This Week: Hersheypark & Chocolate World, NYC Camps with Space in August & September, Trip to the New York Renaissance Faire

8/14/14 - By Raven Snook

Can you hear that ticking? That's summer break winding down. (Back-to-school ads are in full force, and I've even spied some Halloween merch already!) But you still have time for a few more summer flings both in NYC and beyond. If you're looking for a multi-day family getaway, our Travel site shared insider tips for visiting Hersheypark and Chocolate World with kids. Day trips more your thing? We've got the scoop on five fabulous New Jersey beaches less than an hour by car from Manhattan, the best things to do with kids at the New York Renaissance Faire in Westchester, and five family-friendly bike paths on Long Island's East End. Of course there's no shame in just enjoying a NYC staycation—that's my daughter and her friends in the photo enjoying treats at Coney Island last weekend. And we may go there again this Saturday for its big annual Sand Sculpting Contest.

Before you start planning the final weeks of summer, remember, this is your very last chance to enter our SUMMER OF PLAY CHALLENGE, which ends on Friday. All you need to do is share photos of your family having fun on social media with the hashtags #summerofplay and #playmatters, and you'll be automatically entered to win our grand prize: All the fixings to host the Ultimate Summer of Play Bash, including a $200 gift card for Imagine Toys, a $100 gift card for Big Dot of Happiness for custom party tableware, banners and favors, and delicious organic snacks from Kind, Ella's Kitchen and Earth's Best.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Stuck working until the first day of school and desperate for child care? We rounded up camps with availability in late August and even those first few days in September.

Never been to Randall's Island? You should fix that before summer's end. We rounded up the top 10 things to experience with kids on this recreational isle including a renovated playground, lots of sports fields and an interactive Urban Farm.

Our penultimate SUMMER OF PLAY post featured 10 fun family games to play in the car. Many work on the bus or subway, too.

Our Westchester editor, Sonia, took her first-ever trip to the New York Renaissance Faire in Sterling Forest with her family in tow. Check out her pics and important tips for families, including how to save money on tickets.

The outdoor adventure experts at the Appalachian Mountain Club of NY and NJ shared their top five NJ beaches near NYC in a great guest post.

My daughter and I were totally enchanted by the magical Potions and Planting party in the rooftop restaurant Green Gallow.

This week's WeeWork post showed you how to craft upcycled play binoculars.

Best bets for the weekend include lots of FREE fun like SummerStage Harlem Family Day, the annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest and the final installment of Summer Streets.