Halloween is just around the corner and if your kids are like mine, they're already planning how to build an epic stash of sweets and spinning spine-tingling spooky tales. My younger son is all ears when it comes to scary stuff, whether it's the Jersey Devil or the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. So, this year, we decided to try something new: a walking ghost tour. There are several well-known ghost tours near New Jersey, offered both seasonally and year-round where amateur paranormal investigators can embark on an after-dark expedition.

Before buying tickets, though, I wanted to make sure my son was really ready for a more grown-up outing. After all, there's no getting around the serious topics we'd encounter. So I grilled him: Would hearing ghost stories frighten him, or would he find them entertaining? Did he mind a late night and a walk in the dark? Would he have the patience to be on his feet for more than an hour? After a bunch of enthusiastic responses, we booked our tickets and headed out. Read on for details on our night and a handful of spooky spots where you can embark on your own Garden State ghost tour, and find more seasonal happenings in our Guide to Halloween Activities in New Jersey.

Focus, discipline, athleticism, confidence, and respect are the skills taught in karate and martial arts classes for kids. You can find a variety of different martial arts classes for kids in New Jersey, including karate, taekwondo, kung fu, jiujitsu, judo, aikido, and more disciplines.

Regardless of the style of martial arts classes you choose for your child, it's important to find a studio with instructors who understand how to work with kids. Many encourage children to attend classes two times per week to properly progress, and most have mixed-age and mixed-level classes, which are great for families with multiple children. Here are our top picks for family-friendly karate and martial arts classes for kids. Find more enrichment options in our guide to Classes and Activities for New Jersey Kids.

It's summertime, and we've got an idea to add to your list of outdoor destinations to visit with your crew: a family-friendly beer garden. Surprised? Don't be! These venues can be a pretty fun place for the whole family to grab a bite (and a sip) and enjoy some quality together time. Bring some small toys or card games, order some pretzels, kick back, and enjoy. Find more family-friendly picks for eating out in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.