25 Things To Do in the Berkshires with Kids

Climb Monument Mountain for panoramic views of the Berkshires. Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

The Berkshires may be associated with romantic escapes and girls' getaways, but make no mistake: This hilly, charming region of western Massachusetts is a great choice for a family getaway. With breathtaking nature trails, waterfalls, mountains, quirky museums, and welcoming farms dotting the region, the Berkshires offer something for all kids, especially ones who appreciate the outdoors and the arts. We've narrowed down our 25 favorite things to do in the Berkshires as a family.

Our New England Travel Guide has more ideas for exploring all the region has to offer, including our favorite nearby state parks and forests for outdoor adventures. 

Line-Free NYC: 20 Things To Do and Enjoy in NYC Right Now

Times Square is more quiet than normal, but still filled with lively billboards and plenty of attractions.

If you've trekked through Times Square lately, you likely saw as many pigeons as pedestrians. For the first time in decades, the city is deserted. Locals can enjoy all the usual tourist spots without waiting in line. Bollards are waiting to restrict lines of visitors for crowds who haven't shown up and social distancing markers on the sidewalk are barely scuffed. And the scene replays itself at tourist hotspots and beloved local institutions all across town. In short, it's a little slice of paradise for New Yorkers weary of dodging slow-walking tourists and selfie snappers.

The city streets are quiet when compared to pre-pandemic times. Office workers are still mainly working from home, and tourists are steering clear. This is all good news for intrepid New Yorkers, who are ready to explore again after months of making the best of stay-at-home orders. Museums are reopening, and Times Square mega shops are debuting. So, if you're ready to get out, the city is your playground. With flexible work arrangements and hybrid school schedules, now is the perfect time to play tourists in our hometown.

So, book those timed-entry tickets, skip the lines that usually run blocks long, and step out to visit a favorite museum, support a local business, and show New York City some love with these 20 things to do before the rest of the world discovers NYC is back.

CDC Issues Halloween Guidelines for 2020: Is It Safe to Trick or Treat?

Trick-or-treat?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidelines for Halloween safety — and it doesn't look good for trick-or-treating.

The pandemic has drastically changed how we live our daily lives, including all our favorite fall and winter holidays. With Halloween right around the corner and Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas close behind, these new guidelines from the CDC and pediatricians aim to keep kids and families safe while enjoying modified celebrations. 

Things To Do in NYC This Weekend With Kids: Intrepid Reopens, Broadway Drive-in, and More

Explore the Flight Deck at the Intrepid Sea ,Air and Space Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

The last week of September is packing a sweet punch. We started the week with the first full-day of (remote) school and a treat at Krispy Kreme's new Times Square mega shop, and we're ending it with an Event Calendar jam-packed with things to do.

Most exciting is the return of one of our favorite kid-friendly museums, as the Intrepid lowers its gangplank once again. We've also got the news that two more of our favorite haunts, the Brooklyn Children's Museum and CMOM, have set October reopening dates.

We're also hosting an Online Back to School Fair with tons of enrichment options. Catch the last few FREE demo classes this week, including sessions from Atlantic Acting and Coucou French. If you're itching to get out, we've got intel on outdoor art trips near NYC, fall family day trips, pumpkin picking (tis the season), the best corn mazes nearby, and even some scenic, seasonal train trips.

Read on for all our top picks for things to do this week with New York City kids.

Things To Do in Connecticut This Weekend: Oktoberfest, Pumpkins, Firepit Fridays

The harvest has begun, so you can pick your perfect pumpkin. Photo courtesy of Angevine Farm

Pumpkins are ripe for picking and leaves are ready for peeping! Now that fall has officially arrived, the Nutmeg State is ready to play. Here are our top picks for in-person events for Connecticut kids and families this week and beyond, from Firepit Fridays to Oktoberfest at Quassy Park.

Looking for even more seasonal fun? It's high time to go apple picking, get lost in a corn maze, or visit animals and sample cider at a local farm. Just remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing. If more enriching activities are what you're after, our Back-to-School Fair is still going on; catch the last few free demo classes this week, including Atlantic Acting and Coucou French.

As always, keep tabs on our Connecticut events calendar for daily updates on reopenings at favorite spots, and more local and virtual opportunities for family fun.

20+ Ruth Bader Ginsburg Children's Books (+ More Women Leaders)

I Dissent tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life in a stunning picture book.

As we continue to honor the remarkable life of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we've compiled a list of our favorite children's books about the great RBG herself and other inspirational women leaders. From board books to teen picks, these tales will empower young people to go after their dreams, fight for equality, and blaze new trails. 

It's never too soon to teach children about the legacy of women like Ginsburg, Maya Angelou, Anne Frank, and many, many more. Whether you're a parent wanting to bolster the homeschool library, a teacher, or just looking for gift ideas for the little one in your life, these children's books are sure to teach and inspire minds of all ages. Complete your feminist library with the noteworthy books below. 

Krispy Kreme Debuts Times Square Mega Shop

Krispy Kreme brings its trademark glazed doughnuts to the crossroads of the world.

The city that never sleeps has a sweet new way to fuel its 24-hour appetite: The long-anticipated Krispy Kreme flagship debuted in Times Square last week. The shop brings with it the hope of a "hot-now" doughnut at any time, day or night, plus stadium-style seating where visitors can (eventually) enjoy a front-row view of the doughnut-making magic.

Read on for all the details on this new family-friendly Times Square attraction.

30 Easy Paper Crafts for Kids

A coat of paint turns a simple plate into a work of art.

If there is one crafting material that you can never have enough of, it’s paper. We always keep a hefty supply of construction paper, card stock, tissue paper, paper plates, and toilet paper rolls in my house. When bedecked with a little glue, some colorful paint, and a few googly eyes, plain paper can be transformed into almost anything, from a fire breathing dragon to a sparkly unicorn. What's more, paper crafts are typically affordable, and are a great way to work on fine motor skills.

From a toilet paper roll monster to a construction paper crown, these 30 paper crafts will keep the whole family happily crafting all year long. Check out our list of 100 arts and crafts projects for more ideas for sparking creativity at home.

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