We've all been caught up in birthday party hoopla, whether baking cakes and making party-themed treats or spending big bucks to rent a party place. But for those years when a low-key celebration is in order, birthday freebies are a great perk. From BOGO ice cream and pancakes to free bowling and arcade game tokens, coupons and discounts are yours for the taking when you register for kids' clubs or customer loyalty programs at New Jersey restaurants and stores.

Read on for our A-to-Z list of birthday discounts, treats, and deals. If you're planning a party, don't miss our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Guide for ideas on party spots, specialty cakes, and at-home party fun. And don't forget that many New Jersey restaurants offer free kids' meals on weekdays, birthday or not! 

There's no place better than New York City for kids to learn about art, and what better way for your child to pursue their creative passions than a summer art camp? Many professional artists moonlight as talented teachers, and the demand for art programs has created a wealth of exceptional art classes and arts camps. Whether your child is into visual arts, performing arts, or wants to sample all the arts, we've found After 15 exceptional arts camps, which all excel for different reasons.

We found visual arts camps, performing arts camps, and more creative camps with programs like circus arts. Some arts camps allow kids to sample a little of everything. From summer-long intensives to week-long sampler sessions, no matter their age, if your child is ready to dive into a summer of artistic expression, read on to find the perfect arts camp.

If you need more ideas, check out our Camp Guide and full Directory of Listings for dozens more great camps.

Editor's Note: As coronavirus spreads through our community, beware that many organizations are changing plans. Make sure you confirm an event is still on before stepping out!
If your days of celebrating until you're green around the gills on St. Patrick's Day are a distant memory, don't worry: There are plenty of kid-friendly ways to mark St. Patrick's Day in NYC this March. After all, everyone feels a wee bit Irish around the holiday. Best of all? Most of these festivities are FREE.

This year St. Patrick's Day falls on a Tuesday, but you can start celebrating early at popular parades in Sunnyside, Queens, on Sunday, March 1, and in the Rockaways on Saturday, March 7. In addition to St. Patrick's Day processions in all five boroughs, there are family fests, step-dancing performances (and lessons), plus Gaelic workshops and kids flicks.

Here are our favorite ways to celebrate Irish culture and St. Patrick's Day in NYC. Sláinte!

Seeking out hotels near the Orlando airport? A brand-new avid hotel, an IHG property focused on express and budget travelers, has just opened around the corner from MCO and offers a FREE shuttle service to the busy Florida airport known for hourslong security lines.

Staying near the Orlando airport has its perks. Whether you're trying to beat the lines, save costs during a family trip to Orlando, or just need a quick stay en route to a cruise, an Orlando airport hotel might work well for you. Read on for what this newcomer to the Orlando hotels scene offers for families—and what it does not. 

Only a small number of dedicated children's bookstores exist in NYC—Books of Wonder and Bank Street Bookstore, we're looking at you!—but there are several other indie stores with impressive children's sections. Many of these children's bookstores host kid-friendly activities, including read-alouds, author events, and writing workshops.

My kids have a particular weakness for books, possibly because it's the one thing I never deny them—as evidenced by the overflowing bookshelves at home. We love exploring new-to-us, local shops and spending lazy afternoons getting lost in the stacks, so we've rounded up some of our favorite children's bookstores around the city.

Whether you're shopping for a birthday gift or looking for a local storytime, these independent neighborhood bookstores are great bets for NYC families.