We've all heard that children have a much easier time learning a second language than adults, and immersion preschools and bilingual preschools in Los Angeles are a perfect place to start. Kids have a knack for picking things up quickly, and those little brains absorb a second language like a sponge. In some families, bilingual immersion comes easy. Parents or grandparents may speak to their kids in Spanish, German, Mandarin, or another language, and kids also hear a healthy dose of English outside the home. In these cases, a bilingual or immersion preschool reinforces the concepts taught by caretakers. 

However, if your family only speaks one language, a bilingual school or immersion school may be the only way to give your child the gift of a second language. These unique preschools infuse bilingual communication with the cultures and educational philosophies of other countries to give your kids a truly unique, diverse, and well-rounded experience. Immersion preschools can also help to prepare a child to attend one of LA's bilingual elementary schools. For more information on schools and preschools in Los Angeles, visit our Los Angeles Preschools, Public Schools, and Private Schools Guide.

The beautiful Hudson Valley is home to 18 New York state parks, which offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy easy hikes near NYC along tree-lined trails with stunning panoramic views, and lots of special features like waterfalls, swimming lakes, and sandy beaches. With so many beautiful easy hikes near NYC, it's hard to know where to start.

To help, we've picked our favorite kid-friendly easy hikes in the Hudson Valley. In addition to opportunities to enjoy nature and wildlife, some of these Hudson Valley state parks—like Bear Mountain and Franklin D. Roosevelt state parks—have additional attractions such as zoos, playgrounds, pedal boats, and even a giant swimming pool. Best of all, these easy hikes near NYC make for a quick day trip for families coming from the city or Lower Westchester. Read on for all our top picks for easy hikes in the Hudson Valley's beautiful state parks, and find more green spaces to explore in our Guide to the Great Outdoors.

The spiders are back! It's time to say buh-bye to the beautiful butterflies of the Butterfly Pavilion to make room for their slightly spookier friends. Every fall, the Spider Pavilion takes over the space on the Natural History Museum’s South Lawn and turns it into the seasonal home to more free-range, eight-legged tenants than anyone in his right mind could want. The Spider Pavilion is an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare and an eight-year-old boy’s version of heaven.

The Spider Pavilion is the perfect fall outing, if you're looking to branch out beyond the typical pumpkin patch or corn maze. For even more spooky, creepy, crawlie fun, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

When it comes to birthday party planning, I'm usually an intrepid DIY-er. We've partied in plenty of parks and playgrounds perfect for a fete, and my not-so-hidden talent is definitely cake decorating, but celebrating my daughter's recent birthday at the Museum of Arts and Design was so much fun and so stress-free, I just might leave my independent birthday party planning streak behind.

Though the venue is new to the New York City birthday party scene, our Museum of Arts and Design's birthday party had it all: A stunning, private party space with a spectacular view of Central Park, a welcoming energetic staff who kept the party moving and took care of every last detail, and an artist-led workshop that was fun and sent everyone home with a cool keepsake. Read on for more details on our cool birthday party at the Museum of Arts and Design, and find more tips for planning your kid's next milestone celebration in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.