Lincoln Square: A Family-Friendly Neighborhood Packed with Culture, Parks and Play

An entertainment Mecca for Manhattanites and tourists, Lincoln Square is a vibrant, bustling and sought-after community for families and professionals. It offers luxurious shopping, upscale dining and entertainment options, alongside top-notch family friendly amenities. Lincoln Square, the southern-most section of the Upper West Side, begins at Columbus Circle at 58th Street and continues north to West 70th Street. It’s bordered by Amsterdam Avenue on the west and Central Park, just blocks to the east!

Families who yearn to make Lincoln Square their home should check out the apartment rentals One Columbus Place. This family-friendly luxury building offers no fee apartments with select units offering up to 1.5 months rent free. The building offers a host of amenities such as an apple seeds® playroom, private outdoor spaces, and a wellness center with Peloton bikes. Read on for the 45 best reasons to make Lincoln Square your next stop for family fun and fabulousness. 

Long Island Destinations for Delicious Hot Chocolate

You'll flip for the Campfire Cocoa, one of the specialty hot chocolates at Caffé Portofino in Northport. Photo courtesy of Caffé Portofino

When the snow starts to fly during a Long Island winter, a tasty hot chocolate can help to take the chill away.

Adults and kids across Long Island enjoy hot chocolate, especially when it’s topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, or both. And while you can make it at home, isn't it nice to get out of the house with the kids? It squashes cabin fever, and there’s no cleanup for you. With that in mind. here are 18 places across Long Island that serve up delicious hot chocolate and other tasty treats.

If hot chocolate isn’t your thing, why not try one of these spots for afternoon tea with the kids? See our guide to family-friendly restaurants for even more dining ideas on Long Island. And for more seasonal possibilities, check out our Winter Fun Guide and Long Island events calendar.

Stay on a Houseboat in Amsterdam for a Total Family Vacation Win

Unique views are given when your family rents a houseboat for the night.

Amsterdam is a wonderful city to visit on a European family vacation. The city is kid friendly with lots of fun things to do for families, including wonderful parks, engaging museums, and many delicious restaurants to try. It's also relatively easy to navigate with children in tow.

The city is full of canals, which is another plus for kids as they often love to watch the boats or even take a ride. One of the most special (and affordable) ways to visit Amsterdam is to stay on an actual houseboat instead of in a hotel. 

When you visit Amsterdam, you can’t help but notice these charming houseboats lining the canals and Amstel River. They look so cozy, and many even have gardens growing around them. Our family stayed on a houseboat in Amsterdam for a long weekend and found it to be a comfortable and fun way to visit the city with children.

Ready, Set, Glow at Glowzone Houston: Indoor Fun for Kids of All Ages

There is no shortage of great indoor play spaces around the greater Houston area, that's for sure. And unique additions like Glowzone are what make that play scene so great - this indoor spot is lit by black lights and glowing colored lights and full of fun. From the go-karts to geometric climbing walls, there is so much to do it's impossible to feel bored. It's a great indoor playground for families with preschool-age children through teenagers. (And even just adults!)

New Birthday Party Spots for New Jersey Kids in 2019

The Village Play Cafe hosts birthday parties for little kids ages 5 and under.

Your little one's birthday is coming up, and the pressure is on. There are seemingly countless places to hold your birthday bash, but which ones will keep your guests happy and engaged (without breaking the bank)? From toddlers to teens, we've compiled a list of some of the newest party options throughout the great Garden State, including indoor play spaces, a trampoline park, art studio, and more. For even more ideas, check out our birthday party guide.

8 New Birthday Party Spots for Westchester Kids in 2019

Kids can celebrate their special day at the recently renovated Bedford Playhouse. Photo by Phillip Ennis

Are you crowd-sourcing to find a fresh venue for hosting your next birthday party? We know the drill. Despite the scores of party venues in Westchester, there’s often a desire for something new. Fortunately, a bunch of new venues opened in Westchester in the last year that offer kids’ birthday parties. From sweet shops to swimming, climbing adventures to cartooning, this new mix offers a variety of activities. Your kids might even be grown-ups by the time you try them all!

Read on to learn more. If you haven't done so already, sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know! 

Cooking Classes for Kids in NYC

Even the littlest one learn to chop at Freshmade NYC.

If your kitchen can’t contain your budding Food Network star, there are plenty of stellar cooking classes throughout New York City for the littlest chefs, from toddlers to teens. We’ve rounded up the best food prep courses in the area. And who knows? Maybe you’ll get a delicious kid-made dinner out of the deal—or even expand a picky someone's palate! 

Find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

There's A New Co-Working Childcare Lifesaver for East LA Parents

Let’s face it, it’s extremely hard to squeeze in some extra hours to work with a toddler at home. These days, my son’s schedule and needs are unpredictable: naps are shorter and hanging out with mommy is much more fun. The right daycare can come to the rescue, and the Eastside of LA now has a creative new childcare option with an appropriate name—Wiggle & Work. 

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