September is a fresh start for New Jersey kids, with a new school year, a new season and a new list of September must-dos. From early fall fun to busy street fairs, we've hand-picked 18 of our favorite things to do this month. You can challenge yourselves to giant corn mazes, get in the Halloween spirit with theme park chills and thrills and hop aboard a pumpkin train.

For even more September fun, look to our roundup of September Fairs and Festivals and the best places to pick your own apples, and find a great selection of after-school activities in our Guide to Classes and Enrichment Programs for NJ Kids. Don't forget to check out our Event Calendar for a complete listing of happenings this month and beyond. 

Kids eager for an extended vacation might not agree, but is there a finer month on Long Island than September? As summer winds down and the weather cools, the region begins its colorful transition into autumn’s pageantry.

September weekends offer seasonal and cultural celebrations and a chance to discover Long Island’s natural beauty. Immerse yourself this month in Native American culture and traditions, explore maritime history, or spend a day on the East End visiting a farm. Or maybe just explore a museum, lighthouse, or seasonal festival.

Whatever you choose, your family is bound to have fun, learn something, and make memories. Here then is our list of the best ways to keep your family entertained in this back-to-school month.

September is so bittersweet: Carefree summer is in the rearview mirror, but there's the promise of fun fall activities ahead. Luckily in Boston, we enjoy temperate weather all month long that's perfect for spending outdoors at a festival, getting out on the water, watching giant kinetic sculptures in action, and singing farewell to summer. 

Mark your calendar with these kid-friendly picks as well as our favorite free September activities, because you won't want to miss any of this month's spectacular lineup of events for Boston families.  

The first day of kindergarten is exciting, nerve-wracking, hectic, tear-jerking and adorably photogenic all over the country. But New York City kids (and parents) face a unique set of challenges when headed to school for the very first time.

I have three children, ages 16, 12 and 8. That means I’ve been through NYC kindergarten three times. (I’ve also been through the admissions process three times, and wrote an entire book, Getting Into NYC Kindergarten, of tips and tricks.)

Over the years, I’ve learned five things that all families must know in order to have a successful transition from pre-K (public or private) into elementary school (public, private, charter, gifted, magnet, religious; like I said, it’s NYC, things are different here).

Check out the list below and learn from my mistakes, rather than your own.

Did someone say zoo? If your little ones have fallen for the non-stop furry cuteness of LA's petting zoos (and there are plenty in and around LA), there's a chance they're going to start thinking bigger. There are lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) to see at many zoos, and while petting is not recommended for most of the occupants (seriously, keep your kid out of the bear enclosure), young ones love seeing creatures live and in-person that they usually only read about in books. Here are some of the many zoos within easy driving distance. While the Los Angeles Zoo is naturally on the list, it's hardly the only game in town.

The start of a new school year gets everyone's nerves jumping—including when it's time to make the transition to preschool.

Every child is, of course, different. Some love to dive into new adventures without so much as a look back. Others are more cautious, preferring to watch and get the lay of the land. But children and parents are bound to be apprehensive about a child's first day (or week, or month) in a new environment, surrounded by new people and new routines.

We asked veteran preschool teachers in the NYC metropolitan area for their no-fail tips to help make this transition a positive experience for all and came away with six top suggestions.

If you're still searching for the right preschool, check out our directory of NYC schools, as well as those in the surrounding suburbs, such as New Jersey, Westchester, and Long Island.