This Week: Water Fun in NYC: Best Playgrounds for Getting Wet, Top Family Boat Rides, 25 Water Games, Water-Filled Day Trips

7/17/14 - By Raven Snook

Water, water, everywhere, all over our Mommy Poppins sites. We updated two super-popular posts in our Water Fun Guide: the best boat rides for NYC families and our list of the top 20 water playgrounds throughout the five boroughs, including the brand-new Lakeside Splash Pad in Prospect Park. Plus we shared 25 water games you can play anywhere, from your local park to your own backyard.

Looking to get wet outside the the city? Our Long Island site has a roundup of the best beach playgrounds in the Hamptons, while Westchester highlighted six destination parks featuring all kinds of water fun like beaches, pools and water slides. And if your family is really up for a full-fledged water-filled adventure, our Travel site recommends the Grand Solmar Land's End Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Warning: Do not click here unless you're prepared to be jealous.

We're smack-dab in the middle of summer break and our SUMMER OF PLAY CHALLENGE. What has your family been doing to make the most of the season? Share your playful pics on social media for a chance to win great prizes. Every week, we're giving away a KaBOOM! Go Out and Play Pack and in late August, we'll be awarding one lucky reader with an Ultimate Summer of Play Bash. So submit your fun photos and then click through all of the entries for new play inspiration.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Can't stand the heat? Then jump into one of our top 20 NYC water playgrounds, one of many refreshing posts you'll find in our Water Fun Guide.

Two more great ways to cool off: Take a family-friendly boat ride in New York Harbor, or try one of these 25 water games, part of our SUMMER OF PLAY series.

Think all balloons are created equal? You'd be surprised. We rounded up the best party balloon shops and services so you'll be in the know the next time your child's birthday rolls around.

Since this is day-trip season, we shared one of our favorite near-NYC destinations: New Paltz, full of hiking, biking, swimming and other outdoor activities.

Comic-book lovers, assemble: Here are five fun superhero-inspired events happening in NYC, including an interactive Avengers installation and a live-action Marvel stage show.

Our sponsor, tourist organization NYC & Company, is helping visiting families discover all our great city has to offer this summer with sample itineraries, features destinations and a Curious George-themed scavenger hunt.

We went to the opening night of Walking with Dinosaurs - the Arena Spectacle at Brooklyn's Barclays Center and we can't stop roaring about it.

This week's WeeWork project shows you how to make cute clothespin puppets.

Best bets for the weekend include five of our top event picks for the month, like Come Out & Play Family Day on Governors Island, the New Museum Block Party on the Lower East Side and SummerStage Queens Family Day.