Take the Kids Back in Time at the New York Renaissance Faire

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It's a family-affair at the New York Renaissance Faire, which opens in Sterling Forest on Saturday, August 22.

The New York Renaissance Faire descends on Sterling Forest again this fall, running on weekends and holidays from late August through early October. This annual festival transforms the state park in Tuxedo into a 16th-century village complete with period costumes, music, theater, and crafts.

The massive 65-acre "Renn Faire," as locals call it, has been taking place since 1977, and it kicks off again Saturday, August 26, 2023. Read on for details on what to see there with the kids, ticket discounts, and more.

Looking for more fun in the Hudson Valley? Take a look at our Family Day Trips Guide and our picks for 35 things to do in the region with kids.

10 NYC Ferry Rides with Kid-Friendly Stops to Explore

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Make different stops along the east side of Manhattan on the NYC Ferry. Photo courtesy of the NYC Ferry

A ride on the NYC Ferry is a great way to see New York City from a new point of view—and cruising on the water is so much more exciting for jaded city kids than taking the boring old subway—especially during the summer. The NYC Ferry system makes it easy and fun to hop on a boat for a day trip to a not-so-distant shore.

While we're big fans of all the family activities you can enjoy on Governors Island, and riding the FREE Staten Island Ferry is on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids before they grow up, the NYC Ferry has opened up tons more waterfront neighborhoods to easy exploration. Here are our favorite things to do near NYC Ferry stops, plus a couple of longer ferry rides that will whisk you away to nearby shores for a daycation.

50 School Jokes for Kids — Funny Jokes for Kids to Tell at and About School

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Why are all the books in the library the same color? (Find out below...)

These school jokes for kids keep giggles going, even if there's stress about heading back to school.

Whether your family is sad vacation time is over, glad to get away from the boredom of the long summer break, or a bit of both, it’s time to think about going back to school! Your kids can laugh with old and new friends with their favorite school jokes for kids. New teachers and routines can be stressful as well as exciting, so try slipping a note with one of these funny jokes into school lunchboxes, to make your little scholar laugh and show them you’re thinking of them!

And you don’t need to stick to school-themed jokes. Check our list of howlers in these funny jokes for kids. We also have Mom jokes and Dad jokes that will be sure to make the whole family giggle.

Best Ice Cream Parlors in NYC: 10 Top Spots for Outrageous Ice Cream Sundae Treats

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Grab an over-the-top sundae at Surreal Creamery, which is well-known for its towering Mason jar concoctions.

There's nothing sweeter on a hot summer day than an ice cream sundae and we've rounded up the best ice cream parlors in NYC to get an over-the-top ice cream sundae. We owe a debt to whoever invented the delicious combo of ice cream, syrup, and toppings—this yummy treat is a delight.

The delectable ice cream sundaes below go far beyond your typical scoop with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry on top to include special touches like unlimited toppings, candy coatings, and sundaes fit to feed your entire family. If you're looking for more sweet shops to grab a scoop, bookmark our list of 14 great ice cream parlors in NYC, and find more showstopping desserts for all seasons and occasions on this list of the most insane desserts in NYC.

20 Fun and Easy Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids

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Make these magical unicorns with toilet paper rolls. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Don't toss out those empty toilet paper rolls and paper towel tubes just yet. They're the perfect canvas for some awesome crafts for kids. And toilet paper roll crafts aren't just for little ones. They can be used by everyone from preschoolers to make simple animals and mummies, all the way through tweens and teens to make more advanced projects like desk organizers and wall art.

Here are 20 fun and easy toilet paper roll crafts for kids of all ages. Once you use up all those toilet paper rolls, repurpose your empty cardboard boxes with some of our 50+ cardboard box crafts and activities for kids. Let your family's creativity run wild!

River Tubing and White Water Rafting near NYC: 7 Spots for a Wet-and-Wild Ride

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Hit the rapids with Pocono Whitewater for white water rafting near NYC.

When it comes to wet-and-wild summer fun, here's a fresh idea: Why not plan a river tubing day trip or go white water rafting near NYC? After all, you’ve likely already visited some local beaches, swam in our favorite FREE swimming pools, and (of course) hit up a splash pad while attempting to beat the summer heat.

Most of these destinations for river tubing and white water rafting near NYC clock in at around two hours from Midtown Manhattan, making them perfect for a day trip or quick late-summer weekend getaway—some even offer family-friendly camping packages, too. So, read on for our top picks for river tubing and white water rafting near NYC, and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Summer Fun in NYC for Kids.

Pregnancy and Parenting Classes on Long Island

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The Nesting Place invites Long Island moms to gather and connect in its pregnancy and parenting classes. Photo courtesy of The Nesting Place.

Pregnancy and parenting classes are a milestone for new and expectant parents. Pregnancy brings on a roller coaster of emotions, but these local pregnancy and parenting classes on Long Island remind new parents they're not alone and help ease them into the challenges of parenthood.

Whether you're looking for labor breathing techniques, breastfeeding tips, or just want to connect with an educator who can answer your questions, we've found a handful of pregnancy and parenting classes on Long Island. Once your baby has arrived, you can find more great classes for babies, including everything from mommy-and-me classes to baby swimming lessons, in our Long Island Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

Best Swimming Lessons and Classes for Kids in Los Angeles

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Dive in! The water is always fine. Photo courtesy of the Academy Swim Club

LA kids are practically born in the water, which is why it is important to enroll kids in swimming lessons in Los Angeles at an early age. With the help of a patient, qualified instructors, kids can learn water confidence, comfortability, and crucial safety skills. Whether your child is just getting familiar with the water or looking to hone their talent and join the school swim team, there are plenty of wonderful schools all over Los Angeles that offer a variety of swimming lessons, including schools in the South Bay, Westside, and the valleys. We've even compiled a list of schools with instructors that will come to your private pool. 

If you're looking specifically for baby and toddler swimming lessons, we rounded up the best places that teach babies as young as a few weeks old! And you can find more great classes for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our Los Angeles Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

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