25 Good-to-Know Tips for New Parents in New York City

New baby on board? There are a few tricks to navigating NYC. Photo by the author

Whether you moved here as a 20-something, or are a lifelong New Yorker, you might think you've got this city figured out. After all, you know the ins and outs of roommate searches, you can score theater tickets on the cheap, or find the nearest happy hour or trendy bite to eat with the blink of an eye, but once you become a parent, New York City is a foreign land.

I've been in your shoes, going from a carefree young professional to a diaper-bag-toting mom seemingly overnight. Really, it was nine months of staring down my "new" New York while fighting off morning sickness and simultaneously searching for birthing spots, pediatricians, daycares, and baby gear. That was (ahem) 16 years and three kids ago...so I've picked up a few tricks and tools of the trade.

Here are 25 nuggets of NYC new parent advice. Find more baby and new parent hacks in our NYC Pregnancy and Baby Guide.

21 NJ Art Studios Offering Drop-in Classes and Take-Home Crafts

Have a mommy-and-me day at Color Me Mine in Summit or Ridgewood.

Like the idea of crafting with your kid but cringe at the thought of paint and glitter all over your house? New Jersey is home to various drop-in art studios offering your spontaneous painter, potter, glassmaker, and jeweler the chance to get crafty. These creative spaces let you skip the mess at home while catering to your budding artist's creative impulses.

Read on for our roundup of 21 art studios and craft places in New Jersey. If you're feeling brave enough to craft at home, we've got plenty of ideas on this list of 100 awesome art projects for kids.

Family-Friendly NYC Outings Inspired by Storybooks

Play out your Eloise fantasies at The Plaza Hotel, where you can stay in a suite inspired by the precocious storybook character. Photo courtesy of The Plaza/a Fairmount Managed Hotel

There are countless books that use NYC as their setting—and with good reason. It’s a marvelous, one-of-a-kind city. So, we’ve put together some outings inspired by six of our favorite kid-lit characters and storylines. From picture books to chapter books, we’ve rounded up fun-filled destinations for all ages.

Find more storybook inspiration on our list of 100 kids' books every child should read before they grow up and find more outing inspiration in our Family Activity Calendar.

Tried and Tested: 10 Things We’re Obsessed with This March

Turning Red is the newest Pixar movie. Nuff said. Photo courtesy of Disney

Time to spring forward into March with a whole lot of green, some self-care and snacking, superb screen time, and even a little madness.

March is Women’s History Month, and it happens to kick off on Mardi Gras this year— that combination of girl power and a party spirit is the mood for this month. All our picks either bring a sense of party and playfulness or they’re self-care, post-play pick-me-ups. With the state of the world, that's right where I want to live. A few things on this list are brand new, but several are just new to me; they’re recommendations from friends, co-workers, and loved ones that I’ve been trying out for the last month and become obsessed with. There’s even a pick from each of my kids.

Read on to discover a way to take 20 minutes for yourself, your new favorite breakfast treat, a family TV show I’ve been waiting for for years, and more.

Top Midwest Overnight Summer Camps for Kids and Teens

Camp Walden is a popular overnight summer camp in the Midwest. Photo courtesy of Camp Walden in Michigan

Overnight or sleep away summer camp is one of those iconic childhood rights of passage. These magical places are where kids make new friends, unplug from screens, and get out of their comfort zone. With activities such as kayaking, horseback riding, ceramics, and archery, it's no wonder some summer camps offer stays ranging from mini-week camps up to entire season stays. From Illinois to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, we've rounded up some of the top overnight summer camps in the Midwest. 

For more great camp listings, check out our ultimate summer camp guide as well as our summer camp directory for more day camps, summer camps, and overnight camps. You can sort summer camp listings by age, interest, and more. Happy camping!

19 Best Dance Summer Camps Near Houston

Students at Summer Dance Camp, West University Dance Centre/Houston Academy of Dance

Houston boasts top-notch dance summer camps to get kids up and moving. Whether you’re looking for a princess dance summer camp for your preschooler or a hip-hop day camp for teens, we have it all. Themed weeks and half-day options all offer a whole lot of fun along with quality instruction that will have your kiddos improving their dance skills.

For more summer dance camps near Houston, from options in the Loop to areas like The Woodlands and Katy, be sure to bookmark our Comprehensive Camp Guide and Directory where you can search for summer dance camps for kids by type, age, and town.

Amusement Parks Opening Days in New Jersey in 2022

The Six Flags 2021 season opens Saturday, March 27, with its world-class coasters, tasty treats, and more. Photo courtesy of Six Flags

With warmer days ahead, amusement park season is just around the corner. There's no better feeling than zipping through the air on a speedy roller coaster, chilling on a carousel, or watching the little ones enjoy low-key kiddie rides. But, just when do amusement parks open for the season? We've got the scoop, whether you're hoping to catch ocean views and sandy beaches at the Jersey Shore's boardwalk amusement parks, like Jenkinson's and Castaway Cove, or you are dreaming of high-velocity thrill rides at mega parks like Six Flags Great Adventure.

We've rounded up the opening days for the most popular amusement parks in New Jersey and nearby. Be sure to click through to each park's website for the latest information, ticket deals, and season passes. 

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