Polar Express Trains in New Jersey for Families in 2025

Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway

Every year, Polar Express train rides come to New Jersey, with the Garden State's railroads decked out in their holiday best. We know it's a bit early to start hauling out the holly, but these Polar Express trains and Christmas trains are a popular holiday tradition, and they sell out fast! 

Though these Christmas trains don't go all the way to the North Pole, most include a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with treats, caroling, movies, and stories. We've even included a trolley ride hosted by Mrs. Claus herself. Read on to find out where to take a Christmas train ride near New Jersey with Santa, and book your tickets as soon as possible. 

If you're already thinking about other must-do activities this holiday season, be sure to check out our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in NJ for Families

Icky, Squishy, Slimy, Smart: Halloween STEM Activities Kids Can’t Resist

Get ready for some STEM fun with a Halloween twist! Photo courtesy of ScienceSparks.com

Add some spook to your science with these Halloween STEM activities guaranteed to mesmerize your little goblins and ghouls. There’s no better time than Halloween for kooky concoctions and bubbling brews that are as entertaining as they are educational. These easy Halloween experiments are chock-full of surprises, from the slimy to the sparkly, and will spellbind scientists of all ages.

Keep the creepy creativity going with our 75 Halloween Crafts and Treats for Spooky Fun. Want more STEM inspo? Browse our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids, where you'll find our favorite experiments for preschoolers, DIY slime recipes, and more to keep your aspiring scientists and engineers engaged all year long.

Things To Do in Los Angeles That Everyone Will Love—From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)

Everyone from toddlers to teens will have fun at the CA Science Center! Photo courtesy The California Science Center

Looking for things to do in LA with kids of all ages? We've got you covered. 

Whether you have a large age gap between your kids or with a large group that ranges from toddlers to teens, keeping everyone entertained can be tricky. Some activities, like roller coaster parks, appeal to teens and adults but offer very little for the 10-and-under set. Other activities like Kidspace are perfect for our littles, but older kids will find them to be a bore.

The good news is that Los Angeles is a massive city with endless activity opportunities for kids of all ages. Here are 10 of our favorite things to do in LA with everyone from toddlers to teens. 

Free Stuff For Kids in the Mail: Free Books, Toys, Magazines & More

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program mails one free, high-quality book per month to children ages 0-5! Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Foundation

Free stuff for kids in the mail refers to books, magazines, toys, posters, stickers, and other items that companies and organizations send to children when parents sign up online or by mail.

In today's digital age, kids are often missing out on the joy of running to the mailbox and finding something addressed to them—a letter from a pen pal, a card from Grandma, etc. But there are many companies and organizations that will send your child free stuff in the mail just by signing up online. Whether it's free books or magazines, free stickers or toys, or free beauty samples for teens, your child will relish the surprise of receiving an envelope or a package with their name on it.

Check out this list of 20 organizations and companies that will send your child free stuff in the mail. For more freebies near you, visit our Guide to Free Things To Do with Kids in your city for local free events. And, our massive list of birthday freebies for kids includes everything from free food at restaurants to free perks at stores.

Santa Rosa with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in Sonoma County, CA

The Children's Museum of Sonoma County has lots of fun activities both indoors and outdoors. Photo courtesy of the museum

When you think of Sonoma County, images of rolling vineyards and clinking wine glasses likely surface, and kids might not come to mind. But there are actually tons of fun things to do in California's wine country with kids. A huge portion of those fun Sonoma County family activities are in Santa Rosa, making this city the perfect home base for a Sonoma Valley family vacation.

Walk around Santa Rosa and you'll see reminders everywhere that this city is home to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, where the origin of the Peanuts are on full display. Santa Rosa has arts, culture, an incredible children's museum with water play, and a Serengeti safari with rhinos and giraffes.

Read on to learn about all the many things to do in Santa Rosa with kids. If visiting a few vineyards is on your Sonoma County bucket list, check out our list of kid-friendly wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Our San Francisco Visitors' Guide for Families is full of more Northern California fun.

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