Gardening with Kids in NYC: Cultivate a Green Thumb in Local Parks and Gardens

The Queens Botanical Garden brings together youngsters from around New York City to enjoy seasonal, hands-on learning, and gardening experiences. Photo by Oliver Lopez

In the urban jungle that is NYC, it can feel like nature is hard to come by. But in reality, parks, green spaces, and community gardens brighten up the city in every borough.

Families interested in gardening with kids in NYC are spoiled for choice if they know where to look! You can start small, by growing your own indoor herb or vegetable garden or turning your small backyard space into a haven for butterflies and pollinators.

Or, you can check out one of these excellent programs for gardening with kids in NYC. You might be surprised at just how many options there are. Find more ways to create a greener future in our Earth Kids Guide for Families.

Super Easy April Fools Day Pranks To Play on Your Kids

Ewwwww! There's an worm in my apple. Photo by Ally Noel

The best part of playing April Fools Day pranks on your kids is that satisfying feeling of pulling a fast one on your own flesh and blood! But elaborate prep work really saps the fun out of any good April Fools Day joke. We've found that the very best pranks are also the simplest. Here, we run down easy ways to show kids that we still have the upper hand—at least when it comes to April Fools Day!

For more fun April Fools Day pranks with food, we've got funny ideas from peachy eggs to hot dog fingers, and for more April Fools Day laughs, we've got the funniest April Fools Day memes. Work more giggles into family life every day with our favorite kid-friendly jokes, which will keep spirits up during dinner, car rides, and more, all year long.

Ninja Warrior Gyms, Parkour, and Obstacle Courses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Your kids can practice being a ninja warrior at the Grit Ninja in Pleasantville.

Are makeshift ninja warrior gyms a common sight in your living room? If so, know that you're not alone—and then consider taking your kids to one of the many obstacle courses, ninja warrior, and parkour gyms in the area. It’s a fun indoor activity for when the weather is either too cold or too hot for outdoor play, and it helps get tons of energy out. 

Almost all the programs and gyms featured here offer classes and open gym time. Trial classes, camps, and birthday parties are also possibilities at most.  

Looking for more fun indoor activities with kids, like the area's top bowling alleys? Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Westchester Kids.

Best Gaming Summer Camps in New Jersey

At Genius Gems in Milburn, summer camps offer themed weekly sessions in topics like science wonder lab. Photo courtesy of Genius Gems

Tech-savvy kids, and even those with no prior tech experience, can gain skills for today’s digital world at summer camps that cater to aspiring game designers and engineers. Gaming camps offer kids and teens opportunities to create video games, work with popular programs like Minecraft and Roblox, and brush up on STEM knowledge. 

For more info on summer camps in New Jersey, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town. 

17 Fun Things To Do with Kids After Dark in NYC

See the sunset from the suspended observation deck at the Edge for a memorable after-dark outing. Photo by Jody Mercier

Finding things to do with kids after dark in New York City can be a bit of a challenge. Some places may seem too rowdy or loud, and others may be too boring. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of kid-friendly nighttime spots the whole family can enjoy. Grab your calendar and clear your evenings, because the city that never sleeps offers plenty of fun things to do with kids after dark in NYC.

For more kid-approved outings at all hours, bookmark this list of the 100 things to do in NYC with kids before they grow up.

Best Preschool Summer Camps in Atlanta

Chattahoochee Nature Center's Camp Kingfisher teaches preschool kids about nature and the joy of conserving it. Photo courtesy Chattahoochee Nature Center

Preschoolers and young kids need to stay busy during the summer, and preschool camp is the perfect way to introduce new interests and develop socialization skills. Luckily, Atlanta offers many summer camps geared for the younger set!

Our list of day camps for preschoolers allow parents to choose a summer camp that aligns with interests and schedule. We’ve included summer camps that offer a little bit of everything, as well as camps specifically for sports, dance, drama, and more. Register early: Spots fill up quickly, and some camps offer an early-bird discount.

Top Sports Summer Camps Near Chicago: Soccer Camps, Baseball Camps, Hockey Camps, and More

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

So your kid wants to get better at soccer, baseball, or basketball by attending a sports summer camp. Or you've got a preschooler who has never tried sports before and you want to introduce them to everything at a summer camp. Or you have a kid who has exhausted all the possibilities and needs the most unique and special summer camp near Chicago. No matter what you're looking for, we've got you covered with this list of our favorite sports summer camps near Chicago.

Try a camp with a professional sports team like the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, or Chicago Red Stars. Introduce your kid to new sports at Hi-Five Sports Club or Blue Moose Sports Camps. Or try something new, like ninja warrior courses, climbing, or yachting. Summer goes by fast, and before you know it, the new school year will be on the horizon, so a summer sports camp is the perfect way to encourage kids to get out, get active, try something new, or get better at their favorite sport.

If you're looking for other summer camps in Chicago, check out the best summer camps for teens and our ultimate summer camp guide

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