Just because the kids are heading back to school doesn't mean the fun has to stop. In fact, September is one of the best months for FREE outdoor fun. There are a slew of alfresco festivals for families, including Brooklyn's biggest street fair, Atlantic Antic, the perfect-for-preschoolers West Side County Fair, and farm fun at the Queens County Fair, including the return of the Amazing Maize Maze, NYC's only corn maze.

Other September highlights include fun on the water with the Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition, Bay Ridge's costume-filled Ragamuffin Parade, and the annual Kids Fest at Madison Square Park. It's also the last chance to take a dip at one of NYC's FREE outdoor public pools and beaches, many of which are staying open through Sunday, September 8.

Plus, tickets go on sale September 3 for the Hudson Valley's best Halloween activity, the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. (If you want to see Blaze, it is best to get your tickets now.) Read on for our 12 favorite things to do with kids in September in NYC, many of which are FREE.

Though September signals the closing of beaches and pools and the end of summer, there are so many scheduled events this month in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, it's hard to feel down about it! With fall festivals, film festivals, and non-festivals, the events this month are plentiful.

Though Halloween might seem a ways off, trust us: You don’t want to delay snagging your tickets to The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, which go on sale to the general public September 3 (a moment’s delay, and you’ll wind up with a date closer to Thanksgiving). And the New York Renaissance Faire, which runs through early October, is worthy of a reminder after being featured in our August GoList, as is CORNucopia, which bridges August and September.

Beyond these, there are many reasons to keep tabs on our Event Calendar this month, where you’ll find activities that celebrate Labor Day, the return to school, Grandparents Day, and the start of autumn, among other occasions. Stay in the know with our newsletters and check back frequently for updates.

September is a fresh start for New Jersey kids, with a new school year, a new season and a new list of September must-dos. From early fall fun to busy street fairs, we've hand-picked 18 of our favorite things to do this month. You can challenge yourselves to giant corn mazes, get in the Halloween spirit with theme park chills and thrills and hop aboard a pumpkin train.

For even more September fun, look to our roundup of September Fairs and Festivals and the best places to pick your own apples, and find a great selection of after-school activities in our Guide to Classes and Enrichment Programs for NJ Kids. Don't forget to check out our Event Calendar for a complete listing of happenings this month and beyond. 

Kids eager for an extended vacation might not agree, but is there a finer month on Long Island than September? As summer winds down and the weather cools, the region begins its colorful transition into autumn’s pageantry.

September weekends offer seasonal and cultural celebrations and a chance to discover Long Island’s natural beauty. Immerse yourself this month in Native American culture and traditions, explore maritime history, or spend a day on the East End visiting a farm. Or maybe just explore a museum, lighthouse, or seasonal festival.

Whatever you choose, your family is bound to have fun, learn something, and make memories. Here then is our list of the best ways to keep your family entertained in this back-to-school month.

September is so bittersweet: Carefree summer is in the rearview mirror, but there's the promise of fun fall activities ahead. Luckily in Boston, we enjoy temperate weather all month long that's perfect for spending outdoors at a festival, getting out on the water, watching giant kinetic sculptures in action, and singing farewell to summer. 

Mark your calendar with these kid-friendly picks as well as our favorite free September activities, because you won't want to miss any of this month's spectacular lineup of events for Boston families.  

The first day of kindergarten is exciting, nerve-wracking, hectic, tear-jerking and adorably photogenic all over the country. But New York City kids (and parents) face a unique set of challenges when headed to school for the very first time.

I have three children, ages 16, 12 and 8. That means I’ve been through NYC kindergarten three times. (I’ve also been through the admissions process three times, and wrote an entire book, Getting Into NYC Kindergarten, of tips and tricks.)

Over the years, I’ve learned five things that all families must know in order to have a successful transition from pre-K (public or private) into elementary school (public, private, charter, gifted, magnet, religious; like I said, it’s NYC, things are different here).

Check out the list below and learn from my mistakes, rather than your own.

Did someone say zoo? If your little ones have fallen for the non-stop furry cuteness of LA's petting zoos (and there are plenty in and around LA), there's a chance they're going to start thinking bigger. There are lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) to see at many zoos, and while petting is not recommended for most of the occupants (seriously, keep your kid out of the bear enclosure), young ones love seeing creatures live and in-person that they usually only read about in books. Here are some of the many zoos within easy driving distance. While the Los Angeles Zoo is naturally on the list, it's hardly the only game in town.