The wants and needs of toddlers versus teens couldn’t be more different. One is begging for toy cars while the other is eyeing up the keys to your SUV. When it comes to spending quality family time together, everyone can agree that day trips must be fun for siblings of all ages. Luckily, New Jersey has several destinations on the docket that will have your whole family cheering for more.

It’s that time of year—back to school time! There are plenty of reasons for parents to rejoice and for kids to be excited. However, for working parents with a 9-5 schedule the 3 o’clock school day can pose a challenge. Luckily there are many free and inexpensive after school programs available in the Hartford area. For more after school programs check out our After School Classes and Activities Guide.

You made it through the summer. The kids are back in school. Now for a little me time. And I don’t mean just sitting quietly reveling in being alone for the first time in months (although that’s awesome too). It’s time to go out with some friends and laugh your patooties off together. Hey, maybe even have dinner and adult beverages!

So gather your girl crew, ditch the mini-mes, and head out for a night of fun. We picked out a few Off-Broadway shows that won’t break your budget (one is only $5!), but will give you plenty of giggles. You deserve this!

Famed American artist James Turrell may not have guessed that his "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace would be a veritable classroom for youngsters, but this outdoor art installation is a great space for conversations with kids about colors, shapes, and even numbers.  

Located at the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion at Rice University, Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace looks, at first glance, like something from outer space. The two-level pyramidal structure with an opening in its roof sits on an immaculately manicured hill near the Shepherd School of Music. It's an architectural sight to behold on its own, but the real magic happens at sunrise and sunset. Well, about 40 minutes before sunrise, and about 8-10 minutes before sunset, to be precise. During these times, a mesmerizing light show takes place as LED light is projected onto the roof of the Skyspace.  

We all know the old trope—your kid gets an expensive present and ends up playing with the box, transforming it into a house, a race car, and maybe a rocket ship. STOMP, a wordless dance and percussion performance, has the same feeling of free-wheeling creativity as performers repurpose everyday objects into musical instruments. The high-energy numbers and the playful ingenuity with props appeals to all ages, which probably goes a long way in explaining the show’s longevity.

I used to live a block away from the Orpheum Theater in the East Village and would see happy, laughing people spilling out onto the sidewalks after seeing STOMP, but I somehow never made it to a performance myself, until recently. When I slid into a seat, two 9-year-old girls in tow, I realized I had missed out on a fun show for—oh, about 22 years. It’s a lively, interactive performance with lots of humor, energy, music, and of course, dancing—but not the kind you usually see in an Off-Broadway production. Children will appreciate the improv feel and exhilarating antics.

With an average wind speed of 12.2 mph, did you know that New York falls within the top 20% of windiest cities in America? With Long Island's expansive shoreline, the wind is even stronger in many parts of the 516/631/934.  Set your sights on the sky with these kite-flying hot spots on Long Island. You'll have the wind blowing through your hair as your family (and casual bystanders) admire colorful kites soaring through the air. Check out this map from Long Island State Park HQ and fly with others at the Long Island Maritime Museum's annual Kite Festival on Sept. 18.

New York City museums seem to always offer plenty of wonderful art collections, but this fall families in the five boroughs will find interesting exhibits on math, history, and more. Fittingly during this election season, a few museums have focused on past and current presidents.

While you might think kids would find exhibits about our country’s leaders and current events a bit boring, these museums have curated displays that ought to spark curiosity. Plus, if your child is at all like mine, this election has been a surprisingly hot topic among friends, which only proves New Yorkers of all ages love a good political debate.

Whatever your child’s interests, you’re sure to find something on this list that appeals and educates. After all, to quote a karaoke favorite, "the children are our future." (Sorry about the earworm.)

I don't know about you, but as soon as that first crisp autumn breeze arrives, my family is ready for a day of apple picking in New Jersey. In addition to hayrides, hot cider, and barnyard animals, we decided that this year, we wanted to pick juicy, ripe, organic apples. After doing a little research, we learned that the woodsy (and buggy) climate here in Jersey can make organic apple farming a challenge. But that doesn’t mean local farmers aren’t doing their best to reduce the use of pesticides, using low-spray methods, and low-impact family farming practices.

Spend a perfect fall day at one of these four New Jersey farms and bring home a bushel of local, responsibly-farmed fruit.