Did you wait too long to order your child's Halloween Costume? Did you get the wrong size costume and need a quick and easy back up plan? Has your child changed his or her mind about their dream costume numerous times? Do you just want a funny and simple costume that will get a laugh?  Here are 10 quick and down'n'dirty ideas followed by costume suggestions crowd-sourced from your very own MP NJ writers.

Our family had such a spooktacular state-hopping daytrip yesterday that I just had to share the itinerary. It involved furry monsters, a historical state park (that actually spans two states) and a ghost tour. Not only did we enjoy our stops, but the ride was just beautiful with the fall foliage. If you're looking for a day trip that combines the best of fall with the best of Halloween, read on!

What is the most fun end-of-summer activity for kids in NJ? School supply shopping!  A brand new notebook, freshly sharpened pencils, beautiful boxes of unbroken crayons, ah, it's all just so... expensive. According to the National Retail Federation, "The average family of K-12 students will spend $688 on supplies per child."  Yikes! Check out some tips below on how to save money on back to school supplies and don't forget to read our Back to School Guide for all your September questions and concerns.

I'm the worst mother on the planet (well, maybe just in NJ), because I basically packed the same school lunch for my daughter 180 days in a row: PB & J, cheese stick, juice box, fruit and 2 cookies.  So, after looking at Mommy Poppins' great school lunch article from last year, Get Packing!, and our terrific Back to School Guide, I decided to try some new stuff. This year when my daughter opens her lunch box, she'll be in for a surprise!

Bring out your child's inner speed demon at Pole Position Raceway in Jersey City, New Jersey. Pole Position packs a wallop of exhilarating fun in an awesome setting for kids and parents. Authenticity, acceleration and safety are the core values of this family-owned and inspired indoor electric go-karting experience. Easily accessible from Manhattan, Pole Position offers more than just racing!

Looking for summer educational fun in New Jersey or while traveling this summer? There is an app for that! Besides Summer Reading, another way to prevent the “Summer Slide” is educational apps. I try limiting the amount of time my children spend on devices in the summer, but rainy days, killing time in doctor waiting rooms, and long car rides are great opportunities to review core math and language arts skills.

Let’s face it; our days of bar hopping are over.  To take their place, we have discovered a new way to fill our weekends: park hopping.  New Jersey has some of the coolest playgrounds for kids and over the years my family has become a connoisseur of parks, if you will. We can turn park hopping into a full day event then stop at a great pizza or burger joint and rate the parks we visit. Read on for our interview with the moms behind the website NJ Playgrounds and a chance to win a FREE NJ Playground Guide!

Flowering trees, babbling brooks, and baby animals, Oh My! Are you up for some free outdoor fun with your NJ kids? Located in scenic Allamuchy right off Route 80, Stephens State Park is a hidden gem in Warren County.  About an hour's drive from most NJ locations, it is toddler/kid friendly and offers nature fun for everyone. There are six miles of marked trails ready for walking, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Bring your jogging stroller, butterfly nets, and baby backpacks!