Columbus Day is an official state holiday, which means kids are blissfully free from school for the day—and we parents are forced to put our thinking caps on. What to do on a Monday in October? Luckily, our city isn't content to let this annual occasion for remembrance pass by without fanfare, and there are some great fall activities to occupy families or—if you're working or busy on Monday, just the kids—for the day. From fairs that celebrate the explorer himself to day-long science and art camps there's sure to be something that will inspire you to make the most out of the holiday.

When you live in New England, you tend to get really excited about all of the fall things. From country fairs to cider donuts, pumpkin patches to corn mazes—fall is our very favorite. Which brings me to the season’s main event: leaf peeping. This fall, why not try riding as a passenger a New England’s vintage railroad, and really wrap yourself up in autumn’s patchwork quilt of colors. For the ultimate leaf-peeping experience (with heaping slice of nostalgia) climb aboard a railcar at the Railroad Museum of New England tucked in the upper Naugatuck Valley. For more seasonal fun, check out our guide to Fall activities and subscribe to our newsletter for even more ideas delivered straight to your inbox.

The New Victory Theater enters its 22nd season with a full lineup of awe-inspiring and affordable performances for all ages. In addition to its incredible shows, the award-winning theater helps foster a lifelong love of the stage by offering a range of educational programming from hands-on workshops, to performances tailored for audiences with special needs, and interactive pre- and post-show activities.

Mommy Poppins is partnering with the New Victory for the fifth straight year, starting with a preview of the 2017-2018 season, which includes recommendations for every age and the best way to save on tickets.

The Please Touch Museum has opened a brand new Grr-ific exhibit for fans of the PBS Kids show Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. This adorable exhibit features life lessons straight from the show as well as all the hands-on fun that's typical of Please Touch.

There’s something magical about stepping onto a wooded trail with your kids, with a soundtrack of chattering birds and the sunlight peeking through the canopy. While New Jersey has no shortage of parks, reservations, or nature centers, one of my family’s go-to spots for this type of get-back-to-nature excursion is the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

It spans several towns in Morris County and nearly 8,000 acres. Formed by melting glaciers 25,000 years ago and protected as a registered National Natural Landmark in 1966, the area is now managed and maintained by national, state, and local groups.

There are myriad hiking trails with boardwalks above the swamp, drop-in family programs, nature centers, and plenty of chances for fall foliage and wildlife sightings. Read on for our favorite exploration spots for NJ kids at this beautiful nature refuge.

If your preschooler constantly refers to his biceps as "super gecko muscles," or insists on running everywhere on "super cat speed," then he might totally flip over the new children's stage show that just opened.

PJ Masks Live: Time to be a Hero, the first live stage show for the popular animated Disney Junior series, kicked off its 60-plus North American city tour this September, and now your kid has the chance to see the dynamic pajama-wearing superhero trio in person. Upcoming shows include visits to Boston, New York City, and Texas. 

I brought my 3-year-old and 6-year-old kids to the opening show in Connecticut, and both were equally entertained by this live-action rendition of their TV show. It's packed with familiar and original music, acrobatics, and interaction. So activate your animal amulets, and put on those pajamas, because here comes our parent review of this cool new show. 

Houston is full of many wonderful parks, including parks with lots of shade essential for almost all months of the year, which is important on our frequently sunny days. Donovan Park is another great park that is worth visiting and has shady and covered areas. Donovan Park is an imaginative and attractive neighborhood park that is situated at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Heights Boulevard. This park is hard to miss with two large, castle-like wooden play structures. As you enter the park, you are greeted by colorful, hand-painted mosaic tiles that create seating inside and outside of the entrance. The park is surrounded by a large, wrought-iron fence with a latched gate that prevents children from running into the busy street and allows parents and caregivers to relax while little ones run and play freely.

New York's world-class institutions are debuting some cool new art this season. From Michaelangelo to Snoopy and even butterflies and mummies, the kids will have plenty of museum hopping to do for those chillier days we've been promised!

Read on for 10 new exhibits worth checking out, including the brand-new National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey coming to Times Square area, and even an outdoor installation from Ai Weiwei, Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.