New Birthday Party Spots for New Jersey Kids in 2019

The Village Play Cafe hosts birthday parties for little kids ages 5 and under.

Your little one's birthday is coming up, and the pressure is on. There are seemingly countless places to hold your birthday bash, but which ones will keep your guests happy and engaged (without breaking the bank)? From toddlers to teens, we've compiled a list of some of the newest party options throughout the great Garden State, including indoor play spaces, a trampoline park, art studio, and more. For even more ideas, check out our birthday party guide.

8 New Birthday Party Spots for Westchester Kids in 2019

Kids can celebrate their special day at the recently renovated Bedford Playhouse. Photo by Phillip Ennis

Are you crowd-sourcing to find a fresh venue for hosting your next birthday party? We know the drill. Despite the scores of party venues in Westchester, there’s often a desire for something new. Fortunately, a bunch of new venues opened in Westchester in the last year that offer kids’ birthday parties. From sweet shops to swimming, climbing adventures to cartooning, this new mix offers a variety of activities. Your kids might even be grown-ups by the time you try them all!

Read on to learn more. If you haven't done so already, sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know! 

Cooking Classes for Kids in NYC

Even the littlest one learn to chop at Freshmade NYC.

If your kitchen can’t contain your budding Food Network star, there are plenty of stellar cooking classes throughout New York City for the littlest chefs, from toddlers to teens. We’ve rounded up the best food prep courses in the area. And who knows? Maybe you’ll get a delicious kid-made dinner out of the deal—or even expand a picky someone's palate! 

Find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

There's A New Co-Working Childcare Lifesaver for East LA Parents

Let’s face it, it’s extremely hard to squeeze in some extra hours to work with a toddler at home. These days, my son’s schedule and needs are unpredictable: naps are shorter and hanging out with mommy is much more fun. The right daycare can come to the rescue, and the Eastside of LA now has a creative new childcare option with an appropriate name—Wiggle & Work. 

11 New Summer Camps for NYC Kids in 2019

Debuting this year at New Country Day Camp are programs in sustainable cooking and gardening, music, and engineering. Photo by Amy Frances for the camp

Seasoned New York City parents know that summer camp search season starts when snow is on the ground and summer seems like a distant memory. Still, every year, I tend to put off summer planning until the February mid-winter school break shocks me into action.

Fortunately, the NYC area and surrounding suburbs offer tons of summer camp choices, from cooking to coding, from science to sports, and everything in between. And because NYC is always changing, there are always new camps opening. We've found a number of new summer camps for 2019, including some new locations for old favorites. Summer break will be here before you know it!

Tidying Up Kids' Stuff: 2 Easy Takeaways from Marie Kondo

Organizing with the kids was less scary than I thought.

While the world binge-watched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and my social media feeds filled up with photos of freshly organized sock drawers, I didn't bother tuning in. After all, I'm already a Very Organized Person—the kind of mom who sorts her kids' toys according to category, and who may have an addiction to The Container Store. What could I possibly have to learn?

Then an image sprang to mind of me, huffily sorting papers on the kitchen counter while a hundred other urgent matters vie for my attention. When things get hectic, the piles of mail, magazines, kids' artwork, school forms, and other random papers crowding our countertops suddenly seem like a five-alarm fire. My husband calls it "angry organizing."

Please Touch Museum Creative Arts Studio takes Creative Exploration to the Next Level

A decorated "mural" in the Art Studio adds color to this creative space

In late 2018, the Please Touch Museum opened its Creative Arts Studio, a new, permanent creative space dedicated to art making and exploration. The space provides a new avenue for children to gain access to quality art education, and promises to be a delightful new addition to your visiting experience at the museum, making this yet another wonderful space for your Philly kid to enjoy arts exploration. 

While the hours of the studio space are limited, we had a chance to check it out and give some of their art materials a test run.

Sayville With Kids: Explore This Four-Seasons Destination in Suffolk

The Long Island Maritime Museum is worth a visit any time of year. Photo courtesy of the museum

Nestled comfortably on the South Shore between Nassau and the East End, Sayville makes a great day trip any time of the year. Whether you're searching for something to do with littles younger than 5 or looking to entertain your teens, Sayville would seem to do it all. 

About 5 miles west of Patchogue, Sayville might be overlooked for the more popular central Suffolk destination. However, Sayville also has a booming downtown area full of restaurants and shops, as well as ferry service to central Fire Island. With delicious eateries, seasonal festivals, and play areas for kids, you can find something for every member of the family. 

Once you're done exploring all Sayville has to offer, check out one of Long Island's other great family-friendly communities, such as Port Washington, Glen Cove or Port Jefferson

Pages