The fall season is the perfect time to get the family outdoors for a nature walk or an easy hike when trees are ablaze with fall colors and temperatures are just right. These easy hiking trails in New Jersey are perfect for families with young kids. Pick the right trail, pack enough snacks, and pad your expected hike time by an extra hour to allow break time for little legs, and you'll have a great day soaking up the fall scenery around Jersey's many forests and state parks. If we get a late heatwave, consider visiting one of these hiking trails near swimming holes, streams, and more wet places to play.

Exhibits at East Garden City's Cradle of Aviation Museum do more than merely teach visitors and dole out facts. While parents and teenagers can enjoy learning about America's aviation and space history, small children can enjoy a host of interactive features at this great Long Island museum. Aspiring pilots and astronauts: Get ready to blast-off to the Cradle of Aviation Museum. 

Located in the expansive Exposition Park just south of DTLA (right between the beloved California Science Center and the soon-to-open Lucas Museum—or the Star Wars Museum, as we call it at my house!), the Los Angeles County's Natural History Museum is one of the best museums in the city, especially for kiddos. From the soaring dinosaur fossil exhibits at the Dino Hall to hands-on activities in the Nature Lab, this museum has plenty to see and explore but is also manageable—families can definitely see the highlights in one day. Here's an exhibit-by-exhibit guide to hitting all the kid-friendly faves, plus the secrets of where to eat, park, and play.

Atlanta is often called the "Hollywood of the South," so it's no wonder the acting bug is spreading to local kids interested in Atlanta acting classes. Living in a hub for film, TV, commercials, and theater also provides potential opportunities for young people to take acting classes from the pros and get noticed by industry insiders. Even if your child doesn't have aspirations of Oscar fame, Atlanta acting classes foster confidence, social skills, and public speaking expertise. Check out our list of theaters and Atlanta acting schools to add a little more drama—the good kind—into your lives!

It may not have the clout of Hollywood or Broadway, but Houston boasts a rich and diverse theater scene that offers many acting classes for kids. We’ve compiled this list of 13 acting programs that provide in-person theater and acting classes near Houston for toddlers, kids, and teenagers. Get your young star in on the action with acting and theater classes hosted by Houston's best actors, directors, and educators. Whether they’re destined for on-screen (or stage) greatness, or just greatness in general, acting classes can give your child the tools they’ll need to enhance their confidence, creativity, public speaking abilities, social skills, and so much more. Plus, you’ll get to see the limelight twinkling in your thespian’s eyes as they put their skills and hard work to the test during final productions. 

For many, virtual and private lessons also are available. If you’d like to learn about other types of classes for kids in Houston, from cooking to coding and more, browse our directory of local Class Listings. 

Newport, Rhode Island, has a reputation as a summer playground for the elite, but in truth, it makes for a great family vacation. Yes, you will see fabulous Gilded Age mansions on the cliffs and expensive sailing yachts in the harbor, but coastal Newport also has lots of budget-friendly family fun and even free things to do for kids of all ages.

See our Rhode Island Travel Guide for more local family activity ideas. 

Kids' eyes shine with glee as they climb aboard the Grand Canyon Railway’s magical Polar Express Christmas train. This 1930s vintage train is a ringer for the one in the Chris Van Allsburg children’s book of the same name (yep, the one they turned into a classic holiday movie). Every year families can celebrate the Christmas season with a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus, via the Grand Canyon. That makes two childhood “must-do” outings completed with one amazing holiday trip.

This train sells out fast every year—some families book a year in advance—so the sooner you can get tickets, the better!

With the leaves bursting into beautiful reds, oranges, yellows, and golds, fall is one of the most beautiful times to live in and visit the DC area. And one great way to view fall foliage is to pull on your hiking shoes and hit the trails. To help you do just that, we've created a list of fall hikes near Washington, DC that offer some of the best views of fall foliage in the DC area.

All of these fall hikes near Washington, DC are free unless otherwise noted, and many of them are paved and stroller friendly so  you can bring your little ones along. And if you just can't get enough of the colorful foliage, you can also take a leaf-peeping train ride or day trip to get your fill.

Here are 12 gorgeous fall hikes near Washington, DC to view fall foliage. Happy trails!