Orlando

Halloween Events for Kids in Orlando: Things To Do at the Theme Parks and Beyond

Submitted by Katie LS on Fri, 10/18/2019 - 10:54pm

Halloween is in full swing across Orlando with a huge number of activities to suit all budgets and for kids of all ages. Malls, police departments, and other community organizations are hosting safe alternatives to door-to-door trick or treating, and adding to the fun with costume competitions, live music and games.

Check out the Halloween fun at Cranes Roost Park, hosted by the Altamonte Springs Police Department, at the City of Winter Garden, and at Seminole Town Center for free, fun activities for kids on October 31.

Things To Do with Kids in Orlando this Weekend: Zoo Boo Bash, Artoberfest, and Fall Festivals

Submitted by Katie LS on Wed, 10/16/2019 - 2:52pm

Orlando is a-buzz with things to do with kids this weekend, from spooky Halloween activities to pumpkin parties and more.

Some of our top picks for places to take the kids this weekend include The Central Florida Zoo's Zoo Boo Bash and the free Spooky Star Party at the Seminole State College Planetarium.

Looking for a break from Halloween and Pumpkin related activities? Be sure to check out the free ARToberFEST at Winter Springs.

Easy Halloween Treats for Kids and Classroom Parties

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 10/14/2019 - 11:12am

Candy bars aren't the only Halloween treats to hand out this October 31. School kids across the country are getting ready to celebrate with Halloween parades and classroom parties, meaning you might be on the hook for homemade Halloween treats.

But there's no need to fear the sign-up email headed your way. I've planned more than a few Halloween parties and have put together a list of easy Halloween treats to help parents skip the last-minute scramble. These tried-and-true spooky snacks transform pretzel sticks into ghouls, mandarins into pumpkins, and make enough Monster Mash Brownies that will turn the entire class into sugar monsters.

100 Things To Do in California with Kids Before They Leave The Nest

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Sat, 10/12/2019 - 1:00pm

Whether your kids are leaving the nest in one year or in ten years, there are at least 100 things to do in California worthy of any family's bucket list. From San Diego to Crescent City and every town in between, there are amusement parks, great hikes, drives to the mountains, adventure activities, and so much more!

Did you know that California has 58 counties? Okay, maybe your bucket list doesn't need to cover all 58, but we have awesome family excursions covering over 30 counties across California's 163,696 square miles. How many have your kids experienced?

Easy Pumpkin Carving Stencils and Ideas for Halloween

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Mon, 10/07/2019 - 11:12am

If your family pulled out the Halloween decorations well before the first pumpkin spice latte sip of 2019, then we're sure you're looking for great pumpkin carving ideas now, too.

The cornerstone of any great Halloween display—the jack-o-lantern—is always one of our favorite things to do with kids in the fall, right after the apple picking and pumpkin patch outing, of course. Pumpkin carving is one of those rare activities that every member of the family can enjoy equally. Little kids love the mess, big kids love the chance to wield a knife, and parents love to show off our creative skills.

We’ve rounded up 12 of our favorite pumpkin carving stencils, all of which include a link to the FREE pumpkin carving design. With a little practice and plenty of options, we're sure you'll find the pumpkin design that captures your family's Halloween vibe, from Baby's First Halloween sweetness to Cyclops to superhero character themes. So read on to step up your Halloween fun (and game).

Best Things To Do in Aruba with Kids: The Beach and So Much More

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 2:02pm

At less than 70 square miles, Aruba might be a small island, but it packs in a lot of kid-friendly activities for a Caribbean family getaway. Snorkel or splash in the bright blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, explore breathtaking natural parklands, dig in to a wide variety of tasty restaurants and food options, support Aruba’s wildlife sanctuaries, or just stake out a spot on the powdery sand beaches to watch the kids build sandcastles. With its mix of beach beauty and easy-access family attractions—and a relatively protected location south of the main Atlantic hurricane corridor—Aruba is a kid-pleasing choice for a sunny school-break vacation.

Perhaps best of all, Aruba has a well-deserved rep for being one of the friendliest places on Earth, even by popular vacation destination standards. As my awestruck 9-year-old daughter exclaimed, “Everybody is so generous!” (Well, she is from Brooklyn.)

Whether you’ve got an active crew in search of some new adventures, or you’re just looking for a fabulous hotel pool to sink into for a few days, here are the best things to do in Aruba, as well as where to eat and what to see with kids.

50 Best Kids' Movies for Family Movie Night

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 11:18am

Some of the best kids' movies were made decades ago. If you're looking for the perfect flick to please everyone tonight, we suggest putting the new releases aside for now and introducing kids to these classic family movies.

Get the popcorn popped, the kids snuggled up on the couch, and now you're ready to peruse this list of our top 50 kids' movies sure to win over the pickiest of film critics. From The Wizard of Oz to Sandlot and everything in between, it’s time to turn down the lights and enjoy some quality time with the entire family.

Juneau With Kids: An Insider's Guide to Juneau, Alaska

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 09/28/2019 - 2:03pm

For many, Juneau may just be a stop on their Alaskan cruise or a layover on their way to other spots in Alaska. For Southeast Alaskans, like my family, Juneau is the “big city," which means that there's more than just a touristy cruise port area to explore in Juneau. There are plenty of things to do in Juneau that will check items off an Alaskan adventure bucket list, as well as more local experiences that give families a taste of real-life in Alaska.

These are my favorite things to do in Juneau, including local spots and top Juneau tours. And if you're heading to Haines during your Alaskan vacation, check out my list of things to do in Haines, Alaska.

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

Submitted by Dana Zepeda on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 3:21pm

The lazy days of summer may be over, but fall is when there's FREE stuff for kids to do in San Diego. So, pack up and head to southern California's favorite tourist destination to take advantage of 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 a dozen 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.

19 Science Fair Projects for Kids from K to Middle School

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 09/23/2019 - 10:45am

Crafting the perfect science fair project is a right of passage for most elementary-school kids. The ideal experiment involves a few key ingredients, a little bit of parent involvement, and can be completed in under two weeks.

Traditionally, science fairs take place in fifth grade, but many schools are now incorporating STEM experiments into the curriculum as early as kindergarten, so we've put together a list of 19 easy science fair project ideas, ranging from the tried-and-true “exploding volcano” to extracting DNA from a strawberry. There are chemistry science projects for 5th grade and plenty of hands-on, get messy ideas for the youngest inventors.