10 Tips For Making Middle School Amazing: Middle School Kids are the Best

Middle schoolers can be so much fun to hang out with! Photo by the author

As school starts up again across the country, tweens and teens are beginning the arduous adventure that is middle school. And thanks to pretty much all of pop culture—and many adults who have gone through the middle school years and lived to tell the tale—kids go into middle school fearing the worst. You know—classmates are terrible. School is terrible. Everything is terrible.

We're here to assure you—and your anxious middle schooler—that middle school can, in fact, be the best. Many teachers say middle school kids are their favorite age to teach. That's because they're learning to think critically, joke cleverly, and care deeply. They're growing, learning, and finding their spark. In other words, middle schoolers are becoming themselves.

Read on for middle school tips for parents that will help you encourage, inspire, and celebrate your kids. You'll learn how to make middle school better for your children so they'll become happy and thriving in middle school.

Our 2025-2026 Back-to-School Guide has even more advice on how to make this the best school year yet, including our list of the best school supplies (from a veteran teacher).

From Swings to Spray Showers: Rainey Park Reopens in Astoria with a Kid-Friendly Makeover

Rainey Park is fresh off a full renovation that brought new playground equipment and accessible features.

Queens residents have a new public space for their enjoyment with the reopening of Rainey Park in Astoria. After extensive renovations, Rainey Park boasts new playground equipment, fitness areas, spray showers, a new greenway, and increased access for those with disabilities. Read on to find out all you need to know about this new park.

Find more places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds and the our list of the best things to do in Queens.

What Does New York's Cell Phone Ban Look Like at Your School?

When NYC kids head back to the classroom, cell phones must be out of sight. Photo via Canva

When nearly 1 million NYC public school students head back to class in September, they’ll be entering a no-phone zone.

A new state law in New York bans students from using cell phones and all personal internet-enabled devices during the school day. The law goes into effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year, which kicks off Thursday, September 4, for public school kids.

Read on to find out what the ban might look like at your school, and check out our list of 57 screen-free activities for all ages.

Take Kids to Your 3rd Spot for Major Gaming Fun

Your 3rd Spot is a massive entertainment attraction in Atlanta, with an arcade, yard games, bowling, and much more. Photo courtesy of Your 3rd Spot

Your 3rd Spot (Y3S) in West Midtown has 100+ games and experiences plus yummy food and a fun outdoor play area. Why the name? Here is how they explain it: If home is your first spot and work is your second spot, then this colorful entertainment venue where families can connect is Your 3rd Spot! Y3S is part of the dining and retail district, The Works, and offers 27,000 square feet(!) of fun, including arcade games, corn hole, bowling, ping pong, curling...and that's just inside. Outside guests enjoy lawn games, porch swings, and firepits. Top it all off with a large dining room offering shareable bites, creative cocktails, and a kid-approved menu. 

Y3S is 21+  during the weekdays and after 6pm on weekends. On weekends before 6pm, it's all about family fun —kids and parents have the run of the place, enjoying games, food, and fun. Read on for more info on how to have an awesome family day at Y3S!

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