Jump on the Banned Wagon in DC for Banned Books Week!

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on

The Banned Wagon is headed to DC for Banned Books Week! Photo courtesy of Penguin Random House

Banned Books Week is October 5-11, 2025, and the Banned Wagon is hitting the road! Powered by Penguin Random House and presented in partnership wth EveryLibrary and First Book, the Banned Wagon celebrates the freedom to read and share ideas, highlights the value of open access to information, and shares the harm of censorship.

The Banned Wagon makes stops in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 8. Visit the wagon to receive a FREE banned book for each person while supplies last! Everything from picture books to novels will be available.

Read on to learn more about the Banned Wagon and where to find it, about banned books, and about how you can help fight book banning. Our list of 30 banned children's books you should read today shows just how important this mission is. You'll find it in our Guide to the Best Kids' Books.

Best Things To Do to Celebrate Día de Los Muertos in Los Angeles

Submitted by Toby B on

Celebrate Día de los Muertos. Photo courtesy of the Forest Lawn sponsored event in Glendale.

Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles has vibrant celebrations across the city in many neighborhoods and cultural institutions that honor the Mexican tradition of remembering and celebrating loved ones who have passed away. 

Spirited Day of the Dead celebrations are steeped in traditional arts and culture throughout Southern California. Children may be familiar with these celebrations from movies such as Coco and The Book of Life. Expect Aztec dancers, mariachi musicians, Calavera face painting, and sugar skull decorating. Ofrendas, or altars, are also created to remember loved ones and are often the centerpieces of Día de los Muertos events. 

Take part in more fall traditions by finding the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles, going apple picking near LA, and discovering fall fun in our LA Fall Day Trips Guide. 

62 Top Free Activities in NYC October 2025 for Kids

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Cirque Kikasse brings its zany show—with a food truck as a stage—to Lincoln Center for one weekend only. Photo by Doug Combe/courtesy of Lincoln Center

October is bubbling over with bushels of free things to do in NYC. In addition to our huge, spooky pile of free Halloween activities, we've found tons more cost-free fun happening in NYC this month, from St. John the Divine's heavenly Blessing of the Animals to Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, a big Diwali celebration in Times Square, Open House New York, and the return of Bryant Park's Winter Village.

Read on for all our picks for free activities in New York City this October, including events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Find more top events on our best-of-October list. Of course, our Guide to Fall Activities and New York City Kids Guide to Halloween have all the seasonal must-do's.

31 No-Carve Halloween Pumpkin Painting Ideas for Safer Jack O' Lanterns

Submitted by Liz Baill on

Keep sharp objects away from kids, while still getting gorgeous pumpkins, with these tips. Photo by Charles Parker via Canva.com

No-carve pumpkin ideas for safe pumpkin decorating, from pumpkin painting to mess-free, stress-free pumpkin primping.

Maybe the gourd’s guts gross your kids out, or you’re avoiding the knives and flames that Jack O' Lanterns require, or you just want less mess. We’ve got hacks that require zero actual hacking, but are still a fun and creative activity that leaves you with festive pumpkins. If even paint is too messy for you, we have a whole list of no-carve and no-paint ways to primp your pumpkin. Get ready to trade seeds for sequins and goo for glue to jazz your Jack O' Lantern without the carve.  

For older kids who can handle a good carving session, browse our piece on Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas featuring links to 20 free pumpkin stencils! For more ways to make the most out of this Halloween, check out our Halloween Guide and look for festive activities near you in our Local Halloween Fun and Activities Guide.

Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours Bring Haunted History to Back from the Dead in Brooklyn

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on

Enter the Victorian-era trolley of Madame Morbid for a spooky history lesson you won't soon forget. Photo courtesy of Madame Morbid

New York City kids (and parents) who love spooky vibes with a side of history have a new experience to add to their must-do list: Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours. Think of it as the city’s most stylish ghost tour—where Gothic charm meets Brooklyn grit—all aboard a custom-designed Victorian trolley that looks like it rolled straight out of a Tim Burton film.

Part history lesson, part ghost story, and part quirky field trip, Madame Morbid takes families and friend groups on a haunted ride through Brooklyn’s past. From tales of forgotten cemeteries to urban legends that refuse to die, it’s a delightfully eerie way to see the city from a new angle.

Find more fun for the spooky season in our NYC Kids' Guide to Halloween Fun, which includes all our top picks for the best things to do in NYC this Halloween. 

Halloween, Fluffernutter Day, and More Holidays & Activities for October 2025

Submitted by Meghan Rose on

Get gaudy! Wear your craziest clothes for Wear Something Gaudy Day on October 17!

October means HALLOWEEN! But that’s just one day, there are 30 more days to fill with awesomely spooky, costume-filled, pumpkin-spiced October fun.

In addition to Halloween, you can also celebrate Fluffernutter Day, Yom Kippur, Wear Something Gaudy Day, International Sloth Day, and more — all in October. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve also rounded up all the Halloween fun with days set aside for Halloween parties, Halloween movies, and pumpkin carving (we've got easy templates so your pumpkins will impress even if you have limited art skills, promise!).

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. For more ideas for Halloween activities, check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

Free in October 2025: 51 Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

The Ridgefield Park Music Fest Street Fair has lots to see and do, including music, food, games, and rides. Photo courtesy of JC Promotions

The month of October is chock full of goodies, with more than 50 fun and FREE events for NJ kids and families. Save your money for candy and costumes, and take advantage of dozens of no-cost events every day of the month. Food, crafts, and fall fun are on tap at harvest festivals, including the Dunellen HarvestFest and Palmer Square's Fall Fest. Swing by local street community celebrations in Matawan and Maplewood.

October comes to a close with the main event of the season: Halloween. Throw on those costumes and head over to FREE celebrations, including trunk-or-treats in Union and Dover and annual favorites like the Ocean City Halloween Parade. 

For more FREE and low-cost fun, check out Free Halloween Events in New Jersey and our Family Activity Calendar, as well as our Fall Fun Guide for New Jersey Kids and Halloween Events and Guide for NJ Kids.

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