Harlem Kids Neighborhood Guide

One of the most vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods in New York City, Harlem is a wonderful place for families. You'll find incredible amenity-filled parks like Riverbank State Park and the northern end of Central Park; lots of family-friendly restaurants; interesting shops with books, toys and children's clothing; and a slew of activities for kids. Whether you want to visit a culture spot like the Studio Museum, the Apollo Theater or Morris-Jumel Mansion, you're looking to take amazing classes at places like the Harlem School of the Arts or Kidberry, or you just want to stroll the lovely brownstone filled streets, here are our favorite things to do, see, try and experience with kids in Harlem.

Latest news from the area

Apr 2 2013

12 Spring Festivals, Fairs and Carnivals for NYC Families April 2013

Things to do with kids: 12 Spring Festivals, Fairs and Carnivals for NYC Families April 2013

Along with the mild weather comes a fresh crop of outdoor festivals, street fairs and carnivals, big annual favorites like two of our April Go List picks, the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as smaller community happenings.

These spring fests are a great way to entertain your family for just a few bucks—sometimes even for FREE. And the activities are really diverse: Introduce the kids to old-fashioned games, celebrate planet Earth, chow down on homemade treats or watch live performances by kiddie bands, puppet troupes and more. Plus, these events aren't just fun, they foster community by bringing folks together to support a school, playground, cultural institution or common cause.

Festival season doesn't kick off until this weekend but you can start planning right now. Here are 12 awesome events to put in your April calendar.

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Jan 22 2013

Best NYC Kids' Concerts for Winter 2013: Rockin' Live Music Shows

Things to do with kids: Best NYC Kids' Concerts for Winter 2013: Rockin' Live Music Shows

Earlier this week, we shared our favorite NYC spots where kids can run around (or skate or swim or bike) indoors when it's too cold to play outside. But sometimes the best way for the entire family to get their sillies out is to jump around at a live music show. My daughter and I love discovering bands and musicians together, and we're always on the lookout for new-to-us groups to add to our ever-growing list of favorites.

There are so many cool kids' concert series in New York City—Bring Your Own Kid at 92YTribeca, Just Kidding at Symphony Space, the Tot Music Fest at Littlefield, to name a few—that you could easily see three shows every week (as my daughter would like to do)! But to give your dancing shoes (and your wallet) a break, we've rounded up our top 11 family concerts this winter. In addition to picks at all of the major series, we're also highlighting two local kindie rock faves who are playing the BAMkids Film Festival as well as a couple of totally free shows. In fact, almost all of these concerts cost less than $15 per person.

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Jan 13 2013

Martin Luther King Day with NYC Kids: Celebrations and Volunteer Opportunities for Families

Things to do with kids: Martin Luther King Day with NYC Kids: Celebrations and Volunteer Opportunities for Families

Monday, January 21 is Martin Luther King Day, a day off from school (and hopefully work) when families can explore the legacy and lessons of the iconic civil rights leader. In New York City, there are many wonderful ways to celebrate Dr. King's life with kids, including walking tours of Harlem and Seneca Village in Central Park, a big free bash in Brooklyn, a no-cost concert on the Upper West Side and interactive museum programs.

Martin Luther King Day is also a National Day of Service, when citizens are encouraged to help out in their communities. If you're interested in volunteering with your children, we have info on a few opportunities on MLK Day, as well as organizations that could use your help throughout the year. Plus this year, MLK Day marks President Obama's inauguration day, and a few of our picks mark both historic occasions.

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Jan 13 2013

8 Spots for Young NYC Inventors: Places Where Kids Can Create Robots, Buildings and More

Things to do with kids: 8 Spots for Young NYC Inventors: Places Where Kids Can Create Robots, Buildings and More

Children are natural inventors. They're always creating, building and tinkering, and coming up with inventive ways to solve life's problems. Take my oldest son, who after watching me scramble for his little sister's discarded sippy cup for the umpteenth time proposed that we add pop-out wings to her stroller to catch whatever she chucked.

While he never did figure out how to develop that product, he's certainly kept busy over the past few years inventing all sorts of other things at a variety of creative places. Here are eight NYC spots where your budding Benjamin Franklins can be inspired to make robots, model buildings, video games and lots of other cool stuff.

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Jan 1 2013

Three Kings Day Parade and Celebrations for NYC Kids 2013

Things to do with kids: Three Kings Day Parade and Celebrations for NYC Kids 2013

Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa may be over, but Three Kings Day is coming up this Sunday, January 6. Also know as Epiphany, Three Kings Day is the last official day of the Christmas season, or the "12th day of Christmas" as the song goes.

The holiday, which is especially popular in the Hispanic community, commemorates the Three Wise Men coming to visit baby Jesus. The main event in New York City is East Harlem's 36th annual Three Kings Day Parade on Friday, January 4, which is sponsored by El Museo del Barrio. We've got the scoop on this procession and six other ways to celebrate Three Kings Day with kids in NYC.

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Dec 18 2012

What's Open on Christmas Day in NYC 2012: 12 Things to Do with Kids After Opening Gifts

Things to do with kids: What's Open on Christmas Day in NYC 2012: 12 Things to Do with Kids After Opening Gifts

The gifts have been ripped open, the insane plastic packaging dismantled and the batteries installed. Dinner won't be ready for hours and the kids are totally stir crazy. What else can you do on Christmas Day?

Jews have been asking that question for centuries and their answer in New York City is often Chinese food and a movie. But there are other options, whether or not you celebrate Christmas. Here are a dozen fun things to do on December 25.

You can find even more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.

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Nov 19 2012

Best Places to Take Pictures with Santa in NYC

Things to do with kids: Best Places to Take Pictures with Santa in NYC

When it comes to Santa, my children have been around the block once or twice. They've sat on the laps of just about every Kris Kringle in town, making googly-eyes and whispering sweet nothings into their ears, as if each one were the only true Santa in their hearts, when really, they've got a different one in just about every neighborhood. So you've come to the right place to get the skinny on the fat man.

These days, you can find a Santa ho-ho-ho-ing it up at most holiday happenings in New York City. We've rounded up the best spots to pose with the big red guy, from department stores offering swanky photo packages to offbeat one-off events where you can take your own festive pics. Remember, we've got lots more more seasonal fun in our NYC Holiday Guide.

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Nov 18 2012

NYC Christmas Tree and Menorah Lightings Better Than Rockefeller Center 2012

Things to do with kids: NYC Christmas Tree and Menorah Lightings Better Than Rockefeller Center 2012

You don't have to brave Rockefeller Center to witness a fabulous Christmas tree lighting.

We've rounded up tree lightings (and menorah, snowflake and even a few building illuminations) that are much less crowded, way cooler (one even comes with a performance of The Nutcracker) and feel like community celebrations, not events for tourists. Plus, most of these festive events are free and you don't have to stand on top of a car to see all of the great things going on.

Read on for a host of awesome holiday illuminations in New York City. You can find more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide.

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