Best Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals near NYC

Strawberry picking at Bishop Farms makes for a sweet day trip.

Strawberry picking season is one of our favorite milestones of the late spring and early summer. Picking your own strawberries makes the season even sweeter. As we move into the height of strawberry picking season, there are a slew of local farms for strawberry picking near NYC, and a visit makes for a great day trip.

Read on to discover more than a dozen strawberry picking farms all less than two hours from Midtown Manhattan. We've also found a handful of strawberry festivals celebrating the season's bounty. You'll find even more pick-your-own fun in our Guide to Family-Friendly Farms near NYC.

Enter Your Child to Be the Next Junior Announcer at a Yard Goats Game–It’s Unforgettable!

Nominate your child to step into the American Eagle Production Booth at a memorable Yard Goats game.

It’s baseball season and kids are taking over the mic at Dunkin’ Park! American Eagle Financial Credit Union–a proud sponsor of the Hartford Yard Goats–is inviting kids ages 7-14 to enter for a chance to be an official Junior PA Announcer at a home game, plus snag a four-pack of tickets so their family can come watch them shine.

Enter now for a shot at winning this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your child to step into the American Eagle Production Booth to announce the players as they take the field. Read on to learn more about our own memorable experience at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, Connecticut, plus tips for attending your next Yard Goats baseball game.

10 Fun Logic Puzzles and Games for Kids, With Answers [FREE, PRINTABLE]

We've got puzzles and answers, and even a way for you to write your own!

Logic puzzles have been popular for as long as we can remember, and they're a great way to have some fun with your kids while using your brain and staying away from a screen. Print out a few for a road trip, or play at home when you're trying to keep kids engaged and mentally active. My 9-year-old even started writing her own for her little brother!

Check out these fun logic puzzles to do with your kids today! They range in difficulty from the super easy to get young kids started, up to slightly more intricate ones for bigger kids. All are fun, free, downloadable printables—and we've even included a blank grid so you can create your own custom logic puzzles for and with your kids. Don't worry, we've included the answers, too.

For more free printable fun, we've got 100 Totally Free Printable Activities for Kids and our Ultimate Collection of Free Printable Coloring Pages for Kids in our Guide to Crafts for Kids.

Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now

Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila

Raising kids in New York has its challenges, but it’s never boring—as these new playgrounds in NYC prove. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, modern design with interactive features or a more classic, nature-inspired setting, there are plenty of cool new playgrounds popping up that offer something special for everyone.

Imagine this: colorful structures, innovative play equipment, shaded areas for comfort, and inclusive designs that make sure all children can join in the fun. From climbing walls to splash pads, these new NYC playgrounds have something to spark every child's imagination. Here are eight new playgrounds in NYC you probably haven't visited yet.

We've got plenty more playground picks on our list of NYC's best playgrounds and in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Good Life Clubhaus Brings Play Space and Juice Bar to Merrick

Good Life Clubhaus' play space includes a ball pit, climbing structures, sensory floor tiles, and a small netted clubhouse. Photo by the author

Good Life Clubhaus Juice Bar & Play Café is a new family-friendly space in Nassau County that combines a juice bar, casual dining, and indoor play zones. It's designed for both kids and adults, whether you're there for a quick bite, a toddler playdate, or some downtime with coffee.

Read on for everything you need to know about this inviting new hybrid biz, and check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island, which includes an article on Long Island cafes with kids' play spaces

Great Children's Theaters in New Jersey: Where to Catch Live Entertainment with Kids

Netcong's the Growing Stage specializes in family-friendly shows, musicals, and holidays performances. Photo courtesy the Growing Stage

Theater is a fantastic way to spark a child's imagination and creativity, and many NJ theaters have performances just for kids. Some children's theaters in NJ offer great bonuses for kids, like meet-and-greets with the actors, sensory-friendly performances, and even a backdrop of the Jersey Shore.

So if you're ready to step into someone else's shoes for an hour or two, we've got a list of some of the best places to catch kids' performances and family shows in New Jersey. For more culturally-enriching ideas, check out our Guide to Museums and Art for New Jersey Kids, as well as our Guide to the Best Movies and TV Shows for the Whole Family

NYBG's Beloved Children's Garden Welcomes Guests Following Multi-Year Renovation

Spot butterflies—real and supersized—when you explore the newly reopened Everett Children's Adventure Garden at the New York Botanical Garden.

When my kids were young, the Everett Children's Adventure Garden was always our first stop during a visit to the New York Botanical Garden, and following a multi-million dollar investment and multi-year renovation, this lovely, playful green space is ready to introduce a new generation of New Yorkers to nature in the concrete jungle.

Reopened over the weekend, the Everett Children's Adventure Garden is welcoming visitors once again. Read on for what you can expect during your next visit, whether you're planning to stop by for its Mother's Day Garden Party, the upcoming Van Gogh exhibition, or you want to explore the blooms, blossoms, and family-friendly amenities at the NYBG all year round.

Pages