Best Kids' Ride On Toys for Kids of All Ages for a Gift That Will WOW

The Licensed Land Rover Ride On Car Toy is one of the coolest ride on toys for kids.

Ride on toys are the perfect gift to give a child if you really want to "wow" them. After all, what's more fun than zooming around town—or the house—on two, three, or four wheels? Plus, many kids' ride on toys have the added benefit of building balance, coordination, muscle strength, and fine motor schools.

We've rounded up 21 of the best ride on toys for kids of all ages, from toddlers all the way through teens (and even adults). These kids' ride on toys run the gamut from ride on horse toys to scooters to tricked-out electric cars for kids. With these ride on toys, your kiddo will surely be cruising the neighborhood in style.

Find more awesome gifts for kids, from the best first birthday gifts to the best gifts for tweens and teens, in our Mommy Poppins Gift Guide.

Free Turkeys in New Jersey for Thanksgiving 2023

A number of New Jersey organizations offer free turkey giveaways this holiday season. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Free turkey meals in New Jersey offer help to families who may not have the financial means to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal they deserve. Many churches, soup kitchens, and charities throughout New Jersey offer free turkey giveaways or full, hot Thanksgiving dinners this season.

Read on for details on where to find these services, and if you're fortunate enough to have a full pantry and pocketbook, keep in mind that many of these nonprofits need help now more than ever, so consider reaching out to donate.

In addition to helping families fill their Thanksgiving table, we've also rounded up a collection of resources and organizations ready to supply free toys for the upcoming holiday season.

NYC's Best Immersive Museums and Pop-Up Experiences for Kids Right Now

No matter when you visit, there's a flurry of fun to be had at Color Factory's interactive museum in NYC.

One of my favorite perks to city living is the NYC museums that surround us. It's easy to find culture on every corner from The Met's iconic artwork to dioramas, artifacts, and dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History and the rest of these top children's museums in NYC, but when you're in search of something more hands-on and interactive, NYC is a boon for that, too!

Below, find our top picks for immersive museums in NYC, where kids can get hands-on and play with slime, jump in a ball pit, bury themselves in sprinkles, and more. These immersive NYC museums are perfect rainy-day destinations that will help kids burn off some energy and introduce them to everything from art to science or simply the art of selfies in a fun and experiential way.

Find all our top kid-culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for Kids.

Holiday and Thanksgiving Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families on Long Island

Long Island Cares food banks are a great way to give back to those in need this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Long Island Cares

Volunteering opportunities on Long Island show your children how rewarding it is to make someone’s holiday a little brighter by simply giving a little of your time. Volunteering also offers a way to break free from the gift-getting, list-making, shop-till-you-drop frenzy of the holidays. 

From fundraising to turkey and book drives to helping make wishes come true, we’ve pulled together this list of a dozen Long Island organizations looking for volunteers this holiday season. Most welcome help at other times, too.

Read all our best tips for the holidays–like the best seasonal day trips near Long Island–in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Long Island Kids

Best Museums for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Widely celebrated as one of the world's leading sculpture parks, Storm King makes for a great family outing. Photo by Eva Schwartz

Westchester and the Hudson Valley have a bevy of great museums that offer stimulating fun and exposure to culture. All of the museums we've rounded up below offer exhibits and family programs that let kids–and grown-ups–learn, explore, and appreciate new viewpoints. 

Read on for more about these cultural gems, each of which can be included as part of a family day trip, and be sure to check our Museum Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids for more. 

Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton: This Aruba Hotel Can Be Your Home Away From Home

Cool off in Embassy Suites Aruba's sprawling pool.

If the white sands and turquoise waters of Aruba are beckoning your family for a visit, Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton makes for a lovely, welcoming home away from home. This brand-new Aruba hotel takes the brand's well-known family-friendly amenities—spacious suites, generous hot breakfasts, pet-friendly rooms, daily evening happy hours—and packs it into a beautiful beachfront resort package.

Add to that the friendly, personable staff who can't wait to share the best things to do in Aruba with you, and this is an easy, warm-weather, family-friendly vacation destination in our book.

Read all about my fantastic stay at Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton. Then check out our Caribbean Family Travel Guide for more great places to visit in the Caribbean. 

The Nutcracker and Holiday Shows for Connecticut Kids

Christmas musicals and holiday shows for Connecticut kids are here for 2022! The Nutcracker photo courtesy of The Bushnell Theater

Showcasing everything from the Nutcracker to a Christmas Carol, the season brings holiday shows for Connecticut kids. These are some of our most beloved traditions this time of year. Starting in November and continuing through New Year's, there are family-friendly Christmas shows at community and city theaters from Bridgeport to Mystic. It's a Magic Cirque Christmas in Waterbury and New London. The Holiday Pops take the stage in Storrs. If you have a budding ballerina in your midst and Clara's story is on your must-see list, we have you covered for local performances of The Nutcracker. And, if you're up for a day trip, The Boston Ballet Company's Nutcracker is well worth the ride!

Grab your tickets for these holiday spectaculars now. Be sure to check out our list of the Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events for Connecticut Kids for more seasonal family fun. Merry merry—almost!

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Boston for Kids and Families

Winter fun awaits at the best outdoor skating rinks in Boston for kids and families!

Whether your kids are skating first-timers or hockey players, gliding on one of the best outdoor ice skating rinks in Boston can be a fun excursion. It's also an affordable way for families to get fresh air and exercise in the wintertime. It's pretty thrilling to glide along the ice and look at the city and park scenery. Read on for our guide to the best outdoor ice skating rinks in Boston and the surrounding communities. Our list includes the beloved Boston Common Frog Pond, the Canal District Kendall Square ice rink, and Patriot Place – all of which are open this winter!

While these fresh-air rinks have a special charm, many of these free indoor skating facilities around Boston are open this winter for public skating and lessons, too. If your kids enjoy a slope as much (or more than) a rink, check out these Northeast ski mountains.

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