Newly-Renovated Play Area Opens for Babies and Toddlers at Kidspace Children’s Museum

The interactive indoor playground is now welcoming crawlers and early walkers to play, climb, explore, and connect. Photo by Kylie Williams

Kidspace Museum in LA welcomes babies and early walkers to its newly renovated play space.

Pasadena’s beloved Kidspace Children’s Museum–my family’s absolute favorite in the Los Angeles area–understands the importance of socializing and play for babies, toddlers, and even their grown-ups. That’s why I jumped at the chance to check out the museum’s newly reopened and freshly renovated Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC).

Filled with brain-building sensory and developmental experiences for babies and toddlers, the interactive indoor playground is now welcoming crawlers and early walkers to play, climb, explore, and connect alongside their parents and caregivers. My 20-month-old couldn’t get enough of the eye-catching rain mobile and the easily-scalable stream climber structure, and I loved that the area was so safe and engaging for little ones that I could actually get in some conversations with other adults.

Read on for everything you need to know about the beautifully reimagined space, and get your Kidspace tickets for a chance to explore the Early Childhood Learning Center.

Coolest Halloween Inflatables and Inflatable Costumes for Kids: Bluey, Hello Kitty, and More

The Bluey can really vamp it up! Photo courtesy of the Gemmy store on Amazon

Halloween inflatables are an awesome invention, whether you're on the lookout for inflatable Halloween costumes for your kids (or yourself!) or inflatable Halloween decorations for the yard. They're huge and eye-catching, but they also fold down to almost nothing, for storage in the non-spooky seasons!

We've gathered the coolest options available to purchase online and have shipped directly to you! Here are our favorite Halloween inflatables, at a variety of price points, that will make trick-or-treaters' eyes pop out of their heads!

For more at-home Halloween fun—from the best kids' Halloween movies to easy pumpkin carving ideas and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

20 Things To Do in NYC with Babies Before they Turn 1

Take your city baby to Rockaway Beach. All you need is a MetroCard and a sense of adventure.

Looking for the best things to do in NYC with babies? You've come to the right place. We've got parent-tested picks for family fun from birth to big kids.

The whole "New York City is a terrible place to raise babies" debate never seems to die, but as a mom of three NYC babies, I disagree. Yes, it can be a nuisance to find subway stations with working elevators and contend with tiny spaces and noisy neighbors. Still, there are so many enriching first-time experiences to share with your New York City baby that it's worth muddling through the inconveniences.

So, stock your diaper bag, strap your infant into a stroller or carrier, and try these 20 things to do in NYC with babies before age 1. Be sure to bookmark our NYC Baby Guide for all our top tips and picks for making the most of NYC with a little one in tow.

Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas and Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Halloween

Which pumpkin carving idea will you choose? Spooky or sweet?

Halloween kicks off with your best pumpkin carving idea... The cornerstone of any great Halloween display—the jack-o'-lantern—is always one of our favorite things to do with kids in the fall, right after the apple picking and a pumpkin patch outing. Pumpkin carving is one of those rare activities that every member of the family can enjoy: little kids love the mess, big kids love the chance to wield a knife, and parents love to show off latent creative skills. From easy to timely to spooky pumpkin carving ideas, we’ve rounded up 20 of our favorite pumpkin carving stencils, all of which include a link to the FREE pumpkin carving stencil design.

Be sure to check out our Halloween Guide for loads more ideas for Halloween fun: We've got over 100 ideas for kids' Halloween costumes, scarily funny Halloween jokes for kids, Halloween movies for the whole family, and so much more.

And for Halloween activities near you, check out our Local Halloween Fun & Activities Guide!

Best Boardwalk Trails in Orlando and Central Florida for Families

Enjoy a refreshing stroll with the kids along the scenic boardwalk at Sweetwater Park.

Explore some of the best Central Florida boardwalk trails for families. While the Orlando area is bursting with beautiful hiking trails, nature paths, and parks, sometimes you need something that's 100 percent stroller-friendly; a path that's easy for new walkers, with no roots or rocks in their way; or maybe your kids want the unique experience of walking on water!

These Orlando boardwalk picks are stroller-friendly, accommodate children, and offer the perfect outdoor adventures for families to enjoy nature and burn off energy. For more outdoor adventures, check out the Top 10 Natural Springs in Florida Near Orlando and Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Orlando and Central Florida.

Feed the Animals and More Fun at Muddy Paws Farm Rescue

Spend time with pumpkin-eating donkeys at Southampton's Muddy Paws Farm Rescue. Photo by the author

You can feel good about a visit to Muddy Paws Farm Rescue for two reasons: Your kids will be thrilled feeding and petting the farm animals, and you'll have donated to an incredible nonprofit that rescues mistreated animals.

Located in Southampton, New Jersey, Muddy Paws has more than 100 animals for your family to pet and pamper. If this sounds like a fun outing for your family, read on for tips on visiting the farm with kids.

Read our roundup of New Jersey's best petting zoos for more great places to visit some furry friends. 

Great Preschools in Brooklyn for Little Learners

Students can enter Brooklyn Heights Montessori and continue their educational journey all the way through eighth grade. Photo courtesy of the school

Brooklyn families are fortunate to have a number of great Brooklyn preschools at their doorsteps. The borough is home to a wide range of preschools, which vary in size, educational philosophy, and scheduling flexibility.

To help families find the right preschool fit, we've rounded up 16 great Brooklyn preschools and divided them into categories, including traditional Brooklyn preschools, year-round Brooklyn preschools, Montessori and Reggio Emilia preschools in Brooklyn, and religious preschools in Brooklyn.

Preschool spots are always in high demand, so it's important to start your school search early. Most NYC preschools require you to apply in the fall a year before your child enrolls, with acceptance letters going out in February or March. The process begins by researching preschools' websites, taking tours, talking to other families, and considering what's most important for your family in a preschool.

For a comprehensive list of NYC preschools, check out our Preschools Directory, which includes our top picks for preschools in Park Slope, plus many more resources, including our best preschool admissions tips as well as 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour.

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