AfterSchool and Weekend Classes for Kids in Queens

It can be a challenge tracking down great classes for your kids in Queens. To help make it a little easier, we rounded up some of the ones we think are worth checking out all over the borough. Feel free to add your faves in the comments.

Discount Theater Tickets for Kids: Subscribe for these family-friendly New York City shows

[UPDATED: OCTOBER 16, 2012]

New York City offers a wide range of theater opportunities for kids of all ages, from shows specially tailored to preschoolers to highly sophisticated offerings that even adults will dig. Many of your favorite places, like the New Victory Theater and Tribeca Performing Arts Center, offer subscriptions that make it exceptionally affordable to get a little culture. Not only do memberships cost less per show, they give you access to the best seats in the house and make you eligible for other special offerings and discounts. Read on for our top picks and sign up now!

2012-2013 season subscription information for family-friendly theater productions in NYC:

5 Labor Day Weekend Getaways from New York City via Bus or Train

If you want to get out of the city for Labor Day weekend but you don't have a car, don't fret. You don't have to feel left out of the weekend getaway crowd, just because you don't have a car and loads of cash. There are several fun places you can go for the day or weekend using public transportation. These inexpensive getaways are fun for the whole family. Just hop on the bus or train and you're on your way to a world of fun.

10 Great Things to Do With Kids in New York City This Weekend, August 28-30 (mostly free)

This is it, folks. The last weekend before Labor Day Weekend. And some of my favorite activities are going on: the Still Hip Bag Sale, Adventure NYC...from the brainy Metropolitan Opera outdoor HD screening to the jocky Arthur Ashe Kids Day...from a cool jazz festival to a really cool ice skating show...plus fairs, parties and more.

Note: Due to the possibility of another tropical storm heading our way this weekend, make sure to check the website or call to see if outdoor events are being canceled.

Cool Idea: Free Figure Skating Show at Flushing Meadow Park

My daughter has been giving me a lot of strange looks lately but none stranger than when I told her we were going to see an ice show in the middle of August. All summer the Ice Theatre of New York has been giving free youth performances at the World Ice Arena in Flushing Meadow Park. The show includes a talented line-up of figure skating up and comers and is geared toward giving children an opportunity to see the arts. The shows music and performances were spectacularly entertaining for kids and adults. Our personal favorite was a duet done to Johnny Cash’s “ I’m An Everywhere Man” which includes some western skating and a cowboy hat. The season finale show is going on next Saturday August 29th and will begin at 7pm. This is a fantastically cool event and is not to be missed. It is totally free and the kids will have a blast doing something out of the ordinary.

Family-Friendly Concert Subscriptions: Sign Up for the Best Music for Kids in New York City

[UPDATED: September 6, 2012]

There's so much great music in this city, from down in the subway to on stage at Carnegie Hall. But when the free outdoor concerts come to an end, your musical interests can start to get a little pricey. That's why it is often worth checking out the subscriptions to various venues. Not only do subscriptions cost less (per concert), they give you access to the best seats in the house and make you eligible for other special offerings and discounts. Many subscriptions start in September, while others don't pick up until November, so be sure to check these out soon, so you aren't late or tickets sold out.

2012-2013 season subscription information for family-friendly and kid-friendly concerts:

News: Free Ferry Rides, Annoying Husbands, Play Day, and BPA in SIGG bottles?

Children under 12 ride free with a paying adult on several NY Waterway ferries through Labor Day. For schedules, prices and additional information please call 1-800-533-3779 or visit http://www.nywaterway.com

If Downtowners are sick of living in a perpetual construction zone, they are at least getting a little relief. The Downtown Alliance is commissioning artists to turn the ubiquitous scaffolding and street barriers into works of art.

KaBOOM! is dedicated to bringing play back into the lives of children. This Fall KaBOOM! is encouraging people to take to reclaim the streets and host a community play day. To help this happen, they are giving away free Play Day kits with everything you need to host a playday in your community. Register to get yours.

I can't believe that the Corn Refinery Association is running ads trying to convince people that High Fructose Corn Syrup is not bad for you. Really? Haven't we been down this road before?

At least some companies are taking the hint graciously. I went to an event for DelMonte Fruit Chillers this week (they're like frozen go-gurts, but made out of juice and fruit puree) and was pleasantly surprised to see just fruit and a little bit of food color in the ingredients list. It's heartening to see that the big guys are getting on the band wagon. No wonder the Corn Refinery Association is mad.

As people have been fervently tossing their plastic water bottles and switching to aluminum, it turns out that SIGG water bottles may have BPA in their liners after all. But don't panic. Reliable third party tests verify that the SIGG bottles do not leach BPA. Z Recommends takes an in-depth look.

Does your spouse annoy you? Probably not nearly as much as the chick who dedicated her blog to it. MyHusbandisAnnoying.com chronicles the annoying misdeeds of one lucky guy's every waking moment of this newlywed couple. It now even has readers writing in with their husband's annoying personalities. IF you need a little bedtime blog surfing I recommend this site. Nothing will gratefully send you off to crawl into bed with your so much less annoying souse than reading this blog. If nothing else just be glad your sig other hasn't created a blog to how annoying you are. [via Brooklyn Heights Blog]

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