Your kids may be starting another year, but you can cheer them up with something fun. Here are four wonderful things for them to look forward to.

BOOK EXHIBITION

919 Broadway, Nashville

615-244-3340

Oct. 5-10

Tickets: ＄15 adults, free ages 18 ＆younger

One of the most popular children’s authors and illustrators (插图画家), Eric Carle, is the creator of more than 70 picture books. His most famous creation, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. In the exhibition, you and your kids can explore Carle’s personal history and interests. The exhibition will show about 100 of Carle’s original artworks during the fifty years of his picture-book career.

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

505 Deaderick St., Nashville

615-782-4040

Nov. 5-10

Tickets:＄45 -＄85

The New York Times calls it “Brilliant!” and the Daily Beast says “it’s a party for the eyes and ears.” The SpongeBob Musical is based on Nickelodeon’s wildly popular animated series SpongeBob SquarePants (《海绵宝宝》). The musical features original songs by Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Panic!

JURASSIC WORLD LIVE

501 Broadway, Nashville

615-770-2000

Dec.19-22

Tickets: ＄20 -＄100

There have been other “Jurassic” live shows with life-size robotic dinosaurs. Your kids can look forward to a whole new Jurassic World (《侏罗纪公园》). They can take a closer look at their favorite robotic dinosaurs like Indominus Rex, Blue the Raptor, Triceratrops, Pteranodons, T-Rex and other animals from the movie making their way around the floor.

PUMPKININFEST

106 Third Ave. N., Franklin

Saturday, Oct. 26

Free tickets

Pumpkinfest celebrates its 36^th year this year. It’s one of the best fall festivals for families in Middle Tennessee drawing upwards of 65,000 people. There are lots of arts and crafts businessmen, food, live entertainment and more. The extreme pumpkin carving show is a huge draw.

How to organize your free time with your family

The following tips can help you schedule for fun family activities.

【小题1】 Most cities and towns have well-maintained websites listing free and cheap activities for families. You can also find coupons (优惠券) for local museums and restaurants. If you can’t think of anything to do with your children, look on that website for inspiration.

Do something outside. Between school and working, the chances are good that you and your child spend a lot of time inside. Improve your health and your mood by spending time outside together. 【小题2】

Take your kids to a competitive event. Competitive events are exciting to attend and might promote a lifelong liking in your child. 【小题3】 For example, if you both enjoy Bruce Lee’s movies, attend a martial arts competition.

Take advantage of Saturdays. If you don’t work on Saturdays, set that day aside for family activities. 【小题4】 Alternatively, go on a day trip to a nearby tourist location. This will get your kids out of the house and teach them about their community.

Create a comfortable relaxing space for teenagers. 【小题5】 However, you probably still want to spend quality time with your child. To do so, create a welcoming, comfortable space that’s perfect for hanging out and talking. In this spot, you and your teenager can have a snack, do homework, or just chat.

Although Disneyland is the most famous amusement park in the world, it isn’t the oldest. Actually, Disneyland is fairly modern as it opened in 1955. The four parks below date back to the 18th or 19th centuries.

Today, these parks remain as popular tourist attractions for their history as well as some of the best and oldest roller coasters in the world.

Gröna Lund is Sweden’s oldest amusement park, with a history dating back to 1883. A few of the first rides that opened at the park in 1883, including the Circus Carousel, are still used today.

Idlewild and Soak Zone or Idlewild Park is the third oldest amusement park in the U.S. The park was first opened in 1878 as a public campground near the Ligonier Valley Railroad. In 1938, one of the earliest roller coasters, called the “Rollo Coaster”, built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, was opened at Idlewild — it remains open today.

The park was opened on August 15, 1843 by Georg Carstensen after receiving approval from King Christian VIII. Famous fairytale author, Hans Christian Andersen, was one of the park’s first guest — the beauty of the park’s gardens inspired Andersen to write Nightingale.

Wurstelprater, shortened to Prater, is the second oldest amusement park in the world. The park originally served as the Austrian Empire’s hunting grounds. Soon after Emperor Josef II made the grounds a public space, snack bars and restaurants began popping up, setting the foundation for today’s amusement park.