A day at the Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale is a day well spent. The grounds are always FREE and never disappoint. The unique playground set is seemingly made out of the surrounding trees. A menagerie of friendly animals is happy to greet visitors inside and out, and a wide-ranging event schedule means there's always something new to look forward to.

Read on for the family-friendly highlights of the Greenburgh Nature Center, one of our favorite local petting zoos, and find more local nature centers to explore nearby.

Roller skating is an activity accessible to most ages, even toddlers, and Long Island has some great rinks for the whole family to enjoy.

We've divided up our list below of top roller skating rinks into indoor and outdoor options. Indoor options tend to be particularly good for first-timers, and most rent skates. Some rinks even offer free lessons for beginners. For families who already have skates and want to get some fresh air, check out one of the outdoor roller skating rinks on Long Island. 

For more outdoor fun, check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks on Long Island or if it's rainy, take a peek at our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island.

Big Snow is North America’s first and only indoor ski and snow resort, and it's a true gift if New York and New Jersey's mostly snow-free winter has left you feeling like you missed out on cold-weather sports. Located inside the over-the-top American Dream Mall–less than a 30-minute drive from Midtown Manhattan–Big Snow offers beginner to advanced slopes, guided instruction, and real snow year-round. 

Read on for everything you need to know to make your visit to Big Snow at American Dream a super fun snow day for the whole family.

Check out our roundup of top things to do in the American Dream Mall for more great activities to try at the mall. 

The Jackie Robinson Museum in Hudson Square is no ordinary NYC museum. Drawing in history enthusiasts, baseball aficionados, and families alike, it pays homage to an African American hero's heritage with a captivating, educational journey that leaves visitors eager to learn more.

Read on for our guide to visiting the Jackie Robinson Museum with kids and find more great history and culture spots to visit with kids in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC.

Choosing the best pets for kids is no easy task, because every animal—and every child and family—is different. But if your kids are anything like ours, then you’re more than familiar with the constant stream of requests (OK, demands) for a new pet. Still, the idea of adding a new furry, scaly, or feathered friend to your home may feel overwhelming and spark a slew of questions: What is the most kid-friendly pet? What is the easiest pet to take care of? Which animals will be a good fit for your home?

Whether you already have a menagerie or you’re looking to get your child's first pet, we’ve got expert answers to your biggest questions about the best pets for kids. Whichever pet you choose, caring for it will likely give your child a new sense of responsibility. Learn even more important skills to teach your children in our list of 65 life skills to teach kids at any age and 70 life skills your kid needs before college.

Pickleball, the fast-growing, easy-to-play, all-ages racket sport has a brand new home in NYC: CityPickle has taken over Wollman Rink in Central Park for the spring, summer, and early fall.

Bringing with it 14 pickleball courts, CityPickle is the largest pickleball installation in NYC and offers 196 bookable hours daily between now and when it closes up shop in October so the famed ice skating rink can have its valuable real estate back.

To test out the kid-friendliness of CityPickle, we rounded up a pack of 9- and 10-year-old pickleball novices and took a CityPickle lesson. From learning about the kitchen to dinks, drives, and serves, read on for our experience and to learn how you can get in the pickleball game yourself at CityPickle this season.

Co-founded by a mom-of-four and her husband, Goldfish Swim School is a family favorite for kids’ swimming lessons, with 11 locations in the Boston Area. With its one-of-a-kind, play-based curriculum and kid-centric facilities, Goldfish Swim School makes water safety and learning to swim fun and approachable for babies as young as 4 months to kids up to 12 years old. Read on to see why this innovative swim center is in such high demand–and find out how to get started at Goldfish Swim School with a free first lesson.

High tea is a perfect experience gift for kids—or parents—of a certain age, and there's a brand-new Peter Rabbit-themed afternoon tea taking over elegant Gotham Lounge at The Peninsula New York—one of our favorite family-friendly hotels in NYC this month.

Naturally, my daughters hopped at the chance to get dressed up and join me for this lovely outing. Read on for the full details on this indulgent high tea and find more of our favorite restaurants serving high tea in NYC.