Happy Halloween! Before my kids hit the neighborhood Saturday night to fill their bags with treats, I'm thinking about distracting them with one of the other Halloween activities around town. Burning off some energy at the zoo or relaxing in a theater for a monstrous puppet show are two of the fun options on the calendar. If you're a planner like I am, once we slide into November on Sunday, you'll want to start mapping out your month. First up: Celebrate the Day of the Dead in style with a local party or museum visit (pictured).

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Not sure what to do with all that Halloween candy? We have a few tricks for making it disappear. 
• Our November GoList can help you plan the month ahead month now.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

Connecticut boasts some of the highest levels of paranormal activity in the country so it's little wonder that around Halloween a lot of people like to up the ante by visiting a haunted house or two. If courage is your family's strong suit, one of these spooky sites in Hartford County might be just the thing to get you into the..erm...spirit of the season. And if something like this is just a little too scary for your crew, fear not! Our Halloween and Fall Fun Guide is absolutely packed with activities and events for all ages.

Stamford is a big place with lots to see and even more to do. With over 125,000 residents, this Fairfield County city is the third largest in Connecticut and the seventh largest in New England. From the woods and rolling hills of North Stamford to the beaches and marinas in the South End, Stamford is urban, suburban and even a little rural depending on where you go. In a city of this size, you can bet that it's full of kids.

My kids love to get out there and play. They always like to check out different parks to see if they can find an old friend or make a bunch of new ones. This is a list of our favorite playgrounds in the city, but by no means a list of every single playground. For instance, Stamford's elementary school playgrounds are open to the public after school and on weekends, which make for a convenient, neighborhood option. When you're ready to look for things to do beyond the playground, check out 40 Things to Do in Stamford With or Without Kids. If you have a skater in the family check out these Skateparks in Fairfield County. No matter what, I hope you'll get out there and explore some of these places.

Good thing there are so many great parks and playgrounds for all these kids to choose from. I've rounded up some of the best playgrounds in Stamford, with descriptions of what you'll find when you get there. Check it out!

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!