Best Private Swimming Classes and Swim Schools for LA Kids

Roberta B's picture Submitted by Roberta B on

Photo courtesy of LA Surf and Swim

Time for swimming lessons? Group swim classes at a local YMCA or community pool can vary widely in quality (even within a single facility), so we’re here to tell you where Angelenos who are serious about getting the job done keep their kids afloat—and it doesn't have to cost a mint. Private and semi-private swim lessons don't necessarily require a private pool, and they do get kids on the fast track to independent swimming. Several popular swim instructors and schools make use of public pools or swing deals with private pool owners to make private instruction accessible to everyone. Check out the great options below for getting kids safe in the water.

COVID-19 info: Note that as of the publish date, indoor pool facilities are not open in LA County, so lessons are only available outdoors or over the county line. The swim schools below are able to function within those parameters; swim schools that are closed during the pandemic are not listed.

Find more ideas for classes, tutoring, pod support, and homework help at our online Back-to-School Fair, going on now!

Best Beach Walks for a Long Island Family Adventure

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on

Nickerson Beach might be mall, but it's beauty speaks for itself whether you visit during the summer surf, or for an offseason beach walk.

Beach season may have gotten an extension in 2020, but Long Islanders know the best time to visit the beach is long after the out-of-towners have packed up and returned home. In fact, a beach walk could be just what you need to recharge in any season. We've rounded up 11 of the best Long Island beach walks for families to explore. Beyond beautiful scenery, these sandy shores offer some fun extras, from lighthouses to playgrounds, boardwalks, and more. So, put on some comfy shoes, gather up the kids, and hit the sand to enjoy some of our favorite beaches with a peaceful stroll.

Don't forget to pack a picnic, and bring some shovels and pails. It's always sandcastle season. Find more shore-inspired fun in our Beaches, Pools, and Water Playgrounds Guide.

10 Favorite NJ Parks and Reservations with Fun for Kids

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on

Take a hike and do some climbing at Watchung Reservation.

Looking for fresh air and family adventure? Head out to explore one of New Jersey's "reservations" — forested nature preserves that are like mini state parks. Hidden along river banks and tucked into woodlands, these New Jersey parks are ideal for family hikes, picnics, and biking. You can bring binoculars to spy on colorful birds or wear boots to let the kids muck around with turtles and frogs.

Most reservations have marked trails, education and nature centers, playgrounds, and restroom facilities, while others are a bit more rugged, with "carry in/carry out" policies—meaning not even trash cans are provided.

We've rounded up 10 New Jersey reservations with a variety of offerings. Read on to find the best spot for your next outdoor adventure! 

In-Person Classes Enrolling New Jersey Kids For Fall 2020

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Take a class on the Genius Gems Terrace. Photo courtesy of Genius Gems

While remote learning plays a key role in the curriculum of many New Jersey schools this fall, in-person extracurricular activities can provide much-needed socializing and screen breaks for housebound students. Kids of all ages can burn energy in athletic classes, explore their creativity in art workshops, and expand their learning in technology classes. We've rounded up nearly two dozen in-person classes for New Jersey kids this fall. Some are classes in the great outdoors, while others take place indoors with social distancing guidelines in place. If you need more support during virtual school hours, be sure to see our roundup of centers offering remote learning support in-person and homework help this fall.

Check out these diverse fall class options, and find more extracurricular opportunities in our online Back-to-School Fair or our Guide to Classes for New Jersey Kids.

Support for Hybrid Learners and Homeschool Pods on Long Island in Fall 2020

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Fish Academy provides a safe learning environment and aquarium educators who provide support. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

School is upon us, but the 2020-21 school year is anything but ordinary. Whether your district is doing remote learning, a hybrid model, or you've created a homeschooling pod, it's likely you're going to need a little more support than normal.

Luckily, community organizations, small businesses, and local entrepreneurs are here to help, filling the void left by extraordinarily challenging school schedules. We've rounded up a handful of spots offering support for hybrid and remote learners, plus organizations willing to provide a little programming for your pod.

Classes for Learning Pod Enrichment and Remote Learning Support in NYC

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

FIAF offers learning pod support for children as young as age 5. Photo courtesy of FIAF

Many New York City parents are turning to learning pods, made up of small groups of like-minded families, to alleviate the stress during this surreal time of part-time school schedules. But, beyond the regular remote learning curriculum, what's a learning pod to do? Many of our favorite local providers and community orgs are stepping up to the plate, offering extra enrichment for your learning pod. If you don't have a pod, some of these spots help you build one; and, if you'd rather go-it-alone, others provide plenty of support for remote learners with drop-off programs where kids can complete assignments and receive tutoring support in safe, supervised environments.

Best Things To Do in Westchester in September With Kids: Hot Air Balloons, and More

Submitted by Susan Miele on

The 29th Annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival is going to be hosted drive-in style at Tymor Park in Union Vale, New York. Photo courtesy of the festival

Live, in-person things to do with kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley continue to roll out. We're here to ease the stress of the impending return to school with plenty of socially distanced events to enjoy long after you've savored your Labor Day barbecue. We've even got a Back-to-School Fair planned to help you round out your child's extracurricular activity schedule, whether you're looking for in-person or virtual class offerings.

We've welcomed the news that several sizable annual traditions have been reimagined for a safe return in 2020, like the spectacular Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival. Halloween season is kicking off this month, too, with the return of the Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze and Home of "the Legend." While the weather remains warm, September is full of outdoor entertainment—from drive-in movies to live performances. 

Read on for our September event picks, as well as venues that are now open to visitors. Be sure to keep tabs on our daily Event Calendar to stay in the know! If you're looking for more things to do, we're continuing to maintain our list of virtual event picks plus activities to enjoy nearby—like hikes in our state parks, visits to swimming lakes, and more socially distant activities.

Explore The Nature of Color at the American Museum of Natural History

Katie Nave's picture Submitted by Katie Nave on

Play with light and color at the American Museum of Natural History's "The Nature of Color," which is newly reopened along with the rest of the museum. Photo by D. Finnin/courtesy AMNH

After a months-long shutdown, the American Museum of Natural History is on the brink of reopening Wednesday, September 9, and its special exhibition hall is aglow with the vibrant The Nature of Color exhibit, which lets visitors explore the role and power of color in the natural world, human cultures, and in our personal lives.

The Nature of Color reveals how color carries information in nature—where organisms use it to find food, ward off predators, and conceal or reveal themselves—and across cultures, where different colors can signal a wide range of meanings, from good luck to power to a sense of urgency.

While museum visitors may be anxious to see the famous dioramas or the towering T. Rex and its prehistoric dinosaur friends, this colorful, rainbow-hued exhibition is destination-worthy on its own, once you've nabbed your (now-required) timed-entry tickets to the museum. Get the details on how to snag your tickets to AMNH and all the other recently reopened, or opening soon, museums here.

Pages