Kids

Top Indoor Birthday Party Places for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Mon, 09/24/2018 - 11:30am

Hey, it isn't always park or pool party weather, but kids can still have a blast celebrating inside! And trust us: There is no shortage of places for Westchester kids to get their party on—whether the birthday boy or girl wants to jump on trampolines, scale a rock wall, bake cookies, do yoga, or race go-karts.

Here, we’ve put together a list with choices for a variety of ages (and invite lists)—from preschoolers to tweens and teens. Looking for even more options? Check out our full Party Planning Guide or head straight to our directory.

Awesome Party Places for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 09/24/2018 - 11:00am

New York isn't exactly a cookie-cutter city, so it may not come as a surprise that there are kids' party places for just about every interest under the sun. Sports fanatics can invite guests to hit an indoor ice skating rink or a high-tech golf driving range, while little athletes can celebrate with trampolines and obstacle courses in state-of-the-art gyms. Imaginative birthday boys and girls can mark the day with a fairytale-inspired fantasy ballet party, while tech lovers can throw LEGO- or Minecraft-themed bashes. There are even animal encounters for underwater enthusiasts and mobile pizza parlors for fun-loving foodies.

If you're on the hunt for a venue for your own one-of-a-kind kid, take a look at these awesome spots with packages for tots, tweens, and teens (plus, plenty of help from experienced party pros). For even more ideas, take a look at the New York City Party Guide, or browse our directory for party places, entertainers, and even party supplies.

Where Kids Eat Free: 20 Restaurants that Treat Los Angeles Families Right

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 09/24/2018 - 12:47am

Ah, those three little words: kids eat free. Even if we suspect that a box of mac and cheese and a couple of chicken fingers have lured us into buying a $10 margarita, we don't regret the margarita for a moment if the kids ate free.

We’ve put together a list of restaurants throughout the Los Angeles area that offer free kids' meals at least one night a week (and up to four!). The restaurants vary from local joints to national chains, from the Valleys to the beaches, from Italian to Hawaiian, and from seafood to steakhouses—enough to satisfy picky and non-picky eaters.

Also check out our lists of birthday freebies with free meals for kids (and adults!), and, of course, kid-friendly happy hours on the Westside, in Silver Lake and Los Feliz, and in Orange County.

Ultimate Halloween Guide for NYC Kids: Parades, Costumes, Parties

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 12:40pm

For New York City kids, Halloween is much more than just trick-or-treating on October 31. The entire month is filled with a terrifying number of costume parades, pumpkin festivals, and plenty of FREE Halloween happenings leading up to the big night of trick-or-treating. You think getting your kid to choose a costume is hard? Trying to figure out which NYC Halloween celebrations to hit is enough to make you run screaming into the night, which is why we've rounded up the absolute best ways to get into the spirit of the season.

You'll find top picks for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, and several fun family day trips to the nearby Hudson Valley and New Jersey. As always, we included only our favorite events, and many are FREE or inexpensive. To make sure your fam is truly prepared, we've also included info on where to get children's costumes and professional makeup done in NYC. Booyah!

Best Fall Corn Mazes Near Philly for Hayrides, Pumpkins, and More

Submitted by Lori McManus on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 12:23pm

As cool crisp nights begin to make outdoor excursions more bearable, fun fall-themed activities for families to enjoy seem to pop up all over. You can choose traditional favorites such as apple picking, pumpkin picking, or enjoying the fall colors or go on an adventure, exploring a corn maze as a family.

The corn maze is a Pennsylvania tradition—quite literally. The first corn maze as we know it today was built in our state in 1993, and 25 years later, the Keystone State boasts some truly impressive mazes. The largest occupies twenty five acres, and many of them feature special themes, games, and activities. The sheer variety of these mazes offers something for kids of all ages, and some farms even offer nighttime hours, where kids can work their way through the darkened maze with flashlights. Some mazes even offer thrills and chills for the truly adventurous. All told, there is something for everyone.

Best Science Museums for Kids in New Jersey and Beyond

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 11:40am

With STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) at the forefront of most school curriculums, it makes sense to get kids engaged and excited about these subjects from an early age. Fortunately, the Garden State is home to many museums and science centers where fun and learning collide.

From mind-blowing minerals to awe-inspiring archeology and astronomy exhibits, with plenty of hands-on learning opportunities for all ages, these destinations are as entertaining as they are educational. Read on for a dozen of our favorite spots in and near NJ.

Ultimate CT Halloween Guide

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Sun, 09/23/2018 - 10:58am

It has come to my attention that Connecticut sort of owns Halloween. You'd be hard-pressed to find yourself very far from an amazing haunted house, a fun-filled parade or celebration, or a quaint New England farm decked out for All Hallow's Eve. Halloween has been jostling Christmas for the top holiday spot for some time now, and while it isn't quite a foregone conclusion yet, it's safe to say that it's come a long way from the days of pillowcase trick or treating and glow sticks. Not that these steadfast traditions are going anywhere, don't you worry. Read on for your ultimate guide to the good, the even better, and the totally terrifying across the entire state this Halloween season.

Kids Free October in San Diego: Deals at the Zoo, Legoland, Seaworld, and More

Submitted by Dana Zepeda on Sat, 09/22/2018 - 1:21pm

The lazy days of summer may be over, but that's no reason to trade adventurous family outings for a never-ending cycle of school drop-offs, pick-ups, and algebra homework. Instead, pack up and head for San Diego during San Diego Tourism Authority's annual Kids Free promotion.

The citywide campaign kicks off October 1, enticing families to visit San Diego's big-ticket attractions like Legoland, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wildlife Park, and Seaworld. Children can eat, stay, and play for free at more than 100 participating hotels, restaurants, museums, and parks until October 31.

We've selected 10 offers that we think are particularly good deals; put two or three together, and you've definitely got savings worth traveling for. Scroll down for a link to all 100+ free opportunities for kids in October.

Campgrounds Near Houston to Make Your Family Fall in Love With Nature

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 10:40pm

My family is a camping family. We also are a family that loves to book our weekends full of things to do, whether that's taking advantage of activities around Houston or traveling elsewhere. Camping started as something fun and cheap (emphasis on the cheap) to do in college with my then-boyfriend and current husband, and it slowly morphed into our preferred way to get out of town and see various parts of the city as the years passed. As our family has grown, we've gone from tent camping to trailer camping and tried out everything else possible in between.

Best Petting Zoos around LA Where Kids Can Get Their Animal Fix

Submitted by Mike Anderson on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 10:16pm

Kids of all ages love animals, from babies barely aware that the cow goes "moo" to older kids who can somehow spit out the full Latin name of a rare South American pig most adults don't know exists. So it's very special when children get the opportunity to go beyond the classic zoo to meet critters in closer quarters, and even get their hands on them (gently, of course).