Muggles and wizards alike can circle a magical date on the calendar: Harry Potter New York has set its opening for Thursday, June 3, 2021. The flagship store, in the heart of the Flatiron District, transports visitors to the Wizarding World with 15 different themed areas spread out over a sprawling, three-floor, 21,000-square-foot-retail wonderland.

The opening is one of our most anticipated family-friendly debuts of the year. Read on for more magical details and a sneak peek at the shop's interior.

For young children, a ride on a carousel’s painted pony, a spin with dad around the bumper car track, and a dripping swirl of frozen custard are the stuff summer memories are made of. No need to seek out the latest scary high-tech roller coasters.

Rides that look mild (or frankly, downright boring) to big people usually provide just the right amount of thrills for toddlers and preschoolers. Happily, several amusement and water parks in or near the New York City metro area offer these kinds of tame attractions. Here's our roundup of theme parks perfect for the pint-sized.

Find more seasonal rides in our Theme and Water Parks Guide for families.

One of the things my family has missed most this past year has been visiting our favorite local library. It’s where kids can play when it’s too hot to go outside. It’s where the whole family can enjoy a free storytime that was guaranteed to be age-appropriate (turns out, librarians know books!). It’s where parents can pick up a steady supply of new books. Books to read at bedtime, books to read together, books for kids to read to themselves, and books parents could curl up with after a long day.

Sure, LA’s libraries compensated with curbside pickup, virtual events, and even dial-a-story offerings, but it just wasn't the same. Finally, many LA public libraries are ready to open their doors. So check out when you and your kids can book it to the library...

This past year, hiking has exploded in popularity. Families enjoying Mother Nature have filled parks from coast to coast. Hiking is a great (free) activity that allows people to remain socially distant. And you can find hikes all over the country that are perfect for kids of all ages, from babes in backpacks through slightly surly teens.

While time in nature is awe-inspiring for adults, it can quickly get stale for kids. Little ones that were once keen to lace up their sneakers are now reluctant to head out the door. That doesn’t mean that it’s time to stay indoors—just add some pizazz to those outdoor activities. Here are 12 hiking games for kids that turn walks into adventures.

As the temperatures start to rise, our thoughts drift to long summer days, and nothing screams warm temps more than ice cream from a local scoop shop. Huntington Village has a unique new dessert spot to satisfy those cool cravings: Milky Ways. The Huntington outpost is the third Long Island location for the self-proclaimed cereal bar and ice cream shop, and it debuted in early March.

Read on for details on the sweet shop and find more local eats in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

One of the most important American sculptors of the 20th century, Alexander Calder, loved to incorporate motion, repurposed objects, and a sense of whimsy in his works. He is well-known for his mobiles, stabiles, wire sculptures, and large-scale, outdoor sculptures. We have good news for New Yorkers: All these are on display at MoMA's newest exhibition, Alexander Calder: Modern from the Start.

Read on for our full review of the installation at the family-friendly culture hub, which I recently explored with my 4.5-year-old son. He had been familiar with Calder's works from an art book, but seeing them in person took his appreciation to another level. As always, find more kid-friendly exhibits in our Guide to Museums and Galleries. 

After a year spent indoors, we're all excited to slowly re-enter the world and take advantage (safely) of all the fun the Jersey Shore and neighboring locales have to offer. From adorable baby animals to a new water park and fireworks galore, it's time to get out there and explore.

Here are 10 must-see places, events, and to-dos to add to your family's bucket list to enjoy this spring and all summer long, down the shore or nearby. Find more must-do activities in the region on our list of 70 things to do with kids at the Jersey Shore.

Whether you're looking for a rainy-day activity or just want to bust a move, a multifaceted indoor action center offers loads of high-voltage fun. In addition to the many fantastic indoor play spaces in and around Westchester, we've rounded up our A-list of action centers where toddlers through teens can jump, bounce, climb, spin, and burn some energy (and calories).

Ready for more fun? Check out our Guide to Indoor Fun and Play Spaces for Westchester Kids, and look to our Event Calendar for tons of fun indoor happenings all year long.