Halloween is finally here! Costumes? Check! (since August in my house). Trick-or-treat candy? Check! Halloween plans? There are so many to choose from. Head to the 4th Annual Halloween Spooktacular at the NJ State Museum, learn about Historic Halloween Happenings at Fosterfields Farm or conduct some creepy chemistry during the Ghoul School event at Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve. You can also close out October with a bang and watch your jack-o-lantern float away during the Great Pumpkin Sail at Echo Lake Park. And for a little break from the Halloween hoopla, check out the Weeki Wachee Mermaids at Adventure Aquarium or take in a performance of Curious George at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Whatever you decide to do this Halloween weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. Be sure to check out the full list of Halloween and weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's historical hip-hop musical Hamilton needs more publicity about as much as Donald Trump. However, fans of the Broadway juggernaut, which include lots of tweens, teens and parents, can't get enough of the blockbuster that explores the dramatic life of "the ten-dollar Founding Father," from orphaned kid to teenage scholar to Revolutionary War hero to government player to his untimely death.

If you're lucky enough to have seen the show, chances are you're listening to the catchy original cast album on repeat just like I am right now. However, if you haven't been successful at snagging tickets, we've got some tips for getting some (even at a discount!), along with five NYC spots where school-age kids can learn more about Alexander Hamilton's legacy.

A techie-inspired play space that just opened in the Glendale neighborhood of Queens is offering everything from tumble and mommy and me classes for toddlers to coding and fashion design classes for older kids. 

With everything kids love—from padded play areas for infants and preschoolers and robotics and Legos for their older siblings and teens, iPlayTek promises immersive and inspiring fun for all ages, especially at a time when many parents are on the lookout for new ways to incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) into activities and outings. 

Before the madness of the holiday season sets in, relax and enjoy autumn at these wonderful fairs and festivals taking place throughout NJ this month. Take a train ride, discover exciting new comic books, and explore rocks and minerals of all shapes and sizes. We’ve rounded up eight fabulous finds to keep you busy all November long. For more fun happenings every day of the month, visit our Events Calendar.

As we wind down the Halloween festivities, I'm already thinking about Thanksgiving and all the wonderfully delicious food that awaits! A juicy, flavorful turkey is the centerpiece of so many family tables and now is the time to consider where to snag the freshest turkey you can find. Sure, you can go to your neighborhood supermarket, but if you're looking fresh, locally sourced turkeys this year, consider one of the many farms in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Read on for your best bets for organic, pasture-raised turkeys and be sure to place your order as soon as possible, as turkeys from these farms tend to sell out quickly!

Kids love days off from school like Election Day and Veterans Day (Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 11, respectively). Working parents? Not so much. While there are many wonderful mini-camps to choose from during extended school breaks, it's harder to find coverage for one-off holidays that pop up throughout the academic year.

But we did the research and found a slew of engaging, full-day, drop-off programs on these holidays where kids can enjoy activities like swimming, theater, robotics and chess. So there's no need to take the day off from work or schlep the kids to the office! Send your children to one of these cool holiday camps instead.

The New York Mets are headed to the World Series for the first time in 15 years, and much of the city is getting ready to cheer for these often NYC underdogs, sports fan or not. Even if the kids can't stay up for the first pitch (8pm, Tuesday, October 27), there are plenty of ways they can get into baseball spirit and paint the town orange and blue in anticipation of these Queens players bringing back a championship for the first time since 1986.

To mark the occasion, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz will host a pep rally for the public on Monday, October 26—the day before the team squares off with Kansas City in Game 1 of the World Series.

The MTA is pulling out its "Train of Many Colors" to provide special World Series service. Fans (or train buffs!) can catch the train from the Hudson Yards Station at 6:30pm Saturday and Sunday nights. The 11 cars on the train were all built between 1948 and 1964.

Read on for more information on the rally and other fun ways to celebrate the World Series with kids in tow.

Looking for a fun and safe trick-or-treating experience this Halloween? Several Long Island villages provide trick-or-treating right in town, offering plenty of fun for kids while allowing parents to feel at ease. The events usually begin early, so young children can go in the afternoon and not worry about feeling intimidated by bigger kids. Many villages also shut down traffic in a section of town, so little ones can wander without worrying about cars. Enjoy a pleasant stroll through town, visiting local businesses while the kids collect treats. Some local malls also provide indoor trick-or-treating, which can be especially alluring on a particularly cold or wet Halloween. And for more seasonal fun, check out our Long Island Halloween Guide, as well as sign up for our weekly newsletter.