The Best Trader Joe's Food for Families: 50 Favorite Products and Reader's Tips

Trader Joe's how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: for being inexpensive, gourmet and friendly.

Everyone has their own idea of what the best Trader Joe's foods are, and while we all know about the magic of Trader Joe's Orange Chicken, the shelves at Trader Joe’s are lined with products that make meal time, snack time, and just about any other time more enjoyable. Eager to get some new easy dinner ideas, we asked readers what they think the best Trader Joe’s foods are. We were overwhelmed by the responses. Start this week's grocery list off with these best Trader Joe’s foods, from frozen treats to snacks to easy meal ideas. Meal planning just got a whole lot more fun!

If you need more meal inspirations, check out these 15 Easy Trader Joe's Recipes, and other favorite recipe ideas from taco recipes to sheet pan dinners kids love, in our Guide To Easy Recipes for Kids and Families.

35+ Things to Do With New Jersey Preschoolers Before They Turn 5

Find the Fairy houses on the South Mountain Fairy Trail. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

We have just five precious years or so to spend with our little ones before they head off to kindergarten. In these years, kids grow and develop faster than they will at any other time in their lives, so many of us want to fill their days with as many opportunities to learn, laugh, and love life as possible. That means taking advantage of the many play spaces, mommy-and-me classes, storytimes, playgrounds, and other treasures the Garden State offers toddlers.

Enjoy these great opportunities throughout New Jersey while your preschoolers are young enough to appreciate them—and, in some cases, young enough to score FREE admission.

For more can't-miss NJ offerings, check out 100 Things to Do in New Jersey with Kids Before They Grow Up.

Visiting the Long Island Aquarium With Kids: What to Know Before You Go

Sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks patrol Poseidon’s waters.

Visiting the Long Island Aquarium with kids will give your family access to more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, ensuring a fun day admiring majestic sea life. Formerly Atlantis Aquarium, the Long Island Aquarium allows you to embark on an adventure to the lost city of Atlantis, where you'll be greeted by stingrays, sharks, seahorses, and even mermaids. 

With different events and experiences throughout the year, it's always a good time to say hello to Poseidon and his friends. 

For more entertainment inspiration, check out our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks Near Long Island, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar

Visiting Historic Richmond Town with Kids: Top Things To Do on a Family Visit

American history comes to life at Historic Richmond Town's living history village and historical museum.

If you have a little historian on your hands, plan a visit to Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island, where guests immerse themselves in rich American history in Historic Richmond Town's living history village and historical museum that springs to life with seasonal programs, workshops, and year-round special events.

Read on for details on our visit to this Staten Island gem and learn about more living history day trips nearby. We've got more picks for great local museums in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for Kids.

Teen Birthday Parties in Boston: Cool Party Places for Teens

Bowl them over with fun teen birthday parties in Boston. Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike Entertainment, Facebook.

As your child becomes a teen, creative birthday party ideas become more of a challenge. You can't satisfy them with balloons, ice cream, and pizza like in the early years. Bringing in the clowns won’t work, and you can forget about face painting and bouncy houses too! So, how do you engage them and create birthday memories? My teen loves the city for her birthdays; she can walk around the fabulous neighborhoods with her friends after the party. So check out these ideas for teen birthday parties in Boston, and find the right celebration for your not-so-easily-impressed teen.

See out our Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids for more ideas on having fun in the city on their special day. And check out our Birthday Party Guide for Boston Kids for cake recipes, fun ways to connect virtually with loved ones, and much more.

Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Houston: 10 Cool Party Places for Teens and Tweens

Birthday party places near Houston include arcades, escape rooms, climbing gyms, and more. Photo courtesy of The Main Event

Teens and tweens are in that - interesting, shall we say - stage of life between being a go-with-the-flow kid and an independent adult. Sometimes they love anything and everything you do for them, and other times, they absolutely can't stand the sight of you. Parenting teens and tweens can be hard, but planning their birthday party doesn't have to be, because there are plenty of birthday party places near Houston.

With growing independence, the occasional energy for days, and the ability to safely participate in activities that may be just a bit too extreme for younger children (i.e., go-karts and paintball), teens and tweens are at the perfect age to venture out from indoor play spaces and parties at parks and plan a party at a Houston venue that offers a bit more adventure.

Here is a list of birthday party ideas for teens in Houston. For more Houston-area birthday party ideas for kids of all ages, be sure to check out our Birthday Party Guide for Houston families.

Lion Country Safari: Drive-thru Zoo with Wildlife, Water Rides, & More in South Florida

There are more than just lions at Lion Country Safari.

With more than 900 animals, a water park, and carnival rides, Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee is a must-see attraction for visitors and locals in south Florida. Located 90 minutes north of Miami (30 minutes outside West Palm Beach), Lion Country is the kind of place where a family can spend the entire day and still not see everything this park has to offer. Its drive-through wildlife preserve is one of our favorite drive-through zoo experiences. Visitors can expect to see rhinos, giraffes, and lions up close. And I mean close. Last time my family visited, an ostrich approached our car and started pecking at a parking pass in the window (much to my daughters' delight!)  Even more animals are on display in the park's walk-through zoo. And if you visit on a warm day, which is likely in south Florida, be sure to pack swimsuits; the splash pad and water slides here are some of the best in the area.

Here's more on what to do at Lion Country Safari—and for more ideas on Miami family activities, check out our South Florida and Miami guide.

Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Westchester: Cool Party Places for Teens

Gather friends for a climbing party at The Cliffs at Valhalla. Photo courtesy of the facility

Teen birthday party ideas in Westchester may seem tougher to come by than the princess- or pirate-themed fiestas that work for the younger set, but there are lots of options, including parties centered on art, games, rock climbing, or–believe it or not–skydiving.

Read on for the full list sure to please your older kid. And if you’re looking for more birthday ideas, check out our Kids' Birthday Party Guide for Westchester Families, which includes info on where to get a great cake.

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