Exploring the New Jersey Meadowlands

Submitted by Laura J on

The Meadowlands, once a punch line to many NJ jokes, is now a beautifully landscaped, wild ecosystem.  This Northern New Jersey destination has enchanted many visitors as an urban oasis. The transformation of the one-time landfill is a history, environmental and health lesson all rolled into one, a perfect balance of city life and wildlife…with a few highways in between. From hiking a short trail to visiting the outlets, exploring the Meadowlands is the perfect day trip for any local family.

J.J. Byrne Playground Reopens in Park Slope and It's Definitely a Destination Playground

Petek's picture Submitted by Petek on

A few months ago when we were spotlighting Park Slope, we mentioned how much we were looking forward to the reopening of J.J. Byrne Playground. After a year of work and many millions of dollars, the revamped play spot debuted last Friday and my four-year-old daughter and I went to check it out.

Due to its location in Washington Park next to the historic Old Stone House, the playground has a Colonial theme. My kid had a blast exploring this marvelous playground and so did I. As you can see from our slide show, a lot of the equipment is just as much fun to look at as play on.

Pick Your Own at Long Island's Fruit and Vegetable Farms

Submitted by cristin on

We recently brought you a round-up of Long Island Farmers’ Markets sure to inspire even the pickiest eater to eat a crisp, fresh market veggie. The next stop on your kid’s nutritious, culinary adventure is a visit to the actual farms where many of the fruits and veggies sold at the markets are grown. Many of these farms offer families the opportunity to “pick-your-own” fruits and vegetables which is yet another great way to inspire your kids to appreciate the delicious and nutritious fruits and veggies grown right here on Long Island.

News: Scribble Press on UWS Closing, New Ferry to Randall's Island, Zoo Babies, Segregation in NYC Schools

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While some baby swans are making their NYC debut, a handful of local family businesses are singing their swan songs, including Scribble Press' Upper West Side location, which closes this month. Of course we've got good news, too, including new ways to get to Randall's Island this summer, a cleaned-up Chinatown Fair Arcade and a star-studded Story Pirates comedy benefit—and if none of those put a smile on your face, well, just look at those cute baby swans!

Chelsea Family-Friendly Restaurants

Stephanie Ogozalek's picture Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Chelsea is jam-packed with restaurants. Walk down any major avenue and many of its side streets, and you're presented with an overwhelming amount of choices, from bistros to barbecue, diners to doughnuts.

Since Chelsea is a very family-friendly neighborhood, most of the restaurants will accommodate children, especially during the day, but that doesn't mean they're really good for kids. So we continue our series of posts on Chelsea with a roundup of our favorite eateries in the area that are kid-friendly in terms of atmosphere and menus.

The Children's Museum of the East End

Submitted by Karen on

Crawl through a hollow log and enter a small  town set in a musical forest. The Children's Museum of the East End is an absolutely magical place for younger children to engage in art, music, and imaginative play while learning. Although the museum is best for children ages two to seven, it can be great fun for older children who enjoy pretend play and dressing up, especially if they have a friend or siblings along. The museum also has cozy corners designed specifically for crawlers.

New York Botanical Garden for NYC Kids: Planting, Harvesting and Other Hands-on Nature Fun

Sonia Gonzalez's picture Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on

We regularly post about the cool nature activities and annual exhibits like the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. But as a Bronx resident who frequently visits the garden with my family, I'm here to tell you that you can never say too much about this incredibly diverse 250-acre oasis in Bronx Park. There are so many wonderful attractions: the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, where kids can work their green thumbs; the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, which hosts science and nature programs; the Forest, full of indigenous plants and trees, and a lovely waterfall; the indoor Enid A. Haupt Conservatory; plus a wealth of cultural events and seasonal displays. It's truly one of the best places to connect with nature in New York City.

This profile of the New York Botanical Garden is the final installment in our series of posts spotlighting kid-friendly NYC historic sites vying for Partners in Preservation grants. Read on to find out about everything the NYBG has to offer—including a preview of its new exhibit Monet's Garden, which opens this weekend—and learn how you can help support the garden and other important NYC destinations with the click of your mouse.

Local Summer Getaways for NJ Families

Submitted by sarah on

By now, many of you have probably organized your summer with military precision. I know I have. We have this much camp and that much vacation and this much time to annoy one another and that much time to drag ourselves around town to various sprinklers. It's all mapped out. Even still, sometimes it's nice to just get away, semi-spontaneously, for a few days of family fun without having to drive very far. New Jersey and the surrounding area offer several weekend destinations ranging from waterparks to pig farms to NJ's many beaches. Enjoy the backseat conversations and wave-jumping squeals, because my brand of nostalgia dictates that I remind you, autumn will be here before you know it. Soak up the sunshine! 

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