends and holidays from late August through early October. This annual festival transforms the state park in Tuxedo into a 16th-century village complete with period costumes, music, theater, and crafts.

The massive 65-acre "Renn Faire," as locals call it, has been taking place since 1977, and it kicks off again Saturday, August 26, 2023. Read on for details on what to see there with the kids, ticket discounts, and more.

Looking for more fun in the Hudson Valley? Take a look at our Family Day Trips Guide and our picks for 35 things to do in the region with kids.

A ride on the NYC Ferry is a great way to see New York City from a new point of view—and cruising on the water is so much more exciting for jaded city kids than taking the boring old subway—especially during the summer. The NYC Ferry system makes it easy and fun to hop on a boat for a day trip to a not-so-distant shore.

While we're big fans of all the family activities you can enjoy on Governors Island, and riding the FREE Staten Island Ferry is on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids before they grow up, the NYC Ferry has opened up tons more waterfront neighborhoods to easy exploration. Here are our favorite things to do near NYC Ferry stops, plus a couple of longer ferry rides that will whisk you away to nearby shores for a daycation.

These school jokes for kids keep giggles going, even if there's stress about heading back to school.

Whether your family is sad vacation time is over, glad to get away from the boredom of the long summer break, or a bit of both, it’s time to think about going back to school! Your kids can laugh with old and new friends with their favorite school jokes for kids. New teachers and routines can be stressful as well as exciting, so try slipping a note with one of these funny jokes into school lunchboxes, to make your little scholar laugh and show them you’re thinking of them!

And you don’t need to stick to school-themed jokes. Check our list of howlers in these funny jokes for kids. We also have Mom jokes and Dad jokes that will be sure to make the whole family giggle.

There's nothing sweeter on a hot summer day than an ice cream sundae and we've rounded up the best ice cream parlors in NYC to get an over-the-top ice cream sundae. We owe a debt to whoever invented the delicious combo of ice cream, syrup, and toppings—this yummy treat is a delight.

The delectable ice cream sundaes below go far beyond your typical scoop with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry on top to include special touches like unlimited toppings, candy coatings, and sundaes fit to feed your entire family. If you're looking for more sweet shops to grab a scoop, bookmark our list of 14 great ice cream parlors in NYC, and find more showstopping desserts for all seasons and occasions on this list of the most insane desserts in NYC.

Don't toss out those empty toilet paper rolls and paper towel tubes just yet. They're the perfect canvas for some awesome crafts for kids. And toilet paper roll crafts aren't just for little ones. They can be used by everyone from preschoolers to make simple animals and mummies, all the way through tweens and teens to make more advanced projects like desk organizers and wall art.

Here are 20 fun and easy toilet paper roll crafts for kids of all ages. Once you use up all those toilet paper rolls, repurpose your empty cardboard boxes with some of our 50+ cardboard box crafts and activities for kids. Let your family's creativity run wild!

When it comes to wet-and-wild summer fun, here's a fresh idea: Why not plan a river tubing day trip or go white water rafting near NYC? After all, you’ve likely already visited some local beaches, swam in our favorite FREE swimming pools, and (of course) hit up a splash pad while attempting to beat the summer heat.

Most of these destinations for river tubing and white water rafting near NYC clock in at around two hours from Midtown Manhattan, making them perfect for a day trip or quick late-summer weekend getaway—some even offer family-friendly camping packages, too. So, read on for our top picks for river tubing and white water rafting near NYC, and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Summer Fun in NYC for Kids.