There really is no place quite like Rye Playland Amusement Park in Westchester. So close to New York City, Playland is more than an amusement park—there's also a beach on the Long Island Sound, a pool, a lake with pedal boats, a boardwalk, mini-golf, an indoor skating rink, daily entertainment and more. All those amenities just add an extra layer of fun to a day spent riding roller coasters, the log flume, the Ferris wheel, Super Flight, plus all the kiddie rides in Kiddieland.

In this household, summer months are very predictable year after year.  June is filled with enthusiasm, excitement, sibling fun and happiness.  July brings less enthusiasm, lots of excitement, little sleep, and less sibling love.  By August we are downright sleep deprived, sunburnt, and ready to throw our siblings under the nearest train.

We're always looking for ways to experience New York City's vast and lovely waterfront, from kayaking and rowing to hopping on the Staten Island or East River Ferries to going on touristy boat rides. But nothing beats cruising through New York Harbor.

With breathtaking views of the city, tours of New York Harbor aren't just for visitors. Whether you choose an adrenaline-pumping speedboat, relaxing sailboat or even a sightseeing cruise (hey, natives are allowed on them, too), New York Harbor rides offer local families a chance to fall in love with our city all over again.

My 13-year-old raced through The Hunger Games books, my almost nine-year-old is working his way through C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and my five-year-old is obsessed with Pixar's summer blockbuster Brave. What do all three of these things have in common? Archery!

Archery is the hot sport of this summer (it's in the Olympics, too!). So if your kids have a yen to pick up a bow and arrow and make like Katniss, Susan or Merida, we know exactly where they should turn.

We finish up our month-long focus on Williamsburg with a look at our favorite play spaces and kids' classes in the area.

As families have multiplied in the neighborhood, so have kid-friendly restaurants, children's shops, and play and learning spots for tots, from artsy indoor gyms like Klub4Kidz to a wide variety of dance, music, sports and arts programs. And this being funky Williamsburg, there are also more offbeat offerings like circus arts, textile crafts and music classes taught by real kindie rock stars.

Got a little songbird who's always singing around the house? Maybe it's time to get them out of the shower and into the spotlight. For kids who love to croon, New York City is a Mecca of children's choruses, ranging from casual to competitive to pre-professional, with plenty of performing opportunities for all. Plus members do a lot more than just sing, they also learn how to read music and how to sight-sing, and really expand their repertoire so you don't have to hear that same tune over and over and over again (like you do now).

We've rounded up seven sensational children's choruses in New York City. Best of all, a few are even free to join (although an audition is required).

Although this play space has closed read all about Extreme Kids & Crew's two new special needs play spaces in this post.

As parents of children with special needs know, finding play spots can be tricky. Navigating public places like playgrounds, parks and drop-in play spaces is sometimes challenging and stressful, with families having to deal with insensitive comments while also trying to manage their child's disabilities.

That's why Fort Greene mother of three, Eliza Factor, was inspired to found Extreme Kids & Crew's Space No. 1, a nonprofit center offering classes, events and open play for kids with all kinds of special needs, from mild dyslexia to more extreme issues, like her son, Felix, who has cerebral palsy and autism.

Uncle Tom stopped by this weekend with his boat in tow. This was a special treat, because it was not just any boat, but a 1948 Old Town wooden motor boat, beautifully restored and just perfect to take on the Concord River. We put together a picnic, grabbed the life jackets, and set off for a summer adventure.

The launch went smoothly, and we slowly eased into the river, past the families fishing on both shores at the boat landing. Once we were out on the river, it felt like we had entered a different world. The shore line is remarkably undeveloped, and the scenery varied. The river flows slowly, and is navigable by small motor boats, canoes, and kayaks. We passed a number of fishermen slowly trolling up and down the river, as well.