Bronx Kids Guide

The Bronx is burning hot...with some great things to do with kids. Overflowing with wonderful parks and gardens, including of course, The Bronx Zoo, and The New York Botanical Garden. But that's not all. Wave Hill offers family art or outdoor activities just about every weekend. Plus there's the Bronx Equestrian Center for all your horseback riding needs. Don't forget about the beaches, City Island and the real Little Italy: Arthur Avenue. To make it even easier, try taking the Bronx Culture Trolley, which will deliver you from Manhattan right at some of these spots. Who ever thought you'd be making the Bronx your weekend home in the country.

Latest news from the area

Dances With Leaves

Submitted by Katia on November 5, 2009 - 9:15pm.

When: from Nov 7 2009 - 1:00pm to Nov 7 2009 - 4:00pm

Where: Wave Hill, West 249th St & Independence Ave, Bronx

EVENT LISTING

Fashion a festive crown or costume from fall leaves and leaf rubbings, toss leaves in the wind, jump and run through piles. Make artful arrangements of leaves on the lawn and collage leaf designs to carry home. Free with admission to the grounds.

Admission:
Free to Members and children under 6 Tuesday: Free all day during off-peak months (January–April, July–August, November–December) Tuesday: Free 9am to noon during peak months (May–June, September–October) Saturday: Free 9am to noon year-round $6 Adults $3 Students and Seniors 65+ $2 Children 6+

More here.

Oct 26 2009

Best Places to Trick or Treat for Kids in New York City

One of my favorite childhood memories from growing up in NYC was Halloween in the Village. The Village Halloween Parade back then was just a couple hundred artists and freaks who marched through the neighborhood and felt more like a neighborhood affair. After the parade, we would trick or treat throughout the brownstone blocks. Everyone was really friendly and fun and we would come home with our shopping bags completely filled. It was magical.

Trick or treating in your building is great for adults because it feels so safe, but it is nowhere near as exciting and magical for kids as getting to run around the neighborhood at night and go door to door. This Halloween, try going to one of the small neighborhood Halloween parades and then sticking around for the trick or treating. Below are some ideas of great places to trick or treat with kids around New York City.

Halloween Hoorah!

Submitted by Katia on October 21, 2009 - 9:21pm.

When: from Oct 25 2009 - 10:00am to Oct 25 2009 - 4:00pm

Where: The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx River Pkwy Exit 7W and Fordham Rd), Bronx

EVENT LISTING

Celebrate the thrills and chills of Halloween at The New York Botanical Garden. Come in your costume or make your own mask there and parade around the grounds. Finish the day decorating pumpkins and drinking fresh-pressed cider in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.

More info here.

It's My Park Day

Submitted by Katia on October 21, 2009 - 8:38pm.

When: from Oct 24 2009 - 8:00am to Oct 24 2009 - 2:00pm

Where: Parks All Over NYC

EVENT LISTING

Each It’s My Park Day, thousands of New Yorkers come together to volunteer and celebrate their neighborhood parks at parks and public spaces throughout the five boroughs! You can help! On It’s My Park Day, Partnerships for Parks invites you and your family to help care for and celebrate our parks! Registration is not required--all you need to do is find a local park that’s hosting an It’s My Park Day activity and show up at the park that day. It’s that simple.

IMPORTANT: Due the growing popularity of It’s My Park Day and limited project supplies, all corporate, school, and nonprofit groups must contact Partnerships for Parks to inquire about available volunteer projects.

Get involved, find out how here.

Oct 21 2009

15 Halloween Parades for NYC Kids

If everybody loves a parade, everybody must be absolutely smitten with a Halloween parade. You should probably take your kids to the big VIllage Halloween Parade once just for the sheer theater of it, but most years we stick to the little neighborhood parades. The littler Halloween parades are great for kids, not just because of the lack of mobs, but most of them anyone can just jump in and you'll see the most fun, creative homemade costumes all in one place.

I've gathered up a bunch of alternative Halloween parades for kids that sound like a a lot of fun to participate in or just watch. And if you don't live in a great trick or treating neighborhood, this is a great excuse to join in the fun in another neighborhood. Go for the parade. Stay for the trick or treating!

Oct 8 2009

Explore Hidden New York Architecture at OpenHouseNewYork Kids! Festival

OpenHouseNewYork is an annual festival that gives New Yorkers a sneak peak behind some of the most famous and spectacular sites around the city that are usually off limits to average Joes. While kids might not get too excited about seeing sites like the beautiful art deco lobby of the Woolworth Building, OpenHouseNewYork has continued to increase the number of sites, activities, tours, workshops, and performances geared to children.

Wildflower Walk

Submitted by Katia on October 7, 2009 - 9:44pm.

When: from Oct 10 2009 - 10:00am to Oct 10 2009 - 10:00am

Where: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

EVENT LISTING

Before the first frost of fall begins to settle over the Bronx, the asters and goldenrod have their time to shine. Soak up some beauty. Free.

www.nycgovparks.org

Japanese Autumn Adventure

Submitted by Katia on October 2, 2009 - 10:19am.

When: from Oct 17 2009 - 12:30pm to Oct 17 2009 - 4:30pm

Where: New York Botanical Gardens, Everett Children's Adventure Garden, Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Rd, Bronx

EVENT LISTING

Kiku in the Japanese Autumn Garden will also feature fun and educational children’s programming. Japanese Autumn Adventures provides innovative projects for the Garden’s youngest visitors to complement the horticultural exhibition. Activities include an interactive Japanese tea ceremony, tea leaf exploration, chrysanthemum planting, and more. Using the Garden’s own living collections enables children to make connections between art and horticulture and provides for an understanding of Japanese culture’s intimate link with the natural world.