My jogging stroller has been doing a lot more strolling than jogging until I recently signed up for a pair of "stroller workout" classes here in NYC.  I strapped on my sneakers and strapped in my one-and-a-half-year-old to try them out.  Here's what we learned about stroller fitness classes in the city, what to expect, and some tips for making these workouts work for you and your child.

Once again the Macy's July 4th fireworks are on the Hudson River this year, which means that New Jersey has a prime view of the festivities!  But Northern New Jersey is not the only place where you can catch some great fireworks.  The largest fireworks are south of NYC at Atlantic City!  And what is better than fireworks at the beach?  A full day of festivities at Long Branch's Oceanfest or fireworks combined with an All-American Picnic at Cape May.  Whether you want to take in Macy's display, or head to the beach we've got the info you need.  Happy Fourth!

The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks are returning to the Hudson River again this year. Last year they moved from the East River to the Hudson to honor the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the Hudson River for the Dutch. Fear not--we've got your viewing plans covered, whether you live on either side of the Hudson, or no side.

The best places to see the 2010 4th of July fireworks all around New York City:

Until I visited the new LEGO Store that opened up in Rockefeller Center last week I never realized just how much New York City needed a store devoted to tiny plastic building bricks.  This colorful showpiece of a store has so much to offer brick building kids and their parents-much more than just shopping! It is a total LEGO experience from the LEGO brick masterpieces throughout the store to the unique products for sale plus they will also be offering regularly scheduled events and programs for kids and LEGO birthday parties in the shop. LEGO fever is set to take over NYC with the grand opening of the Rock Center store on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Don’t miss the fun participatory events, special guests and special shopping perks.

It is the first weekend of summer vacation for most New York City school kids so let’s start it out with a bang!  There are some big festivals being thrown around town, like the annual Children’s Day at the Seaport with costumed characters, live entertainment and fireworks.  Up in the Bronx it is Family Day with a party featuring cool live music and dancing from BombaYo, Dan Zanes and Baby Loves Salsa, plus there is not one but two different fishing festivals uptown.  Hard to choose, huh? Families can also create their own fanzine, learn about space, check out some cool story times, dance and theater performances or ride on a brand new carousel.  You could also hit up one of the local amusement parks just right for the school aged set.

If you still can’t decide, you may want to visit our Summer Fun Guide or our recent post on 100 free things to do this summer.  And don’t forget the key to the city project. The last day to get a key is the June 27, 2010.

Saturday is a full moon which means if you dress up like a vampire (C’mon Twilight fans) you will get $2 off a ride on The Cyclone from 7 pm to close. (There is a height requirement to ride the Cyclone which means most kids can’t ride– this is for tween, teen and grown up vampires only.)

Read on to plan your great weekend. Happy Summer!

I was so saddened yesterday to read about a 12 year old girl who drowned on a class trip to Long Beach. I have been reading with dread the stories over the past few years of adults and children drowning at the beaches around NYC, frequently due to strong currents and riptides.

We can not go back in time and save this little girl or the others that have died due to rip currents, but I hope to spread the word to all parents to educate yourself and your children to know what to do in case they are carried off in a strong current. Knowing what to do in a riptide can make the difference between life and death.

Summer is one of the most exciting times on this site. I love digging up all the amazingly cool stuff to do around the city all summer long, and so much of it is free. We spend so many summer days just running around the city, checking out neighborhoods and places we don't have time to get to all year long. It's really fun and I love sharing it here with you.

Our Summer Fun Guide is where you'll find all those posts collected in one place. It's got our lists of the best beaches, swimming pools, neighborhood itineraries, music festivals, concerts, outdoor movies, sports, even places to eat and drink. And, of course, there's our list of 100 Free Things to Do this Summer with Kids in NYC (not to mention our event calendar which is jam packed with fun stuff to do too).

What more could you possibly need to have an awesome summer? How about winning a Flip Video Camcorder!

There is only so much time you can spend at the beach this summer... and when you are looking for a day of instant fun, just head to one of the many fun (and often FREE) kid-friendly festivals across New Jersey.  Who can pass up a day helping determine the best ice cream in New Jersey?  Have you ever seen a dog ride a motorcycle at the county fair?  You will be amazed at the wide variety of chickens that exist in NJ at the NJ State Fair's animal exhibits, while you kids croon over the newly hatched chicks.  And you never know, you may have a champion sand-castle builder in your household! 

The kids have been chanting about the 104 days of summer from the Phineas and Ferb theme song for the last few weeks in anticipation of the beginning of summer vacation. I'm not going to break it to them that there are not nearly 104 days, and we're preparing for summer as if there were anyway. 

We have planned a cool free activity for every single day of summer starting this week and continuing straight through August – with a bunch of extra anytime activities thrown in. Plus many of the activities recur on other dates too, so read through the whole list, not just by date, to fill your summer with super, free awesomeness.

Of course, the list is not comprehensive, there is so much more going on than this (check out our Summer Fun Guide and events calendar for lots more cool stuff to do with kids around the city this summer).
 

We love exploring neighborhoods with our toddler.  It gives you a whole new view of NYC. My 1-and-a-half-year-old and I have been exploring every square inch from Columbus Circle up to 100th Street, coming up with itineraries in 10-block stretches for parents and toddlers. We recenly posted about 10 toddler-friendly spots in the West 60s and this week we've dug up 10 cool finds in the West 70's.

Find out what to do, where to eat and how to have fun on the Upper West Side with your tyke in tow: