Dance Summer Camps in Westchester for Kids

Students can participate in a host of  dance forms at Vanaver Caravan camps.

Does your child love to dance? Let them dance the summer away at one of the many dance-focused summer camps in Westchester. Whether your child is a beginner or seasoned performer, these camps are sure to have an option kids love. 

We’ve rounded up a number of dance camps offering summer day programs in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. With instruction in a variety of styles, from ballet and jazz to hip-hop, Bollywood, and musical theater, the programs range from instructionally intensive dance programs to fun, traditional-style camps with dance as an elective. Many of the camps have virtual options as well so students can participate from the comfort of home. Plus, a number of the studios, including Steffi Nossen, offer adaptive classes for kids with special needs.

For more summer camps in Westchester, including picks for Preschool Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, be sure to bookmark our Westchester Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

15 Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in NYC

Kids enjoy a bowling birthday party at Bowlero Chelsea Piers. Photo courtesy of Bowlero

Bowling is a perfect indoor family activity when you find yourself with spare time (sorry—couldn't resist). At about age 5, children really start enjoying it, making it an ideal family outing. Bowling birthday parties are a hit for the school-age set, and most of these family-friendly bowling alleys in NYC offer party packages.

There are traditional bowling alleys—think leagues, snack bars, pro shops—in the outer boroughs, but Manhattan's spots tend to cater to grown-ups. Don’t worry, though: Kids can still find lanes—you just have to know when to go. Here are our favorite family-friendly bowling alleys in NYC.

Find more fun things to do indoors with kids in NYC, from Play Cafes Where Families Can Nosh and Play to Kid-Friendly Rock Climbing Walls in New York City and more, in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Age of the Dinosaurs Opens at the Long Island Children's Museum

Little ones can create a dinosaur from a series of attachable parts.

Return to the Mesozoic Era at the Long Island Children's Museum, where animatronic dinosaurs like the stegosaurus, apatosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex move and roar above visitors' heads. Interactive features make this exhibit one not-to-miss, especially for paleontologists in training.

Check out our full review below and don't miss our Guide to Museums for Long Island Kids.

101 Conversation Starters for Kids to Help Get Them Talking

Sometimes kids need a little push to start talking.

“Good.” “Fine.” If these are the only things you hear from your kids when you ask how their day is going or how school was, you're not alone. Pulling a multi-syllabic response is harder than pulling teeth! But kids' minds are full of questions, thoughts, and feelings that they don’t always know how to—or want to—express. If only you had the right questions to ask. That's where these conversation starters for kids come in.

This list of conversation starters for kids can be a helpful tool to open the lines of communication and learn more about how your children see the world. It includes great questions to ask your kids about school, friends, emotions, and—for the bravest among us—how we’re doing as moms and dads. These conversation starters will get your kids laughing, thinking, and even responding. Throw them out over dinner, in the car, or anytime you just want to check in.

We’ve got plenty more ideas for how to unplug, laugh, connect, and share in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide, where you’ll find the 100 Hardest ‘Would You Rather’ Questions for Clever Kids and 101 Fun Facts That Will Blow Your Kids’ Minds. For more fun ideas delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters.

Best Dance Summer Camps in New Jersey

Dance Innovations offers summer camps for all skill levels.

If your child pirouettes in the kitchen, buffalos down the hallway, or freestyles to the radio, a dance summer camp may be the perfect way to pass the summer break. From recreational summer day camps to more rigorous ballet boot camps, first-time dancers through pre-professionals have lots of ways to explore their love of dance throughout New Jersey. We've found 12 dance summer camps in New Jersey with programming for toddlers, teens, and everyone in between.

For even more summer camps in New Jersey, including our picks for affordable summer camps in the Garden State and STEM summer day camps, check out our Guide to Summer Camps in New Jersey and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Furry Friends, Camps, Classes, and More Await at The Art Farm

Meet—and feed—the furry, friendly bunnies at The Art Farm.

Enter The Art Farm, and it’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of Manhattan. This out-of-the-ordinary learning center is full of unexpected surprises. Situated in a bustling corner of the family-friendly Upper East Side—a neighborhood it’s called home since its founding 20 years ago!—this nature-focused spot is a haven for animals and animal lovers alike.

From preschool to after-school, summer camp to drop-in classes and birthday parties to baking, The Art Farm seemingly has it all. Read on to learn about our visit, which was full of new, furry friends and even some chinchilla kisses.

It's Here! The Brand New Sesame Place San Diego Is Open

Can you tell me how to get to the brand new Sesame Place? It's right down the I-5 in San Diego! Artist rendering courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego

Here's some news that will chase the clouds away: Cookie Monster, Elmo, and the whole gang are coming to sunny Southern California. The new Sesame Place San Diego opens March 26, 2022, adding to the growing list of incredible SoCal Amusement Parks for kids. From Super Grover’s Box Car Derby to Ernie’s Twisty Turny Tunnels, read on to discover what rides and characters await young FOE (Friends of Elmo) at this new theme park.

If you head to San Diego to visit Sesame Place San Diego, don’t forget to check out our San Diego Family Guide for tips on Visiting the San Diego Zoo Like a Local, plus the 50 Best Things To Do in San Diego with Kids and so much more.

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